Special days at the beach May 31, 2009

We just got back from a GREAT week at the beach with my dad and Marian.  This was our first time to go to their beach place and we had a wonderful time- for so many reasons.

 

We celebrated Olivia’s 7th birthday at the beach.  Marian baked her a cake and my dad decorated it- His first time to do that! Olivia wanted a dog that swims and a mermaid that swims.  She also got a special swimsuit for the trip.

 

We had wonderful dinners every night.  Our one night to go out we headed to Lulu’s- a very kid-friendly place to eat.  There is a sand area for the kids to play in while you wait for your table.  The restaurant is on the water, so Marian thought to ask if we could sit where we could watch the boats.  Cord liked that part so much that we couldn’t get him to look our way for the pictures.

 

We ended that night with miniature golf- which Marian and Popo came in 1st and 2nd respectively.  I quit half way to chase a little boy around so he wouldn’t end up in the water or stop other families from playing their game.

 

Finally, I just had to post a couple of Lucy on the beach for the first time. 

 

Thank you Popo and Marian for a great trip and so many special memories!

recital ‘09 May 25, 2009

I love getting to go to dance recitals- i know, you are probably rolling your eyes.  But I love them.   I think it’s fun to see what the choreography is, the costumes are, and now my own girls dance.

The girls were in different dressing rooms, so I had to keep running back and forth between the rooms to make sure they were feeling safe and ready for their turns.

 

Lots of sweet friends from school are also in dance- it makes it so much fun to go to class and to the recital

 By the end of the night, Emma was sacked out in Eric’s arms.

 Olivia was still going strong after the show and was really excited that she gets to keep the parasol that she danced with in the recital.  This one is NOT for rain, she informed me.  This one is for the sun!

Some of the sweetest people were in the audience with us.  My Aunt Mary and my grandmother, Babe, drove up from Birmingham to see the show! The girls were so excited that they were there.

Emma should have been in this photo, but she was still asleep in Eric’s arms.  It was a great night

uh oh May 23, 2009

Olivia ened up with a gash between her eyebrows two days ago- And this weekend is her rehearsal and recital for dance.  The gash is pretty icky- so we used clear tape to cover it up and will have to add make up on top for tonight’s recital.  I absolutley can’t stand blood, but have been thankful to be able to work on her without getting sick

Can you see it in this picture? this was from rehearsal last night with her good friend Hannah.  I always love recitals.  The dances are too cute and the girls enjoy seeing everyone’s dances.  I think I will avoid saying,”Break a leg” tonight.

End of year parties May 21, 2009

We made it! Through first grade and Pre K.

Both girls had great end of the year parties.  Olivia had a backyard party, complete with inflatables, a cook out and one of the coolest swings.

Emma’s class went to JumpZone and jumped on inflatables inside.

We are so very grateful for the care and love the girls have received from their sweet teachers.  It is such a blessing to be able to trust the hearts of the people who are teaching your children every day. 

I am looking forward to the summer with the girls home.  I hope I still say that in two months.

the bottom two May 20, 2009

That is what I call child 3 and child 4.  This was after bathtime the other night.  Cord is repeating,”Lu lu, Lu lu, Lu lu” which is what he calls Lucy.  Lucy is giggling and rolling back and forth to see him.  They crack each other up.  (and me)

Garage Sales May 19, 2009

Last weekend we had a garage sale and were able to get rid of some baby equipment and other stuff that has been building up in the garage.

I had some big helpers- and I mean help in the nicest way possible!

This little helper tagged himself with a $20 price tag.

There were a lot of offers to take him, but when we mentioned that he came with a 5:00 am wake up, no one wanted him!

Olivia was making sure the toys went 2 for $.25

Emma was usually flagging down customers, but in this picture is helping me pack it all up at the end of the sale.

All proceeds will go to a lawn mower with a bag- something the Zellners have never owned!

my new favorite May 16, 2009

My new favorite mispronunciation in our house is from Cord- he calls his juice Applemade.  He must hear me ask the girls all the time whether they want apple juice or lemonade.  So he calls out all day for milk or applemade.  love it!

While Momma is busy… May 11, 2009

During our wonderful visit with Eric’s parents, we were fortunate to have good weather and be able to visit with everyone outside.  My plan was to arrive in our outfits from the ribbon cutting, looking at least a little nicer than play clothes, and then change in to shorts so the kids could run around.  While I was getting a couple of good family pictures…

Bailee and Luke posing with Emma and Olivia.  But two are missing!

Lucy was hanging with her great aunts, KE and Carla.

but where oh where is Cord?

We found him “swimming” in this puddle. And loving every minute of it.

More photos for his rehearsal dinner one day!

Reunions are so sweet. May 11, 2009

After the ribbon cutting, our family drove to Nashville to spend Saturday afternoon with Eric’s family.  This was a VERY special occasion.  Eric’s aunt, K. E., turned 70 and we went to celebrate with her.  She lives in Daytona and we don’t get to see her very often.

She is a very strong lady, one filled with a quiet grace and beauty.  I am so thankful to be around her. She was entertaining Lucy bug for a good part of the day.

Two of her sons, who live in Washington, flew to Nashville and we were able to see them too! It had been years since we had visited with them.  Eric and his brother have spoken so highly of them and I was thankful to be able to have an extended visit with them.

Eric, cousins Richard and Tom, and Brother Kurt

The cousins came prepared: They had Nerf Guns, bubble guns, and a remote controlled helicopter.  Not only did the guys provide the toys, they played with the kids too.

Richard is helping Emma get the other team.

I was able to get a picture with the boys and their moms, plus their Aunt Carla.

 

What a wonderful visit we had with such special people.  I am waiting on a group shot to post when I get it! Looking forward to another reunion

Ribbon cutting May 11, 2009

We have had such a wonderful weekend.  One of the highlights was attending the ribbon cutting for the new campus of our church, Westminster Presbyterian Church,  and our school, Westminster Christian Academy. In the past year, the old property was sold and the new building was completed- an incredible amount of work for such a small amount of time.  So we celebrated this past Saturday with remarks from our headmaster and other special guests, including Mayor Tommy Battle and Congressman Parker Griffith.  One fun thing for our family was that Eric was able to participate in the ribbon cutting. 

With a little trepidation, I took all the kids to the event.  I was hoping I could keep them occupied until the remarks were over so that I could take the tour of the building afterward.  I was worried that if Cord heard Eric speaking he would call out DADDY!  We made it through the invocation- somehow Cord was busy looking at some other child and failed to hear his daddy’s voice.  We made it through Eric’s remarks- Cord discovered a Little Mermaid phone and open and closed it over and over.  The music must have covered over Eric’s voice again. (don’t know if our neighbors were so happy   )  Then the ribbon cutting happened and Cord saw Daddy.  He started repeating his name and I knew soon it would be a loud call.  Thankfully the event ended with a song and I was able to join Eric with the little ones. 

We will begin worshiping there this next Sunday! How exciting!  Praise to the Lord for all of His provisions!