Memphis Zoo

We took the girls to the Memphis Zoo last Saturday to enjoy the warmer weather. We, of course had to walk through most of the exhibits -- there was so much to see!

What are those?

Tonight Ellie and I were "talking" on her bed as we traced matchbox cars across the sheets. It's in those moments that real secrets are shared. Lying there propped up on my elbow... she asked, "Mama what are those lines going across your forehead?" I didn't say anything at first, more stunned at such a question. Wrinkles, I signed. She proceeded to describe how there were four long lines. Another sign. She wanted to know how I got them and if they'd go away. I mentioned something vaguely about growing older. Ellie is very inquisitive, so there were more questions to follow. She summarized by saying, "PawPaw has lots of wrinkles".

Ellie & Isabelle

Enjoying the cooler weather

The Necessity of Sisterhood

There's nothing better than your mother having a sister. Aren't all girls suppose to have a sister? I mean someone who is still standing there by your side when everyone else goes home. A friend that by default loves you no matter how many times you "rat" them out. A sister who says, you're the best and lets you wear her clothes. Everyone should have one of those. Here's to our sisterhood -- We love you, Aunt Janet!

Hallelujah Night at church

Our baby girl!

57,000 Cowbells

We braved Starkville, Mississippi on our recent road trip (3 1/2 hrs) to see Tim Tebow and the Gators play the Bulldogs live October 24th. To accompany me on this trip, navigator Lamont Jones (who ain't interested in either team), Chuck Brown, the die hard UT fan but confesses unable to find fault with Tebow, the worthy opponent.

The Gators struggled on offense, but rallied during the second half to stretch the lead. Our seats were purchased at the MSU box office, the game a sellout and fold out chairs were opened for additional seating. This was an unbelievable experience for $50 each we were at the 40 yrd line right behind the MSU bench. We could have heard the play calls except for the cowbells!!!! The MSU tradition. The legend is told and retold that it was the game of the century in the early 1900's when MSU played Ole Miss. The Rebels were beating the Bulldogs when in the middle of the game, a jersey cow with a cowbell, walked on the field disrupted the game and afterwards the Bulldogs were victorious. MSU which had a historic record attendance of 57,178 that all stayed until the game was over.

I am sorry but 57,000 cowbells could not stop the Gators.

The pictures were taken at our seats!!! Enjoy.

Lamont seemed quite taken of Erin Andrews sorry folks no video.

Loving the Fall Season

I enjoy the season change to Fall each year, particularly the month of September. Not only my birthday month, but the air seems cooler; trees are changing colors; department stores are putting out their fall selections (which means closet conversions); college football starts; and school is in full swing.

Our household has been busy over the past few weeks. Bill recently had our central AC units replaced. Ellie & Amelia are wrapping up the first six weeks of school. Fall Break starts next week for them. Isabelle is still adjusting to the new daycare she started three weeks ago. What a HUGE adjustment for her. She misses Aunt Becky and Jacob. I spend most of my time trying to keep up with Bill and the girls, which keeps me consumed with many projects and errands.

Amelia's first day of Jr. Kindergarten

Celebrating 37th birthday

Isabelle's first day of Daycare

Isabelle & PawPaw at church

Ellie & Amelia at "Disney on Ice"

Game Day at our House. Gators vs. Vols!

Happy First Birthday, Isabelle!

We celebrated Isabelle's first birthday on Saturday, the 12th. Bill and I made comments to each other unbelieving one year had lapsed since Isabelle came into our lives. Where has the time gone? She is such a joy to us and adds so much to our family of five. Isabelle gets all our attention, especially with Ellie & Amelia. Happy Birthday!

Isabelle loves this rocking chair; mine when I was little.

She loved her cake!

Labor Day Weekend

We were off Labor Day Weekend with the girls out of school. We stayed home for three days and enjoyed the time together. It was perfect weather, so we set out on our first family bike ride. With helmets securely fastened and training wheels back on, we peddled towards Jason & Becky's house. After lots of encouragement, we made it! Luckily Jason & Becky were home.

11 Months

Welcome back as I sit down at the kitchen bar to catch you up on our latest. I couldn't resist posting this picture of Isabelle. I snapped it when she was "rambling" about something; not realizing I had the camera focused on her. She is 11 months and changing everyday. Ellie and Amelia love being "big sister" to her.

We had our first Parent-Teacher conference with each of Ellie & Amelia's teachers. They are doing extremely well for their first 3 weeks of school. Ellie has adjusted to First Grade and finds the challenges in her school work rewarding. Amelia keeps her teacher, "Miss" Leslie in stitches (so she says). Amelia is learning the boundaries that come with being in class and is writing her name proudly. Each morning I drop them off from the car and watch them march off to class. What big girls.

The pace at which Bill and I keep is demanding. Up early and to bed late, exhausted. I find very little time to squeeze in anything else. We are planning for Isabelle's first birthday just around the corner. Not real sure how 11 months snuck up on me. I do try and capture the special moments with the girls and make them count.

Starting Jr. Kindergarten

Amelia's "Phase-In" day for Jr. Kindergarten started Wednesday. She and PawPaw spend Monday & Tuesday together while Ellie was in school. After quizzing Ellie how each day went, Amelia was eager to share wild stories of what her and PawPaw did. Here are a few pictures of their adventures.

At the Wolfchase Mall

Amelia's teacher, "Miss Leslie" was Ellie's Jr. Kindergarten teacher. We loved her class two years ago, so we were relieved to learn Amelia would start kindergarten with her. Amelia, excited to carry her very own backpack, skipped down the Kindergarten hallway to her class. Since Wednesday was a "Phase-In" day, only a third of the class was present. This made for an easy transition. Amelia when quizzed later that evening, claimed she had "no tickets, no timeouts, and no bones pulled". She was quite proud of her first day.

Starting 1st Grade

After searching the house over for my SD card & coming up empty (it must be at work), I've decided to sit down and post our first week of school. That's right, no pictures for now. Check back later. Monday started early as the girls and I got up to begin Ellie's first day of 1st grade. I still hesitate when saying 1st grade. We had already visited Ellie's class and met her teacher, Ms. Ford last week at Harding's "Meet the Teacher". I could tell Ellie was nervously excited to get the day underway. She sat quietly in the back seat of the truck as the two of us headed to school. Me just chattering away in attempts to settle her uneasiness. I walked her to class in the Elementary Building where there was a hustle of parents, teachers, and students. The Elementary Building (new to us) houses 1st through 6th grade. This was a big step for Ellie. There was Ms. Ford ready to greet us with a smile and 22 other students. Ellie managed to make it through her day. The second day was even better. Each day Ellie comes home with something new to share.