A Priceless Visit

I hesitate to blog about this, because we had so much fun with Auntie Snags and Frasier visiting, its going to make me very sad that they don't live closer!! But I'll try my best to keep it spunky and will certainly enjoy reviewing these memories.

Fray is finally old enough to join our routine Starbucks/pedicure pampering! And what a great job she did picking out a sparkly blue color...

Rhombus, Snags, and I tried Wine & Design together and successfully painted Rainbow Row in Charleston (although I had no wine to help my design and could have benefited from better posture apparently.)

Snags gave a wonderful reading at Duke University while the cousins played. As usual when it comes to cousins, Van is the instigator. He "creeped" into cousin Frasier's room while she was napping to wake her up to play monster puppets. So sneaky!

 

 

Jeanie missed cousin Zephyr but enjoyed her fair share of cake at Frasier's 4 year old birthday party!

My gift to Fray: a hand-made blankety blank

 

Our azaleas are in bloom:

And we have plenty to keep busy:

but I agree with Van--on the way to school this morning he said: "I really miss Frasier."

We love you!

Come back soon.

Spring Break

It took a full week to recouperate from our spring "break"...having both kids at home with me during the sleepiest week of pregnancy yet was quite a challenge. Note to self: next year--make concrete plans for spring break!

Many popsicles devoured, learning how to share toys without tears, long walks, afternoons in the park, and a fun trip to Three Bears Acres. I enjoyed our time together.  Here are some photos of our break! (And now that he's finally back in school, I am missing my little buddy Van!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Easter!

"But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light,

so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done

has been done through God."

John 3:21

We had such a happy Easter! Van was a little disappointed in the Easter Bunny this year, especially after he realized the Easter Bunny did not deliver a double guitar and drum set. Bummer! But Van and Jean-Margaret were very cute and enjoyed playing with their wind-up chicks and eating chocolate coins and jelly beans for breakfast!

After church, we had Granny Rhombus, Pop Pop, G-Mommy, and G-Diddy over for a delicious lunch.

 

Although mine wasn't nearly as attractive as Southern Living's...I attempted my first layer cake from scratch.

 

It was difficult to master the consistencies of the filling and icing, but it was tasty!

 

A family event for us is never complete...without a concert from Van.

 

He decided to switch it up a little and sing some Hotel California ;)

 

Jeanie helped!

 

Its hard to believe we'll have another member to this crew by Thanksgiving!

Baby Lackey ("Johnis" and Van's "sister brother") is due 11/11/13!

Van-isms

We are so proud of Van!

Yesterday, at his Rookie Sports awards ceremony, Van won "the curiosity award."

His coach said "well, Van likes to make lots of observations--then finds his own way to interpret the new skill." :)

While receiving his medal, Van interrupted the coach to say "I think I just heard something go BONK."

I want to record some of my favorite Van-isms. 

Van loves daydreaming about the day he can drive me to the chicken store (thats Chic-fil-a). He tells me that I will ride in the carseat and he will be big enough to drive.

He wants to take me to the chicken store near the ho-mart (that's Wal-Mart).

When we ask: "Van, would you like another baby sister or baby brother?" Van replies: "No, I want to keep Jeanie."

Me: Well, if you did have a baby brother or sister, what would you name him or her?

Van: How about Johnis? [insert lots of Van, mom, and dad cackles here]
..................................................................................................................................................

Van's preschool teacher pulled me to the side one afternoon to explain her astonishment with Van:

                           

 "I took them out to the playground today. It was so cold, there was ice all over the slide. I asked the kids--'where did all of this ice come from?' To which Van replied--'Ms. Cathy...ice comes from water.'"

 

 

Van is asking the Easter Buddy for a drum set. He is very specific that the drum set MUST have "a cymbal drum." I showed him a picture of a little toddler drum set and he said, NO mom. Not like that one. It does not have the cymbal drum like Con Henwey (Don Henley).

 

 

Lastly, per Pop-Pop's influence...

 

Van's favorite one-liner:

 

"You can check out any time you'd like,

But you can neh-nur weeve!" [insert ferocious air guitar playing here]

Little Doll

I can remember the joy of climbing into my baby doll's crib, and since I actually remember doing so--I guess I was probably a little too old for that game :) I used to drag the crib down the hallway into the den and curl up with my waffle blanky and watch cartoons.

Recently, Jean-Margaret has enjoyed independent-play in her room, a good thing for us! But instead of being productive, I like to spy on her. Today I found her rocking herself joyously in her doll crib. :) Too cute!!

The Fun Part About My Job

 

My kids are HARD.  I try my best to focus on and emphasize the good parts but that is not always easy. Evans was out of town for a week on business. I nearly lost my mind. We are constantly in search of fun and kid-friendly outdoor daytrips and we have become big fans of the overnight beach trip!

 

Van is definitely into music these days. If he had his way, he would oscillate between his guitar(s) and drum set (my up-turned pots and pans) while watching the Eagles, Jack Johnson, Van Morrison, and Eric Clapton (over...and...over...) on YouTube. Instead of getting frustrated with him, I decided to dig in and pull out my violin. I nearly forgot that I was an adult nerd who took violin lessons 2 years ago. While I only remember 2 songs, this was a hit! Van was impressed. (Be glad you cannot hear the picture...it was not an ear-friendly scenario).

 

 

 

Bottoms up!