What we've been up to...

I know! I know! It's been a while.  A long while.  We've had a busy couple of months and our computer has been giving us a lot of issues. Pat claims we will get a new one soon.  I'm not holding my breath though.  He's been a bit preoccupied this summer finishing up his MBA.  Summer is definitely the hardest on all of us because he is gone every Saturday.  In two weeks he will be done forever.  He jokes with me about how he's just a few classes away from getting a doctorate degree and that he should just continue until he gets it.  I do not find the humor in that joke ;0). We made the decision that he won't actually walk for his graduation.  We really wanted the girls to see their daddy graduate, but it was going to cost us about $500 for him to walk.  We would have to buy the cap, gown and all the cords.  Plus he wasn't actually going to walk across a stage, they were just going to ask all MBA students to stand for recognition.  We were both a bit bummed out about that but  $500 can definitely be used elsewhere in our lives (like for a new computer ;0)).

So in the last few months since I last posted, several things have happened.  I summarize briefly:

* Curly graduated kindergarten.  It was sad.  She had a wonderful year.  I really couldn't have asked for a better teacher or class.  We are all sad to see it end but looking forward to a great 1st grade year.  She also lost her first tooth.  She was the only kid in her kindergarten class to not lose a tooth.  She was so giddy excited to finally have one fall out and get a visit from the tooth fairy.

* June was consumed with swim team for Curly.  She swam freestyle and backstroke.  There were five swim meets total.  She placed first in backstroke in four of them and got second place in the other.  She did well in freestyle and well.

* The Bear had a slow start to swimming.  She regressed greatly from last summer.  She took some private swim lessons throughout May. It took until mid June for her to finally be okay swimming around with her floaty without clinging for dear life to someone else.  We hope to continue to see improvements as she gets more confident in the water.

* Finally, for the past two weeks we've been living the life of leisure at the beach.  We left July 1st for Duck, NC in the Outerbanks to spend the week with Pat's parents, sisters, their husbands and Belle (our dog cousin).  We had a great time playing on the beach during the day, playing cards at night, visiting the wild horses in Corolla, and lots and lots of eating. After leaving Duck, Pat drove back to Atlanta with his sisters and their husbands while the girls and I drove on to Kiawah, SC to visit Pat's Aunt Debbie and cousins Tyler and Sarah for the week.  It was another fun filled with more beach play time and more food.  We were also very fortunate to be there as Tyler proposed to his girlfriend, Lisa on the beach.  It was such a sweet event to witness.  She said YES!  Curly and the Bear have always held a special place in their hearts for Tyler.  Thankfully they absolutely loved Lisa too!  They are so excited about the wedding.

large from Stacie Haynes on Vimeo.

Time to catch up...

So it's been awhile.  Sorry about that.  We've been busy with school and church activities.  Thankfully Pat's school semester is over and he doesn't go back until June.  I'm hoping to catch up on some things while he's around more this month, one of which is posting on the blog ;0).  So in the past month this is what we've been up too...

Easter

The girls look a little uncomfortable around Daddy with nasty facial hair ;0). It was all shaved off a week later after Prem's 30th Birthday Mustache Bash.  

Spring Choir Performance 

Oh, did I forget to mention that the Bear fractured her leg, AGAIN?  Yes, our very delicate Bear fractured her other tibia.  And in case you've lost count, that makes a total of 3 casts for our 3 year old.  This time it was a result of a trampoline accident.  I'm looking into getting some sort of bubble suit for her to wear around.  Since she is a cast expert at this point, she got around very well in her bright sparkly yellow cast.  She wasn't going to miss singing with the 3 year old choir.  She proudly stood front and center holding hands with two sweet friends next to her and sang every word.  

Curly's choir performed songs about being good friend.  Curly acted the part of  "Grand I Am".  Basically she had to act like she was way to important to stop and help Tahope Joe who had broken down. She was so excited to have an acting part.  

10 Years Strong

On April 27, we celebrated 10 years of marriage.  Our actual anniversary fell in the middle of Pat's finals so we had to delay celebrating for a few days.  On Tuesday May 1st, we flew to the Bahamas to spend a few days relaxing in the sun. We stayed at the Sandals Royal Grand Bahamian Resort.  The weather was absolutely perfect every day we were there. We relaxed, played in the sand, sailed catamarans, ate a lot, soaked up sun and relaxed some more. It was glorious.  Grandma came to our house to take care of the kiddos and Pap Pap joined her later in the week.  They did an awesome job getting the girls to and from their different schools and after school activities and dealing with the Bear's cast.  Thanks you so much for letting us escape town for a few days!

The resort had a private island about a half mile off shore. We found this secluded spot on the back side of the island. We were literally the only people there.  These two pictures show our view from our private island spot. 

Pat sailing his little catamaran.  I went out with him once but it was a little to small and my fear of ocean water was a little to big, so I was one and done.  He went sailing several times and even made friends with a sea turtle. 

We spent most evenings after dinner by the fire pits watching the sun set.  They had a saxophone player  that played relaxing music. 

What we missed while away:

Unfortunately we missed Curly's end of the year kindergarten performance while in the Bahamas.  Thankfully her wonderful teacher, Mrs Hutcherson, arranged for us to see a rehearsal Monday morning.  It was so precious.  The kids did an amazing job and Curly was so happy we got to see the show before we left.  Grandma and Pap were thrilled to be able to see the real performance.  A friend sent me a video she took of the performance.  Her daughter, Vivian, and Curly were both part of the school of fish.  Curly was actually the school's teacher.  Click here to see the video. 

 Curly's song is around the 3 minute mark.  She is on the right hand side of the video next to the board.  As the teacher fish, she pointed out parts of the fish body.  Vivian was on the opposite side of the stage so her mom went back and forth to get both girls in the video.  All the kids sing the finale at the end.  Here are some pictures I took at the rehearsal.  I have another friend sending me pictures from the actual performance but I don't have them yet.  

 The school of fish

The teacher fish

They're on their way. FIRST GRADE! FIRST GRADE!

NEXT...

Our sweet little breakable Bear turns 4 this Sunday.  She got to celebrate her birthday with her preschool class today because tomorrow is the Mother's Day Tea.  This weekend with have a party and a trip to the zoo planned.  Hopefully next week I'll be able to post again about all that good stuff.  

I Love Animals

I love animals. I love puppies. I love pandas. I love bears. I love all animals. Those are common things our little Bear says on a daily basis. She loves all things furry, cuddly, and not human. She loves some humans too but she's much more picky about which humans she deems acceptable ;0). And yes, she often refers to people as humans. Our Bear is funny little thing.

Last weekend Aunt Debbie drove in from Oklahoma and Tyler came over from Clemson to visit us for a few days. Tyler is one of Lily's favorite humans. Both of my girls love Debbie and Tyler so they were super pumped for them to come. While Pat was in class on Saturday, the rest of us headed down to Zoo Atlanta for some St Patrick's Day fun with all the animals. Curly and the Bear were over the moon excited. Aunt Debbie spoiled us rotten by buying us a family annual pass. THANK YOU DEBBIE! So we will be enjoying many days this year at the zoo. The Bear will enjoy this pass most of all. The weather was perfect for walking around the zoo. We had a great time seeing everything and spending quality time with Debbie and Tyler.

The Bear has a major aversion to looking at the camera.

Feeding the birds

Meerkat Curly and Meerkat Debbie

Tyler and Curly trying to get the lions attention

Two little birdies sitting in a nest

Apes

Where's the Bear?

6

About 6 years and 20 weeks ago, I had an ultrasound that revealed my first baby would be a girl. I cried. I was completely relieved that she was healthy and perfect; however, I was a bit sad she wasn't a boy. I admit, I wanted only boys. I didn't want a girl. Then on March 3rd, 2006 my perfect little girl was born. I was never again sad that I didn't get that little boy. God had a much better plan for my life than I had. She has been a ray of sunshine since she was born. Full of life, always chatty, friendly, loving, sweet, compassionate, smart and so much more. I love being Curly's mommy.

We spent last weekend celebrating Curly's 6th birthday. She had been so excited in the weeks leading up to her birthday. Friday she had her birthday celebration at school. It also happened to be Dr Sesus' birthday celebration, so all the kids could wear PJ's to school. That morning she got to be on the morning announcements (or the news as she calls it). She said"Hi, I'm Mary Alice and I'll be 6 on Saturday". She was so excited to be on the news where everyone in the entire school got to watch her on TV. That girl loves an audience. I made cupcakes in the shapes of flowers for her class to enjoy. Her sweet teacher, Mrs Hutcherson, made her a crown to wear all day at school.

Sweet kindergartners in their PJ's

On Saturday, her actual birthday, Grandma and Pap Pap came to town. Unfortunately Pat was in school all day taking midterms. We went to go see The Lorax movie. Curly loved it. The Bear said she didn't. Saturday evening, Grandma and Pap Pap treat Curly and the rest of us to dinner at the American Girl Bistro in Alpharetta. Both girls really enjoyed bringing their dolls and experiencing the American Girl Dream.

Pap Pap and The Bear anxiously awaiting to eat at The American Girl Bistro

Pat was such a good sport throughout the whole experience

They give you little chairs for your doll and a tea cup with a saucer just her size

Sunday we had Curly's birthday party for all her friends at a jumping place called, Champion Kids. She and all her girlfriends had a blast jumping, sliding, swinging, zip lining, foam pitting, cake eating and laughing. Aunt Lauren, Uncle Luke, Aunt Jenna and Uncle Prem all came to play with her and her friends. Curly has so much fun. That night she said " I cannot believe today really happened. It was the BEST day of my life". I'll take that as a success ;0).

Hangin' around with Ella and Claire

Sliding with Ella

Swinging high

Foam Pit fun

Zip Line

Hello Kitty cake

Sweet Friends

Sweet Aunts

We've spent this week coming down off of birthday high. The Bear is impatiently waiting her 4th birthday in May. She just cannot stand sissy getting all these new presents and attention while she gets nothing. She has already told me she wants to go to the park with her friends and have a Diego cake. We'll see if that's what her ever changing mind still wants in May.

The Dance

The past Friday was the annual Father Daughter Dance at our church. Curly had been looking forward to it since last years dance. It is for girls ages 4 and up, so The Bear just missed the cut off. She was none too pleased with that, but thankfully Aunt Jenna and Uncle Prem offered to take the girls for the weekend. The Bear got to spend Friday evening with them all by herself as a special treat while Daddy and Curly danced the night away. Curly enjoyed all the dance preparations : getting nails painted, getting her hair styled, getting dressed, her corsage, etc.... I so wanted to be a fly on the wall during this dance. Curly throughly enjoyed herself (as did Daddy). The pictures from the dance show the pure joy she was feeling. I love it! Now wait is on for next year's dance.

Putting her corsage on

She loved it

They clean up nice

Dancin' machines

Curly and Kathryn Ann

Curly and Ella

Claire and Hailey.

5 + 95

Today was the 100th of school. All the kindergarten classes celebrated by dressing up like they were 100 years old. It was a little weird and unusual, but a lot of fun. I had no clue how to dress up Curly. A friend from church let me and another mom borrow some clothes that her daughters wore when they were in kindergarten for the 100th day celebration. Curly didn't like some of the clothes. "Too itchy", "Too big", "Too hard", "Too yucky". She had lots of excuses. In the end she decided to wear a long white gown (it was kind of like a fancy nightgown) with a small greenish robe overcoat thingy. I did her hair up in a bun and sprinkled baby powder all over it. She accessorized with green Tinkerbell sunglasses that had the lens popped out, and a flower purse. She was SO excited to go to school today. That girl loves a good dress up party even if it means dressing up like an old lady. So without further ado, here is a peek at what our little Curly will look like in 95 years:

100 year old Curly

Curly and Carly future Golden Girls

Not everyone in her class dressed up, but the ones that did had fun with it