We Interrupt This Drive....

....well, maybe the title should be...
THANK YOU PSAs!

While our family is known for being ULTRA safety conscious - this girl is picking up on things very (too) quickly!

As we drive down the road, I am CONSTANTLY hearing...
Mom, you know that it isn't very safe to talk on the phone while you are driving OR
Mom, it isn't a very good idea to put on makeup while you are in the car.

However, she STILL wants me to read things to her from the front seat (which, I inform her isn't a good idea).

I guess this can be filed under rules of convenience!

Mom - We Have a Problem....

I had the pleasure of spending the entire day today with my favorite girl. We decided to shop till we dropped, and afford Daddy a rare day at home to do what he would.

We started by doing some American Girl activities at our local mall's Bookland. She is excited about the new Girl of the Year, Laney (who happens to be blond and like animals and nature, etc.). We then proceeded to several stores, including Target to purchase (with her own money) a Baby Alive that has been on the wish list since Santa forgot to include it in the Christmas haul.

As we looked up from shopping to realize that it was 7pm, and we had to venture to just one more store prior to having a yummy dinner - the conversation went a little like this....

Mom: "Before going to dinner, we have to stop - very quickly - into Party City.

I promise to just grab napkins and then get in the car."

My Girl: "Mom, we have a problem."

Mom: "What type of problem?"

My Girl: "There are so many great things to see in there and I don't want to hurry,
but, I am so hungry!"

At the ripe old age of 4,

my girl has discovered the dilemma with which we women must constantly struggle!

We Had a DREAM!

OK, it isn't the dream of everyone. BUT, it has been our dream for a very long time!

In our daughter's lifetime, we have NEVER parked both vehicles in our garage. Well, yesterday, the dream became a reality!

You know, it really is the little things............... Right?

So Many Choices, So Little Time!

We enjoyed the afternoon (and evening) at an Anti-Super Bowl Party.
(do I have to use the term 'Big Game' on my blog? I don't need an attorney bill!)

This party was ALL women and kids. The kids enjoyed dress-up GALORE! As you can see, my girl was having a hard time making a choice!

Great idea, Casey! Thanks for the fun and FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! Oh, and the Peach beer - YUM!

Miss Molly Mack, Mack, Mack...

Miss Mckenzie has been a huge part of my new job. How you might ask? She has been an amazing babysitter and playmate for our girl. Because she is home-schooled, she is able to help us during the day while I am working at Church. Seriously, Campbell stands at the window waiting for her to arrive each Wednesday afternoon.
It's enough to give a Mommy a complex!

But, alas, all good things must come to an end. She has a calling to work in her Church, and will intern with them in the future. So...we will only get the opportunity to see her in the evenings (hopefully, in the near future!).

Lucky for us, she referred one of her friends, whom we love too.

Good luck Mckenzie!

First Spend the Night Party

On a whim, we asked Campbell if she would like to have a sleepover. DUH!

So, we enjoyed an evening with little Miss A.G.
There was the super fun bath, the pizza, the movie (UP!), the stories and the sleeping bags.

They were so excited and so sweet. Lots of giggles to look forward to in the future.

A Day in the Sun

On a beautiful day in January, we joined some friends and enjoyed the perfectly lovely day by the water at Callaway Gardens.

The sheer joy of being outside during the midst of a, generally, dreary month.

A motley crew!

Playing under a huge Magnolia tree topped off the afternoon.

Yaaaaahooooooo!

The day finally arrived - and it brought the rain with it!

This year, our little miss decided on 'Jesse' from Toy Story 2.
She has wanted to be this crazy cowgirl for about 6 months! As with birthday 'themes', she usually sticks to her guns once she has decided.

Granddaddy and Grandmother dropped by, in what is now a tradition, to see the costume and the girl.

First 'Trick or Treat' down as Miss Louise's house.


Yo Gabba Gabba (L.), Jesse, and the beautiful pink princess (E. F.) live just around the bend.


Posing with Daphne from Scooby Doo (Lou) and the White Fairy (A.G.)

Leaving a house with her loot!

Even though we weren't able to make it to parties that were rained out - we had a great, soggy, time!

Day at the Farm

Possibly, my favorite event at our Church. We got there early to help set up the covered-dish tables. There was SO much to do.

Ann and Campbell entertained themselves for a while, while their Moms helped get everything ready.

Of course, Daddy joined in on the festivities!

There were hay rides (through the Haunted Barn) ...

Unicycles?

Horseshoes (and target practice with pellets) - I didn't do a shabby job, if I do say so myself!

I believe there is a written law about face-painting being a 'requirement'!


We had about 350 people there. Another 'written law' at the Presbyterian Church states that...
"If thou gatherest one plus any others in the presence of God and everybody, you MUST serve food." And, we did!

Frances and Betty are also on the awesome Social Committee, and we helped get drinks and chicken and to organize the essentials for the covered dish and pie contest.

Dr. DeCelle is part of a mountain dulcimer group that performed in addition to a hammer dulcimer group from Florida, Sweet Prospect.

First Presbyterian Law #3...
"Thou shalt always have the good graces to invite Mama Jama! "
(and the privilege of hearing those stories!)

You can just guess from her face that she had a great time, played with the Frisbee and side-walk chalk, etc. , etc., etc.

For the end of the day, it was so nice to see all of these sweet little ones still having a great time. LOVE this shot of Andy.


Luke tried on Campbell's Frisbee hat, as well!

Campbell and Lily, thick as thieves at the end of a great, beautiful day.

Until next year!

Mi Nino Bonita

I always love the opportunity to share a sweet pic of my beautiful girl!

It's a Croc!

Well, after a couple of years of wear...ALL of these Crocs must be on their way to find a new home. Luckily, Grammie scooped up the opportunity to take our little miss out to find a replacement pair. WHAT would we do without 'do it yourself/waterproof' shoe wear!!!

Gotta Dance - Again!

She is pretty excited about starting back with ballet and tap.
She gave me a little preview in the driveway!


Her ballet backpack is just perfect to carry a change of clothing and her ballet shoes.


Luckily for me, the classes are back to back on the same day. She starts with tap with Miss Ang and then moves on to ballet with Miss Ashley and Miss Skye.

I was excited as she was to be back!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

My Sweetie turned 41 today!

These are the cupcakes that Campbell decorated for Daddy (and the rest of us!)

Campbell sure does love that Grandmother of hers!


WHEN do we get to eat the cupcake?

Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera!

I have always loved the thought of having such incredible arts programs for such a small town. I mean, when people ask me about LaGrange, I mention this as one of the 'bonuses'! However, enjoying the arts has, sometimes, taken a back seat to everything else. Here is a sampling of what we have:
LaGrange Symphony Orchestra
Lafayette Ballet
LaGrange Art Museum
Lamar Dodd Art Center at LaGrange College
Young Singers of LaGrange
LaGrange Chorus
LaGrange Lyric Theater
Lafayette Theater Company

Sons of Lafayette Men's Choir
New Horizon Community Theater, West Point
West Georgia Children's Theater, Hogansville

That does it! It is my goal to see as many local productions as I can afford and handle in the coming years. A nice start to this school year is The King and I. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the show - and recognizing some of the actors.
I'll keep you updated on our progress!

Discoveries Picnic

We had a great time with our Sunday School class out at Highland Park. As you might notice, there are lots of kids. Also, there was lots of fun, food and fellowship - in a beautifully casual setting.