Happy Birthday Jessica

Our friend Jessica's birthday was last week and we went out to dinner and bowling to celebrate. It was great fun with all my college roommates and Jack (he heard there was bowling, beer and ladies and he made sure to be invited).One interesting thing happened during the second game- Jack lost... to three girls... Jack was a member of the esteemed "dream team" back in middle school and since then has always beat us all easily. But this time- Jessica, Stephanie and Erika all beat him. I'll post the screen so we will have it forever... but first, to explain, the screen said "Touch here" and when I started typing a name for Jack, part of that word remained. And when you are the only guy with four ladies and they think "K Cuch here)" is funny... you are stuck with it.. Congrats Stephanie on the win! and Jessica and Erika too!

"Not say Uh-huh"

One of the reaccuring themes of this blog is the funny things that come out of Grace's mouth. As most of you know, neither Jack nor I was raised in the south and therefore we never really had the southern manners ingrained in us- so Ma'am and Sir don't naturally roll off our tougue. When Grace started to talk, we tried to get her to say "yes ma'am" and "yes sir" but honestly, since we don't do it ourselves, we forgot to reinforce it and it's been months since we mentioned it. So, imagine my surprise when Grace asked me a question the other day and I said "uh-huh" and she replied- "No Mommy! Not say uh-huh- say Yes Ma'am." A few days later Jack told her "ok" and he got much the same reply "Not say ok- say Yes Ma'am!" She'll teach us our southern manners yet...

Big Girl Room

Ever since we found out that Grace was going to have a sibling, we've been talking to her about moving to a "Big Girl Room." We asked her what color she wanted it to be and she has never strayed from "Pink- my favorite." When Nana was in town, she helped paint it pink with Jack. We were also able to move the furniture in, the bedroom set was my mother's (Nana), then mine and my sister's (Aunt Sarah) and now will be Grace's- she is so lucky to be able to using a family heirloom.

New Play Area

Grace's Nana and Papa came into town to help get some things done around the house. Papa's project, as always, was our yard. He always sacrifices his skin (since he always gets poison ivy or oak no matter what he does) to get things in shape.
We've been talking about getting our side yard ready for a play area for Grace all summer. Jack had started it but Papa and Grace finished the job- it looks great!

Grace couldn't believe all the work that had to be done

Oh- and yes, Grace is wearing her swimsuit cover up over her clothes on a warm summer day- somedays we have to pick our battles...

Sprinkler Fun?

Grace asked Jack and me to set up the sprinkler for her the other day. We were a bit surprised because the last few times she has done it with her friends, she hasn't been that interested. She had a good time- but not really what we envisioned. She pulled her chair up to the sprinkler and sat it when the sprinkler hit her for about 20 minutes. She giggled just as she would have running through it. She amuses us greatly...

Return of Dance Class

At the beginning of September Grace started dance class again. We had to sign up for a complete year, instead of the ten week sessions we did when she was younger, and we debated about whether to sign her up. Our doubts were erased when she woke up on the first day of class and the first words out of her mouth were "Yeh! Dance class today!" It was a little sad when she listed off her friends from last year that she thought would be in her class this year that aren't. ;o(

She did great and went right in even though it was a different teacher, different room and she didn't know anyone. Some things never change- she still is a really good listener and does what the teacher says but... she's a little well, lazy. She figured out how to do most of the dance moves sitting down. All the other little girls were running around waving their arms, dancing to the music. Grace was moving her arms to the music but seated... It's really too funny to watch.

"Trouble"

Jack and I were able to spend some time after Hurricane Gustov helping the people who were bused here and staying in the shelters. We told Grace we were going to volunteer and she replied with her understanding "you go and help people." Jack told her we were going to "help people in trouble." Grace looked at him, wide-eyed and said "They bad? What they do?"

Loss of Innocence...

There once was two innocent, sweet girls that found two balloons to play with. They loved their balloons- they threw them, they caught them, they kicked them, the balloons were great toys.
But, the girls did not know the balloons were fragile and one was loved a little too hard.....
After a loud noise, it disappeared before their eyes.
They were lost without their balloon.

But then, they remembered they still had one left.

And all was well again.

You Talk About Me?

When Jack was setting up the night before the Paws and Patriots Festival, Grace and I had a picnic dinner at the park while we were waiting. There were some very aggressive squirrels that jumped up on our table and were trying to get our food. Grace was, and me a little too, completely freaked out.
On our way home, I was whispering to Jack about what happened because I didn't want to remind her about it. All of the sudden we heard "Hey! Hey! You talk about me?" We couldn't think of anything fast enough so we said "Yes, we are." She replied with "What I do? Tell me."

Paws and Patriots Festival

Last weekend the War Dog Memorial had a festival and walk to raise money and awareness about all the dogs that have served our country in the military. We made it a family affair- even Elliot got to come.Despite the rainy weather- it was a great event, especially since it was their first time.Special thanks to all our friends who showed their support by attending- we really appreciate it!

First Day of "School"

Last week Grace had her first day of the Mother's Day Out school year. She was so excited about going. I should have gotten a class list beforehand because her only little fit was because we didn't know who was in her class.... She is adjusting well to the "big girl" room with her new teachers Ms. Becky and Ms. Laura. And she can tell you the names of all her friends... ;o)

Roll Tide!

We had a few friends over to watch the first game of the season and see our friend Melissa who was visiting for the long weekend. The girls (and actually Noah too, he just didn't make the picture) were decked out in their Alabama gear to cheer them on to victory. More playing with toys than watching took place but everyone had a good time.

Happy Birthday to Harrison!

Grace's friend Harrison had a fun birthday party last weekend. It was held at Kid's Gym and everyone had a great time.

Grace tried a few pieces of equipment but her feet never left the ground. Grace's 10 month old cousin will have to teach her what to do (see Fowler blog).

She was able to wear her birthday party dress- with cake and balloons- her two favorite parts of a party!

Grace started out a table with all her friends.

Then we noticed the birthday boy was sitting at a table by himself. I asked Grace if she would move (I thought it would make cute pictures for their wedding I have planning in 25 years) but she agreed because she noticed there was another juice on Harrison's table and she had already finished hers...

Photo Shoot

A couple of months ago we had a photo shoot with Grace out at some local gardens. We just got the disk so we could post some pictures. Here are some of our favorites!

Craft Box

Grace loves to do "craft projects." They usually consist of some paper, stickers and sometimes even a pipe cleaner or two. We keep all her supplies in the "craft box" (not to be confused with the "learning box"- all her flashcards and other learning items we try to go through a few times a week). Lately, the craft box has been overflowing and because of that, has been making quite a mess. Recently her fun dad taught her how to make rain with some of the supplies. Thanks to that lesson- her room looks like this every few days....

Cut The Cake!

Jack, GRACE and I were all invited to our friends Heather and John's wedding. After much debate, we decided to bring Grace along.

She did great during the wedding. The main reason was the snacks we had packed into her bag. We admit- when we were without children, we couldn't understand the parents who let their child eat in church- how could they not last an hour without eating? Now we understand it's a silence tool... and when it's someone's special day and you have a talker... the snacks made an appearance ;o)

We told Grace that after the wedding there would be a party. And to her, party means "cake." I think she started looking for it as soon as we got there. She spotted it and we got a seat right next to it. We tried to explain that Ms. Heather had to cut it before we could eat it. She kept looking for Ms. Heather and when she walked by Grace said in a very demanding voice "Tell Ms. Heather to cut her cake." When Ms. Heather cut her cake, Grace walked herself right up to the table and peered over it to get a slice. She was literally the first in line. The servers didn't have it together fast enough for her so she paced a little but finally they saw her and she got the piece Ms. Heather and Mr. John cut for their picture!

Once the sugar from the cake settled in, the dancing began. She made her own little dance floor in front of our chairs. Below are some of her new moves. I'm pretty sure we won't see them as she starts dance class again- she just saves it for parties...

Lunch Bunch

On the last day of our summer co-op the girls were getting bored inside. I lined them up and "explained" to them all that if one of them ran, we were coming inside, after three nods, off we went. We don't really have a backyard so if someone runs, the front yard can be dangerous especially with three of them, one of me. They all did great- no runners. After some good playing, we ate our lunch which was much cleaner than eating in the kitchen ;o) It was funny to watch them so close to each other- they would just grab food off each other's plates without thinking twice. Luckily everyone was in a sharing mood.We'll miss our playgroup this fall!

Happy Labor Day

Remember to thank the Labor Unions --- they invented the long holiday weekend!

New Playhouse

Grace loves to play outside (unfortunately the mosquitoes like it when she's outside too). She has slides but didn't really have anything to play "in." I've spent the summer checking garage sales and online sales to find her a playhouse. Finally about a week ago one was advertised and it didn't sell in the first two minutes so we were able to grab it. Grace loves playing in it and has used it as a house, a restaurant and even a bank!