Two wheeler success!!

A day we thought would NEVER arrive finally did on Friday night. Anna has had a good bike for almost two years. To her credit, Gary and I bought it too big (isn't hindsight 20/20??) and last summer it fit much better. She really could not get the hang of it and was frustrated a lot. We did not focus on it at all. We have had some great spring weather days lately and so I thought I would carefully broach the subject of the bike again. We made a handy dandy "bike practice chart" to record her practice time. We found a new location, a flat parking lot near our home. And Gary loaded up on patience. After just under 2 weeks of practicing every day for 15-20 minutes, she is riding around the path at Cameron Brown park on her own! I was so excited. Gary was THRILLED. Being a competitive/elite cyclist you would think bike riding was in the genes and it would be easy. Not so fast my friend!! A few more tries on braking and turning and we will be completely done with lessons. Looking forward to a spring/summer full of fun family bikes rides! Independence at last!!

the bike chart
success!! gary was worn out from running beside her!

Spring Break

The girls were on spring break this week. We got creative and split up their days between my parents and Gary and me since taking vacation this time of the year is very difficult for us. We saved some money by not sending the girls to holiday care and they had a great time.

They stayed with my mom and stepfather on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The weather was fantastic and they enjoyed a trip to the zoo (where we learned Caroline is enamored with the Teton Trek area), a picnic at Shelby Farms and a movie.

My day was Tuesday. Of course it was yucky outside but we made the most of it. Anna had her eye exam that morning followed by a haircut. Then after a yummy lunch together we headed to Sweet and Sassy for manicures and pedicures for the girls. They loved the pampering.

Gary had the girls on Thursday. Their day started with breakfast at Brother Junipers, a classic place over by the University of Memphis. Following the filling of the bellies, they all headed over to the Botanic Gardens to enjoy My Big Backyard. Gary had not been before and all three thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

All in all the girls enjoyed their week and we had some great time with the girls.

anna getting prepped for her manicure

caroline loved soaking her toes

anna went for pink and blue toes!

caroline on the balance beam at my big backyard

gary enjoying a beautiful spring day with the girls

anna playing peek-a-boo fun times with our sweet girls!

Uncle Jimmy

My dad grew up with 5 brothers (God bless his mother Ruby!!) and was the youngest. The last living brother was named Jimmy. He has had a rough 2 years with various medical issues including cancer of the larnyx, bypass surgery, lung surgery and several other small things. My dad found him at his home unresponsive on February 17th and called 911 to transport him to the hospital. Jimmy had a 6 day hospital stay that turned into hospice care and on Monday, February 22nd he passed away. This was very emotional for all of my siblings as we saw my dad realize he was the last member of his immediate family having already lost his parents and his brothers. Jimmy had a full life and was hilarious. The last big trip Jimmy took was to the Final Four in San Antonio in March 2008 to watch the Tigers play for the National Championship. What a thrill for him as he accomopanied my dad, brother and cousin.

My dad now has the task of cleaning out the house where my uncle lived which had been my grandparents. 30 years of history. Bittersweet.

The experience of watching and waiting at the hospital brought us all close and made me really cherish that I live in the same town as my parents and 2 of my siblings. Family is so important. I am also so glad that my children are growing up in the same town as my parents so they can know them and learn about their histories too.

Jimmy donning a sombrero in San Antonio

My brother James, cousin Chip, uncle Jimmy and Dad @ the Final Four!

My big girl valentine

Today was Anna's valentine's party. The room mother, Valerie Speed, did a fantastic job and had a color-coordinated beautiful spread for the kids and parents to enjoy. The kids exchanged valentines and played cupid bingo all having a great time. They were so cute thanking each other for their valentines and seeing what characters were on them. One little boy told me, I love Harry Potter even if no one else does. I confided in him that I loved Harry Potter....he said he wished he would have known because then he would have brought me a valentine. I thought that was cute. The difference between Caroline giving Valentines and her big sister is that Anna pays attention to the words on the card so as to not give one to a boy that says "love" on it....cracks me up!! At least they are still innocent at this age.

anna and me at the party
anna and laura--the two top readers in the class!
anna with her good buddy betsy--been classmates since they were 3!

My little valentine

Caroline had her valentine party today which makes it easier since Anna's is tomorrow. Her class made Valentine's door hangers, colored pictures, read valentine's books and then had their feast. Of course the kids all went for the pizza and cookies and had fun in the meantime. All were on a sugar high when the parents departed....I'm sure the teachers had fun getting them all down for naptime!! Sad ending to a fun day was school called around 4pm and said Caroline was running a fever. she has some sinus issues and I guess it caused her fever. She had no fever by bedtime and was taunting Anna about getting to stay home from work....will we ever have a 5 day week where the kids go to school every day and Gary and I go to work every day?? Won't be next week since we have President's Day on Monday!! At least that gives Caroline plenty of time to feel better. Happy Valentine's Day to my little Valentine.

getting prepared by dressing up earlier in the week
proud of her craft

playing ring a round the rosies with mya

sweet girl with mommy

A REAL snow day.....finally

I woke up Monday morning and was preparing to start the day when I noticed the kitchen was very bright without the lights on.....I looked out in the yard and saw SO MUCH SNOW!! Turns out, the weather forecasters missed this one and we ended up with 6 inches of snow in the wee hours of Monday morning. We had been at a Super Bowl party on Sunday night and went to bed not knowing what we would see a few hours later. Of course the kids were out of school and our work was closed as well. Unfortunately, Gary was on "skeleton" crew at work and had to go in and get things up and running along with a few other folks since his company spans the country and customer service is needed all across the country. Gary ended up staying until 3:30 when his office officially closed. The girls wanted to play in the snow so we layered up and headed out to play. We made snow angels, created or attempted to make a recognizable snowman and had a snowball fight. Mimi and Papa stopped by on their way home from running an errand and helped with the snowman. The girls played for about 2 hours and then were cold, wet and tired. They ended up playing inside for the rest of the day. The streets were still a little messy on Tuesday so they were out again that day. That makes 5 snows days missed from school. Crazy weather....is this global warming?

this measurement was at 7am...wow!!
teaching caroline about snowball fights

snow angels


our snow "lady" : )

Cozy Coupe Derby

During the snow/ice days last week, the girls found many ways to entertain themselves. One activity they started doing was by having Cozy Coupe races. One of the girls would ride atop the Cozy Coupe and the other would push it up and down the entry hall. So, I guess I win Mother of the Year for allowing my girls to do this. We even shot a video of it and posted it on facebook. They had a blast. They resurrected the game today while I was on the phone with Gary's mom. Gary was over at a friends' house working on his bike. Suddenly the laughter and giggles that I normally hear when they do this turned into a scream and lots of tears coming from Anna. Caroline was oblivious. I told Mary I would call her back and went to go and assess the damage. Anna's lip was swollen, blood on the floor and SHE LOST A TOOTH!!! Now I really win Mother of the Year honors!!! I remained calm so Anna would stay calm. This was a tooth that was already loose. I called my mom to come over and help keep Anna calm and Caroline out of the way while we got Anna cleaned up and the floor as well. Once Anna realized she was going to be ok she was pretty excited about it. She told me last night she thought her tooth was never going to come out and she was going to have it when she turned 8 years old!! Anna was excited to tell Gary when he arrived home and is anxiously awaiting the tooth fairy's visit tonight. She claims she gets more when there is an "accident" involved in losing a tooth. So far, Anna has lost 3 teeth. I pulled the first....she swallowed the second unknown to any of us at the time and today the floor knocked it out. Wow...what's next??

the calm after the storm....she is thrilled to have a smile with a gap!!
the cozy coupe....resting quietly after the derby