A Mini-Vacation

We just got back from a quick little trip to Gatlinburg.  It was a much needed time a way. We needed to push the reset button to help us get through the rest of this winter. While the girls were at school on Wednesday I packed their suitcases. Thursday morning they were surprised to see Daddy home, but they didn't questions it. We told them we were going to go to breakfast before getting to the school work for the day.  After breakfast, however, we hit the road.  It took them a good 30 minutes to start questioning what was going on.  Even when I had pulled out some work for them to do in the car no one really said anything.  I guess they are used to working on the go. After another stop the questions started to increase and then it dawned on them.  One quick peek in the trunk answered their questions.  We were headed somewhere for the night.

We drove into Gatlinburg and wandered around the city for a little bit. We let the girls pick one thing to do and of course they picked the mirror maze.  They remembered it from a couple of years ago.

After dinner at the Apple Barn (we can't go to Gatlinburg without eating there) we checked into the hotel.  After a quick change the girls were ready for the water park!

The wave pool was the favorite of course.  Macy wore herself out in there! The water was too cold for this Florida gal so I enjoyed watching them from the edge.

 Since we came in on a Thursday the lines for the rides weren't too long.  Marc took the girls down one slide several times while we were there. Brooke is still a too little so I stayed with her. That whole cold water thing again...

These two enjoyed watching the large bucket fill up with water, but then they realized that when it's full it dumps. They hurried themselves out of the way really fast!

Kayla and Macy were so sweet to take care of their little sister, but somehow Macy eluded the camera a lot this weekend.  She's not a big fan of having her picture taken and she is starting to master the technique of being out of the picture. Either that or she was so busy playing I had a hard time getting a picture that was in focus. ha!

We took the girls to Rainforest Adventures Friday afternoon. They have a lot of exotic animals and some local ones too. Kayla was fascinated with these cats.  I can't remember what they are, but she enjoyed watching them. We also enjoyed talking to the birds.  A few of them would talk back with "hello", "I love you", and "row, row, row, row your boat."

 

 We also saw rats.  I really don't care for looking at rats but I was pretty amazed at this litter of brand new babies. They had these newborns, another litter that was about a week old, another that was a couple weeks old, and another about a month old. It was neat to look at how they change...even if they are rats.

 The girls fed the goats.  It was pretty funny when these little ones saw us coming they climbed out of the fence for food.  Another perk to coming during the week of the off-season is that there were only about three other families there.  We had these goats all to ourselves.

 

 Wouldn't want to be on the same side of the fence as this guy!

And this sweet little thing was born 24 hours before we got there.  The worker was kind enough to bring him out for the girls to pet.  He wanted his mama though so it was a quick little visit.

Brooke wanted nothing to do with feeding the goats, but she did put her hand under mine and we fed one together.

 

Sweet Macy enjoying her afternoon in the sun.

Marc let the girls pick out something from the souvenir shop on our way out.  Macy chose a dolphin, Brooke and elephant, and Kayla a dog. None of which were even animals we saw. Figures.

I am thankful for this time away with my family. It was much needed and much enjoyed. Unfortunately Marc was only home for an hour and a half before he headed to the airport. He is off to England for business and I'm running the washing machine. Such is life.  And I'm thankful for mine.

1st Grade Bible Presentation

Last Sunday Kayla and Macy sang in the evening service. It's always a fun time when they get to stand on stage.  Brooke stayed with us during service and kept asking when it would be her turn to sing on stage.

It was also 1st grade Bible presentation.  Pastor Johnny dedicates the evening service to the 1st graders.  They each get to come across stage where he personally hands them a signed Bible. He then preaches a sermon just for them and they get to highlight verses in their new Bibles.  After service they have a pizza party for the kids and their families.  

We love our church and pastor! I'm so thankful that my girls are growing up in a church that loves them and teaches them the Word.

And Here We Go Again

Snow Storm #2 hit Georgia this week. I think that's all we need so spring can come anytime now.

Brooke sledding with our neighbor Bella.

 We ventured out to the driveway for some sledding on the icy snow. I even went down a couple times with the girls. Then I was cold. So I came back in. :) Plus, who is going to straighten the house, do laundry, and make chili if I spend all my time outside? ha!

Everyone is getting dressed again to head out and play one last time. It is melting pretty quickly as the temperatures warm up. I'll make sure I keep a close eye on the fire so that it is nice and warm when they come back in. 

Winter Storm 2014

School today was a little difficult.  I had two little girls who couldn't seem to keep from looking out the window at the snow flurries. We did manage to get most everything done.  The rest we will finish in the morning since school is cancelled.

Kayla is learning about electricity in science and today her reading was about series and parallel circuits.  We pulled out the electricity kit and had a little fun. Their favorite thing is to make the red disc go flying.  You can see it in the top of the next picture.

We also took a little snow break.  The kids thought this was great.  Of course we had no idea what was coming over the next couple of hours.

Kayla and Macy tried to build a snowman but I think it turned into more of a snow bump.  They will try again tomorrow.

And while they played I enjoyed a little bit of this...

The snow kept coming and the roads were getting worse.  It took Marc about 1 1/2 hours to get home, but that is nothing compared to many of our friends.  Some have been on the road over 6 hours. There are kids stuck at school and parents desperately trying to get to them. I just saw an article that the assistant principal that I worked under (now a principal at the elementary school I went to) sent her teachers home and is at school with two little kindergarteners while their parents try hard to get to them. She is such a class act.  Another friend is spending the night with 200 high schoolers.  God bless him. I am so thankful to be home with my family and that we had no where to go today. We may actually have some company tonight if one of Marc's employees can't make it home.  He is on his way home so if it gets too bad he may crash here.

So the snow kept coming and the girls kept wanting to play.  Marc took them out for some sledding fun. The squealing brought our neighbor over to the fence so we invited her to come join us.  They had a great time, but soon little fingers were getting too cold. 

Silly Brooke decided that she wanted to climb up the steepest part of the hill. She made it though!

 

And a few snowballs were exchanged.

The girls had a blast and more fun is to come tomorrow. Schools have already cancelled, and although I'm sure we will end up with some work to do, we will still manage to squeeze in some snow time.

The Things I Love About Running

Last September I got a crazy idea that I wanted to run a 5K. I was not a runner and never had been a runner. When I mentioned this to Marc I'm sure his jaw dropped. But he quickly signed on to the plan too and training started. We did the C25K program. That first run was awful.  I'd run 1/10th of a mile and be worn out. I could hop on my bike and ride 8 miles, but I couldn't run 1/10th of a mile. But we pushed through and ran 3 days a week for 3 months. I didn't skip a run. Ever. Early in December we participated in the Reindeer Run here in Canton. While I can't say I ran every bit of it (there were some killer hills) I can say I did it. And I can also say I have no desire to run another one. ha!

Since then I have still be running 3 times a week, but right now I am doing mostly intervals with some 2 mile runs thrown in here and there. I've heard people talk about how much they love to run and how they love this thing called a runners high that has alluded me all these months. While I can't say I love running there are a few things I do love about it that make me continue. 

1. I love counting down the last 60 seconds when I know I am almost done. 

2. I love the feeling of showering and knowing I'm done with that for the day. 

3. I love knowing that since I ran today I don't have to do it tomorrow.

4. I love knowing that I ran a 5K and I have no desire to do that again.

The Game of Life

Macy gave Kayla the game Life for Christmas. I remember having fun playing that growing up and although it has changed some over the years it is still a fun game.  We have played it several times and there are often questions that everyone has to answer.  Today one of the questions asked which musical instrument would you play in a family band.  Kayla said she would play the flute.  Macy said she would play the piano. And Brooke said she would play the cowbell.  I died laughing. Of course at 4 years old the only musical instruments she comes in contact with are in choir so that was a perfectly reasonable choice for her.  I love spending my afternoons with these three!

Brooke's Party

We had a nice time celebrating Brooke's birthday. She is still at an age where simple is still fun.  We had family over for dinner (which includes the Andersons since they are pretty much family), they played, hit a pinata, opened gifts, and enjoyed some cake.

Mrs. Deidre once again did a fabulous job on the cake.

 

Brooke had a great time celebrating her birthday and we are thankful for another year with this precious girl.

Happy 4th Birthday Brooke!

My baby is four.  I can not believe it has been four years since I brought this precious little girl home from the hospital. She has added such a fun dynamic to our family. She is so smart, silly, demanding, inquisitive, talkative, helpful, and she always knows exactly what she wants. She keeps us on our toes but she is such a ray of sunshine in our days too.

Some of your favorites:

books: Berenstain Bears

games: Blockus and puzzles

song: All My Fountains

TV show: Doc McStuffins and Sofia

food: noodles, fruit, nutella, chips

drink: chocolate milk, apple juice, "coke-sprite" (which is really just sprite and you don't get it that often)

sweet: candy

friend: Beau

clothing: leggings to wear with your boots especially your "boot jeans" as you like to call them

You started Cubbies this year. Daddy and I work in your classroom and it has been so much fun getting to know all of your sweet little friends. You love learning your Bible verses each week and you learn them very quickly. 

You are my big helper on Mondays and Wednesdays.  When your sisters are at school we either run errands or hang out around the house.  You love to be out and about when it's just the two of us. And I usually find a way to swing by a chick-fil-a for a chocolate milk for you.

You have officially dropped your naps. I was really hoping that you would nap at least until the end of the school year. Your sisters have rest time and you have quickly adapted to the change.  You are very good about staying in your room for an hour reading and playing quietly. Some evenings are still hard for you when you get tired, but overall you have made the transition beautifully.

You know what you want, when you want it, and you make that abundantly clear. We are working really hard on using our words when you get upset or frustrated. You want to be big and independent like your sisters, but I still need my baby girl!

Brooke,
I can't believe that you are four years old.  You have been looking forward to your birthday for months. It's hard for me to see my baby growing up, but thankfully you still want to be my baby at times. Your daddy and I are so proud of you. You are such a sweet, smart, loving little girl and we are so blessed that God gave you to us. I know four is going to be such a great year for you.  There are so many things that you are going to learn and experience. On one hand I wish you would stay little forever, but on the other hand I love the freedom and independence we are getting as you and your sisters get older. I can't wait to see what this year holds for you sweet girl.

Love,
Mommy