My xmas pj's fly!

Turtle That Lived in a Box

I recorded this video specifically because I realized I wasn't capturing enough super cute songs, expressions, mannerisms, etc. and would one day regret not doing so. She's been reciting bits of this poem/song/whetever for a long time, but only recently has pieced the entire thing together for our enjoyment.

My favorite part? The finger wag. Take that, turtle.

Happy Halloween!

From October, 2011

Art

Dear Mimi and Lilly,

Stella drew this picture of the three of you (I think we know who is who) and we love it so much we can't send it to you! 

Stella has recently starting drawing little people - well first it looked like rocks, then the rocks got limbs, then eyes and a mouth, but this is really something special. This is the first picture she has drawn with the pupil details. Lastly, she started on her little eyes and the right one just looked all black and she pushed the paper away and said "its ruined".....hey, its hard when your vision doesn't quite translate. 

So, sorry that you won't be receiving this with your thank you note. But, we still love you and want to thank you for being here to love on Stella during a busy few days for us. 

Miss you. See you soon.

First Day of School

From August 2011

Today was Stella's first day in the Primary Class at her school. Do you think that she was excited?  So today she had a new classroom with many new friends, went through carline for the first time and we had to switch her carseat to the other side to accomodate that. She was so excited to go to school that she just went with the flow, jumped out of the car without even saying good-bye to her Mommy. And there she went into Primary B.


Now that Stella is in a 5 day week, Mommy needed to get a job. Which is great, but being a working Mom and figuring out child care has proven to be quite a challenge, but I have the most amazing friends that have been there to help me (thanks for today, Gette).

So, it seems that we both are moving in a new direction, with our eyes open wide, which is very cool.

It might be someone's birthday...

From July, 2011

Happy Birthday, Stella Rose!

Stella's slightly early 3rd birthday party

Yesterday was Stella's third birthday party, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Of course.

Above is the highlight of the evening's event, the cake and candles. Note the ever-familiar scowl when candle #3 refused to extinguish. I'm afraid she got that outward display of frustration from me. You're welcome, honey.

Thanks to the small band of friends and family who made it. Our apologies if your child walked away with a bruise, scrape or concussion. We party hard in Bellevue.

Happy Father's Day

We started our Father's Day weekend with a trip to Union City to see my parents. Stella always has a big time there and my parents just love her being there. We went to Reelfoot Lake to visit family and ended the night at Boyett's for some fried catfish - my Dad's Father's Day dinner pick.

And Sunday after naps, we went for a walk at Radnor Lake (see picture of Chip and Stella above). Stella loves the outdoors and had a great time throwing rocks into the lake. Then we took Daddy out for Mexcian food and margaritas - Chip's pick. And we never have to convince Stella that cheese dip is a good idea.

When I look at this face, he is what I see. I am so thankful every day for this little family. We love you, Daddy. Happy Father's Day!

The Great Turtle Adventure of 2011

So I got a call on the way home tonight asking if I was almost there because my two favorite girls needed help getting a turtle out of the yard.

What? Needed help? It's just a turtle.

"You don't understand," Markana replied, "We've been trying to pick it up with a shovel, but it snapped at me, I screamed, Stella cried, and we need your help." OK. Whatever.

But then I saw this mean little SOB...


I'm not sure I've ever seen a snapping turtle outside of a zoo or YouTube, but this little guy was super-quick and scary. So we picked him up (with said shovel), and carried him down to the creek to let him go. He scampered off quickly and that was that.


M told me later that while they were trying to catch him before I got home Stella said, "We need the Wonder Pets. Where are they?"

Thank you, T.V., for raising my child.

Happy Mother's Day!

'Kana is on vacation with her two besties, so Stella and I planted some new flowers and made this special video message.

Happy Mother's Day Mommy. We love and miss you!

A Million Doors Campaign

Stella's school has launched a campaign to raise money to expand the school. The school is Montessori and is 2 years old this August. A great friend, Kate Riley, started the school and has been overwhelmed with interest and is trying to meet the demands of the community. Stella has been there for a year now and we just could not be happier. Kate and the other teachers are top notch and have such a beautiful vision for the school and its future.

Stella gets some pretty good face time in the video, so check it out for that reason alone!

Besties

Stella has a best friend, Claire B. Chip ran across these pictures of the girls from February. Yes, we are still trying to get through February and what happened to March? Anyway, these two are a mess. Resemblant of sisters in the way they interact with one another, which makes sense having grown up together from babies to besties.

Do you see Stella's foot turned in? We (Chip) worry about this. She has this way that she has always slept where she tucks that foot under the calf of the opposite leg. No way to really break this, because she sleeps like this. Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

The persistence of children

Sometimes when children beg and beg and beg for something, it's a trying experience. Lots of whining and begging = lots of frustration and impatience for mom and dad.

But, in my brief time as a father, I've learned that sometimes the begging is simply an expression of how excited a child can be, which is why on Saturday morning, when Stella wouldn't stop crying and pleading, we finally gave in and took her to Madison, TN, for a photo opp with her favorite Atlanta Braves. Despite one momentary lapse of concentration when she wanted to play in a giant pink kayak, she was enthralled.

See?

From February, 2011

Alright, I'm kidding. After weeks and weeks of hounding, I finally caved and told Markana that I would take her. Females on her side of the family can be persistent and willful, to say the least.

:)

The Sun Came Out Today

I am over winter, so imagine our delight to be gifted the most beautiful, sunny day. We took advantage of the day and took Stella to play on the sprawling acreage on which her school resides. More pictures here.

Happy 2011!

We cram many things into our year-end celebrations - christmas, Markana's b-day, three anniversaries (ours, my parents, my youngest sister/brother), our new nephew's b-day, new years day, my mom's b-day - so we have many things to be happy and thankful for this time of year.

On M's birthday this year we had some great extended family time (thank you Xbox Kinect!), but the day began with an extra-special Young Jordan outing to the Georgia Aquarium...

...and the world's yummiest brunch at ATL's Flying Biscuit.

Happy birthday, Mommy. Here's to the end of 2010 and he beginning of a fantastic 2011!