Helen's 1st Birthday Party at Heritage Park 4-26-08

It is so hard to believe, but our good friend Kim's daughter, Helen had her 1st birthday today. Time is really flying!!!

When we arrived at Heritage Park, we were one of the first ones, so the girls and I made our way over to the shelter where Allen was setting up for the party. I spread the blanket out and let the girls play while everyone arrived. Once the group was there, we all made our way over to the train. Ansley and Emily rode with Vallery and Melissa, while Addison (Melissa's daughter) and Bailey rode with me. We made several loops around the track and the girls were all very excited. After the train ride we all walked over to the play ground to let the kids play for a while. Ansley was happy to hang out with Heidi and Scott on the family swing, while Valley and Emily ran around some. Bailey also decided to check out the equipment some. Unfortunately for Ansley and Heidi, Ansley got sick on the swing (motion sickness) so Melissa attended to Bailey while I got Ansley fixed up.


Soon it was time for everyone to head back from the playground in order to eat. We all enjoyed hotdogs. Ansley, Bailey, and Hellen were very cute sitting at the little table eating their food =) Soon it was the big moment to sing Happy Birthday. Hellen defiantly followed in Ansley's footsteps by picking at her cake vs. diving in. However, once they handed her a cupcake she went all in. Since it was getting close to nap time, we said our goodbyes and headed home.

Sick =(

Unfortunately the little ones got sick starting yesterday afternoon =( However, we have been extremely fortunate that they have not been sick in about 4 weeks. It turns out they have Parainfluenza.

Sometimes it is comforting to have a buddy your size to be sick with.

Emily's Spring Show for Palmetto Prep

On Thursday, April 24th, Emily had her first school production called "Lighten Up" for Palmetto Prep. Around 5:30, Carmen and Ian so graciously came over to babysit Ansley and Bailey since John was out of town and so I could take Emily to her show. On our way to the show, we ran by Chick-fil-a and then drove to Woodruff Rd. Christian Church (located right across from Palmetto Prep). The kids were suppose to be there at 6:15 in order to get ready. Since one of their songs was inspired by an "Old School Rap" they were suppose to dress in t-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes, and gold chains. Emily thought getting to wear every gold necklace mom and I owned was great!!!

When we arrived at the church, Emily and I made it to the room where the Pre-K was gathering/playing while they were getting ready. I hung out for a little bit before it was time for me to head on and the kids to get prepared. I then headed to to fellowship hall where they were having the show to save some seats. First Mom and Dave arrived, followed by Daddy. We all chatted a little before the show began. It started with the older kids doing a couple of numbers before the little ones joined them. When the got up on stage, Emily seemed to be excited, but a little nervous. When they sang a couple of songs, the little ones took a break while the big kids did a few more. At the end, the little ones came back out to finish up the show. It was very cute and Emily seemed excited to have been there!!


Afterwards, I let Emily go up on stage to have her picture taken. In usual Emily fashion, she tripped over one of the cords to a mike. Looking back, we are very glad we did not name her Grace =) I could defiantly see our little drama queen on stage again =)


After some pics, we said good by to Ms. Doyle and Mom, Dave, and I took Emily to Brusters for ice cream to celebrate the show.

Bailey update as of April 2008

As of this week, Bailey is a walker. She has been taking several steps in a row for a few weeks, but now she is walking all over without help. In addition, this week she blew me a kiss for the first time. It was too sweat. Her latest thing is getting very attached to a stuffed animal or blanket and for that day or so, she is inseparable with it. Her big thing is her stuffed bunny.

She is also saying a few words like:

DaDa
MaMa
NaNa
Hi There
Thank you
Bailey
Eye

Ansley Update April 2008

As of this week, 2nd week of April 2008, Ansley is officially walking. She is taking several steps at one time, unassisted, and is able to standing up by herself. In addition, she is saying the following:



MaMa
DaDa
Ansley
Bailey
Duck
Shoe
Good Girl
Thank you
NaNa
Juice
Eye
Hi There
By
Sit

Camping at Paris Mountain 4-11-08

Emily has been so excited for the weather to warm up in order to go camping. So now that it is nice, John reserved a spot at Paris Mountain and him and Walker went to pick Emily up from school Friday and made there way up to the camp site. That afternoon, Ansley, Bailey and I drove over to check them out. When we arrived, Emily was in her princess dress and the kids were having a great time!! Since the bounce house was going, we let the little ones get in. They loved it!!! After playing a while, John made hotdogs and we ate. It was such a nice day that after eating, we played around the site a little while before the kids wanted to head to the playground.


We drove over to the play ground and the kids had a great time roaming around. Walker and Emily had fun on the slides and other playground equipment and soon Daddy arrived from work for a visit. Bailey was really doing great with her new found skill, walking around and Ansley made great strides by taking several steps in a row many times. After playing a while, we walked around the lake to where the waterfall was. Emily of course wanted to get in so we let her put her feet in. We enjoyed the falls for a little bit and then walked back around to the car. Since it was getting late, I packed up the little ones and John, Walker, and Emily headed back to the camp site. Unfortunately, during the night, they had very bad storms, but the kids begged to stay. They stayed into the day some Saturday, but due to the weather, the camping trip had to be aborted.