Family Board Guilt

Connor's teachers have a Family Board poster for each and every child hanging in the classroom. I assume the kids have fun pointing out family members and it brings comfort during the day when the waves of missing Mom, Dad or Grandma come. It is a project right up my alley, yet 10 weeks had passed of the teachers asking me to bring in photos. I had not printed ANY photos in two years and it always seemed to slip my mind in our hustle and bustle. Well this weekend I made it my goal to finally get our Family Board together.
I think the teachers were a little overwhelmed when we brought in the final product. But I just couldn't hold back. And anything worth doing is worth doing well. Our family is of course defined by parents, grandparents, and siblings - but also by wonderful friends from all around the world.

Connor has had fun pointing out her loved ones to teachers and friends. They hung her board right next to the room's "climber" where the kids play.

Another fun sign of summer - we have homegrown tomatoes ripening in our kitchen window! Great Grandpa Charlie grew them for us. They make me smile. I can't wait to make a fresh caprese salad or top a juicy burger with our yummy tomatoes.

First Ballet Shoes

Now that we are back and settling into a regular routine I started to think about extracurricular activities Connor might enjoy. I immediately thought back to my dance days and how much of my childhood was defined by ballet.

I looked into taking formal classes at the Decatur School of Ballet. But they are all mid weekday courses. Concerned I was going to have to quit my job just to be Connor's dance chauffeur, I picked Connor up from school that same day and she told me, "Mommy all the girls in my class got to dance today except me!" That's right there is a dance company that comes and does tap/ballet right at Connor's school! The teachers dress them and it's as simple as that. I of course signed her up right away. We went to buy all the necessary costuming and accessories. It was an exhausting weeknight shopping trip to get everything just right. There is something wonderful about the smell of brand new Capezio leather ballet slippers.

And as you can imagine Connor thinks the "shoes that make lots of noise" are amazing. I had to pry them off of her in the store.

The first lesson brought us pirouettes and pointed toes. Bring on the tutus! And thank goodness for the working mom dance option.

PJ Party at School

Last week was PAJAMA DAY at School. We let our little Peanut pick out the jammies she wanted to wear. Of course she chose the hottest, heaviest set we have. Pink fleece "STRIPES" with long sleeves and long pants. Ummm.... It was 90 degrees! But who were we to dash hopes when Connor was so proud of her STRIPES!?
We took her to school and the class had a "Sleepover" for their naptime where they all slept in the Atrium room. Nothing like shaking up naptime! We did pack some lighterweight PJs which Connor cleverly changed to during the day. But the snuggles from my STRIPES girl were precious that morning.
Hooray for Pajama Day!

I Love A Parade!

Last week was one of those crazy working mom juggle-everything-at-once weeks. We were all looking forward to the upcoming 4th celebration and especially to Connor's first "Pied Piper Parade" with her decorated bike. Problem was I had not a moment to make it to Party City for decorations. Thankfully it was Cara to the Rescue! She gleefully took on the task and brought more red, white and blue flair than any bike could ever wear.Cara and Connor had a ball dressing bike from head to toe, handlebar to wheel? It was a classic Cara/Connor image for the memory books. It cracked us up when we found a sticker of Uncle Sam in the loot and Connor thought it was Noah! I guess they do share a slight resemblance! Connor was tickled with the results and surely had the best-dressed bike in the parade.We were enjoying our picnic and before too long the parade start time crept up on us. The 4 of us made a mad dash to catch up with the already-started parade. Poppa Ed and Cara were good sports sweating it out as we beelined it in the heat.We jumped in midway and midmarch. Cara thought of everything - even candy to throw to onlookers. The candy was admittedly Connor's favorite part!This cheerleader was quite a sight. No doubt this will be Connor in a few years! Cowgirl boots and all.These triplets were squeezable! Can you sense Connor's pride over her parade debut?!? I just love a parade!

Click here for full album photos from our 4th celebration

Happy Birthday USA!

I am a sucker for the 4th of July and all things patriotic. Always have been - ever since I learned "This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land" in grade school. We live in the best country in the world. Having lived abroad I see it from both the outside in and the inside out. We are so very lucky! And we were thrilled to be back this year to wave our red, white and blue.

Kirk's parents came to town for the holiday weekend. What a nice change of pace to have them come to us. We were relieved to stay put and not have to pack a suitcase and a wiggly three-year-old for a road trip. There is something wonderful about hosting your parents and showing them the life you have built for yourself.

Kirk ran in the Peachtree Road Race on Sunday - the largest 10K in the world, with 55K participants! Somehow he sped along for a final time of 58 minutes. Not too shabby! Here he is at the starting line getting ready...The Atlanta skyline shimmers from all over Piedmont park. Cara, Poppa Ed, Connor and I met Kirk at the finish line to hug our sweaty racer guy. Along with 55,000 other sweaty runners!Connor insisted on bringing her baby to the park to greet Daddy. We played on the playground as we waited.A big sweaty bear hug!!! Who could ask for anything more?!?The race is all about the t-shirt. This year's design features a juicy Georgia peach with an outline of the Atlanta skyline. Connor showed off the prized new shirt!After the race we bought sandwiches and had lunch at the pool. Connor is a little fish. She loves going all the way under. She is fearless. If only she had some swimming techniques to go with her daring, sinking dives. Connor especially loved showing off for Cara and Poppa Ed. We played 'Ring Around the Rosie' and Connor was convinced that Poppa Ed was her "boat" as he swam her all around. She kept saying "Hey boat, get back over here, boat!" It was very strange, but Poppa Ed might forever forward be affectionately known as Connor's "boat"!!!
While everyone napped Cara and I made this flag cake. I have always wanted to make one and decided this was our year. Look out Martha Stewart!
What you can't see behind this photo is all the effort that went into the cake. It came out of the pan in 10 pieces! Thankfully the icing made effective glue, Cara taught me how to make a good 'crumb layer' and the fruit on top hid a world of cake sin (as did three cans of icing).Our sweet friends, Hailey and Jack, hosted a rockin' Decatur cookout in their front yard. We were so happy to be included. There were neighbors and babies all around!Connor made herself right at home.Ahem, Hailey is 9 months pregnant and somehow managed to be a gracious hostess with loving details like fresh lemonade and festive decor.My cake even had a place of honor on the dessert table. It went over well - despite all the mishaps that went into constructing it!Dogs with bandanas...And a little backyard baseball...Made the evening just right!We rounded out the night with sparklers. The kids handled it great and seemed to be fully in the festive mood!And after all the sparklers, sidewalk chalk, hot dogs, and games we could possibly squeeze into the night we settled in to watch the local fireworks.It was a special night. We were so happy Poppa Ed and Cara could join us so we could show them off to our friends. Cara wrote me the perfect email that summed it up well...

Thanks for such a great Independence Day weekend! We loved meeting so many of your friends and their children. We are ever grateful for your good fortune in finding so many wonderful friends. I like getting to know "the village" that will help raise Connor! Give Connor hugs and kisses from Cara and her "boat"!

Yep we are blessed with friends who are family. What a happy "village" we are! Here's hoping you had a terrific 4th also!