School Party - Following the Rules

My little girl turned 4 this week!  She bounded under the covers with me the morning of her special day and let me hold her tight for a few moments.  A rare gift from a busy child.  I said something like "Don't grow up anymore" and Connor looked at me and said, "Don't worry Mom.  No matter how big I get I will always be your little girl."  Oh goodness.

On the actual day I tried to fulfill the good working mother role and took cupcakes to school.  At first I was going to bring Popsicles as a change of pace, but with the temps near 90 degrees there was a smog alert and the kiddos weren't allowed outside - making melting Popsicles too big of a mess.  Cupcakes it was!

 There are a lot of school rules around such a simple concept.  Only store-bought foods are allowed.  Makes sense because the school needs to know exact ingredients to ward off allergic reactions.  What a gift to us busy moms to just swing by the grocery store to pick up prepared cupcakes on the way.  Although I do think one reason our kids are hyped up on sugar these days is because they have these same icing-steeped cakes TWENTY times a year (there are 20 kids in the class).

 I picked up some balloons to bring into the classroom to make the celebration a little more festive.  Red and pink latex ones - Connor's favorite color combo.  Of course as soon as I walked in the Center I saw the director and immediately knew something was wrong.  You guessed it...no balloons allowed.  Choking hazard and latex allergies.  We stashed them in her office.

 I also brought a candle and lighter for Connor to blow out.  I asked the teachers about it - now wary of breaking so many rules - and we voted to forgo the candle.

 Thankfully Connor could have cared less!  She was full of herself with all this birthday attention!

 They were very, very cute.

 Connor didn't want to leave the table!

After clean up I indulged with the kids marching in a "Bean Bag Parade" before we left.  After learning all the rules, I totally enjoyed my time in the Jungle Room.

Gone to Carolina in my Mind

To top off a busy weekend we headed to Chapel Hill, NC to celebrate the end of an era.  Uncle Davis - the 4th of 4 brothers- graduated from UNC on Mother's Day!  We were thrilled to be a part of his milestone.  

We had prime, covered seats in the "Pope Box" - lucky us!  It was a grey, rainy morning but nothing was going to stop those graduates on their day.  Here they are marching in with their brilliant Carolina blue gowns.  Connor thought it was very fun to spot the "blues" as she called them.

Anmama, Evan, Kirk and Connor during the ceremony.

After many renditions of pomp and circumstance they all made it in.  It gave me goosebumps when they turned their tassels the sun broke through and shone bright right on this section of the stadium.  The sudden bright blue reminded us how God loves Carolina!

We had to snap a few Mother's Day photos!  This was of course a day for Davis, but I did take a little time to give thanks for my sweet daughter and the moms in my life.

We met Davis back at the DKE Fraternity house.  Carol outdid herself coordinating everything.  She even made these photo board for the boys.

Before lunch it was outside for a myriad grouping of photos.  Kirk entertained Connor!

Everything was spick and span, but there were a few remnants of the parties that preceded us.

Look at that handsome graduate!

Way to go Davis!  We have always and will continue to cheer for all you!  We love you.

Carolina Girls - Reunited!

College girlfriends are the very best.  When I told mine about my pregnancy they asked what they could do to honor this new little life?  I could think of nothing that suited me more than to spend quality time together.  To soak in their love and support.  To refill my college roommate love tank and to catch up on their busy lives.  Brooke flew in from Colorado.  We met up with Beth and Adair in Greensboro.  There was tons of yummy food, a relaxing childfree spa visit, and Kentucky Derby viewing with (virgin) mint juleps.  We placed superficial bets - I was rooting for "Pants on Fire" with the redheaded female jockey.  None of us predicted correctly though.

Adair always inspires creative cooking.  She is a pro.  We helped her make Watermelon-Basil water as well as a grilled potato salad and black bean dip from scratch.  We came away with some new cooking tips!  Food preparation is a joy with the chatter and laughter of the dearest friends as you follow recipes.

We ended with a backyard cookout.  Our children are loving each other too.  

Will driving around in his car.

Adaiah crawling full force in the grass.

Connor and Rutley posing for a photo.

Will and Rutley holding hands.

Connor and Will hugging each other.

What a fluke that we would all have blond children for our first?!?  They were very sweet together.

Baby Nell has her mom and daddy's eyes - that lucky girl!

Playing with trains on the deck table.

Adair and Eric are the best hosts.  They even thought to grill bananas for us for dessert....

...don't they look yummy?!?  Warm 'nanas with brown sugar right off the grill!  They hit the spot!

Special Watermelon-Basil water with frozen grape stirrers.

We tried to put Connor to bed in Will's room but they couldn't stop talking to each other!  At 11 PM we had to separate the chatterboxes!

We are planning annual Roommate Reunions now.  Next year - Colorado with Brooke for the Telluride Music Festival!

Mountains with Jack

Recently we joined my parents and Cousin Jack in the mountains.  It was a nice getaway.  However as much as we enjoyed it, it was clear our parents weren't really after our company.  It was a grandparents weekend full force - the bond between grandparent and grandchild got some major TLC.  We were mere transporters of the children.  In addition to grandparent time, Connor and Jack played together beautifully.  They chased each other and Clay; they swam for hours in the pool; they loved on each other!  It was touching to witness.

We took an excursion into the town of Blowing Rock.  With the all-important snacks in hand the cousins played on the town's central playground for hours.

Jack found a new special place in cousin Connor's heart!  He is very sweet.  We are lucky our family has these two playmates so close in age.  

Easter crafts at school

Connor loves school.  She seems to have a lot of fun there.  Practically every week there are a handfull of new crafts and drawings to oooh and aaah over.  I thought Connor's Easter bunny drawing was expecially fun.  Clearly she is mighty proud of it too!