She Teaches Me Every Day

I took Carson last Saturday to a Gymboree class and she LOVED it!  What's not to love......tons of room to run around, fun gymnastics equipment, parachute's, etc.  Then the teacher comes out and sings songs, plays games, blows bubbles.  But the part to really put me out of my element is that the parents are just as involved as the kids.  So I am dancing and singing right alongside Carson.

Anyone who knows me knows this puts me WAY out of my comfort zone.  Number 1....I do not like to feel silly and Number 2....I'm sure not much of a dancer (not a good one anyway).

But the thing about being a parent is you'll do anything in the world for your child.  And to see them laugh and smile and just enjoy their day......yeah, you'll step right on out of your element.  Even if it means acting like a fool.

Carson is teaching me to not be quite so shy.....she sure isn't and I love that about her.  I'm pretty sure she gets that from her Daddy.  She'll walk  into a room like she owns the place.  Wish I had more of that.  I look forward to the next thing she'll show me how to do better:)

All good things must come to an end.....time to go home....time for a nap:)

Snow Storm in Atlanta

I'm ready to go outside Mom:)

We had a MAJOR snowstorm all over the Atlanta area in January.  They had been saying for days that it was going to be bad but you know how that goes.  We had no idea it would be quite so bad.  We ended up not even working until Thursday I believe and it was a nightmare just trying to go 12 miles.  We had between 5 & 6 inches.  For us Southerners.....that's a lot!!

Probably the only time she'll wear these "snow boots"

***Clearly I'm still learning when it comes to blogging.....these last two posts are in reverse order***

Valentines Day 2011

What a great Valentines weekend we had.  We went to a party at Carson's cousins Elise and Merryl.  Such a cute idea!  They had invited many of their friends and they were so sweet to include Carson.  She was the youngest there but she didn't care.

They played freeze dance, twister and ate yummy brownies.  What a precious idea for a party!

Mom & Cousin Mark in his "Valentine jacket"

Dear Carson

Dear Carson-

Time is flying by and as much as I don't want you to.....you just keep growing.  We are amazed by you every single day.  Sometimes I think you have more words in your vocabulary than I do.  I'm not kidding! 

Just the other night while trying to play your Barney CHRISTMAS (yes I said Christmas movie....even though it's almost the middle of Feb.....you are obsessed with Barney Christmas movies).  I swear that dinosaur has a spell over children.  At least he seems to have a good message:)  We play your movies in the Playstation mostly but we can also get them through Netflix directly through our downstairs television.  The Playstation was giving us trouble and wouldn't play your movie.....you said "It would be better (sounded more like It'd be better if it was on Netflix).  WHAT?!?!?   You are 2 1/2.  Like I said we're amazed.

You're doing awesome with potty training.  We'll have to credit Honey for kickstarting this one last week when she stayed with us.  Thank you!  We have a couple of the small stand alone potties in our bathrooms.  But Daniel also brought home something that goes directly on the large potty.  This morning you pointed to the stand alone potty and said "Babies use those potties."  Well, alrighty then....but I already miss my "baby" terribly.

Daddy is teaching you the months of the year each morning on the way to school.  It is just precious to hear you say the hard ones.  You love to go over the days of the week too:)  You love your Daddy to pieces and I love that too.  It is hard sometimes when you prefer him but really.....I wouldn't have it any other way.

It's so bittersweet watching you grow.....we are so proud and in awe of you and excited for your next stage.  But at the same time we just want to keep you little:)!

Your biggest fans-

Mommy & Daddy

Chirstmas in Macon 2010

Later in the day on Christmas Eve we headed to Macon.  We are very fortunate that our families get along great and my parents were going to join us on Saturday.  We always have such a big party when we are all together!  Carson is a very lucky girl to be surrounded by such love.

Carson on Christmas morning surprised to see what Santa brought her in Macon

Honey and her girls~

Evidently these Sing A Magigs are all the rage......they are something else.....and all of the children got them:)

Ava in her new chair~

Monte with a new toy that I think the adult men were quite jealous of:)

Later that evening we went to Aunt Kendra and Uncle Josh's new house for Christmas dinner.  Their new house is FABULOUS and perfect for entertaining.  I see many holiday dinners there!

Sweet cousins!

Christmas in Woodstock 2010

Well it is a shame that it takes a snow day (pics. from that to come) for me to blog:)  We had a BIG time at Christmas this year.  It is so true that having children makes the holidays such a joy!  I kind of feel like we all reverted back to our childhood having Carson, Monte and Ava around.  They are such sweet children and I am so thankful Carson has cousins so near by.

We started Christmas the week before by having our dear friends Lisa and Tim over.  They love to spoil Carson (and us too!)  Lisa and I have been friends since Athens.  She is such a sweet friend and would do anything in the world for anyone.  She is going to be an awesome mommy when the time comes!!  She's a natural.

Spoiling Carson:)

Oh my....what is it??

Yay!! A "brother" for one of her dolls.

We went to see Santa.  An interesting experience and some lessons learned.  1.)  Go early...that is in the season and in the day!! 2.)  Perhaps long before your child needs a nap.  Seriously, Carson really did do well, despite the fact we waited for quite some time and she did not have a nap the whole day.  And, she didn't even cry.  She told us she told Santa she wanted baby dolls!  I think she's covered.

At the mall....waiting.....

Riding the train with daddy

She's not quite sure about him

We had Christmas (round 1) on Christmas Eve morning in Woodstock with my parents.  Because my parents and Santa were getting Carson bigger items we needed to have part of Christmas here.  It was such a nice morning.  We had hashbrown casserole, cinnamon rolls and mimosas:)  We kept Carson upstairs until about 8:30 and then brought her downstairs.  I think she understood the Santa thing a little bit.

She's a sleepy monkey

She has just discovered her new trampoline and kitchen

Would anyone like coffee?

What a cute Ne-Ne

Bringing Carson downstairs....She didn't know what to think w/my parents and brother standing at the bottom of the stairs

Thanksgiving and Ava's 1st B-day

We'll start with Thanksgiving!  We went to Macon this year and had a really nice time.  The weather was perfect.....we even ate outside.  I wish I had take a photo of the tables set up outside.  It was right out of a magazine!

Ava & Honey

Carson counting Ava's piggies:)

Ava turned 1 over the holiday and we were excited to share in the day with everyone.  She is such a sweet little girl and we are  blessed to be her Godparents.

Honey and The Birthday Girl~

Kendra & Carson (and Honey hiding in between them)

The Birthday Girl and her Mommy

Her cute cake that was delicious!!

I think she likes it~