Down on the Farm

We had a special after school trip to the farm on Friday. Well, we went to the Biltmore Estate Farm. I know, it's not much like a real farm...but they have ice cream. I think the kids had a great time - I know I did!

First, we checked out the animals in the barnyard...

Drew and Carleigh with Bert and Ernie (the huge horses)

A cute calf that found the shade (smart cow)

Posing with a sheep


Then, we played some games on the lawn and crawled on the "vintage" tractors...

How cute!

Please let me out to play!

Lawn bowling

Carleigh teaching Davis the bean bag toss game - he escaped his stroller!

Having fun with the animals.


We had some ice cream (of course)...

Yummy strawberry!

Last, we churned some butter...

Ladylike churning...

...Not so ladylike churning!

It turned out to be such a beautiful spring day and I was so glad to be outside! I immediately started begging for a back yard! Oh well, I guess we can always go over to the Vanderbilts' house (we're really close) if we want to spend some time outside!

My Drew

My very first post on this blog was about how my baby has grown so much lately. Well, I'm feelin' it again today. Not sure why. It may be because we got out Drew's old autograph books from Disney World and it's blowing my mind to see how little he was 3 years ago (and so cute!). It may be because he's reading chapter books and is such a fluent (geeky early childhood major term) reader now. It may be because he's growing out of everything that I dress him in lately and that he's making more and more clothing choices himself. I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that he's a confident, self-assured boy who loves his family. Drew is the best big brother Davis could have ever hoped for. I love my Drew. He's making me so proud lately and I just wanted to share.

Here are some of Drew's latest soccer pictures...

Running for Mom...and the water break.

Precious brothers

Tough guy pose

Birthday Kidnapping

So...this is what I saw when I answered the door at 9:00 on Saturday morning.

*WARNING: YOU MAY FIND THE FOLLOWING PICTURE DISTURBING. I KNOW I DID...*

My friends Michelle and Brooke had come from Greenville to "kidnap" me for my birthday!!! My sweet husband was in on the surprise, too. I opened our door (thinking who in the world is banging on our door at 9:00 on a Saturday?) a tiny bit and saw Michelle with panty hose on her head and I screamed and slammed the door! I was laughing so hard when I opened the door again and saw Brooke and the signs. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard!

Then, I find out that we are going to breakfast! Hooray! I'm on a diet and haven't had eggs in 3 weeks! Breakfast is followed up by manicures and pedicures here...

You're jealous by now, right? I know! We had a wonderful time just sitting and talking and relaxing. Then, we went to the Southside Cafe (my favorite) for lunch. Did I mention my diet went out the window on Saturday?

Michelle and Brooke used to be my co-workers at the Child Development Center, but they quickly became my friends (and Kevin's too.) They are my friends that can tell me the truth because I know that they aren't being mean, just honest. I have read lots of definitions of what a true friend is, and Michelle and Brooke definitely meet all of those criteria. But, now I have something new to add to the definition - a true friend is someone who plans (a month ahead of time) to drive over an hour to your house early on a Saturday morning, show up at your door with laminated signs and panty hose on her head to celebrate your birthday. Even when your birthday is a week and a half away.

Countdown to Disney!

Anyone that knows us, knows that we LOVE Disney World! We have had a really busy couple of years (a baby, a Master's Degree, a new job, a move, etc...), so we are thrilled to be going back to the happiest/most crowded place on earth this Summer and taking Davis for his first encounter with "The Mouse". Drew (um....Mom) is so anxious that we decided to make our own "Countdown to Disney" chain of links. This morning, we took off the first link - only 63 more days to go!

And...have you noticed something is different? I found a really great blog designer that gave me a "blogover"! Her name is Rebecca - you can click on her link in my new, handy dandy side bar to see examples of her work. She is redesigning blogs as a way to raise funds for her international adoption - her son will be coming home from China very soon.

A few new photos...

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful, whirlwind of an Easter weekend! We loved being with our family, but also spending some quality time as a foursome. On Friday, I went with Melissa to a "Casting Crowns" concert in Greenville. I do feel a little guilty because the ticket really belonged to Walter, but he is still in Africa, so I sat in his second row seat! The concert was a wonderful, worshipful way to start the Easter holiday. On Saturday, we just scooted around Greenville finishing up our Easter outfits and then celebrated Kevin's Birthday with a delicious cook out at Nana and Papa Tony's house. On Sunday, we spent a wonderful morning back at Pelham Road Baptist Church. I love my church and I miss all of our friends there so much! We also got to see our favorite girl, Hannah, baptized. We couldn't have asked for a more meaningful Easter Sunday. Then, Kevin got to celebrate a little more when we had a great lunch with Nana and Papa Frank.

By the way, if you haven't already, you should check out the Tanzania blog and read about their Easter Sunday!

Happy Birthday, Papa Luke!

We were excited to celebrate Papa's birthday yesterday at the lake! We had a great time with our family and we, of course, ate well! Davis and Drew had a great time at the dock and playing with the dogs. Drew is always so jazzed to spend time with my cousins - they are so much cooler than me, apparently.

My Mom and my Aunt Lynn

Serving birthday cake (notice Drew has my cousin Robert cornered!)

Hayden playing "keep away" with Bailey

Papa Tony and his shadows

Me and my Daddy and Davis

The Birthday Boy! Isn't he handsome?!

Drew and Robert's dog, Gonzo

Tanzania Missions

Most of you already know, but I wanted to make sure everyone could find out what's going on with the Tanzania Mission Team while they are gone. They are leaving today for a 2 week trip. Please pray for their safety and health, their mission, and their families that are "holding down the fort" at home. My brother-in-law, Walt and his brother Wes are going, as well as our good friend Neil White (or "Neeee-uuul", as Davis calls him!) and a lot of other wonderful folk that we've known for years at Berea First Baptist. Just click on the picture of the team (which I borrowed) to be connected to their blog.

New Skills

Davis has a new talent...drinking through a straw! I know - it's not such a momentous occasion, but it got me thinking about how kids do things in their own time. Take Drew, for instance. I was so worried that he would never start talking (I even talked with the speech therapist at the elementary school where I worked). But, the minute I started worrying, was the minute that he really started talking and talking and talking. He hasn't stopped since. I can name so many instances where my children have just waited until they were ready to start something new.

So, Kevin and I were talking the other night about how Davis just would not drink from anything other than his own sippy cup (he even refused to drink from a cup borrowed from Hayden the other day!) and it would be a whole lot easier when we go to Disney World this summer if we didn't have to carry a suitcase full of sippy cups. Then, this morning he wanted Drew's leftover juice and the rest is history.

P.S. I know this is a lot of writing for this particular occasion, but I got some really great pictures!

Check out my Slide Show!

Eat Your Veggies

We had corn on the cob for dinner tonight (yes, I occasionally cook now!) and even Davis got in on the messy fun. He really got the hang of it after a while! Davis liked it so much that he took his corn with him after he was finished with supper.

A few tentative first bites.

Drew digging in.

Taking his corn on the road.

No caption. Just included this picture to embarrass him!

First Game

Drew's first soccer game of the season was today! He had a great time even though he had never practiced (Tuesday's practice was cancelled due to rain) and it was so cold and windy! He ran hard and smiled the whole time! Kevin got some great pictures that I wanted to share.

Has anyone seen the ball?

High-fivin' Coach Pearson!

The ball....anyone?

Drew on the move!

Hand warmers would be nice!

Homework Help?

Drew is so patient with his little brother! He accepted Davis' help with homework this afternoon without one complaint. Davis stood in the chair behind his big brother while Drew wrote using excellent handwriting (How? I'll never know!).

Whatcha' doin', Dewey?

Deweeeeee....!

Oooh - Wah!

Seriously, Mom? Now that I'm done, he finally leaves!

Soccer Mom

Yes, that's right! As of Drew's first practice on Tuesday, I am officially a soccer mom for the next 8 weeks. Drew, of course, is really excited to be playing. For now. I'm not sure he understands how much running is involved with soccer. He is also excited that he has new cleats, shin guards, and tall socks.

He was showing Davis how it all works when we came home from the soccer shop. I probably paid way more than I needed to at a specialty shop, but the owner helped us and told this clueless mom everything I needed (and didn't) for this season. I told him that I missed the old Umbro outlet at Stone Manufacturing in Greenville. Gone are the days of $3 shorts. I could use some of those right now!

Drew's first game is on Saturday, March 8th. We would love for him to have some fans this season. Email me or leave a comment on the blog and I'll send you some directions. He plays on Saturdays at 4:30 for the next 8 weeks (with a few exceptions during Spring Break).