Playing Catch-Up!

Sorry friends and family. It's been a busy week and I have not been good about posting. Here's a quick chance to catch-up. Faith and Olivia are enjoying each other more these days. They even managed to play a board game for, like, 15 minutes without someone ending up in tears. It's a step in the right direction.

Olivia is very into dressing up and play acting. (Hmmmmm...wonder where she gets it? HER DAD!!!) This day she wandered into my room with her "pack-pack" (that's back-pack). It was filled with a few books and a Barbie. She also had on her fancy-Nancy shoes. She said, "Bye Momma. I goin' on a trip." So cute.


And then there's Faith. She had her first soccer game this weekend. She's getting so good (if I dare say so about my own child). No crying, very aggressive, and very defensive. But she did score a goal and I managed to get in on DVD - so we'll force you all to watch it soon. She had a few friend from the team come over to play after the game. They all disappeared...and this is how they emerged. Do you notice anything "different" about Faith?

She's the only one who didn't want to dress up in costumes or play clothes. Is she even related to me? Still, they had a great day. And she's very in to collecting money for those in need. Her class is raising money for the March of Dimes and she's obsessed with collecting change. She created her own "ledger" of who's contributed what. She tops the list at $.78. Dad gave $.01. I think I logged in at $.20. I hope you can see her cute handwriting!! Did you see how she spelled Granny?

Bubbles and Sunshine

That's been the sentiment for us this week. It's been awesome. But things are winding down, so I'll share a few of the final highlights. Dad's played A LOT of golf but we've also had good family time. Yesterday we ate lunch together (between Brad's 36 holes of golf!!) and then we cooked dinner. It's been so nice to have the time to prepare something to eat at night. The house smells so good. The girls and I also had fun. Here are some pictures. First, a pretty shot of Faith at the Country Club (Olivia was in a terrible mood so she wouldn't pose for a picture. Still, spring is clearly here!!


Next the girls and I played outside all afternoon. The weather's been so nice. We blew bubbles. Olivia would almost swallow the wand trying to make bubbles - but then she finally caught on. She would hop like a rabbit every time she successfully launched a bubble and say, "I did Mommy, I did it!". It was so cute. Faith was a pro. Notice how they're dressed alike? How much longer do you think I can get away with that?




Some lasting shots....sunglasses are a kid's favorite accessory (even if they're too big)! And look how pretty our Wisteria is this year!!

Spring Break Day 2

We are having a great Spring Break. Each of us is staying busy...here's a peak.

Faith and Brad went out to play 9 holes of golf. They've been to the driving range many times...but she's never actually played. Brad said she did great. Her concept of how the game works was a little flawed. (She thought is was more fun to "race" and see who could get the ball in the whole "first"...not with the least number of shots!!) Anyway he let her hit from about 100 yards out and she got a par on one hole.




We also did some work around the house. Brad raked leaves, painted the front door, replaced lights in the house and FINALLY hung the beautiful sign Gram gave us a few years ago that says..."House of Fulbright." Doesn't it look great!! The girls also played in the front yard and made a huge mess eating a Popsicle from the ice cream man.





So what's mom doing? WORKING!!!! But I'm off Thursday and Friday so I can join in the fun. Hope you're having a great week too.

Ouch!!

This is how we began our Spring break.



Last night we went to Aunt Liz's to eat hamburgers. Marcy and Josh are in town and it was a "family" affair. About 30 minutes into it...screaming. Olivia had reached up to get a piece of cheese and touched the bottom of the grill. She burned the palm of her hand...and as you can see it's pretty bad. We put ice on it and gave her Tylenol. She cried all night...slept off and on...and this morning she's just fine (thank heavens). Everyone (especialy Brad and me) feel awful that we didn't stop it from happening. Brad and I were actually inside the house watching 60 Minutes (why?). But there were lots of adults outside too. And as Brad said, it only takes 1 second to look away and this is what happens. Anyway, maybe this will be the only DRAMA of the week. Brad is off all week (yeah!!) and I'm off Thursday and Friday. So we'll have lots of family time. On the agenda: Brad wants to re-paint the front door and work on the yard. I want to catch up on laundry and do a little scrapbooking. Faith wants to go bowling. And Olivia just wants to pull things out of drawers and off of shelves. I'll try to keep you posted on out activities.

Quack Quacks.

I used to roll my eyes at those parents who would teach their children to call animals by "silly" names. For instance, call a cow a "moo-moo" of a pig an "oinky." But now I get it. They didn't teach them to say it...the kids picked it up on their own. And now we have "Quack-Quacks." Yep! Ducks. One of Olivia's favorite things to do is visit the duck pond (err...quack quack lake!). On this day it wasn't very nice outside but we still grabbed an old loaf of bread and had some family fun. Notice Brad in the bottom picture. Do you think he was practicing his pose for an outdoor sportsman's catalog?

Have We Talked About Valentine's Day?

Do you remember when decorating your Valentine's box for school was a huge deal? Well it still is. And we had free reign. So Faith and I used a cereal box...covered in white paper and "glitzed" up with lace, stickers and glitter markers. So fun! Faith is very certain about what she wants. Not too much help from me. We had a great party in her class with Valentine's Bingo..sweet snacks and of course exchanging of valentines. And don't you love her special Valentine's dress? I got it at Target!!


Here's my attempt at a fun Valentine's breakfast! We had a big day. Heart shaped pancakes (cooked on my new Griddler - thanks Gram!). Heart-themed plates and glasses (let's don't even talk about the burned hash browns Brad made - YUK) and of course scrambled eggs for Olivia. She can eat 4 eggs in one sitting.

And finally the gifts. Faith got the "Space Buddies" movie. Olivia got an obnoxious monkey (another of her favorites) that talks when it's motion sensor is set off. We had a great Valentine's Day. Hope you did too!

A Visit From Gram

Does this face speak a thousand words or what? My sweet Olivia is so precious. And on this morning, she was in a particularly good mood. Her Gram was in town!!

Gram and Olivia played and played while big sister was at school. Both girls love to "trap" Gram in their bedroom. But unlike Faith, Olivia only requires an "audience" while she plays with dolls....putting them to sleep and reading them books. Faith is far more "interactive." She wants you to take on a role, develop a character voice and play the game.

In this picture, they're going in for the big smooch!!

And finally one more silly shot that just shows you...she's full of personality!!