::carolina cousins::: May 2011

Monday, May 23, 2011

Lollipop Girl...

Goose danced this weekend in the production of Candyland with the Charlotte School of Ballet. I am not sure I am cut out to be a dancer's mom but boy, we have a little dancer. Lucy loved the performance and even though she wasn't always excited about ballet and tap class- she LOVED being a part of the production, especially watching the older girls. She is now requesting multiple bun hairdo's and really prefers that I do it with her hair wet so it looks like Princess Lolly (see below). Was so proud of this ballerina on Saturday and Cece brought our dancer her very own bouquet of roses for doing such a fantastic job in the show!!

Lucy with Kellum Svendsen, Princess Lolly who danced with her class in the ballet number. Kellum is the daughter of Dr. Thor Svendsen, who has delivered all these babies and taken such good care of Linds and I as we become mamas. I know Lala would agree- we have a very tender heart for this man- and his girl Kellum is just as genuine and lovely.

jazz hands

tappin to "Lollipop, Lollipop, oh Lolly, Lolly....."

not sure you are supposed to relax the arms in this position- but she may have been tired....

point and step.

backstage before the show with her pals.

Our Graduate!

Lucy singing with Kate, Wehman and Mae.

Memory Verse!

With Miss Kathy and Miss Kathleen.

Lucy graduated from T-K last week. Her school, Providence Christian, did an adorable ceremony. The director and lead teacher gave them a diploma and then all of the children recited a memory verse and sang three praise songs. Lucy's scripture was:

"Jesus said, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12.

I can't help but beam when she says these words. I told her the other day while choking back tears, that hearing her recite God's words from her heart is better than more than a million soccer goals, perfect ballet steps, or beautiful drawings. And I mean it- I hope that in my journey as a mom I equip Lucy with the power of scripture even moreso than any other skill she develops.

We are so proud of you Goose- for your obedience, kindness and patience with your friends at school and all of your hard work getting ready to be a big kindergartner!! You are a delight.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

momma's day

:: momma's day 2011::

we had a great late afternoon celebration over here at the house with all the family. the boys did the cooking which was quite a treat & it sure was nice to be served. we could get used to that style every sunday ;). uncle j wore the kiddos out in the back yard, we found some snap n pops, and fran just decided to lounge back & take it all in. thanks daddies for a yummy meal.

lucy, henry, fran and baby woody #2- you are a treasure that we fall more and more in love with every day. thank you for loving us & reminding us just how lucky we are to have you in our lives. xxoo

4 generations all together! my grandmother who we call Dannon (real name Frances), Honey, Me and Fran

dannon just loved looking at Fran all night. luckily she was smiling up a storm and showing off for her.

the two wild ones got into some snap n pops.....i forgot how fun those were!

snuggles from honey are always the best......especially when you hear loud things going off all around you!

for some reason these goggles are his favorite. he likes to take something to school every so often & they usually end up being the chosen one. i don't think he is gonna win any ladies over with them though :).

Tex

We got some really unexpected news yesterday...our boy Tex had been ill on Thursday night and Stephen took him to the vet about 11 pm. They did x-rays and kept him that night and called us Friday morning with a grim diagnosis. We took him to an oncologist yesterday that confirmed through ultrasound that he has a tumor that started on his heart and has spread to his lungs. There is not much to do for him regarding prevention of this type of heart and lung cancer- so we are going to love him for as long as he is comfortable.....

This was such a shock. Tex has been himself and I think Stephen and I are trying not to recount each day and offer up things we may have missed. He was our first baby and has been such a sweet and loyal dog. I get weepy thinking about all the time I was thinking a stream of cusswords when he would get out of the house or fence and play chase. Or bring his muddy paws right through the living room. Those things seem so silly now.

Lucy adores Tex. Likely because he is her sibling- and sleeps outside her room, constantly at her feet and loves for her to just lay on him. Last night she prayed many times with Stephen and I that God would "make T feel better and just heal him." Such real words for her and us.

We are going to go forward really keeping an eye on his comfort level but know our time is rather short. This boy is going to get some major love this weekend. He has blessed our family so much with his loyalty and adoration.

Monday, May 9, 2011

4 months

4 months.....a good spot. we are liking this stage for miss fran. she is awake much longer during the day so we have lots more time to play. she still takes about 3 naps a day with maybe a little late day cat nap but that can be a fight. she is still sleeping like a champ at night but sometimes waking in the 6am time frame but no complaints here. she is smiling all the time & we have even gotten some giggles out of her. she loves for henry to entertain her with his crazy faces & his jumping bean abilities. since i have him i don't even need all of this plastic equipment!
she was 14 lbs at her 4 month check up & just growing right on track. she really is an easy baby & such a joy to have in our lives. every night when it is her bed time i love to just snuggle with her in the rocking chair. i want to soak it all up now because i know it will be gone before i know it. if only we could just freeze time!!!

chapel sing

chapel sing at myers park pres!!! too cute are the best words to describe it! all of the 3's & 4's from full day and half day participated. here is a little cropped shot of most of the kids in his class. i didn't have the best spot for pics but we sure could see him gettin' in trouble with his friends! maybe next year he will sing a little bit more!

after shot with honey

photo opp with buddy noah

Easter in Sea Island

we took our first family trip of four to Sea Island for Easter!! it was a successful car ride down but quite long & a little rough on the way home. between bathroom breaks, meals, gas & feeding a baby it can extend your car ride for an extra hour and a half! it was a great 5 days hanging out with the bebe & papa & the california cousins in their new house (which is beautiful and perfect to the T!) we are looking forward to heading back down this summer for a whole week.

will, lilly & hen before dinner at the Lodge

celebrating Papa's birthday

the easter bunny knew where to find us! i think henry was more excited about fran's basket with her first barbie & pinkalicious book. we had to sit down immediately & read it.....and he knew almost all the words thanks to the girls in his class.

waiting for the egg hunt to begin. lesson for parents.....don't hype up the golden egg.....we ended with a total meltdown and only a few eggs in the basket (see below).

we worked on our soccer skills

and we worked on our tummy time with our cute smile!

thanks kelly & john for giving us another fabulous weekend with you all. we are counting down the days till the summer!!!!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Dinner with Sam and Honey

A great pic with Sam and Dad/Uncle Wood- post win at Father/Son Tourney at CCC.

Lucy explaining to Hen that "if you touch this golf club it will break, ok buddy, so let's not touch that." ooops- broke on way home. easily fixed.

Cookies!!

Such a beautiful weekend- Lucy and I spent Sunday enjoying the warm sunshine and some good ole' sprinkler fun....Hen came over too- but prefers a squirt bottle. We are loving the sunny days, spring blooms and weekends with few plans so we can just hang and enjoy our blessings!!

We have been playing a game that Lucy named "Baby or Lucy". Basically I come up with scenarios that she has to decide which child would be better for me to tend to first. Example, Lucy wants me to come sit while she gets dressed (perfectly fine job for her solo) and the baby is crying because he/she needs a diaper change. She reasons out who should get the attention.

It is entertaining and hopefully will get her thinking about the fact that things will certainly change in less than three months!! We are in the home stretch!