Centennial Olympic Park

We had such a wonderful 3 day weekend and enjoyed lots of outdoor family fun.  Although it was off to work for Robby today, the fun didn't stop for us girls.  We decided to head to Centennial Olympic Park with our friends Tiara, Avery, and Dylan .  We did the same field trip about 2 years ago with Handley and Avery and I think this time was double the fun with double the kids!

We played at the playgrounds, had a nice picnic lunch and then changed the kids into swimsuits and headed to the fountains to cool off.  Harper enjoyed watching the fountains and Handley was just in heaven.  She didn't stop smiling or giggling the entire time we were there.  She could have run and played in the water all day.  I would highly recommend this outing to anyone looking for something FREE to do.  We're already thinking about going back before it gets too cold. :-)

How 'bout them DAWGS???

We were excited about the start of college football today.  We woke up to cooler temperatures, so it made it feel like fall and football weather.  Handley and Harper were thrilled to finally get to wear their "Go Dawgs" cheerleader outfits.  We're planning to make it to Athens for at least one game this fall, but for today we enjoyed dressing in red and black and cheering on the DAWGS to victory from our living room.

This afternoon we went to the US 10K Family Festival.  A little something about me that not everyone knows is that I LOVE festivals.  It doesn't matter what kind or what they are for, I love them all.  I love being outdoors, all the people, the music, all the things to do and look at, fun activities, free giveaways and free entertainment.  Robby often jokes about me and my love, but I think deep down he enjoys it too.  There were tons of free sample give-away booths today including snacks, drinks, and popcicles!  There were also lots of kids games and activities to take part in.  A lot of them were for older kids, but Handley was able to take part in a couple of them.  She and Robby tried to do a Gladiator type event.  However, the joust was so heavy Handley could hardly hang on to it so their turn didn't last too long.

After that we enjoyed an outdoor pizza dinner, complete with live music and a real train drive-by (thanks for the suggestion of New York Pizza Exchange in Vinings from my friend, Chancey) and topped it off with frozen yogurt for dessert.  Handley kept asking why everyone else didn't have their "Go Dawgs" outfits on. Ha!  We just told her that not everyone loved the Bulldogs as much as us. :-)

It was a great start to our long weekend!

First week of school in review

Today was Handley's 3rd and final day of school for this week.  Overall, I'd say she had a wonderful start to school.  Her teacher is great and I've heard wonderful things about her, but she is very different from the teacher we had last year.  She means business and I'd be lying if I didn't say she even intimidated me a little those first few days.  Handley didn't seem to notice though and on the way home this afternoon she told me  she was going to miss her teachers this weekend.  I guess that says it all, so I can stop worrying.

Today she came home with several pieces of art.  One was an apple they had made, one was a drawing where they were supposed to draw a new friend in their class (I'm glad I'd taught her how to draw people) and the third was a baggie (see picture) full of pieces of paper she had cut.  On the bag was a sticker that said "Good Try!"  After further examining the contents of the bag I saw that she was supposed to have cut out two circles along the black line.  I've never really worked with her on cutting, so I guess I need to get my girl a pair of left-handed scissors and start practicing at home too.  Today when I picked her up I saw a little more connection between her teacher and all of the students so that made me feel good and I am really happy because I know she is going to learn a lot this year.

One funny thing I just have to mention - Yesterday when Handley was telling me about school she said that she and some friends were pretending it was night time and they were having dinner.  Then Handley smiled proudly and said, "And I was serving everyone WINE."  I just about wrecked the car! I just hope that her teachers weren't standing nearby to hear her say that because I'm sure the Baptist Pre-school would not think too highly of my daughter pretending to get everyone tipsy.  That night I told Robby and we were trying to explain to her that she probably shouldn't pretend that at school and that maybe serving milk or juice or water was a better idea.  She then asked, "well what about cold beer?" We had to look away and laugh. :-)  I told her those were just drinks for Mommies and Daddies (which she knows) and she simply replied, "well we were all pretending to be grownin ups" (she calls grown-ups "grownin ups").  Today she told me they were all pretending to be crocodiles so hopefully the pretend adult beverages are forgotten.

Harper enjoyed some one-on-one time this week while Handley was at school.  I took her to story time at the library for the first time.  Although she was nervous at first she quickly warmed up and LOVED it.  After every song or activity finished she would clap and ask for "more."  We'll probably be making that a weekly activity while Handley is at school.  Also, the past few weeks she has become extremely attached to her baby.  She carries her around everywhere and does not put her down!  She comes in the car, in the stroller, and a few days ago she insisted on holding her baby in one arm while she ate with the other hand.

Both of these two are happy to be reunited when the school day is over.  Don't you just love Harper's new face when I tell her to smile. Ha! 

First Day of School

Today was Handley's first day of 3-year-old pre-school.  She was excited to go this morning and when we got to her classroom she walked right in and didn't look back.  I think I was more nervous than she was!

When I picked her up this afternoon she was happy to see us, and was all smiles.  She talked the entire ride home about what they did, her friends and the books they read.  Robby and I talked to her last night about the importance of following directions, listening to her teachers, and being a sweet girl.  She was excited to report to me that she followed all the directions ("even though some boys didn't follow directions" - her words).  She also told me as we were coming inside that she didn't want to play, she just wanted to rest and watch a show because she had played enough at school.  I guess she was worn out!

A weekend with Mimi and Dadaw

This weekend my parents met us at the lake and we enjoyed getting to spend lots of time on the water with them.  They've only been to our lake house one other time, so we enjoyed showing them all of our favorite spots and letting them enjoy what we do most summer weekends.  Trey also joined us for the day on Saturday (Stefanie was working and we missed her).  Handley and Harper had been talking about seeing Mimi and Dadaw for a few days and were SO excited to see them.  Harper took a little bit to warm up to them, but then didn't want them out of her sight.  When I put her to bed the first night all I heard was her calling out their names like she wasn't done playing. :-)

Harper being silly with Daddy on the way to dinner

Sneak Peek

Today was Handley's sneak peek day at pre-school.  She will be attending the same pre-school, but will be in the 3-year-old, 3-day class this year.  She's been excited about starting school, especially since so many of her friends started last week.

My great friend,  Tiara , kept Harper so that I could really put all of my attention on Handley.

In our short time at school Handley got to look around her classroom, find her cubby, check out the baby dolls and kitchen, do a few puzzles, and make a place mat that she'll use when she eats lunch at school.  I think after being in her classroom today she will feel excited about going by herself on Monday.  I volunteered to serve as room mom again this year and signed up to help with all the class parties. Her teachers, Mrs. Nina and Mrs. Gloria, seem to compliment each other well, so I'm really looking forward to the new school year.

Hummus and Girlfriends

This evening while I was trying to get dinner ready I put a bowl of carrot sticks and some hummus on the counter for the girls' appetizer (or appletizer, as Handley likes to say).  When I turned around I saw that Harper decided to forgo the carrots and just focus on the hummus.

This weekend I spent some quality time with some girlfriends.  I love being at home with the girls everyday and really feel lucky to have that opportunity.  I also think it's really important to have some "me time" and to stay close to girlfriends.  We had our monthly girls night out on Saturday at The Dinner Afare .  It's one of those places that has every ingredient for the specific recipes prepared for you and you just put the meals together.  I'm excited to have a lot of delicious meals ready to go when I need them.  I loved it because I got to prepare some meals that I know I never would have done on my own, but that I can't wait to try.  After that we went to dinner at one of my favorites, Cheesecake Factory. Yummy.

On Sunday I attended a baby shower for my friend Lizzi.  Our end of the table was such a hoot.  There were lots of pregnant friends and one of Lizzi's other friends is a Labor and Delivery nurse and was sitting on our end of the table.  We were all cracking up and I loved all the baby talk.  I can hardly wait for all of the new babies to start arriving.

Me (the not pregnant one),  Lisa (due in 2 weeks), Lizzi (due in Oct) and Jen (due late Jan/early Feb)

A big THANK YOU to Gigi and Papa who came over to help watch the girls on Sunday while I was gone so Robby could get some stuff done around the house.