Mean Mean Jumpin' Machine

To say swimming lessons were a success is a major understatement! We had a wonderful week and it brings me so much joy to see how much she loves it. I am very thankful to her wonderful teacher, Michelle, and to my friends Emily and Kit for letting me know about this amazing resource. Now, if we can only have such great success next summer with her little sister...

Swimming Lessons...Day 2

Not anything like I expected, as in, she JUMPED OFF THE DIVING BOARD 3 TIMES!!! I couldn't believe it! She swam across the deep end of the pool and learned how to come up, take a breath, and continue swimming. When class was almost over, she and her friend asked their teacher if they could jump off the diving board. I was so excited that she wanted to do it on her own (and liked it so much that she did it two more times)! I'm continuing to pray for her safety and that she will always respect the water. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone, and we are looking forward to the next 3 days.

Swimming Lessons...What a Relief!

AC started swimming lessons today. She was pretty much swimming by the end of last summer, but she has very little confidence in the water. And with a toddler to watch also, I wanted her swimming extremely well. I was a little concerned because I had heard some horror stories, but she did great! Her teacher was so sweet and prayed for the whole group before they got started asking God to keep them safe, that they would all learn to swim this week, and blessing their parents for bringing them. Every time it was her turn, she would swim underwater from her teacher to the wall, back to her teacher, and then to the steps. I was so proud of her! She was literally like a little fish all over the pool. Her little sister will definitely be signed up for next summer! My hope is that she will be jumping off of the diving board and swimming to the side by Friday. We'll see...and I'll make sure I don't forget my camera again!

Happy Birthday.......again!

Saturday was the "real" birthday party to celebrate Owen turning one. We had a small family party at home complete with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Here are a few pictures...

Daddy...please don't take it away!

the sisters

Both cakes...compliments of my mom and my sister

Eb decides she needs some help!

Cousins AC and Eb (Emme...asleep in the swing)

Erin and the birthday girl

The Thompsons

Happy Birthday!

Our sweet little Owen turned one yesterday! Unbelievable that a year has passed so quickly. My mom made her a cake to tear into and it was a hit. Steve (Mr. No-Sugar) was cringing but handled it pretty well I thought. We are going to have a small family birthday party for her next weekend when her G.G. can be here.

The birthday girl with her K.K. and Papa (my parents)



She loved her new riding toy!

Happy Birthday, Virginia Owen!

Congrats to the college grad!

My sister graduated from The University of Alabama last weekend. We made the trip to Tuscaloosa to meet Erin, her boyfriend, my parents, my two brothers, and their girlfriends for a family/graduation/Mother's Day weekend. It was great for all of us to get together. I have one brother in Birmingham and one in North Carolina, so it is rare these days for us all to be in the same place at the same time. Perhaps the greatest joy was seeing my dad (being the avid Roll Tide fan that he is) getting to finally witness ONE of his children graduating from "THE" university! My brothers and I both graduated from Auburn (although they remained loyal to the Crimson Tide while there...which I guess makes me the only true black sheep of the family:)

Three Auburn graduates plus one Alabama graduate equals two proud (and broke) parents

My girls and their Aunt Erin
She was not happy about this but did it for her Papa.


The ride home

We had a terrific weekend and I was very thankful to get to spend Mother's Day with my wonderful mother and my family. We are so proud of you, E!

Take Me Back...PLEASE!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Disney World! We went in October 2006 when AC was three and a half (and I was pregnant with Baby O). It was my first trip back since I was a senior in high school and Steve's second trip ever (the first time was when he was about six.) We had a BLAST! She was a great age. I loved how everyone refered to the little girls as "princess!" I came across our pictures and it gave me quite a case of Disney fever. (Steve says we are not going back until everyone is at least 44 inches tall but I am working on him). She was able to ride most things-she missed Soarin' by a hair...we tried to sneak her in but got busted. So we took turns watching her so the other could ride.

Dinner at Chef Mickey's

She was in awe of Cinderella! What little girl isn't?

Making a wish at breakfast at the Castle

/

Lunch at Crystal Palace with Pooh, Tigger, and friends



And finally...a complete meltdown at Magic Kingdom (probably because it was close to midnight)
Hopefully I can trick him into taking us back soon!