First Day of School

Rya was accepted into the head start program at James B. Edwards School of Global Leadership and started full time this morning.  I'm going to miss my little sidekick.  

Blizzard of 2014

School was released early yesterday and cancelled today in anticipation of an ice/snow storm.  We got plenty of ice but just a dusting of snow.  Regardless, the kids are thrilled with our Southern Winter Wonderland!  

Ice Skating

We took the kids ice skating for the first time today.  Considering Trent and I haven't been skating in over 25 years, we all did surprisingly well and had a really fun time.

Swimming

Both kids completed swim lessons this morning.  Both kids are at Level 3 and already swim WAY better than me. 

Careful What You Wish For

Happy New Year

We celebrated the New Year in Florida with Mimi and Papi.  As always the kids enjoyed spending time with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Happy New Year indeed!

Christmas 2013

"Santa came!  Santa came!  Santa came!"  The kids had a great Christmas.  Rya got the Barbie Dream House (which took Santa 3 hours to assemble!) and Currier got lots of Legos.  He was a little disappointed that he didn't get an Xbox (a $400 gift that Santa couldn't afford!) so we used this as an opportunity to explain a life lesson called "You can't always get what you want".  Merry Christmas!   

Christmas 2013

Notice the newest addition to our family?  No, not my double chin!  It's Rosy, the bearded dragon, on Trent's shoulder.  Happiest of Holidays from our family to yours. 

Elf Application

I love his answer to number 4.

Santa

We took the kids to see Santa last night.  Currier asked for an Xbox, Minecraft and new sneakers.  Rya asked for the Barbie Dream House and Barbies. 

Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade

Rya's Wildfire Dance class got to ride on a float in the Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade this evening.  She was a total ham yelling out, "Merry Christmas" to everyone in the crowd.

Silence of the Lambs

It puts the lotion in the basket.

Birthday Camping

Per Rya's request we rented a little log cabin on a lake at the camp site down the street from our house.

We took the dogs and walked the nature trail, we rode in a paddle boat around the lake, we visited a nearby Plantation via hayride, we fished, we told spooky stories, we sat by a fire and enjoyed the fresh outdoor weather.

The whole family really enjoyed this mini getaway.  But I think Rya loved it the most.
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On November 17, Rya woke to a birthday breakfast that we cooked over an open fire.

Happy 5th Birthday my lovely Rya D.

Dear Five-Year-Old Rya D.,

Now that you're five that means you'll be off to Kindergarten next year.  My emotions are a pendulum swinging from pure excitement (Eight hours all to myself!) to utter sadness (Eight hours all to myself?).  I’m certainly going to enjoy my time alone but I’ll also miss my little helper, crazy co-pilot, and favorite lunch date.    

Your speech has improved greatly but you still have trouble pronouncing some words like “Currier” to you is “Turrier”, which we all think is adorable so we don’t correct you on that one.  The speech therapists and doctors think you’re caught up to speed now so you should have an easy transition into Kindergarten.   

Lately you’re obsessed with what you were like as a baby.  We look at the blog almost daily so you can see pictures of yourself and listen to the stories.  It make me feel thankful that I started this blog so you and Currier can always come back to see your lives unfold. 

I'm trying to revel in every moment with you as your school years are quickly approaching.  Sometimes I wrap you in a blanket and rock you on my lap (per your request!) just like I did when you were a baby.  We both love this.  As you grow into a young lady, I can imagine you’ll still want to be swaddled on my lap but I hope you’ll always come to me for warmth and love. 

All my love,

Mama