Back to School 2012!

 It's back to school time for most everyone we know.  Vi has been talking about this week for a VERY LONG TIME.  As Vi is growing up and starting a new school year, her artwork is becoming more detailed.  Mommy looks crazier as each day passes!  At least I still have long eyelashes :)

 We had a family movie day over the weekend to see Brave, and then went out for dinner which is pretty rare for us.  Vi got to enjoy some QT with her best baby friend, Beckett, at the aquarium.

Here she is on her first day in the 4 year-old class!  Congratulations big girl!



Tiny Dancer

 Vi was fitted for her first pair of ballet shoes today.  She has been talking about starting ballet class for weeks, so needless to say our trip to the dance store was very exciting for her.

 She wore the shoes in the car on the way home (and everywhere else), reminding me that they are only to wear inside, not outside.  Yes, her undies are Smurf drawers circa 1985.

 Practicing some moves in her "ballet-tard" as she calls it.  For those of you who know Vi's Paw, the hands in the top picture are definitely from Paw's repertoire of dance moves.  She dances her ballet to his banjo-playing, so if she turns out to be a good dancer maybe we have a new gig and can audition for America's Got Talent or something ?????

Vi is starting to realize that she is getting to be a big girl.  Today she said, "You know, I got my ballet shoes, I rode the horse (at the carousel) by myself today, and I am going to a new class at school.  But you can still call me 'Honey Bunny' Mom, even though I'm a big girl."

Thanks for making us smile each day, sweet girl.  Mommy and Daddy love you!

Jersey Girl, Part Deux

 July brought some special family time for Vi.  Our family attended two reunions in New Jersey to visit Daddy's family.  Our trip started out by meeting up with Uncle Bini at the airport in Atlanta.

 The first reunion was held by Grandma's family.  The last time Vi went she was not even a year old.  It was a special visit because she learned how to walk on that trip, as well as meet her extended family in NJ for the first time.  As you can see, she picked up right where she left off with her cousins!  See pictures from the trip in 2009 here.

 Vi had been looking forward to this trip for a while because she got to see the famous Ava (her cousin) who we have been talking about for years since they were too young to remember their first meeting.  The girls had a midnight meeting since our flight got in really late, but they hit it off immediately.  She loved staying at Ava's house and having "big girl" conversations.  She wants to know when we can get on the airplane to visit again.  This particular photo highlights Vi's battle wound from running into a door handle the previous day (on forehead).  Thankfully, we did not need stitches!

 cousins!

 Before heading back down south, we ate some authentically delicious pizza...

 ... and visited the infamous Seaside Heights (aka the Jersey Shore).  Vi was immediately attracted to all of the games.  No Snooki sightings, sorry.

It was a beautiful day at the shore!  We had a great family weekend in NJ and hope to visit again soon since our last visit was 3 years ago.  Thanks to our NJ family for hosting us!

Vi is a Busy Bee!

 June was an extremely busy month for Vi.  First stop, Splash Country with her partner in crime, Caroline!

 Vi got to play with her cousins in the pool.  It was the first time that Mommy got to see them all together.

 Great Mamaw Jean was in heaven with all of her great-grandchildren together.

 She got all dressed up for her first TN family wedding, too!

 On her first visit to the lake, Paw let her drive the boat - lucky girl!

 Vi attended VBS and matched the Green Turtles group perfectly in her outfit.  This was a special week since Mommy got to be her VBS teacher and see her hang out with her friends.  She loved all of the music and VBS and is still listening to her CD and dancing.

On the hottest day of the year, we visited Dollywood!  But a good time was had by all.  It just meant we got to buy more frozen lemonades.  Vi won several of the games that she played in the Country Fair (her favorite thing to do!) including a GIANT Smurfette that is the source of her recent nightmares about the "blue monster."

Whew... we are staying busy this summer.  Mommy is tired just looking back at the pictures!

Silly Girl in the Silly Hose

One of our favorite summer toys is the Silly Hose.  Just plug it into your outdoor spigot and everyone can enjoy the silliness.  Our silly hose wiggles and squirts water in all directions, and it provides summer fun for less than $10 - bargain!  You can even catch the water in your mouth if you get thirsty while playing (as demonstrated in the above photo).

Daddy and Uncle Bini swung me while jumping over the hose.  Mommy, Grandma, and Grandpa got in on the action, too.  Our video wouldn't upload, but we promise the silly hose is lots of fun!



May and June Highlights

Happy Birthday to my best friend Sonny who just turned 3!

I got to pretend that I had a dog for a few hours thanks to a visit from Aunt Cindy, Uncle Jerry, and Mollie!

 Just relaxing at the YMCA pool...

 ... and back to the "Y" for swim lesson!

I waited patiently for a really long time (good job!) for Pokey Dot the clown to paint the "heart princess" design on my face.

I hope everyone is having as much fun this summer as I am!

Beach Bum

 Our little calendar girl

 Pretty as a picture

Enjoying the crystal clear waters of the Emerald Coast with my Mamaw and Paw.  I loved the water so much this year that I floated ALONE in my mermaid ring and played with fish that my Daddy caught in a bucket for me!

Thanks Mamaw and Paw for a wonderful vacation!