Family Fun at Amelia Island

We had an awesome time at Amelia Island last week visiting the Calhoun/Barger families. The girls loved playing with their cousins. They are finally getting old enough to be able to at least hang with the Calhoun girls. Ellie followed her girl cousins around like a puppy dog and both of my girls were always asking where their Cousins were. We had great weather. It was warmer earlier in the week so we got lots of beach time. Both girls like the water, but Katelyn is a fish. She was fearless. The waves would knock her down and she’d be right back up again. Later in the week, it was windier so we went to a Parade downtown and to the Jacksonville Zoo which is one of our favorites.

We also got to hang out with Kit’s kids and the Barger cousins. They have all grown so much. Last summer when Katelyn and Ethan got together they just fought the whole time. This year they actually seemed to like each other a bit more. We are looking forward to seeing the whole gang again in July when we head to Pennsylvania for a week.

Purim Parade

Yesterday was the Purim Parade at the girls’ school. It is the celebration of when Esther saved her people. The girls got to dress up as whatever they wanted with the exception of super heroes and guns. Of course, mine are girly, girly. They then paraded around the JCC handing out goodie bags.

Soccer starts up

Katelyn’s soccer season started back up this Saturday. Her poor team got crushed by the other team. Fortunately, all the girls were in good spirits. They got the hang of it by halftime and were even in goals the second half, but you can’t really erase a 10 goal spread from the beginning. Katelyn was the perfect sport, though, which is a huge accomplishment. Last year, when the girls scored on her, she had some not so nice things to say to them.

It was a beautiful weekend here, so we spent a lot of time outside. The girls loved riding bikes, roller skating, going on nature walks and running around with the neighborhood boys. This neighborhood is going to be crazy as these little ones all start to grow up.

This picture is of Katelyn waiting on her turn to get in the game. I don’t have any great action shots since their goal was on the other end..

New website

In order to be able to post pictures more easily and add in movies, I am trying out a website associated with our mac. You can go to http://web.me.com/thecalhouns and see what we are up to. You need a username and password, so if I haven't sent you one, then shoot me an email at acalhoun@comcast.net. I am making the site password protected so pictures of my little ones are not able to be accessed any old stranger.

It's Friday!!!!!

It is Friday and about 70 degrees here today. We got to sleep in a little late today because it is Career Day at CPA. Alan was one of the presenters speaking on the law. I had the opportunity to meet up with him for a rare lunch out today which was very nice. Sherry picked the girls up from school and took them to the park to play, then they played out front with all the neighborhood kids until dark. I am so looking forward to spring and summer. We are so blessed to live in this neighborhood that is flooded with kids and sociable neighbors. It is kind of Desperate Housewifeish with all the wives gathered in the driveways with the kids running around like wild, but we all love it.

Great weekend with the family

We had a great weekend with the family. Mom and Larry came down to Nashville for a visit. It was Larry’s first trek down here since the weekend we moved in. In his typical handyman fashion, he helped with a few projects around the house. I almost electrocuted him I think when he was trying to fix an electrical problem in the bathroom. I switched off the breaker, but didn’t realize that the switches were on two different switches until on popped the light. Oh well, alls well that ends well.

We went to the Imax 3D under the Sea which Uncle Keith would have loved. It was pretty cool. The sea lions appeared to swim up to the kids and give them kisses at the end. Then on Sunday we went to the Playhouse Disney Live featuring Mickey Mouse and gang, Handy Manny (Dylan would have loved it), The Little Einsteins and Tigger and Pooh. Ellie kept looking around trying to figure out where rocket had gone. She didn’t quite understand why the characters didn’t look quite like they do on the television.

West Palm Beach

I have been out of sorts for a while. Sorry. Our computer moved so slow that it was difficult to load pictures and frankly, I didn't have the patience. Luckily, we got a new computer recently, so I am hopeful the upload speed is faster. Here are a couple of pictures from our recent trip to West Palm Beach to see the in-laws. We went to a Safari which ended at a park with a bird place. Katelyn LOVED feeding the birds. I regret to say I have taken no pictures in February. I'll get to it though. We are heading to Louisville this weekend which always means photo ops.

More Christmas photos

After our DC trip, we headed to Louisville to see my family. The kids were overwhelmed with love. It always makes me a little homesick when I come up for a visit, but I appreciate the way everybody loves on my kids and me so well. Here are a couple of photos from the trip. The girls received a beauty salon from Grandma Karen. Unfortunately, we almost had to cut a chunk out of Katelyn's hair when Emily tightly rolled it up in a round brush. Luckily, Kasey was able to cut the brush out. Who would have thought that a beauty salon would be hazardous. Much love to everybody from Nashville!

Christmas Photos from DC

Here are a couple of the girls opening their stockings at Alan's dad's.

Katelyn's Winter showcase

Katelyn had her first Winter Showcase with dance in December. It was quite a show to see all the three and four year olds try to dance in unision. She did a great job, if not the most graceful. She has decided to switch to gymnastics rather than ballet in January where I believe her strength and quickness will be more appreciated. Although we are tempted to keep her in ballet just to improve coordination. :)

Recognize this outfit

It was mine when I was little, although I am quite sure I did not wear it when I was two. In fact, I feel like Katelyn just started wearing it a couple of months ago.

Tea with Daddy

Ellie got all dolled up for tea with her daddy. It was actually cookies and hot chocolate, but she loved it just the same.

Am I a beautiful bride?

Ellie was trying out different looks for a bride. Which do you like best? Sassy Ellie or Frankenstein's bride? Katelyn loves to dress her up and put on a tiara so she can be a bride.

Last soccer game

Katelyn's last game of soccer was on Saturday. They had a great finish--much improved from the beginning of the season. All the girls went to the park, had pizza and received their trophies. Katelyn took hers to school to show it off on Monday. She is very proud of herself.

Halloween fun

I had a Dora and an Ariel for Halloween this year. They had a blast. Ellie was ready to keep going when we had finished the block. Halloween is always a great time in our neighborhood. All the neighbors get out and visit and socialize. We even had a little gathering in our cul de sac after the trick or treating was done. Katelyn played hide and seek with the boys until way past her bedtime. I've been trying to upload individual pictures of the girls, but they won't upload. Sorry.

The Flower Girl

Katelyn was in heaven Saturday night. After dreaming of being a flower girl for almost a year, the day finally came. She started the day getting her hair done with the girls. Thank you to the amazing hair lady because she kept my stick straight haired child in curls all night. After getting her hair done, she sat mesmerized watching Angela get hers done. If you all have seen my little girl around beautiful girls in dresses, you will know how transfixed she can becomes. She spent the entire evening dutifully following Angela around (Thank you Angela for being so accommodating.) When the time came she got very serious and walked down the aisle with a purpose---distributing those leaves. She had a blast and spent the evening on the dance floor before crashing in her Aunt Sherry's arms.

I can't believe how grown up my little girl is. What happened to that little baby that I birthed just four short years ago.

For those of you wondering why my wonderful husband is not in any of these pictures, he took one for the team. A few minutes before the bridesmaids were due to walk down the aisle, Ellie quietly said, "My tummy hurts," and then promptly threw up all over Alan and the aisle. However, Sherry and the photographer rose to the occasion, quickly taking care of the problem and the wedding went off without a hitch. Unfortunately, my poor hubby was not so fortunate and had to have replacement clothes brought to him. He and Ellie watched the wedding from the back where they got to see the procession up close. Fortunately, Ellie bounced back quickly and was dancing before we hardly knew what hit her. All is well today. The picture of Ellis is from pre-incident :)

Cheerleading debut

After one hour stints at Cheer Girl Camp, Katelyn made her cheerleading debut at the Christ Presbyterian Academy vs Father Ryan football game. It was the cutest, most hysterical thing I have ever seen. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. Katelyn LOVES the cheerleaders at the game. Each fall and spring, the girls in Kindergarten through 5th grade get to cheer at one football and one basketball game. They spend two hours the week before learning the cheers and then cheer that Friday night. They are not necessarily expected to know it and half the fun is watching the littlest ones get out there. But our Katelyn outshined everyone. She has recently been taking dance, so she did some headstands out there, some cartwheels that looked like a breakdance routine and some flips. Of course I put some bloomers on here so her panties wouldn't show, not expecting she would be doing headstands with her butt in the air giving everybody a view.

Needless to say it was a great show and everyone had a great time. Ellie did her cheering from the sidelines.

Katelyn switched gears on Saturday and scored three goals to help her team win their first game (or at least we think they won. no official score is kept).

And she SCORES

Katelyn had her first soccer game today and scored our team's lone goal. She was awesome. I am biased I must admit, but she has skills for a four year old. I am sure she gets them from her daddy and uncle Tom. Unfortunately, our team is not that strong and we were heavily routed. But they had lots of fun. One picture is of them showing the ref that they are properly equipped. Another one you can see Katelyn's ponytail whipping past. Grandma will get a front row seat next week. They are called the American Girls.

Dentist

In addition to it being Ellie's first day of school, both girls also got a trip to the dentist. They both did wonderful and opened right up. Last time Ellie cried the whole time and this year, she laid there and just let them go to work. I can't believe how she has grown up in six months. We are also looking at getting an appliance of sorts for Katelyn's thumb-sucking and cross bite. Pray for us all as we begin the transition away from the thumb. She goes for her molds on Tuesday.

First Day of School

Although the girls technically go to school year round, their official first day of the year fell while they were out of town for the week. For us, Katelyn's first day was Monday, Sept. 8 and Ellie's was Tues. Sept. 9. Unfortunately, Ellie woke up sick on Monday and had to stay home with her daddy. They were decked out in new lunch boxes, and Katelyn is even suppose to carry a backpack this year. Exciting things await as we get ready for kindergarten.