Seaside 2011

We went on vacation with some friends of ours--the Warmath's.  William is Ann Charlotte's best friend.  Words cannot express how perfect the week was!  I will try to express it in pictures...

  
 
  We did have a family picture made during the trip but I may save it for our Christmas card :) 



Football Time

Ann Charlotte went to her first Ole Miss football game on Saturday.  Too bad she wasn't their lucky charm like we had hoped!  We all had a big time!

Wings and Wands and Fairy Dust

T-H-R-E-E

It is hard to believe that three years ago today our lives changed forever.  Looking back it seems like yesterday, but to think of life without her, it seems like a lifetime ago.   The past three years have been the best years of my life.  Thank you Ann Charlotte for bringing GREAT joy to us each and every day.  We love you so very much!  Happy Birthday Bug!

"The Lord has blessed us with many things and we are filled with joy," Psalm 126:3

Wow, that sums up our day (and it isn't even over yet!) I could not sleep last night I was so excited. I woke up every hour like I do when I have an early flight.  I was filled with joy!

Ann Charlotte turns three on Sunday.  While I am a little sad realizing how "big" she is, it is so much fun to see how excited she is about turning three.  She is filled with joy!  

Her birthday present arrived today.  We wanted it to be a surprise and so last night and this morning our house looked like this...

She had no clue what was going on outside...

And now we have this...

   A little girl filled with great JOY! 

First Day of School

Ann Charlotte's first day at Emmanuel was today!  I think it is a winner!  As you can see from the pictures she was very excited to start her "new school."

Tonight we read the Bunny Book about what the little bunny will be when he grows up.  When we asked Ann Charlotte what she wanted to be she said a doctor.   Emmanuel, we have high hopes for where you are going to take her!  Dr. Jones can say that is where it all started!

Look at my New Shirt!

We will have a new addition to our family in February!  We are thrilled beyond words!

P.S.: If you see us, Ann Charlotte doesn't know about the big surprise yet.  Yes, that means she has no idea what her new shirt says, but it did make for an adorable picture!

The Beach

Ann Charlotte and I went to Destin with my parents and brother/sister-in-law last week for a little get-a-way.   We went to see the dolphins, sea lions and sharks at Gulfarium.  I don't think that place has changed since I went in 1983.  It was SO hot!  But, the animals did put on a good show!

Mom I Look Silly

Yes, that is what my almost 3 year old told me this morning about the outfit I picked out for her. 

Ann Charlotte: Mommy, I need a new dress on.

Mommy:  Oh, Ann Charlotte I think you look adorable.

Ann Charlotte:  Mommy, I look silly in this outfit and I want it off.   I don't like it.

Ha, ha, ha!  She did wear it all day but I think it was only because I let her wear her rain boots with it!  I think the strong opinions are just beginning!



It is a tunic and bloomers-much cuter than the picture shows (even though AC doesn't think so!)

It's HOT!

When it is 110 degrees in Memphis you do what you can to beat the heat!

The Tayloes came over for some afternoon fun!

BFF

Ann Charlotte and her BFF, William, at the Children's Museum today. Such good buddies!

My Daddy is So Handsome

Ann Charlotte was staying with my parents for a few days.  They were out in the garden and it went something like this.

Ann Charlotte:  I want to pick some flowers for Mommy.

Acey:  Okay, I don't know if they will last until we see her but that would be nice.  You have such a wonderful Mommy and Daddy.

Ann Charlotte:  I know, and my Daddy is so handsome!

Where do they come up with these things?  So preciuos!  I agree, he is so handsome!

We love you Daddy!

Painting a picture for Daddy's Birthday!

Daddy's Birthday Coffee Cup

Admiring her Daddy

Hey Mommy

This morning I taught a small class at church on being thrifty while outfitting your kids.  I had promised Ann Charlotte that we would have lunch at Chick-Fil-A afterwards.  So we were in route, and we decided to go to the Midtown Chick-Fli-A for their playground (so a longer trip than usual).  As I see Chick-Fli-A in the distance I hear "Hey Mommy"...

Mommy:  Yes Ann Charlotte.
Ann Charlotte:  Mommy, there is a rock in my nose.
Mommy:  What?  Where?
Ann Charlotte:  There is a rock in my nose.
Mommy:  Did you put it there?
Ann Charlotte: Yes.
Mommy: Does it hurt? (as I am about to crash on Union looking in the rear view mirror)
Ann Charlotte: No.

So I whip in to Chick-Fli-A and sure enough...I can see a small rock in her left nostril.  I tried to get it out but I couldn't reach it.  I was terrified that I would push it up into her brain so I called the pediatrician and off we went.  That is a long drive-the Union Chick-Fli-A to Laurelwood at noon.  Whew!  Luckily she was calm as a cucumber and actually fell asleep on the way with her head all the way back.  I was having visions of the rock going so far up her nose we would need surgery.

After waiting, and waiting and waiting at the doctor's office, it only took the doctor about 1 minute to get it out with a little turquoise straw-looking thing.  Apparently this happens all of the time (or at least that is what they told me to make us feel better).  The doctor said between 2 and 3 is the age for putting objects up their nose and in their ears.  He told Ann Charlotte several times that she cannot put anything else up her nose or in her ears.  She was so embarrassed that she would not tell Daddy what happened tonight when he got home.  It took us 10 minutes to get it out of her (of course he was called the moment it happened but we always make her tell him about our day, etc.)

So, all is well tonight and she was a really good patient.  She didn't cry or fret at all.  Even when the doctor was fishing around in her nose.  We did make it to Chick-Fli-A for a late lunch!  These were taken while we were waiting and waiting.  She has the rock in her nose during these pictures.  Too funny!

Spit it Out!

We had a great weekend with nothing to do!  On Friday night we went to eat dinner and on our way home I was laughing out loud!

Ann Charlotte:  Whining and trying to say something but  really just whining

Daddy:  Ann Charlotte, stop whining and spit it out.

Ann Charlotte:  But Daddy, I don't have nothing in my mouth! (do they teach grammar to toddlers?)

Mommy:  What did she say?

Daddy:  I told her to spit it out and she said she didn't have anything in her mouth.

HA, HA, HA, HA!

I am Getting Married!

Okay, now that I got your attention. 

Ann Charlotte in a "wedding dress" at a birthday party recently.

This morning Ann Charlotte was getting ready for school.  I was dressing her in front of the mirror and her dress had ties on the shoulders to keep it up.  So before I tied them it looked like a strapless dress.  Our conversation then went like this:

Ann Charlotte:  Mommy my dress is a wedding dress.
Mommy:  Oh, I see, I guess it does look a little like a wedding dress.
Ann Charlotte:  Mommy, I am getting married!
Mommy:  Oh, who are you marrying (I was thinking the answer would be daddy)
Ann Charlotte:  Mommy, I am marrying Jesus.
Mommy:  Oh, wow!  Jesus?
Ann Charlotte:  Yes, and  daddy is getting married too.
Mommy: (very curious where this was going) Who is daddy marrying?
Ann Charlotte:  Daddy is marrying you.  So you and daddy will dance and me and Jesus will dance. (as she is dancing around our bedroom.)

After this she didn't want to go to school because we had a "wedding" to go to. "I am getting married" she kept shouting.

I think that Jesus sends down those little reminders to keep him in the forefront of my head. It definitely worked today Jesus. Thank you!  I needed the reminder.

Happy America Day!



Wow

I just melted on the bathroom floor...

Ann Charlotte: "Mommy you are the best!"

Mommy: "What did you say?"

Ann Charlotte: "I love my mommy so much!"

Nothing Says Summer Like...

ICE CREAM!

FIREFLIES!

 HOME GROWN TOMATOES!

WILDFLOWERS!

SPRINKLER FUN!