Thursday, May 29, 2014

southern spring

I recently came across a blog post I made after Toby was born where I commented on how difficult it was to blog with two small children.... HA!  Well, that was my truth then, and this is my truth now.  It is dang difficult to make time to blog with four small children.


I love springtime in Georgia!  It is warm and lovely.  Staying under 100 degrees so far, and I don't have much of a problem with seasonal allergies; so this is the time of year that I want to be outdoors here and just enjoy it.  Easter was a whirlwind this year as we had just returned from Utah in time to dye a few eggs, attend church, and make a semi-traditional dinner. (I did pork loin instead of a ham because we prefer it.)


For some reason, nothing I could do was going to make Amelie touch an Easter egg.  The stubborn gene is clearly expressed in everyone under this roof.



She is still a happy, smiley baby though and she is now MOBILE! I'll blog about her specifically soon, but let's just say her locomotion is very slug-like.  She likes to stand up while holding on to things too- but you have to be ready to catch her when she misjudges her ability level and suddenly lets go.  I am sad to see the baby chubbiness already starting to fade away.


We made our first trip to the lake when Rob had a work picnic there.  The kiddos dug, swam, splashed, and played.  Jakey, however, would not get in the water when I confirmed for him that fish do live in this particular lake.  I tried to explain that they would be more afraid of him than he is of them, and that they would not eat him, but it was not happening.


We went to listen to the Augusta Symphony Orchestra's 'Pops Under the Stars' and got rained on a little bit.  The rains were short-lived though, and we enjoyed the music and our little picnic dinner and some ice cream cones from Bruster's.


Sometimes you just have to give your little boys what they want.
Cuter than the original brothers, in my opinion.


We have also already finished out the school year here!  Toby is officially a preschool graduate.  I told him he needs to get a job now, and he agreed.  He suggested he babysit Amelie when I make dinner and help vacuum the house.  I'll take it!  Rob says I shouldn't tease our serious little man, but I said I will gladly pay Toby for his time.


We also had our last ballet class!  After three years of ballet, Charlotte is thinking she'd like to take a break from it and enroll in an art class next year.  I fully support this decision and am looking forward to displaying even more masterpieces next year.


Toby finished off his second year of speech therapy with Mrs. Day.  His speech has improved dramatically this year, and Toby and I both really liked his teacher.  We will miss her smiles, games, and positive encouragement.


You may remember Charlotte's felt monster she made a while back?  Well, we had also started ones for Toby and Jakey, and we finally got around to finishing those.  The yellow one is Jake's (super-tired napless boy in this photo,) and the green one is Toby's.  Charlotte made Jake's and Toby did most of his own sewing on his.  These were great little projects for learning to sew and follow a pattern, but I'm not gonna lie, I am so glad that is done with!


The grass is green!  The sky is blue!  We are really going to miss Georgia in some ways when we move back to Germany this summer!  As we begin to prepare for our next adventure, we have been talking about the friends we have made, and the reasons why we are happy to have lived here, and it is always bittersweet moving on, but we are looking forward to our return to Deutschland.


In particular, I have to take a moment to thank my GA book club ladies for their friendship, examples, support, and delicious treats.  Oh, and the books were pretty good too!  I will miss your sweet faces.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

wedding weekend

A few weeks ago Amelie and I flew to PA for my nephew Allen's wedding reception.  Allen isn't a lot younger than me and he and I lived in the same house for about eight years when we were growing up, so he often seems more like a little brother to me than a nephew.  He and his wife Robin got married in Antigua and sadly we could not make the trip, so I was really happy to help out with and attend their reception.


Jen and my sister Pam have been best friends since grade school and paired up to do much of the wedding planning (under Robin's instructions of course.)  I flew in on Friday and we went directly to the venue to set up tables, put together centerpieces, and decorate.


Because of various circumstances, I spent most of my teen years with Allen tagging along. I "babysat" him daily.  I got a teeny bit of revenge on Friday by putting Allen's son Ben in charge of Amelie.  He was very conscientious about picking up toys and giving them back to her and I think he was a little alarmed to be put in charge of another person.  Unlike his daddy, Ben was born with a small amount of fear. I thought it was great!  

Pop-pop and Grandma Linda came to help decorate and hold the baby.


Amelie was generally very happy with all of the attention she received and all of the people who were willing to hold her and spoil her all weekend.


Ben came up with this plan and Allen was more than happy to wheel him around on this cart that held the folding tables.  Like father, like son?


Amelie was ready to party at the reception!


Allen and Robin had a cupcake tower with a cake topper depicting the bride dragging the groom out of the garage. It was very cute.


Family of the groom.



Mother son dance.
I don't think Pam or Allen cried at this point... but Allen and Robin had asked me to say the prayer before the dinner, and if you know me at all, you know I was talking through my tears, and when I went back to sit down found that I was not the only one.  (I made them all cry!) Allen definitely has had a way of learning things the hard way, and it was such a joy to celebrate a truly happy milestone with him.


It was a late night out for the baby girl, but I found a rocking chair and situated it so Lucy (my sister Melissa's mother-in-law) could rock the baby.  They both seemed to be happy with this arrangement; I know I was!  


Congratulations Allen and Robin and Ben!
We love you and wish you health, happiness, and a home full of love!