Happy Birthday to You . . .

Drew turned 2 years old on Saturday - I cannot believe it! I woke up that morning to hear him over the baby monitor counting from 1 to 10. How can this be??? It's like he was annnouncing to me - you don't have a baby anymore, Mommy, I am a big boy!

Several weeks ago when we were in Illinois, we had a birthday party for Drew. In Drew's eyes, this was the 'official' party because from that day forward, he told everyone he was two years old. (And, amazingly enough, a few 2-year old temper tantrums came right along with it). His favorite part of the party was the cake. We went to Disneyworld last spring with Grandma & Grandpa. At the close of this trip, he chose a Nemo stuffed toy as his treat. He sleeps with it everynight, so a Nemo cake seemed to be appropriate. This birthday proved to be very much about 'boy' things - balls, cars, trains, dinosaurs, etc. were all great gifts!

But, we couldn't let his actual birthday pass without a little more fun - and another NEMO cake. So, we celebrated again this weekend.

Happy Birthday, Little Man! We love you!

First Days of School

Where has the time gone? How can Ansley be starting Kindergarten this year? Well, two days of school are down - Ansley has done great! No tears from Ansley or Mom! She really seems to like it - her favorites of the day being recess and the bus ride home! (No, she didn't mention snack time - I know everyone is shocked!) Speaking of riding the bus . . . Yesterday, she was put on the wrong bus and didn't get off the bus that stops on our corner. Thankfully, I remembered there was another stop about 20 minutes later a little ways down our street. So, I went down there to wait - she hopped off the bus with our neighbor friend - smiling, not even knowing she wasn't where she was supposed to be. Today - they fixed it and she arrived right on time at the corner by our house! Talk about a little anxiety for mom on the first day.

Day #1 - Matt, Drew, and I walked her into the classroom. Day #2 - I dropped her off in the car line and she walked to her classroom alone! Very proud of her - as it is a little bit of a walk (with a few turns) from the front door of the building to her room.

Interesting side note . . . there are 2 Ansleys in her classroom. Who knew when we named her that she would ever have to go by 'Ansley D!' Let alone her first year in school!

Playing Catch Up!

Well, here we are, more than 6 weeks since my last post . . . oops!
Let's see - Ansley had another dance recital, graduated from 4 year old preschool, turned 5 years old and celebrated with all her friends, spent a week in Illinois with Grandma & Grandpa all by herself (and became a successful 'fisherman'), and tried to waterski (with success!). Drew - loves to play in the pool, is able to hit a ball with a bat, is talking more (putting two and three words together), and continues to smile all day long. The relationship that is developing between Ansley and Drew is precious- she would do anything for him (sometimes too much) and he looks for her as soon as he wakes up in the morning.

Drew and Ansley continue to make us smile daily and for that we are so thankful!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy ever!!

We Love You!!

A New Look for Ansley

First, it's the loss of two teeth, now a new hair cut. We were getting Drew's hair cut last week and Ansley said - "I want mine cut Mommy, just like yours." Not sure I wanted hers as short as mine, I agreed to let her get some cut off. (Well, looking at it now, it's nearly as short as mine). She LOVES her new hair style. She walks around feeling the back of her hair all the time. She also is quick to show anyone who doesn't notice that she is missing nearly 4+ inches of hair! I will admit, the short hair is quite cute on her, however, I am afraid she just aged 2 more years in the process.

I knew I had to get this posted quickly -

she keeps telling relatives and friends who live far away, "Check out our blog - Mom took my picture."

Easter

Yes, nearly a month later, here is an Easter update. I figure, better late than never.

We had a great Easter this year and were lucky to have Nana (Matt's mom) visit us over the holiday weekend. We had an Easter egg hunt with friends before Easter, dyed eggs, went to church Easter morning, and then had another egg hunt on Easter. Fun times!

Drew was interested in finding the eggs for about 2 minutes, then he was off to playing with the balls - his favorite outdoor activity. So, Ansley found the majority of the eggs. Drew did get into some of the candy though! Would I ever have let Ansley eat candy - including Peeps at 20 months old? Absolutely not! The second child has it much easier.

Check out the new SMILE!

Ansley lost her first tooth this morning! It has been somewhat loose for a couple of weeks now. This morning she said that it felt really loose and asked me to pull it. I grabbed a tissue to 'grab' onto it and it just fell out into my fingers. She says that she doesn't want the tooth fairy to come to her house - she's scared (much like she was very scared of the idea of Santa Claus this year), so she's just going to give her tooth to Mommy & Daddy.

I am shocked - doesn't seem like my little girl can be old enough to lose a tooth already!?!

The tooth was the bottom center - don't be mistaken by the gap in her upper teeth . . . no there are no teeth missing there. She's got teeth just like her Mommy had at that age. :)

What a Difference a Week Makes!

From almost six inches of snow and 2 days off school last Monday to 80 degrees and sunny this week! Unreal! I had to dig to find some shorts and t-shirts that fit Ansley & Drew. We are loving our new backyard and have thoroughly enjoyed the weather this weekend. I know where we will be spending most everyday this summer - outside. . . from the moment Drew wakes up he is standing at the patio door pointing outside. (Yes, he is riding in a pink car . . . )

What are the chances??

We just returned last night from a fun visit to Illinois to see family. We had a great time! Now - here's the crazy part. Ansley desperately wanted to build a snowman and was counting on having snow in Illinois to do that. There wasn't any!! Then, low and behold, Sunday night (while we are still in Illinois) - we get 6 inches here in South Carolina. (The most snow Matt and I have seen since we have lived here.) School was even cancelled Monday and today. Poor Ansley! :( But, the good news is - there was still some snow left this morning. So we hurried outside to build a snowman - in the shade, in hopes of preserving its life just a little longer . Here's Ansley's masterpiece - 'Drew' on the right and 'Ansley' on the left. Somewhat crazy - daffodils blooming around my house and snowmen in the yard!

We love visitors!!

Two weekends ago, we enjoyed a long weekend with my Mom and Grandpa. It was a last minute decision for them to come - which was even more fun being as we weren't really expecting them! :)

Ansley and Drew loved having them here. Ansley challenged Grandpa to several games of bowling on the Wii, played many game with my mom, and put together lots of puzzles with them. (My Grandpa enjoys working on puzzles at his house, so Ansley figured he would enjoy her 100 piece princess puzzles, too!) Between the games of bowling and lifting Drew up on his lap to read books, my Grandpa got his exercise! And, to top off a great weekend - the weather was fantastic - a real treat for them compared to the bitter cold they had been experiencing in Illinois.

They left very early Monday morning to go the airport. Ansley knew they were leaving, but we didn't tell her a time - or she would have been awake and ready to go to the airport with them. Ansley woke up at 5:45 that morning to find Grandma wasn't in her bed, and broke into tears. She said she already missed them and wondered when she would see them again.

Thanks for coming to visit Mom and Grandpa - we love you and can't wait to see you again soon!

Our Daughter, the Ballerina

I know, I know - those of you who know Ansley are thinking - what? Ansley, graceful like a ballerina??? Try to refrain from falling off of your chair laughing!

For Christmas, Ansley received ballet/jazz classes from her Nana. A great gift - Ansley is very excited! Our first 'lesson' of any sort for Ansley.

Yesterday was the first class. Ansley was a little nervous, I think. But, knowing her best friend Rachel would be there was enough to make her ready to go!

It was very cute - about twenty 4-6 year olds all watching intently as the teacher showed them different stretches and dance moves to try. Ansley came home still trying to practice the 'v' with her feet, as she called it.

9 weeks from now, Ansley will have a little performance. I'll keep you posted on her progress as the weeks go! (We have a long way to go).

(The pictures aren't great - they were taken through the window of the classroom. Sorry!)

Snow Carnival Field Trip

Today Ansley went on a field trip to the ice rink for a snow carnival. And, the best part - Daddy went along as a chaperone. As soon as the permission form was sent home in December, Ansley asked if Daddy could go with her on this field trip. Mommy had been on the last two trips, so it was Dad's turn.
According to Ansley and Daddy the trip was great - lots of fun - and no broken bones or accidents to report! Which is good for Ansley!
They had snow to play in (especially good for the poor kids in South Carolina who may never have snow in their yard to play in), sled rides on the ice, and the chance to try their luck at ice skating behind these cool walkers. Ansley had a blast!

Excuses, Excuses - I have none!

This is exactly why I was reluctant to start a blog . . . .it's been almost 2 months since I last posted anything. Nothing going on in our lives to post about? Far from it - Thanksgiving with my sister's family, all the fun activities associated with the holidays, Drew's seizure, Christmas in Illinois, etc. Well - maybe I'll get to all of those in the next couple of days. But, for now - let's start 2009 off on the right foot. Here's a posting about TODAY!