Hannah Starts Kindergarten

Hannah became a kindergartner at the end of August. It was an exciting and emotional day. She was excited, I was emotional (and excited for her). It surprised me, because I never imagined I would be one of those moms who cries when their child starts school. I managed to hold it together while I watched her on the playground before the bell rang, but as I watched her disappear into the classroom and I turned to push the stroller home I was choking back tears. I had a good cry when I got home. I think it was the sudden realization that my oldest baby would be in school from now on; that someone else would be with her for a large chunk of the day; that 1st grade was only a year away and then she would be gone all day! It was a lot to think about all at once. Happily, I toughened up after a couple of days. Hannah was the brave one in all of this. Besides a few first-day jitters, she breezed right into Kindergarten. She is doing so well and we are so very proud of her.




Crazy Hair Day!!

Our little Candy Corn Witch dressed up for her very favorite holiday.

Our Day at the Zoo

Anyone who knows Brent well knows that he has a pregnant woman's sense of smell. There's no other way to describe it, except maybe that he has a talent for smelling, but that could be taken the wrong way. Anyway, I preface this post with the bit about his sniffer because that's what makes this day at the zoo as a family so miraculous. Brent VOWED never to go to the zoo with our children. In his words, simply put, "it stinks." He's right. Zoos are very smelly places; especially the monkey house and snake building. And for him, zoos are painfully stinky. But, one day a couple of months ago, before the weather got really cold, Brent agreed to spend the day at the zoo with the girls and me. This shocked me only slightly less than if he had suggested that we get a dog (HA!). We had a wonderful time! I can't wait to go again....He hopes we wait a very long time.

Mia expresses her shock at the sight of a zebra. Brent expresses his shock at the smell of a zebra.

Charlotte smiles in the sun.

Hannah narrowly escapes being eaten by a Giant Amazon Slide Snake!


Thanks for smellin' the stink for us Daddy! We love you!

The Show That Changed My Life

Continuing our journey through the last 6 months, we come to "Once On This Island," the AMAZING musical that changed my life. That might seem a little "theatrical" to say, but it's true. The musical journey that has begun in large part because I was led to this show is still unfolding and is such a blessed ride!! (More on this later)

The whole incredible cast.

The islandy set.

Me (yes those are fake wrinkles) and Papa Ge, Hannah's favorite character. Anyone surprised??

Timoune, Daniel,and Andrea. How to choose, how to choose?

Ton Ton, Mama, and the 2 little Timounes. Love these girls!

Hilarious storytellers (on and off the set).

The whole fam. Aw.

Paige, Kate, and Haley AKA Mrs. Armand, Asaka-godess of the earth, and Erzulie-godess of love.

Beautiful ladies!

O Timoune! O Timoune! You will always be a part of us, O Timoune!

Hannah Turns 5...And Then She Turns 5 1/2!!

It's timely that I'm posting this now because Hannah celebrated her 1/2 birthday just this week at school. This is a great thing that her kindergarten teacher does for the kids in the class with summer birthdays. They get to celebrate their 1/2 birthdays so that everyone in the class has a chance to bring treats and wear a birthday crown.

The 1/2 birthday girl and Mrs.Peterson, her AWESOME teacher.

Mia was TOTALLY happy to help celebrate. She loves a good party.

Hannah and her good friend Natasha.

Hannah's "caught in the middle of a bite" smile.


For her real 5th birthday Hannah chose a water party with friends in our backyard. It was so much fun! There were 2 kiddie pools, water balloons, a slip-n-slide and Daddy armed with the hose to make sure the water fun never stopped. Can't wait till the grass in the backyard is this green again.

MAJOR Catch Up

I was able to download about 80 photos from our camera yesterday. They date back to Hannah's 5th birthday party last summer! I will post them as I can over the next few weeks (let's be realistic). So, without further ado...

Happy 2010!

As this new year begins I am so thankful for each of you. I am so grateful for all you have taught me, for your love in my life, for your friendship. I know that who I am is made up in great part of so many years of being able to lean on you, learn from you, and laugh with you. I would not be who I am today without each person who cares for me, who takes interest in my family, who cheers me on. Thank you. You are so precious.