Painting

In my area we have a SipsNStrokes. This is a place where you go and paint (strokes) while sipping your favorite beverage. Its tons of fun. I have been several times and find it to be a huge enjoyment. Two of the pictures that I've done are hanging in Anna Claire's room. The ballerina slippers are my latest.

Summertime

Anna Claire started swimming lessons last week. We went Monday-Thursday and go Monday-Thursday this week. She's really been doing well. The instructors take her under water, which at first she didn't like, but now she does willingly. I'm very excited that she's doing so well becasue Emma is having a swim party and I want her to be comfortable with the water.

The other morning, I went in to wake Anna Claire. She sat up and asked me "Where is Nana?" She's at home I said. Then she asked "Where is daddy?" He's downstairs I answered. She then got quiet and held her head down. So I asked her, is there anyone else you are thinking about? She lifted her head and said "Just Jesus and the World". Oh my!!! How adorable is that. The child is so insightful. She must have been awake all night if she had that much on her mind!

Cinderella Princess Tea Party

For Anna Claire's 3rd birthday we had a Cinderlla Princess Tea Party. She had so much fun. We invited family over to NeNe's house for a tea. The children had a blast. "Cinderella" came to celebrate with us. I think I had as much fun as Anna Claire did.

Christmas

Christmas this year was sooo much fun. Anna Claire got a fish and a barbie doll from Santa. She was so excited. Nemo, the fish, is a red Beta who now lives in our kitchen. She also got a Disney Magical talking nursey with a doll and baby care set. Her daddy bought her a tent and sleeping bag.
We got together with family on multiple occasions. My dad's family came over on Tuesday. My uncle Hymie and cousin Maggie came from CA to visit for the holidays. On Christmas we went to Nana's and opened gifts with Emma and Henlee. Sooo fun seeing the girls together.
On Christmas Eve, Santa rides around on a fire truck visiting neighborhoods. He came right up to our drive this year. All of the families in our cul-de-sac gathered round. It was great.
We were able to bake cookies for a soldier, donate to Jimmie Hale Mission and give bags of food to those less fortunate. What a wonderful feeling it is to give.

Sick children

I was awaken at 4:30 this morning to a child with a fever. I could hear Anna Claire being extremely restless on the monitor then heard her call out for mama. When I went to check on her, she was hot. Her temp was 102. I stumbled downstairs to pour her some juice then put her to bed with Andy and me. After 45 mins of her playing we got up and retreated to the couch for most of the morning. Another check of her temperature at 8:30, and another fever....so I called the Dr. . The Dr. looked her over, nothing. Termed it a fever virus and sent me home.
Its so pitiful when your child doesn't feel well. While she atempted to eat her lunch, she would wimper and rub my arm saying "I miss you mama". You miss me??? I'm sitting right beside you. This is a definite sign that my baby doesn't feel well. Granted she is a very loving child, she seems to be even more so when not feeling well.
Its an utterly heartbreaking feeling when theres nothing you can do to ease your child's ill feelings.
So as any good mother would do, we went out for ice cream!!! It helped!