First Day of the First Grade

Hey Mom! I'm not in kindergarten anymore!

Guess who's starting preschool tomorrow?

Party, anyone?

Last weekend was my lovely sister-in-law's birthday. The kids and I headed over to Arkansas to celebrate with her. I told them we were going for Aunt E's birthday.

Audrey, "What are we doing for her party?"

Me, "Well, we are going out to eat with our whole family. Then we'll give her some presents."

Audrey, "Are we going to jump on things?"

Me, "I don't think so."

Audrey, "Are we going to putt-putt or anything?"

Me, "Not this time."

Audrey, "Are you sure this is a birthday party? Because it sounds a lot like dinner."

Pool Fun

Last week we went to Waynesville, North Carolina to visit Lee's family. The city has a super fun indoor pool. The kids and I had a great time. Audrey had a blast on the big slide. Benton loved all of it, especially jumping in off the side.

Here are Luke and Lily on the big slide...




















Audrey on the big slide.

I laughed watching Lily "baptize" Audrey...my brother and I used to do that every summer!
















One final picture before we left for McDonald's.

Golf Camp

There is a public golf course less that two miles from our house. The course is having a golf camp this week for kids Audrey's age. It's four mornings, two hours a morning, not that expensive. Lee asked Audrey if she was interested. Of course, she's intersted.

To prepare her for the week, Lee took her to the driving range Saturday and Sunday this weekend. She's hooked. She likes her driver the best. In her words, "It's the best because I get to do a full swing, use a tee, and it's shiny and red." I'm pretty sure this is how Tiger selects his clubs.

This all seemed like innocent fun until she returned this morning from camp. One of the instructors told her that her clubs are too short. (Sidenote: They were purchased for Benton's birthday, but held back in the midst of gift overload.) And, all the other kids have bags for their clubs, and golf gloves and cool hats.

So tonight, we went shopping and spent exactly DOUBLE the cost of the camp on a new set of clubs with a matching bag, new glove and cool pink hat. Benton now is the sole owner of the original short clubs (without a bag!) and new green golf hat from the pro shop.

Truth be told, I don't think there is a price her daddy would not have paid for this. He's pretty proud...and aware that he will never have a quiet afternoon alone at the golf course again!

Memorial Day

Audrey is quite comfortable with life and death. (Maybe all six year olds are, she's my first.) One evening a few months ago, the TV was on Animal Planet. The show was in the African plains and showed a tiger run down some rabbit and bite down on it. I immediately asked Lee to turn the channel.

Audrey turns to me, shrugs, and says, "Mom, that's its prey."

Well, glad we have that settled.

Yesterday, my family got together for the holiday weekend. Part of the day included my mom and my uncle decorating gravesites for my grandparents and other relatives. Audrey was fascinated to tag along.

She came home full of information about all of the interesting names she saw. She is named for my grandmother, so it was exciting to find her middle name on the "big rock". There were other great stories about relatives and then one random headstone with the last name, "Tinkle." Lots of jokes for the rest of the evening on that one. Her burning questions after the trip, "How big is Elvis' rock? And when can I go to Memphis and see it?"

Sunday afternoon -- after church, lunch, rest, crafts, etc. -- we were both having a snack at the table. Audrey pipes up, "Mom, I guess you have to be careful when you fall in love."

In my mind, "Oh my goodness, she has been listening! She knows how important it is to find some kind, Christian young man to start a family with, and one her mother approves of!! I AM a good mother after all."

But out loud I respond, "Why is that?"

Audrey, "Tinkle."

Picture Perfect

Audrey's dance recital was this past weekend. I think I've just now recovered enough to talk about it. There is no experience like being the "helping mom" for a 4.5 hour dress rehearsal in the morning and and 4 hour recital that evening! Here is the little ballerina backstage.


Here is her class with their student teacher. I could watch her dance all day; she's fantastic!

I was wondering if Audrey would want to take dance lessons again next year. On the way home from the dress rehearsal, she said, "I just can't wait!"

Me, "For the performance tonight?"

"No, to find out what my costume will be next year!"

I guess she's in!

Three

This sweet baby is three. Not three days, three weeks or three months, but THREE YEARS OLD.












How did this happen?

Please time, slow down just a little.

I love you, buddy! Mom