Happy Halloween!

Our little cozy fish was quite the stinker for Halloween.  It was probably due to her being up half the night before, but nonetheless, we made do.  David had to wrangle her in for even a couple of pictures before we headed out.

 

 

We stopped off at the Southshore Gobble Stop to visit with Elizabeth, our favorite babysitter, and other friends, but boy, was DM ready to hit the streets for some candy!

 Once we conceded to a piece of candy, our grouchy fish livened up, at least until the sugar high ended!

 And that one little piece of sugar, a lollipop, cruised with us all the way.  Anyone who has spent any time with DM knows that she RELISHES every ounce of sugar she is given.   Once, after attending a baby shower, I took her to the park with a treat - the sugar cookie favor from the shower.  She spent an hour eating that cookie.  Not exaggerating! 

Trunk or Treat & Pumpkins

DM's Trunk or Treat for school was this weekend.  Our group was Noah's Ark!  What?  DM doesn't look like she fits in on the Ark?   Well, it is supposed to be really cold Halloween so we had to trade out costumes, saving our warmer animal costume for Halloween night, and DM was a hippie for the night.  (Costume courtesy of Amie's costume design!)  DM got down saying "Peace, Man!" but the Trunk or Treat still started out a bit on the grouchy side:

She wanted nothing to do with our group photo.  This was as good as it got, after most of the other kiddos had run off. 

But she slowly got more interested!

And in the end, the candy was super great! 

And did I mention that this stinking Trunk or Treat is during the UGA vs. FL game every year?  This always puts our family in a little predicament that many don't understand.  However, the  day was eased by having David's dad here to attend Trunk or Treat w/ DM and me while David watched the game.

Also this weekend, we carved our pumpkin!  Despite a couple of photos, DM was about as interested  as I am in pumpkin carving so poor David didn't get much help!

 

She really didn't like the yucky stuff on her hands!  I don't blame her!

And oh, finally!  What a great weekend it has been to be a Georgia Bulldog!

A Week

After an ordinary week around here, we had a fun packed weekend! Before we even made it to swimming lessons, we had some of the most expensive Saturday morning entertainment a little girl could ask for. We had some tree work done on Saturday. DM LOVED watching ! She didn't even want to stop watching to go to swim or have a snack.

By far the best part of the weekend was Amie coming to visit.  She has just the energy DM needs when I am pooped out!  Amie was gracious enough to pick up our dinner on her way here, paint w/ DM, come to swiming and even accompany us to Berry Patch Farms!  And, oh, how Amie spoils DM rotten!  Pretty sure I may ship DM off to her when she turns 15.  On the flip side, Amie and her mom remind me constantly to be present in EVERY single minute!

  

To all those who have thought DM was the perfect kiddo who we could take out to some pretty swanky restaurants with us and she'd charm a crowd,  DEAR GOD!  She is stretching her wings and testing her limits EVERY step of the way.  What is worse is that those who see her daily think it is hilarious!  Another mom at school even gave her a high five for getting on "yellow" at school!  Oh, I hope this is a phase!

(edited 10/24/12)



Happy Birthday, Mommie!

David and DM worked so hard to make my birthday special, and it was just perfect.  Thye picked out my favorite meal and a yummy cake from a Piece of Cake!  I got so many sweet surprises and opportunities for "me" time in the next couple of months!

 

A side effect of me working full time is that I feel horribly guilty if I am not with DM every minute of every weekend.  However, I also know that DM (and David) need for me to take time for me (and David).  I've known for a while I need to get away to re-energize.  And further, I knew if I stayed at home and DM went to Mom's, I'd just start working on the house and miss using the time for myself and David and me. 

David must have seen straight through this because, as soon as he knew DM was definitely going to Mom's,  he scrounged up a last minute cabin for the weekend, which is pretty hard to do in the fall in North Georgia.  And of course, he is a man after my heart because he invited Tahoe along.  It was just perfect!  (I am pretty sure David would have reconsidered that dog eight and a half years ago if he'd had any clue how much I was going to take to him!)

And Mom, sweet Mom.  Boy, did she have her hands full.  We completely underestimated DM's skills in an unfamiliar house.  DM opened drawers we never thought would get her attention, locked herself in her bedroom, found all of the make-up and lotions a girl could need and had no time for a nap!  Oh, and woke up MUCH earlier than normal!  Mom had so many fun things planned for her.  I can't imagine how crazy things would have gotten if Mom didn't have so many activities planned!

Burt's Farm 2012

With fall comes Burt's Farm opening up with more pumpkins than one could EVER need!  I love pumpkins the way some love to decorate for Christmas so Burt's is my kind of place!  Prior to leaving for our annual pumpkin jaunt, I looked back at our pictures from last year's trips HERE and HERE and was just amazed at how quickly DM has changed.  I know, I know everyone tells you how quickly they grow up, but you don't believe it until it starts to happen!

 

Mimi went with us, and we even ran in to some friends!  It was a great time, and David was so patient with Mimi and me as we picked out the perfect pumpkins to take home!  DM even picked out a couple pumpkins of her own and some corn, too!

 

 



DM Visits the Classic City!

Early last Saturday morning, I went for a run and left D in charge of breakfast.  And this is what I came home to. DM having quite the breakfast!  Waffles and eggs w/ ketchup, and oh, wow, the sugar kicked in fast!  Luckily, we had swimming lessons before starting our little trip to Athens so we could burn off some sugar!

After swim, we loaded the car and began our trek up 85/316 to Athens! David was gracious enough to take the "long" way to our tailgating spot, which always provides me the opportunity to view some of the most beautiful homes I've ever seen. I have loved watching so many of the older homes along our little "game day" route evolve over the years, and did I mention that I'd really like to own one?
 

We finally arrived!  Unfortunately for DM (and little C and her parents!), her friend C had an accident that morning and wasn't much for playing so DM had to make her own fun, and that she did!  She learned the basics of cornhole and football and even made new friends with some UGA cheerleader alums who wanted to take a pic w/ her.

As game time approached, DM and I packed up and headed home.  And she was off to dream land before we were even off the bypass in Athens! 

Goodnight Athens, and Go Dawgs!

A note to DM:  We are so excited to share our love for UGA with you.  While we are most often in Athens during football season, know that our fondness for UGA reaches far, far beyond Sanford Stadium. 

The Gift of Water

I have no doubt that many think I am a bit crazy to spend the time we do in working with DM in the pool, and that is okay!  I strongly believe that water is one of the most beautiful Gifts we have.  However, I also believe it is due a great amount of respect.  While water is essential to our lives, without due respect, it can suck the life right out of a person in a few short seconds.   My brother and I were fortunate enough that Mom kept us in water all the time.  We learned to swim and swim well very young.   Without the self-confidence in water that is developed through hours and hours of learning and exposure, I never would have learned to see water as a Gift. 

And hence, it is the Gift of water that I hope we are giving DM as we shuttle her back and forth to swim lessons at such a young age. I hope she develops the confidence needed to have the opportunity to cherish diving deep in a pool, swimming hot summer day after hot summer day, floating with the current of the ocean while snorkeling and watching beautiful ocean life and foremost, dicerning when the ocean or river current is too much for her skill.

On to our big news!  David nor I get in the pool any more w/ DM at swimming lessons! She has graduated to a class that doesn't require parents in the pool! Woohoo!