Memorial Day Weekend

On Friday, Steve and I and the girls headed to Garden City Beach. We love having the condo there to stay any time- Thanks Nana & Papa! This was Eliza's first trip to the beach and she did pretty well. Hazel is a beach bum as always- she and I could stay out there all day. I LOVE the sun! I will probably have skin cancer in about 10 years. (I hope not) I guess I should start wearing sunscreen with a SPF higher than 8. We went out to eat Friday night at Flo's Place in Murrells Inlet. We headed for the ocean Saturday morning, but as soon as Steve got the umbrella up and the chairs set up, it started raining, so we headed to Ultimate California Pizza for lunch and then to Coastal Grande mall for some shopping- thanks Steve for taking us- I know that was not your idea of fun!

Saturday night we went with Nana & Papa to the Palace Theatre to see Le Grande Cirque. It was a wonderful show! The acrobats were amazing. I highly recommend this show for all ages! You will not be disappointed. Sunday we hung out on the beach all day while Hazel and Eliza played in the water. Yes, it was freezing, but I don't think small children think any water is cold! Sunday night, we grilled out at the condo and enjoyed the band playing next door at Gulf Stream Cafe. After dinner, Steve and I took Hazel to the arcade at Sam's Corner to play games and ride the rides. Monday, we went to play Putt-Putt and had a blast. We headed home after lunch- we were all exhausted, but we had a great time.

Eliza LOVED playing with the sand & water

Hazel wanted Daddy to cover her all the way up with sand

Steve teaches Hazel how to play horseshoes

The girls have a nice bath after a day of play at the beach

Papa, Hazel & Steve before the Le Grande Cirque show

3 clowns performing before the show started

Hazel loves jumping on these "Euro Jumps"

Hazel rides the teacups. Mommy and Daddy decide to sit this one out.

Daddy helps Hazel set up for the putt

...but Hazel has her own way of doing things

Nana & Papa putt their balls in

Hazel says "I'm the Winner- I got the most points" Yes, baby you did get the most points, but is that winning putt-putt? Don't think so. Oh, well let's not break her heart.

Dirty/Clean

Gold Medalist

Hazel has completed her second year of gymnastics and she received her "gold medal" and certificate of achievement. Two of her best friends also received gold medals- Anna Grace and Kennedy. Their class was a small class and I know they enjoyed taking gymnastics with each other. The girls did so good with their jumps, rolls, flips, balance beam and the rings. Way to go girls! Hazel really loves gymnastics and I know she is going to miss it over the summer.






















Anna Grace is happy to get her gold medal










Kennedy, Hazel and Anna Grace in the pit. This "foam pit" looks like so much fun, I wish I could have jumped in.

I don't have a picture of Kennedy with her gold medal, I think I was giving Eliza a bottle.

Water Slide Day/End of Year Party

Today was Water Slide Day and End of Year Party at Hazel's preschool. Hazel has been so excited about this day for weeks. They had a blast with the 3 HUGE water slides and despite the chilly morning and FREEZING water- the kids had a blast. I'm so sad that this school year will be over on Friday. It seems that she just started 3k. I have big plans for her over the summer (I think I have her signed up for 6 different summer camps). Mrs. Richbourg has been a WONDERFUL teacher and I how I wish Hazel could have her again next year! Hazel has grown and learned so much this year. I couldn't have asked for a brighter, smarter, delightful child.







Hazel, Madeline & Olivia pose for a pic before heading outside to the water slides













Hazel and Olivia contemplate before going down










If you look closely, Hazel is airborne in this pic- what fun!












Hazel's first trip down the "Blue Monster" slide. This thing was HUGE













The whole class stands "frozen" for a group shot. It was a little cold at 9am this morning.














Hazel is happy to wrap up in her warm towel.






Finally warm.....Pizza and chips for our party. "I love this school" were Hazel's exact words to me

Olivia, Madeline & Hazel enjoy recess with a popsicle. What a fun day I had with Hazel at school this morning!

Kidz Fest

We had a great time today at our church's annual Kidz Fest. It is an event for the community with tons of inflatables, food, games, ponies, hayrides, entertainment, etc. We hung out with Mrs. Katie, Mr. Ray, Caitlyn, Cooper and Cole and did lots of fun things. It was hot and even though I lathered the kids with sunscreen- all of us still managed to get burned. I felt so bad for Eliza, but hey, that's what happens in South Carolina, right?



Hazel, Caitlyn & Cooper get ready to ride the train.















Cooper lovin' on Eliza















Hazel is exhausted by this point














Hazel and Caitlyn had a blast on the 2 hour hayride- (It really didn't take 2 hours, but it certainly felt like it, at least for me and Mrs. Katie it did.)









I love this picture of Cooper relaxing on the hayride

T-ball in a skirt!

Hazel had her first t-ball game last week. She did a great job- even playing in a skirt. Hazel is in this phase (and has been for some time) where she refuses to wear anything but a dress or a skirt. When the coach gave out the hat and uniform shirt, he told everyone to wear black shorts to the game. The next day at Target, I told Hazel we needed to buy some black shorts to wear for the t-ball game. "Moma, I don't wear shorts. I only wear skirts and dresses- you know that!" So, guess what...we ended up with a black tennis skirt. Everyone at the game thought it was so cute.






Hazel concentrates on the ball. Notice her in the tennis skirt.













Hazel "flirting" with Ashton


















Hazel takes a break from playing 3rd base to have Daddy tie her shoe.

Dance Recital 2008

Tonight was Hazel's dance recital at JC Daniel Center for the Performing Arts in Darlington. She has been so excited about this night for quite some time. We started getting ready about 4:30 today- hair, makeup, recital costume - so much to do! Hazel and her class did a tap number and a ballet number. Hazel did such a good job remembering the steps to each dance. Also- she loved the recital costumes this year and I agree that they were much better than last year.

She also got crowned Darlington Dance Princess 2008. She will get to represent the school all next season and she will get to take dance and gymnastics for free for a whole year! Yay! (That saves me about $70 a month.) Here are some pictures from tonight.

Hazel waits patiently backstage for the recital to begin.

Hazel poses with Mommy before the show

All the dancers come out for the awards

Hazel receives her crown and trophy from last year's Dance Princess

Hazel's "walk" on the stage as the new Darlington Dance Princess 2008

Snoozin' at the park

Yesterday after Muffins for Mom, we met some friends at the park for lunch and playtime. I have six friends that have babies about the same age of Eliza - actually they are all within 6 weeks of each other. We all have older kids about the same age too. So, Hazel and Eliza have LOTS of great friends. Eliza got worn out after swinging on the swings and this is how she fell asleep in her carseat.

Muffins for Mom

Yesterday Hazel's preschool had Muffins for Mom. I went to spend the morning with my little girl. It was such a special time. The classroom was decorated so pretty and pink and springy. The kids sang 2 songs for the mommies, made us a kitchen towel with their handprint on it, a flowerpot picture frame with their picture inside and lastly, a "cookbook" of the kids favorite recipes and how their mom prepares the dish. It was hilarious! Hazel's recipe was Chicken Nuggets

Chicken Nuggets by Hazel McQueen

She gets potatoes and marshmallows. She mixes them up. She puts them in the oven for 30 minutes. And then we eat them.

I bet ya'll thought I couldn't cook!

She also told Mrs. Richbourg a few thing about me:

My Mom

My mom's name is Sandy.

She is 100 years old. No, I mean 82.

She has brown eyes and brown hair.

Her favorite food is steak and all the food.

I love my mom because... I Love her.

Love, Hazel

Hazel, I love you too. You are growing up so fast- into a pretty, delightful young girl. I'm so glad God gave you to me. I know we have so many more great "Muffins for Mom" ahead of us!