Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party

On Saturday Hazel's dance school, South Carolina Dance Theatre, put on a tea party to help promote the upcoming Nutcracker ballet. Since Hazel is only 4, she is not able to be in the actual Nutcracker, so all the "preparatory" students got to dance at the tea party. Hazel had a great time and did great on stage. She was so happy her good friend, Anna Grace, came to watch her. The dancers that are going to be dancing in The Nutcracker were dressed up and Hazel was able to get her picture taken with the Sugar Plum Princess (Miss Rachel) and the Cavalier. Anna Grace is not in the picture because she was a little skeptical of the Cavalier...good thing he was smiling in the picture.

Hazel and her class waiting to do "Chinese" from The Nutcracker

Hazel poses with the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier

Hazel and Demi Dew Drop

A Spooktacular Time

Yesterday the girls I went to a Halloween party at the Anderson's. The party was a huge success and I was so glad that Kayne and Katie let me help them host the party. We had LOTS of yummy Halloween themed treats, crafts, pumpkin bobbing, parachute games and just a lot of FUN! This year Hazel went back and forth on what she wanted to be for Halloween. I wanted to buy her this expensive "Fancy Nancy" costume, but she wanted to be Minnie Mouse- yes, a $19.99 Target special. Oh well, I guess I get to save some money. Eliza's costume is borrowed from a friend and she is going to be a bumblebee. I did not out Eliza in her costume for the party, but I will take plenty of pictures on Halloween, I'm sure. Hazel is so excited about all the parties and festivals coming up, and I am too. I always loved Halloween.

Back to the party- we had a huge turn out and all the costumes were great- but there was one who gets the award for best costume. Most of you know my friend Cheryl's baby Brady and how much hair he has. Well, Cheryl dressed baby Brady up as Elvis- the funniest costume I've ever seen! Take a look at this

The Yummy spread of treats!

Hazel, Lucy and Faith

Madeline takes a moment to eat

Isa is the cutest witch

Emily and Caitlyn

Riley as a ninja

What Halloween party would be complete without spiderman?

Will as a Dalmatian

Sarah, Lauren, Maddie & Hazel on the swing
Eliza "toddles" around the party

Missy and Arden catch up on the ole Flo-Town gossipHazel bobs for a pumpkin to paint
Cooper (and the rest of us) says having this much fun is hard work!

Happy Birthday Eliza!

Saturday we had Eliza's birthday party at Ebenezer Park. The weather was perfect and so was the party. I had so much help from my friends and family....Thanks everyone! All the kids had a great time and Eliza seemed to enjoy it. Everything except the cake...she hated it. She took one bite, and cried until I gave her a cheese puff. She got lots of cool toys and books. I had so much fun planning her party, and that reminds me I have to get going...Hazel's 5th birthday is coming up in 6 weeks and I've got to come up with something for that! Whew!!!!

Eliza's favorite thing at the park- swinging

The big girls (Caitlyn, Anna Grace & Hazel) even had fun!

The cake

Little E's smash cake

McKenna, Cooper & Sarah Beth have fun on the slide.....

while Eliza waits at the bottom for them. She & Nana are playing in the sand

I love this picture of Madeline

Happy Birthday to You!

Eliza tries a little bite of her cake.....

but wants a cheese puff instead

Time to open presents!

A new Carolina cheerleader outfit! Go Cocks!

Papa, birthday parties are hard work!

Asthon can't wait for her party next month

A Year in Review

Little Eliza, how can it be that a whole year has gone by? It seems that I was just calling family and friends to tell them that our baby had arrived- a baby girl! Daddy and I must confess that we wanted a boy very badly, but can't imagine our lives now with anything other than our 2 girls. Little E, you have brought absolute joy since you arrived October 4, 2007 at 11:52 am. You've always been a happy and pleasant baby, no trouble at all. You are learning new things everyday and enjoy the world around you. You are walking and talking more everyday and enjoying your new variety of foods. I took you for your checkup today and you didn't really even cry after 4 shots. You weigh 22 lbs and you are 30 1/4 inches tall. You weigh more than Hazel did at her 2 year checkup. I am so blessed to have you in my life and I can't wait to see how fun this year will be. Little E, I love you more each day!

At one second old, we knew you were a girl!

At 1 week old, you slept soundly

At 1 month old, you were all smiles!

At 2 months, you started liking bath time!

At 3 months, you liked to see the world from a new perspective

At 4 months, you had your first taste of "food" - if you can call that rice cereal food

At 5 months, Big Sis began to dress you up

At 6 months, you got your first 2 bottom teeth
At 7 months, you loved to eat (and wear) food
At 8 months, you started to pull up
At 9 months, you got your first pork skin from Big Pa and went to the lake for the first time At 10 months, you were as beautiful as could be!

At 11 months, you became very brave and willing to try anything.

At 12 months, you like sweets, but you don't need them because you couldn't be any sweeter. I love you so much, Little E

Trike-A-Thon for St. Jude Children's Hospital

After the salon, Hazel, Kennedy and Lucy participated in the St. Jude Trike-A-Thon at St. Paul Methodist Church. The more laps they completed, the more money they raised. They worked hard and raised over $100.00 each to help the sick children at St. Jude Hospital. In addition, they also learned about bicycle safety. They had a great time and we'll definitely be doing it again next year. I love getting Hazel involved in things that can help those that are sick or less fortunate. Hopefully, she will remember as she gets older and continue to help out in the community.

On your mark.....Get Set....

In this picture, Hazel is breaking one of the safety rules she learned about...Always watch where you're going

Kennedy worked hard completing her lapsLucy does a lap on Kennedy's big girl bike
The girls enjoy a snack afterwards The 1st annual St. Paul UMC trike-a-thon participants! (Little E is on the back row in yellow)