Fancy Nancies

In September (that's right, two months before the one we're in now) I took the girls to a Fancy Nancy party at a Chick Fil A here on Haywood Road. We are big fans of the Fancy Nancy books, which came out right around the same time our Nancy was born.

It was 2 hours full of fun girl things to do, complete with glitter stickers on a placemat, coloring, rhine-stoning flatware, lemonade from real teacups and saucers, a yummy nugget lunch with fresh fruit, and parfaits for dessert! There were other, better moms than me who dressed up as well. I must confess I have given away every single one of my bridesmaids dresses to Goodwill (no offense, girls. And I thought my little gold number you all could wear over and over?!?!) So the only "fancy" things I had to wear were real clothes, which I did not want to get all chicken-nuggety. I had fun with the girls. Sometimes it just takes getting out of the house an away from my "list" to sit and enjoy them. They are doing another one the end of November, if anyone wants to join us!

Hyped up on her 3rd round of lemonade.

Nancy was terrified by the cow.

Happenings Since We Last Spoke

Just a sampling of the glorious monotony of our life as a family:

How can a little one go from this....

....to this? Overnight?

In order to make the crib to big-girl bed transition, we had to give Nancy Kate's bed frame and mattress. We did not have a bed for Kate, so for about a month she slept on her mattress on the floor. Both mattresses were old, probably 30 years and 20 years, respectively. Once we bought the bunk beds, we tossed the mattresses. The dog claimed one for herself for the day.

Bunk bed arrival, and a photo for proof of how they helped Ryan cram it into the truck, just in case...

Some dear out of town friends invited us to a family birthday party in October. My friend on the left and I have been friends for 22 years. We are both expecting our 3rd babies this 2010 year.

Nancy enjoying a milk & peanut free cupcake.

Do you think it's time for me to potty train N?

Saturday morning breakfast in front of the tv, scones, I think.

Yeah, leaves! Ryan did not get a picture of the girls jumping straight off the top of the slide into the leaves, skipping the slide altogether.

Um, supposed to be 6 individual scones. I have no idea what I did. The fam still ate them, though.

Kate dancing, Nancy being her graceful self.

Nancy likes to sing. A lot.

And she likes to dance. Wait for it....

A Mermaid and a Princess Dancer

This year I think the girls put on their Halloween costumes 3 different times. Once to trick or treat at a nursing home down the street (and every time we pass it, 2 months later, Nancy yells "THAT'S the place where we got some candy and gave hugs!!!!" She yells everything.), once to Boo in the Zoo, and once, OH, scratch that: 4 times. Once more for Trunk or Treat at church and finally the big, underwhelming rainy event of Halloween night.

I was crazy enough to think that we could go to the Clemson Homecoming game as a family during the day and make it back home to change the girls and go trick or treating that night. We did it, but I was the one that ended up having a meltdown by the end of the day.

Luckily, any leftover candy could be sent to school with Kate for the troops overseas. I think I sent about 4 pounds with her.

Our first year doing Boo in the Zoo. Kids loved it, but big yawn-fest for Ryan and me. We won't tell the kids it's kinda lame, they'll figure it out soon enough.

Did I mention there were no animals out at the zoo? We were at the zoo, but the animals were tucked away like celebrities at a large public event....maybe so we wouldn't feed them candy?

At Trunk or Treat, about to go down the slide. I had just gotten back from a Children's Ministry related trip to Charleston, and was so tired and felt so sick. This evening was quite a blur for me. I think everyone enjoyed it, though.

One of the "booths". Yes, Ryan is in there with the kids playing Twister.

Not much has changed for Nancy in the past year. She may be bigger, but she's still a candy fiend.

Cohen, the cutest dalmation ever.

At first glance it looks like Kate's giving the finger to Halloween, this being the 4th time she's had to be a mermaid in 10 days. But upon closer observation she's about to jump up and shout out "all the single ladies...."

Homecoming Game 2009

October 31st was Clemson's Homecoming game. My folks got tickets for our whole family and we tailgated together and went to (part) of the game - it started pouring just before kickoff. We made it through the first quarter, and walked back to the car and headed home to trick or treat.

This was the first time we'd all been to a game together since I was there 10 years ago. It was really fun for me, and also the first time our family of 4 had all been to a game together. The kids did great, had a blast, and we can't wait for more times like this!

Kickoff, Go Tigers!

Little brother Ray gives our seats a thumbs up. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Family tailgate.

The parade down to the stadium.

Listening to the band in the amphitheatre. Nancy wanted to close her ears. I could just squeeze her, and often do.

Beginning of a Long Goodbye

Our dear friends the Gainors are moving to South Asia at the end of the year. We got a chance to visit with them and Mary and Dave sans kids (all 8 of them stayed home with grandparents!) while we joined our friends in Jacksonville, FL for a couple of nights. Definitely on the list as one of the most grown up things we've done - stay in a hotel, no kids, eat out, pay for parking?!?! Who do we think we are?

It was truly a blessing to spend time with our friends. I met Mary and Brandy 12 years ago when we started Clemson. Twelve years!! I am thankful we have managed to maintain our friendships over the years of change, involving lots of moving, lots of babies, new jobs, and learning to be grown ups. It was a sweet time for me, as I got to see more of the work they will be doing after they leave the country, and helped prepare me and my family for how to keep in touch and love on them while they are gone.

Dave & Mary, Gray & Brandy and Ryan and me.

Enjoying some Indian food together. Now I'm not scared to go get some another time!

They guys at the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium. We got to watch the team come out for practice. Apparently that's an exciting thing.

Mary and Bran - between the 6 of us, we only had 2 cameras, both with low batteries. There are very few good pictures!

A few weeks later the girls and I were able to visit with Brandy and the kids. It was so neat to be there. They were totally in transit, getting rid of furniture and food and toys and clothes, literally as we were there! A family came and hauled off their huge sofa! We had a good time visiting, and I enjoyed watching the kids play together. It was hard to leave, but knowing we'll see each other one more time in December helped. It would have been really, really hard for that to be the last goodbye.

When we got in the car and down the street towards home, I looked back and Kate had huge tears in her eyes. I asked her what was wrong, and she said "Sarala is moving to India and we'll never see her again, and I'll miss her so mu-hu-hu-huch!" I was surprised at her emotion. I think it's interesting that kids can spend very little time together and consider each other the best of friends. I cried too, knowing that I'd miss them just as much; and Nancy said "Can I cry too?" and started fake crying. She didn't want to be left out!

Jackson and Nancy, "to infinity and beyond!!"

Sarala and Kate enjoying some masala chai, some of the sweetest I have ever tasted!

Watching Toy Story, eating popcorn.

My Brave Trip to the Children's Museum

The Children's Museum opened up this summer in Greenville, a long-awaited opening for me. I was very excited about having one in town, but soon realized that Kate is in school all day, when would we all go together?! Fall break, of course. So one gray October Thursday, I took myself, my two girls and our free passes (thanks Emily!!) and we had a great time. I was most impressed, of course, with myself, for making it through the 2 hour event without vomiting, spontaneously napping, or craving a giant chicken drumstick.

We have since returned again to the museum with our cousins, and it was even more fun and we stayed for even longer. 3 hours, and we didn't even do everything there was to do. Thankful for the town we live in and the opportunities we have here.

Grocery shopping. You could pick out your groceries, and even scan them to check out. The bakery has a spot where you can decorate a "cake" (magnetic tiered things with plastic piping and rosettes), and a meat department and produce. The kids love it, but for me, it's about as much fun as the real thing. Actually less so, because the kids call the shots here.

Kate checking Nancy out. I think she bought all dairy products.

The construction zone, they both liked it more than I thought they would.

Lite Brite, Professional Baseball Style. (ahem, steroids.)

The farm spot is for kids under 5. It had some cute stuff, but mostly Nancy just went down the slide. This is also the spot you would come if you are a nursing mother. They literally have a stall with rocking chairs for you to sit in, right beside the hens laying eggs and across from the cow milking exhibit. I think this was a joke the one man on the Museum board wanted to play. How he pulled it off, I don't know.

Jack and the Beanstalk in Fairy Tale exhibit.

Cinderella's carriage; Nancy was the evil stepmother.

Dining at the table of Beauty and the Beast.