Ben is 3!

Ben turned three on February 16. That morning Gavi and Juliana told him, "Ben, you're three now. Today's your birthday." He said, "I'm not three yet. I am not." We weren't planning to have his party until the next weekend when our friends were in town and could join us for cake, but I could tell that Ben wasn't going to be three until he had some kind of birthday event. We put a candle in his french toast and sang "Happy Birthday." After the song, he was three. Juliana had to help him blow out the candles in his french toast. He opened some of his presents that morning. The pile of presents was in the dining room for about four days before his birthday and it wouldn't have been nice to make him wait any longer.

The following weekend we celebrated with a Spiderman ice cream cake and more presents. He got lacrosse sticks from Uncle Mikey and Aunt Amy. He immediately announced, "the blue one is for me, the yellow one is for you (meaning anyone who would play with him)." Our neighbor coaches high school lacrosse and Ben had seen him outside repairing the goal. Scott was nice enough to show Ben his lacrosse gear. Now he wants a lacross goal and helmet too. Thanks, Scott! Of course, Ben has been sleeping with both sticks and the ball.

Most interesting of all -- Gavi wants me to find her a girls lacrosse team. Maybe it's not all about dance afterall ...

Happy Valentines' Day

Gavi was home "sick" for Valentines' Day (the school celebration). Fortunately, it was only the kind of sick that keeps her out of school, not the kind that actually makes her feel bad. We had a fun time planning the games for Juliana's class party and enjoyed the ice cream sundae buffet at the party. Kindergarteners know how to have a party! Unfortunately, no pictures of that one.

We had a special Valentine breakfast and opened presents from Nana. By this point the kids had consumed enough candy to last them several weeks. I think the sugar high is still wearing off. I had to hide the candy so they would stop eating those conversation hearts.

Random Pictures

I started a photography class a few weeks ago at our local art college. I haven't learned too much yet, but I do have a really nice new camera. Here are a few of my favorite new pictures.


Gavi doing what she loves the most.

Tea Party with Mrs. Knight

Have I mentioned yet that Juliana has one of the most wonderful, fun, dedicated teachers in the whole world. We love Mrs. Knight. She is so wonderful for the children. Yesterday after school she took all of the little girls in the class to the Savannah Tea House for a dress up tea party with their dolls. Can you imagine? Well, you don't have to ... I have pictures. Each girl got to choose a hat and gloves and china tea cup and they were served tea and a mini muffin and scone. It was too too cute - and the girls loved it!

Thank you Mrs. Knight!!

Let's Dance

Most of you know that Gavi is doing lots of dancing this year. She's a member of the Mini Company (ages 5-9) of Nashville Dance Center. www.nashvilledancecenter.com. (You can see her picture there if you go to "Company" and look at the Mini Company group photo. Their first competition was in Nashville January 30-31. Gavi dances in two numbers -- Follow the Leader (just the Minis - the polka dot outfit), and Detroit (all 84 members of the entire company - the sparkly outfit). Gavi was a bit nervous about performing in front of so many people, but she had a lot of fun and is looking forward to our next competition.

Since I am entirely new to this, I've had to spend some time practicing hair and makeup. Each time we do it, I get a little faster and a little better. Gavi was pretty worried about my skills after that first makeup trial run. I thought I did pretty well for a novice!

Follow the Leader won second place it its age division and the "Firecracker Award." Detroit won first place in its age division, first place for production, and some other awards. All of this award winning is because the girls have a great choreographer - Leah Harwell - and because the girls really love to dance together.