"The BEST Day of My Life"

As adults we typically say the BEST day of our life was our wedding day or the day we gave birth to our children, but yesterday was Alyssa's. What did we do? Well, we got up early and she came to work with me. She hid Easter eggs for the children in my class to find, helped my kids color some paper eggs with markers and enjoyed our small, non-catastrophic Easter Party. She spent the three hours bouncing back and forth at our school in different classes, helping out all the teachers, playing on the "Big" playground and alerting us when the eggs we have been watching for more than 20 days were about to hatch. I saw some maturity I usually do not see at home, but where does that bossiness come from? :)

After one last swing on the Tire Swing we headed to the Nail Salon - pedicures for us both. She was a little impatient while we had to wait but LOVED her First Pedicure. She wanted to get her nails done too, but she and I have terrible fingernails, so we're going to wait and do that later this summer.

When we were finally done with our beauty treat we headed home and I swung her as high as I could on one of the neighbors Tree Swings. This is when she said it - many times, "This is the BEST day of my life." Funny how much I used to love swings when I was little too. I couldn't help but to repeat "The Swing" by Robert Louis Stevenson over in my head.

It was a fairly simple day, but one I will always remember because she was so happy, and I was there. Isn't that what parents live for, to see their children happy. Life is good, Spring is here and Alyssa and I have pretty toes!

Girl Scouts

I haven't posted a blog on Girl Scouts yet but being a Daisy Girl Scout and a Daisy Leader has been occupying a significant amount of our time since November. I have taken many photos but do not feel comfortable showing other Daisies besides mine on our Blog. Here are just a few photos that show just how darn cute Daisies really are!

Jenny - my very brave Assistant Leader - we share responsibility for our Troop and meetings. We have 12 girls and meet twice a month. Lately we have been focused on Cookie Sales - yes, Daisies sell cookies too and our Troop of 12 sold more than 2,000 boxes!

Alyssa with her Cookie Form ready to sell those cookies - Drew sold more than anyone!

A Daisy tired of working at her Cookie Booth. I'm also currently having a difficult time with Picasa and Blogger uploading photos - that is limiting Blogs to only 4 photos each. More Girl Scout stuff to come Alyssa and I are both enjoying Daisies and also share the same love for Tagalongs!

Lordy, Lordy

I hate having to blog about turning 40, but I guess it's a significant milestone. Drew decided to use this old photo on a few signs announcing to the neighborhood I was now one of the over the hillers. This is a classic - in my red-head days and covered in fresh throw up from Alyssa. Thanks Drew for pulling this one out of the archive!

Eya and Alyssa icing my 40th Birthday "Cake" - Yummy Pumpkin roll.

I still can't believe it - My brain apparently stopped at 14. I clearly remember when not only 40 but 30 was old!

Dinner at Moms - me trying to get the new numbers right. Thanks Mom and Dad for such a great dinner party, thanks Drew & Alyssa for the embarrassment and thank you Lord for letting me enjoy this year. "Grow old along with me, the BEST is yet to be!" - Browning

Ski Beech

Well, it's about time I posted this! First there was the time factor, then I had trouble moving the photos around using Blogger. They are still a little out of order but this is the best I can do for now. Here's our trip to Beech mountain and Alyssa's first BIG snow experience!

The first thing Alyssa did when she saw all the snow - make a snow angel, gotta love kids!

After we unloaded the car which was definitely the most grueling experience of our trip, Alyssa wanted to make a snowman. I thought pot head was a great name!

Alyssa's favorite part of the trip was sledding which was FREE. The best things in life . . .

Alyssa all "geared up" for skiing, she was so excited to try something new!

During her private ski lesson she lost her third tooth - the first top one. She totally grossed out her instructor - hee, hee, obviously not a parent!

Our cabin was in the top left corner of this building - it was perfect and the tooth fairy even found it. Perfect for us, but not our FRONT wheel drive Highlander. By the end of our trip we were able to get up the hill/driveway to our condo but it took five men to push us out when we were leaving, whew!

Alyssa trying it - she's UP!

She's DOWN - : (

Mr. Ski Beech - we all met our goals. Drew was able to go down the slopes twice, I got up on my skis and did not brake anything and Alyssa tried skiing - we had a successful, memorable and FUN trip. And I don't think I have ever been so glad to get to Morganton!

Why we do anything at all - LOVE this girl!!!

Happy Birthday Alyssa #6

Another year gone by and our little "five pound sack of sugah" has turned one year older. I suppose I should do a thoughtful post about how wonderful you are now and all the things you are doing so when we look back we will remember you as you turned six, but I'm suffering from post-birthday depression. Your BIG day is over, the one you look forward to ALL year and the next celebration in our household will be my trip "over the hill." You are amazing and we love everyday we have with you. YOU are the best gift EVER! Anyway, Mrs. Jerilyn did your Hello Kitty Cake and it was once again awesome! Your hair looks a little funny because you decided to cut it yourself and Mr. Tony said he's not a magician. And your two front teeth are so loose, either or both could come out at any minute.

Best Buds Hali and Piper came and you complained you didn't get to play with them enough at your party. We will have another play date soon, but there's nothing like TRUE friends.

Great Aunt Missy, Vuvva and Nana represented the family this year. We really missed all of our other Family members that could not make it (we ate your cake!).

Piper and Alyssa on the Jett Rider - is this FUN or what?!?

I think this is my favorite shot - wonder what she's thinking?

Another head on with my camera. I still can't believe she's really six. I remember six. If we have any more bad parenting from this point on she WILL remember (gasp!).

Alyssa and Chuck E. Cheese, he's sitting down, but she's so much taller, in just one year, really?!?

Alyssa and some of her birthday friends posing with Chuck - what a great day! I'm still not sure if I'm happy or sad. Kinda just like you were, happy for the most part but sad when it's over. We love you girl, just a little more each day! Thanks for making life worth the roller coaster ride :)

Aquarium Visit

On our LAST day of Christmas Break we took our girl to the Aquarium. Her treat for being so brave and getting her H1N1 Flu shot at school, without even crying.

Just like the ads say she was up close and personal with marine life, such as sea urchins, crabs, starfish and baby sting rays in the touch tank.

And really up close with the Loggerhead turtle in the Big tank.

A fun time was had by all, even with the FREEZING temperatures. Do we look cold or what?!?!?

New Year's Celebration

We celebrated in our cluttered little kitchen, the three of us and our dog - and it was perfect!