Baby Ballerina

Marion is dancing this year! She is taking a ballet and gymnastics combo class, and is super excited every week when it is her night to go to dancing school. After all, she's been sitting in the waiting room while Grace dances every week for far too long! She was nervous through the first couple of classes and just stood back and watched, but is now happy and participating!

Marion with Kate and Emma Kate

Beautiful baby ballerinas!

Ready to do her front roll!

First Day of Preschool

This is the best I could do! Marion was a little nervous, and wanted to stay wrapped around my leg. I had to run away, and snap a picture as she ran toward me! Marion has two wonderful teachers this year, Mrs. Shannon and Mrs. TJ. She goes to school on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Marion absolutely loves it! Many tears are shed around here on Monday and Friday, when Grace gets to go to school and she doesn't!!

First Day of Kindergarten

My sweet Grace started Kindergarten last month. Many people consider this the start of "real school," but she went all day to the 4 year old preschool program at the same school last year. In a way, it's the same. In other ways, oh so different. Last year I looked forward to the daily reports and comments about her day from her teachers. This year, the only info I'm getting is what I can pry out of her! She has lots of sweet friends in her class, and is having a great year. She breezes through her schoolwork, it comes so easily to her. She likes her teachers, and is always ready to go to school. She is so much like me; I always loved school, and now my heart is warmed that she loves it too.

Meredith is in her class this year! (Grace expected this, and wouldn't have understood them doing it any other way!)

Her teacher did a Hollywood Movie theme.

Her spot at her desk!

Lulu's

To Lulu's or not? We had never been before, and had heard mixed reviews. Our friends weren't interested in going, so we wondered if we should....

We decided to check it out! As soon as we drove up to this...
I was excited! It sits right on a marina, filled with yachts, little tugs, and all other sorts of cool watercraft. Jeremy was in heaven just checking out the cool water rides!

Since the girls were wearing their new souvenir airbrush tees, I ordered a nice, clear, wedding cake flavored snow cone for them to enjoy while we waited to eat!

Oh, and a nice, cold drink for myself too! Ahh, I wish I could click my heels and be back in that chair right now!

After we ate, we claimed some more of those big comfy Adirondack chairs by the stage and watched the girls play for a while...







Check this out!! Grace was too scared to try it out, and I didn't even give Marion the option... maybe next time!!
We had a blast!! If you are ever in Gulf Shores, don't miss Lulu's!!

The Track

The Track - A Mini Amusement Park!

I was scared to death to put my baby on this thing! She wasn't so sure either!!

Grace driving was, um... well, I hope she gets better by the time she's 16! She was easily distracted!

Marion loves Noah!

The Hangout

Our Crew at The Hangout
Noah, Marion, Meredith, Margot and Grace

Gulf Shores 2011

We spent a week in Gulf Shores last summer for our family vacation. We stayed in a condo next door to friends at a fun complex with a really nice pool and tennis courts. We had a few days of beautiful weather and a few days of rain, but still had a great time!

The seaweed was plentiful :) I don't remember ever seeing so much of it before, but maybe it's because I got spoiled in Mexico!

It took some coaxing to get Grace out into the boat, but once she got in, she loved it!

Mermaid Marion

Jeremy and Marion hunting crabs! I had never done this before Mandi and Josh introduced us to it 2 years ago. It's super fun!!

Grace is a fish in the pool!

Marion loves the pool, as long as she can touch the bottom!

Now, for my funny story of the trip: We booked a dolphin cruise, and we were really excited about it! The morning of trip came and the weather was dark and gloomy. We loaded up in the car anyway, because the boat captain was supposed to call us if it was a no-go due to weather. We were told all about his special on-board radar. Anyway, on the way there, it staring pouring. Not a little, I'm talking crashing lightening, should we pull over to the side of the road weather. Anyway, we got there and waited, and waited a bit longer. It never got any better. We finally gave up. Jeremy and I were heart broken, we had been really looking forward to it. We called our friends who had given up a while before us and were headed back. They were taking their kiddos to the shops; the one with the big shark head that you enter through, and the one with the massive purple octopus in front. I asked my girls if they wanted to join them. I got an ecstatic YES!! from the backseat. We spent about $5.00 on each girl and they thought it was the best day ever. Jeremy and I stayed bummed for a bit about missing our dolphin cruise...

Moral of the Story: When you go out for pricey entertainment, leave the kids with someone who will take them shopping at the Dollar Store. They will be just as happy :)