Big Top.

I could kick myself for leaving my camera at home yesterday! 

The circus is one of our favorite February past times, so back in the fall when I got a discount code for the Ringling Brothers show, I took advantage of the deal and bought what I thought were some pretty decent seats at a ridiculously low price.

"Decent seats" doesn't even come close.  We were dead center of the arena, five rows up from the floor.  The circus is a completely different experience from that vantage point.  It was awesome!

All five of us were mesmerized.  Hadley, of course, LOVED the elephants (especially the elephant who pooped all over the place...we had great seats for that!), Harris enjoyed the clowns, Ben was a fan of the man who lit himself on fire and was then flung across the arena, Emmy couldn't take her eyes off of the lights, and I liked the tumbling act.

Here are the phone pics I managed to take:

I'm pretty sure we spent more on cotton candy and popcorn than on the seats themselves. 

Twinkies.

Baller.

Flag football started this weekend.  After a slight fear of not being able to talk while wearing the mouthpiece, all ended up fantastically!  (Minus, of course, the subzero winds.)

He had a great time and left feeling good about himself...I really can't ask for anything more!!!

Oh, My Heart.

Fat Tuesday.

Harris came home from school decked out for Mardi Gras.  Below is our conversation.

Me:  "Look at you all dressed up for Mardi Gras!"

Harry:  "What?"

Me:  "Your Mardi Gras beads are awesome!"

Harry:  "Um, actually I think it is for President's Day."

I love that kid.

Obligatory Johnny's Pic.

Because I'm pretty sure they all have one. :)

New Job Dinner.

Mom started a new job today (you go, Granti!), so in honor of her accomplishments we held a celebratory dinner last night in her honor. 

She chose to go to IHOP.

It's been a long time since I've been to IHOP.  It's a very quiet place.  At least it was until we walked in.

The food was better than I expected, the company was exactly what I had been hoping for, and  the kids can eat for free every single night!

Congrats, Granny T!  You deserve it!!!

Bumbo.

Because Biggie Big Nut LOVES checking things out from an upright position and because I was spending some time goofing around with Harry and Babe in the playroom yesterday, we decided to give the pink Bumbo seat a try.

Hadley was beside herself with excitement because she thought we were using a "Dumbo" seat.  She was a little disappointed when I corrected her, but that was before she found the picture of the elephant plastered across the front. :)

Emmy contentedly looked around (and tolerated her brother and sister all up in her face) for about fifteen minutes or so, until her little neck muscles got tired of supporting those big ol' cheeks.

I have two more weeks of maternity leave. :(

PhotoPass Faves.

V-Day Love, 2012.

This Valentine's Day, as always, began with the Table of Love.

In addition to sweet cards, the big kids received M&M's and stuffed monkeys (along with donuts for breakfast!), Emmy got a new rattle, Ben scored a gift certificate for a pedicure, and I got EXACTLY what I wanted:  one date a month planned by my most favorite man on the planet.  I love, love, love spending time with him, and when I can get all his attention, it's even better!

My littlest Valentine and I spent the day waiting to be reunited with everyone at Chick-fil-A. 

Sharing a  great dinner (even though there was no tortilla soup!) with the family was an excellent way to end our "day of love."  While I'm not big into the commercialization of Valentine's Day, it sure is fun to simply take a day to celebrate the special relationships in my life.

Maybe one day we'll have some good family shots that don't sport Chick-fil-A as the backdrop.  Until then...

Mema.

Last week, I took the girls up to Athens to visit Mema.  I love Mema.  I have so many wonderful memories of a childhood spent with her:  trips to the symphony and the art museum, nights spent at her house eating Snickers ice cream bars and pepperoni and onion pizza, days spent playing in her yard or underneath her dining room table, her house decorated for Christmas with mini elves and Disney ornaments, digging through her picture trunk looking at old family photos...I hope it goes without saying that I am so, so thankful that my kids get to make memories with her, too.

On this particular day, Hadley and I enjoyed turkey sandwiches and snap peas while Emmy contentedly chilled on the bed.  It really is the simple things. :)

Two Months.

At two months, you weigh 10 lbs. 6 oz.  That's in the 37th percentile.  I'm not exactly sure how it stacks up against your brother and sister, but I'm certain that you weigh less than they did at this age.  You're also 22 1/4 inches long, which puts you in the 43rd percentile for height.  Good growing, girl.

You're still in size one diapers, and three month sized clothes fit you perfectly now.

You behaved beautifully on your first vacation (Disney World).  It was also your first night spent out of our house since returning from the hospital.  You smile ALL the time (especially when someone you love is talking to you) and you coo and shout and say "ohhhhhhhhh"  whenever we have conversations with you.  You do your best to mimic our facial expressions (sticking your tongue out is a fave) and you continue to love to be in places with lots of loud noise (Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that you spent your third trimester at Sanford Stadium and the Saturday before your birth at the SEC Championship Game.  Or it could simply be that you're the byproduct of your Daddy and me.  We're loud, sweet girl.).

You enjoy spending time on your playmat and have started to find your hands and actually reach for your toys.  When sleeping, you break out of your swaddle and seem to prefer having at least one arm loose.  You spent most of your second month going down for the evening at 9:00, waking around 4:00 to nurse, and waking to start your day around 7:30-8:00.  During the day time, you like to eat every three hours or so.  Naps continue to be whenever and whereever.  You're a great third child. :)

Your newest nickname, and the one we use to refer to you most often, is "Biggie Big Nut."  I don't really know how it came about, but it's obviously a derivative of "EmNut," which used to be the go-to pet name for you.  Harris and Hadley (along with Dad and me) use it all the time.

You make us smile every day.

We love you bunches, Biggie Big Nut.

Let the Battle Begin.

Boys.

And homework.

They don't mix.  At least, that's been my experience so far.  And we're only in Kindergarten!

Don't get me wrong, he does his homework.  And he does it well.  But he doesn't enjoy it, he wants to rush through it, and he could care less if it's neat.  He just wants to get to that Wii.

And it's so foreign to me.  I liked homework, I took my time, and I wanted it to be as neat as possible. 

Can I grow that in him?

Love.

Daddy/Daughter Date Night.

Luckiest man alive.



Bibbidi Bobbidi Bridle Brook Drive.

Princess Makeup:  Check.

Princess Nail Polish:  Check.

Princess Dress:  Check.

Princess Tiara:  Check.

Princess Sash:  Check.

She couldn't make it to the boutique, so the day after we returned home from Orlando, I (with the help of Disney) brought the boutique to her. 

And yes, I totally took her out in public like that. :)