Another Year Wiser

What a year...

I can't say it was the easiest we ever had, but it was certainly one of the greatest! It's been a year filled with long talks, big decisions, heartfelt prayers, and whew...am I glad it's over. We have grown more as a family this year than I dare say, any other.

As Mark celebrated his 39th birthday today, I couldn't help feeling overcome with awe and love for this man. In the last 365 days, he has led our family to a new home that is filled with giggles and girliness...and he's happy with that. Here's hoping that his next 365 days are filled with love and laughter...and maybe less sparkle.

Happy Times



Ellie and her friend, Jon Douglas having some Twister fun!



What a good momma...got her baby buckeled up!

Happy Times!

Another Gem!

Can't believe I haven't posted this gem before now!!! Precious baby was terrified!! I told the photographer to "be ready" as soon as I sat her down and backed up. Well, she did...and poor Ellie didn't even have time to sit down. God love 'em!

Recap Continued

Found these pictures from Sadie Kate's Christmas program at her daycare. Wouldn't you have known...they picked her to play an angel!

And...We're Back!

After a bit of a hiatus from the blog, I'm ready to play "catch up". So, in somewhat random order...the last 6 weeks of Mayo life.  

Enjoying Life in our New Home



Sadie Kate enjoys having a bed to herself again. This sideways sleeper is NOT a
good bed fellow!

 

Sadie Kate LOVES books. She will read them over and over, loudly,
so everyone can enjoy them as well.



Ellie has enjoyed the backyard best. She can be found each day doing
cartwheels and handstands.




Working on the back walkover.




Who needs gymnastics when you can just roll down the hill?

Forgotten Halloween Pictures



Sadie Kate playing in a castle at a Halloween party.



Ellie was bobbing for doughnuts!

Sadie Kate stood back with her daddy watching all the action.

Boy, was she happy when her friend Ben arrived.



The girls had so much fun with their friends, Jon Douglas and Ben.
Four super heroes in one place...oh, the power!

Didn't take long for the candy high to wear off!



It was a happy Halloween for the Mayos!


MY LAPTOP REFUSES TO COOPERATE AND LET ME UPLOAD MORE PICTURES.
I WILL ADD MORE TO THIS POST LATER.
SORRY!



Disney on Ice

Last Sunday, I took the girls to see Disney on Ice in Birmingham. We had a blast!!! The pictures were horrible-with flash and without! They were most excited about seeing Tangled-their favorite movie. When the characters from Tangled finally appeared, the girls were mesmerized. They sang every word of the song-I got it on video!!! Sadie Kate sat motionless throughout this portion of the show, which is no small feat!! As the characters skated off, Ellie leaned over, kissed my cheek, and whispered, "Thank you, Momma for bringing me to see this. It was amazing!" Worth.every.dime.

Sadie Kate LOVED the Seven Dwarfs. When they skated out,
she gasped and said, "Look, Santas!"

Motionless

Cotton candy and glowy spinner-things...loads of fun and loads of money!

Worth it all!

Blizzards and Blue Nails

Mark was at the football game and Ellie was playing at a friend's house, so...Sadie Kate and I decided to spend the afternoon getting our nails polished and chatting over a Blizzard. I hadn't realized how much I needed an afternoon with just one daughter to devote all of my attention. She and I chatted all afternoon about everything that crossed her mind...and that was lots! We must do this more often!

Blessed...

These two absolutely make my heart smile...everyday!

Thank you, Lord. Your plan is always perfect.

Settling In

It's been almost 3 weeks since we moved into our new house and it's finally staring to feel like a home. We finally got most of the furniture painted/refinished and in their respective homes (until I find a place I like better), blinds hung, boxes unpacked, and clothes folded and hung in their closets, but somehow, it was doing homework, cooking dinner, doing laundry, and pulling weeds from the flower bed that really made it feel home-y. Odd?

The girls adore their backyard and spend every moment possible playing outside. They have already made friends with kids on our street and have had several bike riding playdates. Coincidentally, our next door neighbors have a daughter in Ellie's first grade class at school. How perfect! The girls are also eagerly anticipating Halloween in our new neighborhood as everyone goes "all out" with decorations, costumes, and even a hayride. Maybe they will even convince their daddy to dress up this Halloween!!

We Moved!

Well, it finally happened. We moved! Last Thursday, we said goodbye to our little apartment and hello to our lovely new home after 7 long months of waiting. We took the girls to school, closed on the house, and wasted little time meeting the movers who were already hard at work packing up the storage unit. By 3:00, the house was full and the apartment was empty. What a relief! Lots of unpacking, arranging, moving, sorting, etc. took place before we picked the girls up from school. Happiest moment of the day? Seeing the girls reaction to their new home...and the box of Krispy Kreme Mark surprised us with! Both were highlights!

The Night Before the Tooth Fairy

Well, it finally happened...she lost a tooth! It wasn't exactly as I had imagined, but she lost it nonetheless. Ellie went to the dentist today and had her first tooth pulled-probably the first of many. It was barely loose, but another tooth had erupted behind it and it was in the way, so we said, "Yank it!" She was so excited as we waited in the dentist's office, even as she waited in the exam chair, but as soon as he started numbing it, she lost it! Squirming, wriggling, doing her best to get out of his reach, but to no avail. The hygienist and I held onto her and "pop"...out it came. She was elated and quickly out the door. Seriously, she walked out of the room as soon as we loosened our grips. She did however manage to grab the tooth on her way out. Luckily, her momma felt sorry for her and took her shopping to celebrate the milestone. What snaggled tooth little girl doesn't need a new purse?

Moments after the pull.

The tooth is tucked snuggly inside the pocket waiting on the Tooth Fairy.
Ellie is hoping for a whistle!??

House Update

It won't be long now!! Our closing has been set for September 27 and we are seriously counting the days...no more apartment living!!! We are so thankful that the apartment was available, inexpensive, and convenient, but we will be so relieved to be in a house with a yard and grass and no one below us to disturb. Only 17 more days!!

Labor Day Lunch

Mark and Sadie Kate joined Ellie and I for lunch at school on Labor Day...don't ask! We had a great time meeting Ellie's classmates and Sadie Kate enjoyed seeing how the big kids eat in the lunchroom. It won't be long!

We're Ready to Roll...Tide!

Gameday? I think so!

Thanks Mimi for the new outfits!! 





First Day-Part 2

Ellie and I had our first day of school Monday, and boy was it a great one! She could not stop talking about her classroom, her new friends, and most of all...her desk! "Momma, I get my own desk in first grade; not a table with other kids!" Wow, I still can't believe that my little girl is in first grade!

"The Night Before First Grade"

The first day of First Grade!



Ready to go!



More Birthday Fun

Saturday we celebrated Sadie Kate's birthday with a "gymnasstiss" party. She planned the party, right down to the guests and menu (purple cupcakes, cheese puffs, and grapes-seriously, that's all she would agree to!). She had a blast! It was her first REAL birthday party-the previous ones had either been with family only, friends coming to the house to play on the waterslide, or oh yea, the one where we had tons of kids, food, and a huge jumpy...and she got pink eye! Needless to say, she was excited about her party! She played with each friend and on each apparatus at the gym. Later, Ellie's friend Emily came home with us and they played even longer. What a wonderful way to celebrate our sassy Sadie!

Making her way through the tunnel.

Sadie Kate and Ellie on the obstacle course.

Gibbs wasn't exactly "diggin" the hula hoop race.

Ben on the beam...
I swear, if this kid doesn't end up as part of my family tree...

Emily and Ellie on the beam.

Camryn's first time on the beam...what a pro!

 Master of the Beam!

I know it's blurry, but what a great picture!

Kurt - "hanging out" with the big kids!

Action shot!

The dismount!

Gavin was a pro at the rope swing!

Kate wasn't "ready for her closeup"!

I finally got in a picture!!!

Singing "Happy Birthday"

Bashful? Priceless!

The Big 0-4!

Today we celebrated one of the most joyous days of my life...Sadie Kate's birth! Oh, what an interesting day it was. Not at all how I imagined or played in my head for 10 months, but looking back, it was just as it needed to be. God's plan is always perfect and although I couldn't see it then, boy do I see it now. Ellie's birth had been an all day event with over a dozen in attendance. Sadie Kate's birth was the exact opposite; a few hours and only Mark and I in attendance. Looking back, both experiences were perfect. Sharing the birth of our first child with our familes was wonderful and I wouldn't change it. Sharing the birth of our second child with only each other was a more relaxed/shared experience. I am so thankful that my God chose these two precious daughters to bring such laughter and joy into my life. What a perfect, perfect plan!

First Day-Take One

Well, today marked the "first" first day of school for the Mayos. Sadie Kate was over the moon to start her 4 year old class at school today. She had a great first day and even came home with a note from her teacher, Miss Lindsay. After a chaotic summer with very little structure, this was exactly what she needed. From the minute I picked her up, she has talked nonstop about rules, friends, trying your best, and standing in line quietly  (I am once again reminded what my students' parents must feel like with the "My teacher said..." comments). After dinner, she finished a coloring page/handwriting sheet that she brought from school, practiced writing her name, and even asked me if I would go ahead and let her take a shower "before it's late". Fingers crossed that this lasts more than a week!!



Sadie Kate- 3 years, 11.5 months




Sweet note from her teacher-it is rare,
so it warranted public documentation!