Twilight / New Moon

Just as I expected, Twilight was the big winner tonight on the MTV Movie Awards. Now, before you roll your eyes and say to yourself, "MTV Movie Awards? Aren't you a little old for MTV?" Of course I am, and to be completely honest with you, I was appalled at the utter filth they aired. However, as any true Twilight-er, I suffered through it. The movie won 5 out of 6 nominations;

• Best Fight Scene
• Breakthrough Artist - Male (Rob Pattinson)
• Best Kiss Scene (Rob Pattinson & Kristin Stewart)
• Best Performance - Female (Kristin Stewart)
• Best Movie!!!

Rob, Kristin and Taylor (Edward, Bella & Jacob) introduced the brand new New Moon movie trailer. It was A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!!!!! I can't wait until November, when it hits the theater! :c)

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled program......

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Summer Swimming

Some friends of ours are out of town this weekend and invited us (well, we invited ourselves, with their approval, of course) to use their pool. Jeff, not being a big fan of spending countless hours in the full sun, decided to stay home, while Anna Kate and I headed to the pool. The water was perfect! Not hot, but not too cold. Naturally I had to drag AK kicking and screaming from the water when it was time to go...maybe one of these day we will be successful in our quest of Jeff putting in our own pool ;c)

I see the moon. Does the moon see you?
The girl obviously has her daddy's big, flat feet!

I have no idea what this flower is, but I wanted to snap a handful off
to make a bouquet for my kitchen table...I didn't though :c)

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Friday Night Pizza & Fashion Show

After pizza with our friends, the girls decided to put on a fashion show. It was quite entertaining...

*Georgia & Anna Kate*

*Anna Kate*
(In a blue & white lace leotard, leopard fur vest & pink satin handbag)

*Georgia*
(Whose inspiration was clearly a flower)

*Jada*
(Determined not to be left out, she donned her best Princess dress)

We had a great time guys and look forward to visiting again.

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Anna Kate's Room

My blogging friend Kelly, is hosting a virtual home tour. Each Friday the room changes, and this week's is Nursery/Children's Rooms. I decided to play along this week since I love Anna Kate's room so much.

*View from the hallway*

*Another view from the hall*

*Anna Kate's closet on the left & mine on the right*
(I love the pink toile letters over the chest of drawers)

*Her hutch*
(The bottom part was her changing table & we purchased the hutch part later)

This is the print that's hanging over the lamp to the right of her bed.
I made it. You like?

I have changed a few things since these pictures were taken, but the overall look is the same.

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It's the Weekend!

Hallelujah! For a four-day work week, this has been the longest week in the office EVER. I didn't think it would ever end. Phew!

Last weekend we celebrated Memorial Day with some friends at their house. We had so much fun! The kids played really well and the adults enjoyed lots of 'grown-up talk' :c)

*Brantley & Anna Kate*

I would say that AK is Brantley's girlfriend, but he recently announced that iCarly was his girlfriend.... lol!

Tonight we're headed to more friends' house for pizza and drinks. The weather is supposed to be beautiful (finally, NO RAIN) and we plan to spend it by the pool. *sigh*

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Dimples

Would someone, anyone, please, please, PLEASE explain to my precious little five year old that you do not have nipples on your face. Instead, you have dimples. Then after you explain it, please make her believe it so she will stop announcing to everyone she sees that she 'has a nipple on her face just like her daddy.' I'm begging!!!

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My 3 Votes Counted!

After two hours of hitting redial last night, I managed to get three votes in for Kris Allen....and look what they did!

*HE WON*

But my absolute favorite part of the show was watching my 'Cookie' sing his original song, 'Permanent'. It's heartbreaking to know his brother passed away (who the song was written for last year), but I know he was looking down on David smiling.

*YUM*

It was a great show with the results I had hoped for. Not taking anything away from Adam; he's a fantastic artist, but I love Kris' vibe and think overall, he's more marketable. Go Kris!!!

I wanted to draw your attention to my Project 365 link on the top right of the page. I will be taking a photograph every day and posting it on my photo a day calendar. Be sure to check it out. Each month will have a theme, with May being macros (close-ups). Enjoy!

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Who Is Your Pick?

I have been voting for 30 minutes now and STILL can't get through to vote for Kris! Yet, my friend Spring has been able to vote 4 times. What is up with that? My redial button is starting to stick......

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Finally, graduation video...

Just click here to watch the video. The file is rather large, so I didn't embed it. Enjoy!

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There's A 2009 Graduate in the House!

Anna Kate is officially a preschool graduate class of 2009 :c) We did video the program, which I promise to upload today. But until then, here are a few pictures from the big day.

*Can you pick out AK's silhouette?*

(fourth from the left)

*They had to dress up as what they want to be when they grow up.*

(AK wants to be an Auburn cheerleader)

*The FBC Preschool Graduating Class of 2009*

(AK is bottom right on the end)


*They marched out to Pomp and Circumstance*

*Receiving her diploma*

*We were able to keep the cap and tassel*

*AK & her 'E'*

*E, AK & Aunt D*
*We are so proud of our little graduate!*(Jeff's eyes look funky and I don't know why)


*AK adores this man!!!*(This is our Pastor, Dr. Bush. He & AK have had an amazing bond from the day she was born.)


*AK & her BFF, Anslee*

*AK & her FFL (friend for life), Morgan*

We are so thankful to Elaine & Diane for coming down. Anna Kate was thrilled that you could share her special day! My parents, who live in North Ohio, were unable to make it. Since the graduation and dance recital are 3 weeks apart, AK chose for them to come to the recital. We felt you both in spirit though :c)

And although we cried like babies, it was a wonderful morning full of pride, happiness, love and a little sadness. Our baby is growing up so fast and we are so very proud of her!!!

By the way, you hear the song playing in the background? That was the song played during the slide show of the graduate's baby pictures. *sniff-sniff* ~I can't figure out how to play it on here, but trust me.......you'll need a Kleenex~

Check back tonight for the video :c)

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It's Graduation Day!

I have been up since 4AM this morning not being able to sleep. My baby is graduating preschool today and I am so anxious/sad. I cannot believe our little 5 pound bundle of sweetness is 5 YEARS old and moving up to kindergarten! It just seems impossible to me.

I have been warned that this morning's program is going to be sad with a slide show of the graduates to a 'special' song (according to AK). I had to send a baby picture of her to school for this slide show and I know as soon as it pops up on the screen the tears will start flowing....

I will have photos and video to post on the blog tonight, so be sure to check back.

Congratulations Anna Kate!

We are so very proud of you :)

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Mother's Day

Anna Kate woke up at 5AM yesterday morning busting at the seams to bring me her card. She came bouncing in the room saying, 'Happy Mother's Day Mommy!' in her sweet, little angelic voice :c) She even signed her own name in her very best handwriting. And after that, well it was pretty quiet and, well, quiet. I was still sick (very), so I was barely functioning. Around lunch we crawled in the bed together and snuggled/slept. Next thing I knew it was nearly 5:00. Jeff prepared a wonderful dinner (I managed a few easy side dishes), then we enjoyed our meal on the back porch. It was lovely. Thank you to Jeff & Anna Kate for trying to make my Mother's Day as special as possible, all things considered :c)

*Chef Jeff*

I walked into Anna Kate's bedroom yesterday afternoon (it was all too quiet in there), and this is what I found...

*Caged Animals*(I guess this was the only way AK could get Bell to snuggle with her)

After I got home from work this afternoon, I actually felt human again, so I had Jeff snap a few Mother-Daughter pics in honor of Mother's Day. I'm happy with them.

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Happy Mother's Day to our wonderful mother's!!!
We hope you have a beautiful day!

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Summer Already?!

Three words for you; Hot . Hot . Hot.

It is May 9th and absurdly hot and humid. So, in place of a swimming pool (that AK & I desperately want and neeeeeed *hint-hint*), Jeff hooked the sprinkler up for Anna Kate. She actually requested he strategically place it in front of her trampoline so that she could jump, get wet and slip all at the same time. Silly girl :c)



And just because I think these are cool...



Unfortunately, that's all you get, because I still feel like poo.......

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Antibiotics and Macros

* I know, you're wondering what the heck a macro is, but my fellow photography buffs will get it ;c) *

Unfortunately, I am still sick. I really hope starting this antibiotic I got today will have me back in the saddle by Sunday. Who wants to be sick on Mother's Day?!

When Anna Kate got home from school today she wanted me to play with her. Since I have been sick literally all week, she was feeling sad that I haven't been able to interact as much. So we got out her Play-Doh and made a special treat;

Anna Kate's Cherry/Blueberry/Banana-berry Pie!!! Doesn't it look delish?

Afterwards I dragged myself outside to look at all the flowers starting to bloom with her.

Aren't they beautiful? It won't be long until I can clip all of these and bring them in the house :c)

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Growth Spurt!!!

Anna Kate had her five year check up with the pediatrician yesterday. Bless her little heart, she started stressing over her shots two days prior, so she obviously wasn't excited about the appointment. Amazingly though, she did great! When she had her finger pricked....O.M.G....it sounded like a massacre was going on in the room. Holy cow! But what surprised me the most was her height and weight, more specifically her weight. Jeff and I both guessed she was approximately 42" tall, and we were correct, but we figured she weighed somewhere around 35-37 pounds. Imagine the complete shock when the scale read 39 1/2 pounds! Almost FORTY pounds!!!! I can't believe it, but we have finally moved up from the 3%, where she has been since birth, to the 50% - WAY TO GO AK! She is getting sooo big.

And in honor of her growth spurt, we went to Toys-R-Us and purchased a new car seat. She's been in a five point harness seat since birth, but it's only legal up to 40lbs. I let her pick out the one she wanted (with my approval of course), and she is now the proud owner of this big girl seat :D
























I was pretty surprised she picked this one instead of the pink, but she swore this is the one she wanted by saying, "Mama, this has pink AND purple, so we both will like it." She knows purple is my favorite color - how sweet is that?!

And then yesterday evening she had her dance pictures. I don't know that I have ever been to a more chaotic event in my life. We had to be at the dance studio at 4:30 with full hair and makeup ready. They took the girls back to get them dressed (we mothers weren't allowed back)...I stressed the entire time that pieces of Anna Kate's two costumes were being slung all over the room, her makeup smearing, her hair coming down, etc. However, after seeing the proofs on the screen.......it was all worth it!!! They are absolutely precious! I can't wait to get them in my hands. They did two shots in the sailor costume, a group shot of the class in the sailor costume, then we had one of AK and her BFF, Anslee together in their sailor costumes. Then they changed into the ballet costumes and did the same. You just wait until you see them :c) *I will be adding a 'Donate to the AK Dance Pics Fund' button to the top of this blog, cause they made a fortune on us!!!!*

In other news, I'm sick. Fever, body aches, sore throat and a terrible headache. Uggg.....

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Recital notes, costumes, choir and picnic….

Needless to say, we are pretty busy around here. I can tell summer is just around the corner!

Anna Kate's dance recital is coming up soon, and Wednesday they received their two costumes. The instructor requested a parent be present to take notes and try on the costumes. Jeff has 'AK' duty on Wednesday afternoons because he gets off early, which means he takes her to dance. I asked him if he could handle the costume day and he assured me he could. 15 minutes into the class I get a 911 text saying for me to come now and that he was struggling BIG TIME! Following is a copy of the notes he had to take….I'd say he did a pretty good job (although, I did retype them).

Tap: Blue sailor costume with tan tights (not in yet, so you have to get nude pantyhose for pictures next Wednesday) and CLEAN & POLISHED black tap shoes.

Ballet: Gold tutu costume with pink tights and CLEAN pink ballet shoes.

• Needs to wear foundation (makeup) and RED lipstick for both performances
• Hair MUST be slicked back & in a bun (no loose strands)
  *Kelly recommends not washing hair, wet & slick back with gobs of gel
  
• No nail polish and studs only for earrings
  
• NO PANTIES!
  
• No camera's with flashes (we will receive a DVD of the recital)
  
• Will receive tickets and program at rehearsal
• Do not wear recital tights to rehearsals
• Recital night – bring baby powder for legs to enable easy changing of tights/costumes
• Pictures in Abbeville (dance studio) May 5^th at 4:30
• You do not have to wear makeup or slicked back hair for pics
• BE SURE NAME IS ON ALL COSTUMES
• Come in tan pantyhose & regular leotard, but bring ALL costumes
  

• Store tutu on a hanger with the dark gold side UP. This keeps the light gold side (the top when wearing it) poofy
  
  

Tap Costume Instructions

• Tie red satin bow and sew or pin on the front
  
• Pin sailor hat on head
  
  

Ballet Costume Instructions

• Make any alterations needed to the straps and/or sleeve caps
  
• Sleeve caps should fit on arm (not shoulder) with the sleeve top lining up with the top of the leotard bodice.
  
• Sew or pin ric rack around the top of bodice and around to the back
  
• Pin the flowers (two safety pins are attached) to the leotard directly below the belly button
  
• Tutu fits on hips, not stomach
  
• Bobby pin the flower around the bun in hair
  

I simply cannot believe we paid $100's of dollars for these costumes and yet I have to make the alterations…which have to be done by tomorrow afternoon for pictures!!! *PANIC* Not to mention the fact that Anna Kate's hair is nowhere near long enough to put in a ponytail, much less a bun.

I had her try the costumes on again last night so I could pin where the alterations need to be made. I snapped a quick picture of her in the tap costume, which goes to the song "On the Good Ship [Lollipop]". Please ignore the location of Barkley's nose…. (I don't have an explanation).

Of course the costume is missing the red bow in the front and her tap shoes, but I still think it's precious!

Saturday we attended Jeff's 2^nd Annual Regional Picnic for his company. It was H.O.T!!!!! I didn't take my camera, but one of Jeff's employees did take some pictures and sent these two.

And finally, Sunday…

AK woke up with a terrible deep, congested cough. She wasn't running a fever, but with this Swine Flu scare that we're dealing with, I figured it might not be a good idea to take her to church where she would be coughing on everyone. So, we gave her some medicine and just kept an eye on her. She was better by the afternoon, so we decided it would be okay for her to join her choir class at church for the year-end performance. She did great! They all did. Afterwards, she received her completion certificate, followed by dinner at her favorite restaurant……….Wendy's.

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