Flashback Friday

It's football time in Tennessee!!!  We're going to our first UT game of the season today, so I decided to take a trip down memory lane to good ole Rocky Top.  

Me and Megs at homecoming 1999

Me and Mel 2004 (I think).  I also think I'm wearing the same shirt 5 years later!

Converting Bert to a Vol fan 2006

I cannot wait to hang out with these girls (minus LeeAnn who we all wish could be there too) and cheer on the Vols today!

Open House

Last night was Open House at school, so I knew it was going to be a late night.  I decided to sneak home after school to see my girls and help them get ready for church and ballet before heading back to school. 

Seeing this smiling face definitely brightened my day.

Sleepy head was still napping so I had the pleasure of waking her up.  That's me being sarcastic becauase it is definitely not fun to wake E from her beauty sleep!

One of these days...

I will remember to get a picture of the entire Kelly family when we all get together.  From the moment we arrive, the chase is on!  These girls love playing in the country, but that means I have to keep up!!  I even told Bert to remind me to get a picture of everyone because we were all there besides Scott and Brandi.  We both forgot!  I did capture 3 photos.

Elizabeth and Carter ran around playing tag.

Caroline was content just watching them in the shade.  Smart girl!

Before we left I did get a quick picture of the girls with Bert's dad and his Uncle Kevin who was visiting from California.

Flashback Friday

Daddy and Elizabeth-- August 2009

16 Months

Caroline, Today you are 16 months old.  You are still the sweetest little girl in the entire world!  You've always been the more cautious of my girls, but you have recently discovered your brave spirit.  Your curiosity has made you a little bolder, and you're becoming quite the little explorer.

You are wearing size 24 month clothes and your foot measured a size 6 last week.  You just might catch up to your sister after all!

You are still a girl of few words, but you are signing a little more.  And somehow you still find ways to communicate what it is that you want. 

Whenever we ask you a question, no matter what it is, you start shaking your head "no" with the cutest little grin on your face.  

You basically do whatever your sister does.  Whatever she's eating, you want it too.  If she's doing front rolls in the living room, you try your best to do the same.  Without a doubt, watching you two play together each night is my favorite thing in the world!

You are really good at covering your mouth whenever you cough.  So good, in fact, that you often fake cough just to cover your mouth and get our attention.

Elizabeth has taught you how to play hide and seek.  She tells you to count, which you obviously can't do.  But you also know not to follow her at that point either.  When she yells, "ready" and I ask, "Where's Elizabeth?" you immediately take off looking for her.  When you find her, you squeal so loud that it makes us all laugh.  

Sweet girl, you are nothing but sweet joy in my life.  My heart could not be more full!  

I always want to remember these precious curls.  I know the poor child needs a haircut, but I just can't bring myself to do it!

4, 8, 12, and 16 months

Caroline and Elizabeth at 16 months. 

Here's Elizabeth wearing the same outfit at the same age.  My girls still favor each other, but I think it's less and less each month.  I love watching them grow into the little wonderful people that they are!

Swim Lessons

Elizabeth started swim lessons at the Y last week.  She was so excited.  Especially because her friend Zackary from school is taking them at the same time.  

There are two teachers for 4 of kids, and one of them is a student of mine.  I really do think Elizabeth would live in the water if I let her.

The parents wait in the lobby and watch through the glass windows.  Thankfully there's a play station to occupy Caroline during that time.

Blue Ridge

One of Bert's friends has a mountain home in Blue Ridge that he offered for us to stay in this weekend. It was a perfect, relaxing weekend following the first full week of school.  

We stopped "in town" on the way there Friday night to eat at a local restaurant.  They gave us free cupcakes and ice cream for desert.  I'd say that was a good start to the trip!

The cabin (which was three full levels) sat on 6 acres and had a beautiful view of the lake.

On Saturday, we explored the shops of downtown Blue Ridge, played on the playground, and watched the train come in.

We were excited to go to the "beach" so the girls could swim.  It was the only disappointing moment of the entire trip, but we laughed about it the entire time!  The water is supposed to come up to the sand.  Obviously, the lake is a little low.  

It was so nasty and muddy, that this was as close as we got to the water.  The girls were troopers and settled for making "sand castles" in the dirt/sand.  The best part is that we actually paid $5 for this experience!

We had a lot of fun just hanging out at the cabin.  We played ping pong, drank coffee on the huge porch, played "Go Fish", ate, and napped.

Since we were only an hour from home, we didn't have to rush home on Sunday.  So we took the girls on a hike to see a waterfall.  I'm so glad we made time to do this because it was my favorite part!

Flashback Friday

I promised Bert that (since I embarrassed him last week) I would post my baby pictures from our wedding video this week.  I know E and C will get a kick out of these one day!

3 1/2

Elizabeth, today you are 3 1/2.  Here's what you're up to these days.

• You're about 40 inches tall and weigh about 35 pounds.
• You wear size 12 shoe and size 4t clothes.  Wow!
• I didn't think it was possible, but you are even more independent than ever before.
• You brush your own hair, and actually do a good job.
• You are a neat freak.  Everything in your room has to be in its place at night when you go to sleep.  You also make your bed every morning without prompting.  We've never made you do that.  You just do it on your own.  
• You are really into playing pretend.  I love spying on you when you're playing by yourself.  I love hearing and seeing the scenerios you come up with.  You are quite creative!
• You love ballet and swim lessons which you are currently taking.  
• Your favorite cartoons right now are Olivia and Peppa Pig.  I'm not sure what it is about pigs, but you even pretend like your sister is George (the pig) and you sometimes call us Mommy Pig and Daddy Pig.  
• Your favorite movies are Tangled and Little Mermaid.
• Every two weeks we go get new library books and you have us read them over and over until you pretty much memorize them.  Then, you "read" them to your sister.  
• You continue to adore your sister.  You love to pick her up, tickle her, and give her kisses.
• When we drop her off first in her classroom, you always kiss her and say, "have a good day baby girl."  
• You either read or tell a story to Caroline every night before she goes to bed.  She listens so intently to your stories that always start with "Once upon a time..."
• I'm scared to say it out loud, but you're terrible threes seem to be easing up a bit.  You still can get quite sassy, but you've gotten better at correcting yourself (with help from us of course).   
• If you do set your mind at something, it is HARD to change it.  Poor girl, you got that from your mama.
• Your ability to rationalize things amazes us sometimes.  So much that when you're talking back to us about something, we are often amazed at your logic.  
• You're off and on with your naps.  You will at least lay down and rest, but you don't always sleep. 
• You will only let your daddy put you to sleep at night.  He reads and sings to you.  You use to tell me to go check on Caroline.  Now you tell me to go clean the kitchen.  I think it's your OCD talking!
• Every night I say, "Good night, Jelly Bean" to you and "Good night, Peanut" to Caroline.  You always respond to me, "Good night, Walnut."  I'm pretty sure your daddy taught you that, but it makes me laugh every time.
• You've started back to school, and I realized how much you missed it.  You've had nothing but excellent reports since you've been back.  You love your new teacher and all of your old friends are in there too!

Elizabeth, watching you grow and learn new things every day is such a blessing.  You have no idea how much your energy and passion light up our family.  I am so lucky to be your mommy.  Happy 3 1/2 birthday to my vibrant girl!

4 days old

4 months old

8 months old

1 year old

1 1/2 years old

2 years old

2 1/2 years old

3 years old

Tonight before bedtime, she let me snap her at 3 1/2 years old.  Happy half year birthday!