Happy 16th Birthday Sara!

WOW - - Our oldest turns 16 today. I vividly remember this day 8 years ago - when she turned 8 years old - I looked at Doug and said, "She's half way to driving!" And now she is 16. Of course, I remember this day 16 years ago. It was still 2 weeks before her due date, but that didn't matter! She was born just after dinner time... a beautiful little baby girl with blonde curls! We didn't know we were going to have a girl, so when the doctor made the announcement, we were thrilled!

So, we celebrated with a few of her new friends and a few of her old friends this past Saturday night. We piled into our cars and drove up to Alpharetta to Buca di Beppa (Italian family style restaurant). Luckily the rain that we were getting let up. The girls enjoyed their time together, dressing up in their homecoming dresses. Lauren went along with us, while Alaina and Ally enjoyed their first "friend" sleepover with Shelby Grace!

Out of Paper Towels ... Again

Yep, once again, I find myself saying these very words. It seems like I'm saying them more frequently than "before". Wonder why? One reason may be that we are making an effort to eat at home more often - thus more counter messes. Another reason is that there are 4 kids in this house that use them for anything and everything - even the littles drag a stool over to the counter to grab a handful with their spaghetti-covered paws! Yuck. And I was even at WalMart today and had a coupon! Oh well, I'm sure I'll be there this weekend.

The other thing is potty paper. That too, seems to vanish quickly these days... Hmmm, the reason seems to be the same (4 girl kids) and a dog that will eat it off the roll if he can get to it. Great.

Thankfully, everyone is well. Ally missed 4 days of PreK, Sara and Lauren both missed 3 days. Sara is almost caught up, but it has been really hard for her to get everything done. HS is so demanding!!! Her classes are tough, but thankfully her teachers are helpful and understanding.

No pics, you say? I know! I have been so bad - don't think I have taken a single shot in ALL of Sept. Crazy. Gotta work on that.

My friend Ellen has her new little girl, Gracie! Frannie is a big sister now! They are just so cute together!

An Interview with Alaina (6)

Favorites (direct quotes from Alaina):

Color - "I like blue because it's pretty. It's pretty like Cinderella's dress. And I like red because it's pretty too."
TV Show - "I like Dora and Princess because it's good."
Game - "I like to play 'cow racing' with Daddy and Ally on the Wii. I like kitchen and Candyland."
Animal - "A dog that I can play with is my favorite. I like a dolphin too."
Character - "Cinderella and Belle and Sleeping Beauty because I like their dresses."
Thing to do at school - "Centers, lunch and snack time"
Thing to do at home - "Play with Dash"
Toy - "Kitchen"
Food - "Noodles, soup, pizza, fluff sandwich"
Dessert - "Vanilla ice cream"
Drink - "Tea and chocolate milk"
Clothes - "A dress and skirt"

"When I grow up ... a dog doctor and a teacher ."

An Interview with Ally (4)

Favorites (direct quotes from Ally):

Color - "My favorite color is the same as you (Mommy) and LaLa (Lauren)- pink."
TV Show - "I just love Dora and Diego."
Game - "Candyland on the board and computer. I like the special cards."
Animal - "I love a puma, just a puma."
Character - "I like Goofy and Minnie and Dora and Diego. Goofy has long ears and he is missing some teeth."
Thing to do at school - "I love to play with my friends at school, but the kitchen is closed. I don't know why it is closed."
Thing to do at home - "I love to play with you (mommy), because I love you." :)
Toy - "I love the Princess water doodle toy on my wall. It writes with pink water."
Food - "Bannana because a monkey would like that, but I don't have a monkey costume."
Dessert - "My dessert is an ice cream. I love bananna ice cream."
Drink - "I love to drink white, white milk with chocolate or pink (strawberry)."
Clothes - "T shirt with panties."


"When I grow up ... I want to be a dolphin and a teacher."

Late Summer Flu

Sara, Lauren and Ally have had a rough week. All have had fevers, sore throats, and coughs. We aren't positive it's the flu that everyone is talking about, but feel pretty sure they have a mild case. Ally is finally feeling better, after getting sick on Sunday night. So, I figure that S and L have at least one more day of "yuck" before they are in the clear. Alaina, Doug and I have escaped it so far (knock knock)!

My friend Ellen and daughter Frannie are hopefully on their way to CHINA right now! They are flying to Shanghai and will get their new daughter/sister on Monday!!! I am so excited for their family, but I sure don't envy that flight.

Doug is ALL EXCITED about watching Ga. Tech on his Christmas present tonight (that would be the new TV he bought for himself a few weekends ago!!!)!