Fall break

The girls had fall break over this past weekend. We didn't go out of town, but stayed in and enjoyed some Memphis activities.

Peter had school on Thursday, so I took the girls to do something we wouldn't attempt with him in tow: painting pottery. They had so much fun. Caroline painted a cross treasure box and Helen picked a piggy bank. Helen was very worried about leaving Piggy behind to go in the fire, but I'm happy to report we picked him up and he was just fine. I treated them to lunch at Cheffie's afterward.

Friday, we got up and headed to the Licterman Nature Center. We had such a good time exploring and strolling around the lake there. It was a beautiful morning. Caroline participated in a 1st and 2nd grader group project at school several weeks ago. They designed and built a scarecrow. She was so proud to see their hard work on display.

 

Monday was the last day of fall break. I was grateful for an email from my friend Brittany inviting us to join her and her boys and some other friends at the zoo. My usual Monday morning activities are the grocery store and laundry. I'm so glad I neglected those tasks for a fun time with friends at the zoo!

It was a good fall break. I'm already looking forward to the next day off of school so we can have another Memphis adventure!

Indian summer

Y'all, I've got so much to post and I'm so far behind in posting it!


We really, really enjoyed every moment of the warm weather two weeks ago. It was wonderful.


I let Caroline do some art projects out on the deck.


Helen is always up to something.


We took a trip to the zoo. It was perfect - warm weather, no crowds. Awesome.

We've been busy! More to come...

The Dales visit

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Get your own

My family came to Cincinnati and it was a lovely visit. We went to the Zoo on Saturday. It's a really nice zoo and we enjoyed so many of the exhibits - the gorillas, the manatees, the baby tigers. We wanted to eat at the Hofbrauhaus Saturday night, but the wait was too long. So we wound up having a good time at Johnny Rocket's instead. I was a little disappointed, but as my mom reminded me, it's really just about having a good time together no matter where you are! And we certainly had a good time all weekend long!

Easter 2009

It was a great weekend here at the Garrett house. We had special visitors - my family and Kevin's sister all spent some time with us. Caroline had the best time with her cousins, her aunts, and her Mimi. We all had fun together!

We made it to church. I really missed singing in the choir. But on the other hand, it was really nice to enjoy listening to the beautiful music. Helen slept blissfully through the whole service. Big sister actually sat through the whole service, too. We were impressed.

Helen wore the daygown I made. I say prayers over every dress or appliqued tee-shirt or daygown I make. So it was really special for me to see Helen in her gown. God has been so faithful to the four of us.

I hope each of you had a blessed Easter weekend!

February fun

The weather has been so lovely this past week! We took a trip to the zoo with Elizabeth. Here are the girls at the sea lion show.


Caroline and I made conversation heart cookies to give to her friends. I ordered special food markers. I think I had more fun than Caroline did.


Caroline had a great time with the markers. (No pictures of her actually decorating...bummer. I guess I was trying to keep red food marker from getting all over her clothes. I'm not sure the markers are washable!)


And here's the packaging...

And today we went to a birthday party for a little girl in Caroline and Elizabeth's class at school. It was at this place with all these blowup activity stations for kids. I didn't feel like I should be bouncing and sliding around at almost 8-months pregnant. So I owe Bryn in a huge way...


Happy Valentine's Day to all! XOXOXOXOXO

More fun

We've had some more December fun! Caroline loves helping me in the kitchen. I love finding little tasks for her to do. She takes her job very seriously!

My friend Bryn and I took the girls down to the Peabody hotel to see the ducks march. It was so fun to see how excited the girls got when the ducks got off the elevator. Then we watched some older kids from our church play Christmas songs on their violins. It was a beautiful morning and we girls loved every second.

We went to Zoo Lights again this year with a group of friends. It was cold, but we still had a great time. I think everyone's favorite part was the quick train ride through the petting zoo.

We want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas! We pray that your hearts and homes will be filled with the joy and peace and hope that can only come from our Savior - the Christ child. He was born for each of us - what an incredible gift from God!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
-Isaiah 9:6

St. Louis

We had a really great time last weekend in St. Louis with Kevin's sister, Emily. We did Grant's Farm Saturday morning. Then Aunt Emmy took Caroline to Build-a-Bear, where Caroline built a tiger. Apparently once the stuffing was in, Caroline immediately wanted to do a bear. Saturday night we had a wonderful meal on The Hill with Emily's boyfriend and his parents. I don't remember the restaurant, but the food was really good. Sunday, we took Caroline to the zoo, which was just as neat as I remembered. It's a huge zoo, so we'll have to go back to take in all the areas we didn't get to.

My camera battery died the minute we arrived, so all these photos are courtesy of Emily. Thanks, Em!

Busy summer week

We had a special guest visiting us last week - my niece Autumn came to stay with us! She came down for Vacation Bible School at our church. We really enjoyed having her. I had activities planned every day. At the end of the week Autumn said, "I don't want to go home!" I guess we were lots of fun!

Sunday, she came to church with us and helped decorate the room for VBS. Our VBS theme was the Wild West and it was so cute. My friend Lindy and I taught 1st grade. After decoration time, we went to the zoo. It was the best zoo trip ever. It was cloudy and not too hot, so all the animals were moving about and playing and having a great time.

Monday, we went to VBS. Then we painted pottery. I can't wait to pick up our creations! We also got to bring Autumn to music class.

Tuesday, there was more VBS in the morning. We came home for a rest, then went to a friend's house to swim.

Wednesday, we took Caroline to school and headed back to VBS. When we picked Caroline up, we went to the Children's Museum. The girls loved it. At one point, Caroline was crawling into a tunnel, turned back to me and said, "Mommy! This is so much fun!" Melt my heart...

Thursday was day 4 of VBS. We rested quietly in the afternoon and then filled up the pool in the backyard.

Friday, things were winding down (my energy, especially!). We finished VBS with a big ol' hoedown. Then we met Erin and Mimi halfway between Memphis and Mayfield.

Whew. I think I need a 3-day rest from all that activity! We stayed quite busy! It was a fun week and I was so glad Autumn could come and stay with us.

The zoo again

This time we took Daddy with us! Thank goodness for our annual zoo membership!

Waiting for the sea lion show

Watching the sea lions

The polar bears were playing. It was so fun! They were chasing each other all over their habitat and then would jump in the water, making huge splashes.


Oh - and Caroline decided to give her pacies (pacifiers) to the baby giraffe at the zoo. We talked for days about how she's a big girl now and doesn't need them, that babies use pacies. And she agreed with all that. Kevin helped her write a very sweet letter to the baby animals at the zoo and then we delivered them in a little plastic baggie to the giraffes. Sleeping has been a little bit harder for her, but I'm confident that in a few more days all this will be behind us.

Zoo day

Last week the weather was so nice. We had to go to the zoo!

Zoo lights

The Memphis Zoo has special holiday hours and lights. We had a great time. The camera battery died after these two pictures, so no reindeer pictures. Boo...

Snuggling with Daddy on the train

The zoo

Look!

Baby giraffe - so cute! (But not as cute as our baby!)

Caroline loved the bird house.

This bird was absolutely beautiful! (We already forgot what it was called...)