Let Holy Week Begin!

Margaret has done beautifully in her big girl bed since she was "moved up" in October shortly after her birthday.  She has taken to "reading" if she wakes up early, but the only problem is her tendancy to tear the pages out of books.  Opps!  Or is it??  One of her many Bibles is often the recipient of her rampages.  Can't complain that that is her book of choice!

Several times this week, I heard them upstairs and Andrew would say, "No, Margaret.  You can't tear the pages out because the Bible is very special. It's God's word. It's not Mommy's word, it's God's word."  If only you could hear his tone of voice...he's so practical when he says it.  I'm just glad he made sure to clarify that I am not the author of said very special book!

A few Clifford showings at the Paramount as part of the Virginia Book Festival.

Waiting for Clifford

Clifford!

We had a FANTASTIC MOPs Family Fun Day yesterday complete with Bounce N Play slides, playground, lawn games, and the first Easter Egg Hunt of the week.  Gorgeous weather, too, followed by 4" of snow today!

Palm Sunday!  Margaret, being the youngest and shortest child, led the procession (by herself) into church down the center aisle.  We were quite impressed with her performance, considering she had NO idea what was going on!

Gotta love Lucy Colquite.  She's starting to look a little hesitant.

 

Margaret lead the procession down the aisle all by herself, literally!  She truly did a GREAT job.  Like a Bridesmaid in the making, she had perfect speed, took her turn at just the right spot, and waved her palm branches with the reverence intended.

 

For the second service, Miss Gwen walked down with them. 

Clearly comfortable with his palm branches this year!

 

I spy Daddy!

 

 

 

 

ACC in Winston

As usual, Laura and Robert were extremely gracious hosts for the ACC this year.  We had quite a crew roll in!  Marion & Lucy with Gene & Sonya (& baby Cisco---8 months) all shot over from TX. Ernest & Shirley's crowd all made it...Will & Kristi plus James & Kate (who announced they are expecting in September - woo-hoo!).  Mary Katherine finally emerged from traffic Saturday evening to announce that she is moving with her company to Raleigh next month.  And the Ferguson Clan (9 adults complete with all 7 kids in tow) rounded out the craziness. 

Folks were in and out to games in Greensboro, but Laura & Robert's comfortable house made for a perfect home-base.  Saturday was gorgeous, so we enjoyed their stunning patio and yard all day.  Watching the St. Patty's Day race one street over, a trip to the local park and fire dept rounded out the activities for the little ones that didn't head to the stadium.  By Saturday night, we were all in one place, celebrating the boys' March 12 birthdays (5 & 6) and toasting James & Kate's and MK's great news.  Granddaddy would have been so pleased to see us all together.  This family reunion is what he envisioned these tickets would create.  As always, he was truly missed. 

First up in the truck!

"Look!  A computer!"

Em and Andrew in the $750k firetruck.

Displaying the mask on board - boys mesmerized.

Cheesey, cheese.

Quite pleased with herself, as usual.

A seatbelt - wow!

Driving already - uh-oh.

 

Happy Nicholas.

Cousins getting settled on the truck, that they pulled out of the house just for us. 

These were the nicest, most entertaining fireman:)

Margaret flirting already - we're in big trouble!

Robert sweetly singing to Matthew.  Someday, he'll know him as "Big Rob", or as Margaret has been saying, "Robin". 

Sonya meets Matthew. Lucky boy!

Cisco (8 months) and Matthew (8 weeks) check each other out.

How handsome Cisco is!

Margaret hitching a ride back from the fire station.

How old is this???  And why is it sideways when the original is not?!?

Slugs & Bugs concert in Cville upon our return from Winston Sunday afternoon.  GREAT music and the kids are obsessed with the CD we got. 

"I'm Gonna Make You Smile!"

Finally caught this precious smile on camera:)  I've scratched my face a couple of times, but who cares?!?

 

Meeting my third aunt!

Birthday Week!

During the week of Andrew's birthday (March 12), the dear child could be heard singing "Happy Birthday" to himself in his room during quiet time.  Guess he wanted to practice up for the big day!

In the months leading up to the big day, we kept asking him what he wanted to do for his birthday.  We offered ACAC's great set-up for parties, Bounce N Play, etc., but he kept saying he wanted it to be just his family at home.  We finally all agreed to have 5 friends over for his 5th birthday.  After being typically shy the first 15 minutes his guests arrived, he finally decided to have fun with his buddies.  Then, Andrew, Wilson & Edward (his best boy friends from school) proceeded to jump in the bounce house, take a turn on the trampoline, and run circles around our property for the next hour and a half, only stopping briefly for pizza and cupcakes:)  They were happy boys!

Sweet Isabelle was out of town, but we sure were glad dear Anna could make it!

We LOVE Wilson, as evidenced by how much we hear about him!

The gang, minus Isabelle and Elaina...Anna (watch your hand!), Wilson, & Edward.

Cupcakes in a 5.

What a sassy look for a cupcake!

Margaret chillin' at the party.

Finally, cupcake time for little Miss!

Matthew's take on birthday parties:)

Hanging out with neighbors - Lily adores Matthew:)

Drop off at school with Emmy (while Mom's at home mulching!).

Lowes Build & Grow.  Monster trucks this week.

"Eat breakfast. Brush teeth. Get dressed, put on shoes and off to school." ---Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

Shaving on Sunday morning. 

This is actually a tame riding of the horsey in the basement, complete with her rendition of "Go Tell it on the Mountain", in case you can't catch all of that!

 

 How patiently she waits for us.   Saturday morning reading (and tearing out of pages - oopps!).  I hope this continues her WHOLE life!