Update in Eight

Thought this would be a fun way to get up to speed in times like these, when there's a lot going on... so here it is...an update in eight!

1. Graham's pet rock. Graham found this little rock downstairs...brought it upstairs and carefully washed and dried it in the sink. The next day, he said he needed paper, scissors and a "bed". "I need to make a house for my rock." With said supplies, he fashioned paper walls, a door and roof. Next, he fluffed the little cotton ball for the bed, and I helped him fold the parts and tape them together. He seems very satisfied with his rock house. Oh and his name is "Hardy".

2. Strawberry pickin' at Farmer Mike's. Graham's first and only field trip to Farmer Mike's to pick strawberries was a new experience for me, too! We rode with his buddy, Caden, (they've been friends in Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4) they had a big time riding in the back seat together...just cracking up and telling each other 'jokes' the whole time. Look at the haul! Heather and Alex came for dinner that night and we had Angel Food cake with sugary strawberries and Reddi-whip on top, YUM, nothing like fresh-picked produce!

3. Hair splitter. Our littlest one has taken to splitting hairs when she has been corrected. Several weeks ago, when asked to sit down on the sofa (instead of jumping on it)...she replied with..."Sofa? Momma, dis is a couch.

Then, a few nights ago, I told her she needed to try one bite of everything on her plate, and I helped her place a tiny bite of strawberry salad on her little fork (the kind that is more like a "spork" than a fork). She proceeded to "accidentally" knock about half of the little bite off of her fork. I said, "Hannah Reece, eat everything that was on your fork, please." To which she replied..."Momma dis is not a fork...dis a spoon." *sigh*

4. Working on the new place. Dan's been in Charlotte for nine days, staying at the new house, while attending classes . I flew to Charlotte (while the kids stayed at camp Nana-Papa) Sunday-Tuesday. And we painted, stripped wallpaper border, cleaned, painted, cleaned, painted, and grabbed a bite to eat and a snooze in there too! So glad we did this! It was fun to work on house projects together...to be able to focus on the task at hand together without needing to take care of the needs/wants of our dynamic duo. Also glad we went up in advance, because there were a few important repairs to be made like....a broken sink, broken toilet, several non-working outlets and a broken heater! One of the perks of renting is that instead of calling the plumber, electrician and heater repair, we called... the landlord :)

The trading-spaces-gone-wrong bathroom: (which is now a soft butterscotch color)

Before: Wallpaper border galore!

After: Wallpaper border, no more!

Kiddos hanging out watching the shuttle again on Papa's computer...they took the kids out in the boat to watch the shuttle, and they're both still talking about it!

5. Good times with old friends. Got to hang out with some old friends who live far away...so cool how God rekindles friendships like these in seasons when we need and enjoy them most. And on their way back to Kentucky from Florida (where we had visited with them)...they were able to make a pit-stop to spend the night with Dan at our new place in Charlotte. Our first houseguests!

6. Feeling nostalgic. We've only lived in this condo for a year-and-a-half, but with little ones, so much happens in that time. Been thinkin' a lot about good times we've had here...maybe these thoughts will find themselves in their own post soon...

7. Overcome by gratitude. Giving God special thanks lately for folks who make life richer. Realizing how much we'll miss family and friends while we're away...even though we'll be back often. REALLY excited about hanging out with old friends who we'll live closer to than before. These days have been filled with hugs, goodbyes, visits and playdates, and assurances that "it won't be long till we see each other again!"

8. Our little tumbler. Hannah Reece finally came out of her shell today at tumbling class, and it's her last one! She stayed close to Miss Krissy, her instructor, and demonstrated plenty of fearlessness on the equipment at this lesson. Her favorite is the beam and the mini-bar...our girl is definitely the tallest in her class!