Catch as Catch Can

Such is the story of sweet Laura and our attempts to work her naps into the rest of our busy lives. While enjoying a fun lunch at Sherry and Sebe's house to celebrate the end of preschool, Laura just couldn't take it any more.


Who needs a crib?!

Danny's Last Day of Preschool

Three years ago, when Danny started preschool, I remember thinking that three years sounded so long. It would be three whole years before he and Clare would be in school together. As usual, time had a good laugh at my expense.


I remember how tearfully Danny began his school career, reluctantly guided by Parker into the building. As I knew he would, but was still relieved to observe, Danny blossomed as a student, developing great "buddies" (according to Danny, girls are "friends," boys are "buddies") and falling head over heels for his teacher.


You will have to forgive me for his extreme casual attire on this last day. Danny has a deep loathing for "getting fancy," as he refers to wearing a collared shirt. I guess this isn't that surprising, considering his slippers in the above photo. Knowing that he will soon get fancy every single day come August 11, I decided to let him wear whatever pleased him. Enjoy your summer, buddy! And stop growing up so fast.

Showstoppers

These last weeks of school are always filled with exciting events. Last week was Danny's final Spring Fling at VCLC, which included his graduation from preschool and, in my admittedly biased opinion, the best class performance of the night. I didn't get it on camera myself, but refer you to this link to observe (you have to wait until the 1:15 minute mark for them to start; he's at the far left of the screen). As you can see, he was proudly strutting his stuff and mentioned the next morning that he wanted to do it again. A star is born.


This morning it was Clare's turn to take the stage for the Second Grade Variety Show. From the moment the teachers announced this event, she knew she wanted to perform some Irish dancing. While originally a couple of her friends were going to do it with her, they eventually bowed out - but that didn't deter Clare in the slightest. Better yet, she opted to do the slip jig, a dance she has only recently mastered. I was present for the performance, of which I only recorded a snippet (we can blame Laura for my camera malfunction, as I was holding her with one hand and the camera in the other). She was very serious and focused!


She later performed again, this time with her Junior Jazzercise group. This was an after-school class she took, and this performance was an encore of the one they did at the halftime show for the Atlanta Hawks (along with several other Junior Jazzercise groups). MTV, here she comes!

Geared Up

We are in the height of putting various baby items to use these days for Miss Laura. Such a little person takes up a considerable amount of real estate with her various accoutrements, but it's hard to imagine surviving without them.

Here she is in the Bumbo seat, holding court at dinner time. She really seems to enjoy watching us eat our dinners from this perch.


Just last week we dusted off the exersaucer, a.k.a. Baby Command Central:


While I am valiantly working on establishing a nap schedule within her crib, the swing is still our go-to spot for her. Today she discovered the mirror that is suspended above her seat, and was quite enamored with what she saw:


And then there's head gear, this one provided by Susana who also took the photo:

Headed to the Pool

This is the message that will be texted or emailed on a near-daily basis amongst we neighbors starting now. The pool technically opened last weekend, but we didn't get a chance to visit it until Friday. In so many ways, it felt like we had never left. All but one, that is: the presence of, and responsibility for, an infant! Generally speaking, life with three children really hasn't been too earth-shattering a shift in our day-to-day lives. Or perhaps my short-term memory is just shot. But this trip to the pool was a big reminder of how our family has changed.

Deciding I was willing to brave the 3 kids: 1 adult ratio, we gamely headed over to the pool. With Laura in the carseat, all was fine. However, when she grew fussy and I opted to hold her, while Danny simultaneously decided to challenge his jumping and swimming skills, I realized I was in a dicey position. Fortunately, I was soon able to put her back in the carseat and keep her happy in the stroller (and of course, Danny was fine and never did need a rescue from me). Even better: the lifeguards return Memorial Day weekend. Until then, I might just wait until a neighbor, or Tim, can accompany me.

Stay tuned for more swimming adventures, as both Clare and Danny begin their careers on the Vinings Estates Dolphins Swim Team tomorrow!

Winey Clare

During the days leading up to Clare's First Communion, she spent a fair amount of time agonizing over whether or not to take the wine. Her biggest concern was that she would dislike the taste so much that she would make a face that would hurt God's feelings. We assured her that it was perfectly acceptable to pass on the wine. She went through this conversation with me at least three times, Tim several times, and each of her grandmothers at least once. Finally, as the morning of First Communion dawned, she seemed at peace with her plan to not take the wine.

Lo and behold, when the time for communion arrived, I noticed that her beloved teacher was one of the people administering the wine. Clare noticed this, too, because she turned to me and said, "I might take the wine after all." And she did, with great poise...until we rounded the corner and she turned around to tell me, in a very loud whisper, "That wasn't so bad!"

I chose the above photo for this post because Clare looks particularly relaxed and happy...possibly because she had mistakenly swigged from her Grammy's wine glass a short moment before. Ah, the power of vino.

Laura's Baptism

With so many loved ones coming in for the weekend for Clare's First Communion, we were thrilled to be able to schedule Laura's baptism for the same visit. It made for a bit of a whirlwind schedule, but also very special. We were lucky to have a private baptism, and Laura was an absolute angel: wide awake, but didn't make a peep. With my oldest and dearest friend, Jen, as godmother, and (almost) all of our closest family members with us, it was a perfect moment.

Getting dressed in the gown that Clare wore for her baptism:




With Jen, ready to go:



Danny making the sign of the cross on her forehead. One of the best parts of having a private baptism was that Clare and Danny both got to participate in the ceremony:


The moment of baptism:


Clare wiping Laura's brow:


And a slew of group shots: