One little girl in our house is not afraid of anything. Just one though.
Caroline tried it once on her scooter and almost instantly feel off and scraped her knee. It was sad. Read into this what you will.
Sunday, February 26
Tuesday, February 21
Presidents' Weekend 4:40 PM
We love the mountains in the summer. We love the beach in the fall. We love the lake in the winter... although all of these places are fun year-round, something about the peaceful offseason makes Hill Family road trips more fun.
But first we needed to play our last basketball game of the season for Caroline. All season she has been telling me she didn't want to play, but this week she spoke up and told me that she "might play." Not sure why, but I really thought God might smile on my timid princess and she would suit up and play... but much like picture day she decided to sit this one out (earlier in the year she even refused to get in the team picture). I even tried to bribe her with a basketball after the game if she played. She responded, "Daddy I bet you will get one for coaching and maybe you can share your ball with me." After the game I of course gave her a ball and told her the team decided she was such a good cheerleader that she should have a ball of her own. Caroline responded, "Why didn't they get me a pom-pom?" She finally settled into the basketball (and even slept and prayed with it that night) but found one more too-smart-for-her-own-good comment by telling me on the way home, "Daddy you always told me one of the best ways to learn something is to watch others first." It might be a couple more years before Caroline convinces me to coach her team.
Because I was the only parent with a child "one the team, but not in the picture" we did not get a team picture, so I had to camera phone pic one of the other girls' picture. And I thought Marley looked cute in her picture and so it was my favorite.
After a fun dinner with the team and another day of work, we headed to the lake to celebrate the long weekend. Why is it that swing sets really are more fun on vacation? Especially when you are talented enough to pull of the extremely rare double sister high five.
Nature hikes are a house favorite, especially having a show-n-tell afterwards to share what you collected. Gracie collected mainly leaves and pine needles with a little dirt to keep it interesting.
Thanks G for posing for me. Yes jammie-jams are suitable attire for the lake.
Mommy complains that she usually gets called into heavy lifting on these hikes, but deep down I think she loves it.
Caroline and Aunt Laura soaked up some good time together on the small shoreline while the dam water was low.
Cousin Emmy was at a really fun stage for this trip to throw rocks and explore.
Meanwhile Caroline decided to channel her Uncle Scott and try to climb the rocks. Don't worry, this is as high as she wanted to go.
Bunk beds for these cousins was a treat especially while being super quiet watching Dora while the adults tried to be adults.
The weekend ended strong with a little tennis.
But first we needed to play our last basketball game of the season for Caroline. All season she has been telling me she didn't want to play, but this week she spoke up and told me that she "might play." Not sure why, but I really thought God might smile on my timid princess and she would suit up and play... but much like picture day she decided to sit this one out (earlier in the year she even refused to get in the team picture). I even tried to bribe her with a basketball after the game if she played. She responded, "Daddy I bet you will get one for coaching and maybe you can share your ball with me." After the game I of course gave her a ball and told her the team decided she was such a good cheerleader that she should have a ball of her own. Caroline responded, "Why didn't they get me a pom-pom?" She finally settled into the basketball (and even slept and prayed with it that night) but found one more too-smart-for-her-own-good comment by telling me on the way home, "Daddy you always told me one of the best ways to learn something is to watch others first." It might be a couple more years before Caroline convinces me to coach her team.
After a fun dinner with the team and another day of work, we headed to the lake to celebrate the long weekend. Why is it that swing sets really are more fun on vacation? Especially when you are talented enough to pull of the extremely rare double sister high five.
Nature hikes are a house favorite, especially having a show-n-tell afterwards to share what you collected. Gracie collected mainly leaves and pine needles with a little dirt to keep it interesting.
Thanks G for posing for me. Yes jammie-jams are suitable attire for the lake.
Mommy complains that she usually gets called into heavy lifting on these hikes, but deep down I think she loves it.
Caroline and Aunt Laura soaked up some good time together on the small shoreline while the dam water was low.
Cousin Emmy was at a really fun stage for this trip to throw rocks and explore.
Meanwhile Caroline decided to channel her Uncle Scott and try to climb the rocks. Don't worry, this is as high as she wanted to go.
Bunk beds for these cousins was a treat especially while being super quiet watching Dora while the adults tried to be adults.
The weekend ended strong with a little tennis.
I even got to shuttle this guy around town while he was in town... Kristen knows him only because he's been on 30 Rock a few times - but as for lefty tennis players, they don't get bigger than this. It wasn't as eventful shuttling him around as I thought, but I do have more respect for him now than I did before.
If you made it this far in the post, I hope you and your family enjoyed the long weekend as well!
Wednesday, February 15
Saint Valentine's 3:50 PM
Our house is made for Valentine's Day.
Every day is pink in the Sorority House. Gracie has even turned the corner where she will only wear dresses like her sister did a few years back... needless to say go short on the pants market until the weather changes or my girls grow up.
It was sweet to celebrate with my three favorite girls recently to tell them We Love Them with cards, candy and special treats!
Like most holidays, this one involved baking cookies:
The girls were ecstatic!
Of course the cookies were for Caroline's class party at school.
Kristen was fortunate enough to get to see the fruits of her Valentine's labor this year as was Caroline's guest to the class party.
In leu of a class birthday party Gracie and I stopped by Gibson's (after having heart shaped pancakes at home) to stand in line for 30 minutes and then enjoy time with my tiniest valentine.
Of course Hallmark has to make their money this time of the year. Speaking of which, picking out cards for 3 and 5 year old princesses is really fun. Whatever screams off the shelf is usually what they will like best. Gracie's Snoopy card even sings "Who Let the Dogs Out." Classic.
Caroline and I shared the other doughnut treat for lunch when I stopped in to surprise her for extend-a-day.
After all of this I did steal a few seconds to cook dinner for Kristen and watch Shop Around the Corner (1940), which I found to be the best remake (40 years prior) to You've Got Mail on the market. Jimmy Stewart > Tom Hanks in my opinion. I hope Valentine's proved successful and a good way to show your loved ones that they are loved.
-
If you have boys: I asked a buddy with three boys what he was doing for Valentine's Day and he told me he thought they might have their annual stick fight in the backyard. Classic.
Every day is pink in the Sorority House. Gracie has even turned the corner where she will only wear dresses like her sister did a few years back... needless to say go short on the pants market until the weather changes or my girls grow up.
It was sweet to celebrate with my three favorite girls recently to tell them We Love Them with cards, candy and special treats!
Like most holidays, this one involved baking cookies:
The girls were ecstatic!
Of course the cookies were for Caroline's class party at school.
In leu of a class birthday party Gracie and I stopped by Gibson's (after having heart shaped pancakes at home) to stand in line for 30 minutes and then enjoy time with my tiniest valentine.
Of course Hallmark has to make their money this time of the year. Speaking of which, picking out cards for 3 and 5 year old princesses is really fun. Whatever screams off the shelf is usually what they will like best. Gracie's Snoopy card even sings "Who Let the Dogs Out." Classic.
Caroline and I shared the other doughnut treat for lunch when I stopped in to surprise her for extend-a-day.
After all of this I did steal a few seconds to cook dinner for Kristen and watch Shop Around the Corner (1940), which I found to be the best remake (40 years prior) to You've Got Mail on the market. Jimmy Stewart > Tom Hanks in my opinion. I hope Valentine's proved successful and a good way to show your loved ones that they are loved.
-
If you have boys: I asked a buddy with three boys what he was doing for Valentine's Day and he told me he thought they might have their annual stick fight in the backyard. Classic.
Monday, February 6
Weekend Update 2:54 PM
My last check-in here was all about Winter Sports so why not keep the theme alive. Caroline and Daddy went to Basketball game #2 on the season and although we didn't pull out the victory, we were both pleased with a 10-4 loss. Of course scoring our first (only?) baskets of the year will forever be a moral victory and not a 28-0 loss like the week before. The athletics continued on Saturday with a gymnastics themed birthday party the girls were invited to - really just Caroline, but of course Gracie tagged along for the fun. Caroline was sweet to hold her hand and make her feel safe.
Of course we had to see what all the fuss was about as the mighty Memphis train toppled over smack dab in the middle of town (outside my office actually).
When we showed the girls these pictures and told them where it was, they asked, "Is the chick-fila okay?" God bless 'em. And yes, as one friend told me who lives close to the accident, "The chick is protected by god. No train could damage it. Tell your girls all is safe in chicken land." Although the story doesn't mention it, I'm convinced this is an alien coverup not unlike Super 8. [PS - Great movie!]
Gracie and I are soaking up our last semester of running her school carpool. With her acceptance into St. Mary's for the fall to join the rest of the Sorority House girls, I've tried to get to school a little early to play on the playground with her since the weather has been nice. Okay so maybe I think she's adorable and growing and have gotten in a crazy picture mood with her knowing she will not be this small for long.
Mommy held down the fort this weekend while I hung out with 1,700 of my newest friends at the Downline Mens Summit... excellent as always. Dennis Rainey and Ronnie Stevens were my favorite and did not disappoint. I hope to have my notes up soon.
Sorry this video below might be blurry, but I had to share the scene of the massive number of girls at one birthday party I've ever been to - something tells me this is the Sorority House normal from here on out. It was awesome and madness at the same time. [HD video here]
When we showed the girls these pictures and told them where it was, they asked, "Is the chick-fila okay?" God bless 'em. And yes, as one friend told me who lives close to the accident, "The chick is protected by god. No train could damage it. Tell your girls all is safe in chicken land." Although the story doesn't mention it, I'm convinced this is an alien coverup not unlike Super 8. [PS - Great movie!]
Gracie and I are soaking up our last semester of running her school carpool. With her acceptance into St. Mary's for the fall to join the rest of the Sorority House girls, I've tried to get to school a little early to play on the playground with her since the weather has been nice. Okay so maybe I think she's adorable and growing and have gotten in a crazy picture mood with her knowing she will not be this small for long.
Friday, January 27
Winter Sports 12:08 PM
Did we tell you that Caroline is taking gymnastics? Who knew smocked dresses are the new
Oh yea, also she has been going to basketball every Friday night for the last few weeks? First game is tonight. Could be interesting.
Oh yea, also she has been going to basketball every Friday night for the last few weeks? First game is tonight. Could be interesting.
