Classic Hilton's

My adventures at the Orange Conference, Day 1. *Note this and following blogs will focus largely on my experience at the event, not the teachings. Those will come later! So I've been feeling very grown up lately. I was invited to attend the Orange Conference. Orange is the ministry philosophy behind our preschool - college ministries and I adore it! Anywhoodle...grown up feelings. So I drafted a small army to cover me at work (aka take care of the three kids, dogs, and house), and last night attended the opening session of the conference. I met up with a couple other volunteers from Cumberland, but before that I checked in, walked around, viewing the exhibitors, and had a cup of coffee. See? Very grown up.  Then we got seated, the conference started, and I was immediately transported back to high school! We opened with slammin' rendition of DC Talk's "Time Is Tickin' Away". Balloons fell from the ceiling. Orange balls were tossed into the audience (and I...

Big things are happening in our house these days!  Grayson's ever expanding vocabulary now demonstrates his growing comprehension of the world around him. For example, at first he would say "punky" (monkey) when we said it, purely mimicking  Now he can point them out in pictures (photos and drawings), by sound, and even by silly behavior. He knows when he is telling a joke and how people relate to him. Today he got in the car after school and told me, "I jump!". It was the first time he's told me what he did at school (as opposed to answering the yes or no questions I usually ask him).  Madi is crawling! I was waiting to announce this for when she starts doing the traditional hands and knees crawling, but I'm not sure that day is ever going to come, and the point is that she is mobile! She roles and scoots and has now officially mastered the forward motion! She is now capable of seeing something she wants and successfully going after it!  Meanwhi...

...we had a really great day of celebration!  We started this morning with a girls only tea in celebration of Nana. Her birthday is the 16th, so we are quite accustomed to sharing our parties. Madi tore through a scone like there was no tomorrow and Brooklyn had so much fun dressing up with the hats and purses. It was a wonderful time and a delicious spread from Tea Leaves and Thyme! Birthday or not, I enjoy spending time with these people. The afternoon was spent mostly by myself. The adults were all out and about, doing their own things (Ray's "own thing" happened to be participating in a friend's flash mob marriage proposal at the Botanical Gardens!). Grayson and Madi took great naps. Brooklyn played. I worked on my meal plan/grocery lists for the April and even snuck in a 20 min yoga session!  We spent some time out in the beautiful (albeit yellowish green) spring weather, and then I went grocery shopping - by myself! Heaven!  Jenna brought my favorite Oli...

Feels like forever since I have sat down to blog...so much to say...so much to catch up on...so many thoughts demanding a voice...deep breath. Okay.  We kicked off birthday season last week with a celebration of my sister, Jenna, who turned the big ol' 26. It was a simply sweet* celebration with a special fondue dinner and dessert, and of course Moscato wine. Yummy.  Then Tuesday was Grayson's second birthday. Many plans were in place for a full week of celebration, but the stomach bug attacked and we were down for the count! Grayson missed his party day at school, and I missed a full two days of party related errands. But the great thing about two year old birthday parties is that they are very laid back. So with a determined yet "no worries" attitude, I set off this morning (Ray, Grayson, and Madi in tow) to accomplish all the errands and bake the most fabulous candy train cake a little boy has ever set eyes upon.  I have to say, the party was pretty close to ...

Well folks, Madi is now eight months old and quite frankly, ready for her own room. She is certainly beyond needing night time feedings, but she still likes to wake up periodically for snuggles. But then again, so does Grayson. Regardless, she needs her own space, so let the juggling begin.  We have three bedrooms allocated to us. Brooklyn was in one. Grayson in the other, and we kept Madi's corner crib in our bedroom. We shuffled around different ideas of who could room together and how to best fit cribs and beds and whatnot and ultimately have decided to think of the two bedrooms as more of a complete nursery area. So now Madi's crib shares space with Brooklyn's toys and clothes. We call it the dressing room. Brooklyn's bed is in Grayson's room (which you would think is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to him!). Grayson's room is also home to his toys, and his dresser and closet that he shares with Madi. The vacant corner in our room (where Mad...

I got so caught up in our weekend and winter break plans (aka a whole lotta nothin'!!) that I completely forgot to post about Brooklyn's spelling bee!!!  So.... MUCH to our surprise, Brooklyn came in second place for her class spelling bee!  I was shocked. The spelling lists came out of Christmas break and we barely looked at it once. Once back at school I encouraged Brooklyn to participate, but also made sure her expectations were realistic, focusing on things like, "just do your best", and "It's not about winning, it's about participating", and "it's just something new and fun to try". But she placed!  This meant that she was eligible to attend the district bee with three other girls from Cornerstone's first grade. Friday morning, she dressed in her uniform and we headed to Kennesaw Christian School for the bee. Brooklyn immediately found her friends and started having fun. Parents were not allowed to watch, so I kept Grayso...

It's not really a secret: I'm cynical. And really nothing gets me going like the commercialization of celebrations. Christmas, Easter...don't get me started! What is Valentine's Day even about? Let's be honest for a moment. Valentine's Day means whatever you want it to mean. It's an excuse to eat chocolate, be romantic, and out cute the other mom's in the class with your pinteresty crafts.   I griped and was grumpy all week in preparation for this day. I thought through ideas and second guessed myself until finally what was bought was bought and what was done was done. Things went off without a hitch. We celebrated with sweets, hearts, and all things pink and red. Everyone felt loved.  And here's where my cynicism takes a pause and I reveal what I truly love about this ridiculous (and increasingly stressful!) holiday: my mom.  This day could have been invented by my mom. She is Valentine's Day personified. What I mean is, she is all about s...