Side by Side comparison

I try not to compare the girls, but who can resist when Lily does the same thing Jena did and I have pictures. Toddlers love the rally cap and sunglasses look.

Dad's right of passage

We gave Jena a bike for her birthday this year. And Roger got to experience a right of passage for all dads. He put a bike together! Good job, Dad!

Jena's Birthday

Jena turned 4 a few weeks ago. We had all her friends over for a party the Saturday before her birthday.


She requested a Princess and the Frog themed birthday party. So we had one complete with a Tiana cake and frog ice cream (mint chocolate chip), frog legs (chicken wings) and fresh beignet.




She upgraded to a big girl bike!

She was truly Princess for the day.

A Day at the Museum

Last month we went up to Raleigh for the day and took the girls to the Natural History Museum.
Here I am with the girls in front of a copy of the Liberty Bell. 9 years ago a man from Nebraska hit the real Liberty Bell with a hammer (story here) and ever since Roger has felt the need to take pictures of me with the Liberty Bell (real and copy).





Our future astronaut loved the exhibit on space.

For the first time Lily wanted to get in on the act. She wanted to get out of the stroller and check everything out. She even said "Cheese" for the first time on this trip when I was taking this picture. She had a great time.


What trip is complete without a picture of cotton.

The ledger around the cotton has the different counties in North Carolina. Here is Lily with the Cumberland County plaque. Home of Fayetteville and Fort Bragg; the place where Lily was born.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick's Day to everyone. So, what color are you wearing? I'm wearing orange. Most people around here do not even think about it, but the green for St Patrick's Day comes from the green in the Irish flag which represents the Catholic population in Ireland. The other colors are Orange for the Protestant population and white for Peace. Those of you who read this blog know I am a very proud Lutheran. So from time to time I wear orange on St Patrick's to show my pride in that. And according to this article more people are. We were in Raleigh this weekend and saw part of the St Patrick's parade up there. While we were watching I saw a spectator and his two sons, all three wearing bright orange scarves! Glad to see more Proud Protestants out there.
Of course, I sent the girls to school in green. I didn't want to explain all of this to a room of toddlers and a room of 4 year-olds. And in writing this I am reminded of this sign we saw in Ireland.

So no matter who you are or what color you are wearing, Happy St Patrick's Day!

March is Women's History Month

This month is Women's History Month. As a woman and a mother of two girls, I'd like to say thank-you to all those who came before me and made the world a better place for me. These women fought laws and practices that made it difficult for women. Laws that wouldn't let women own land, vote, or even go to school. These women were considered radical; they were ridiculed and ostracized for wanting something different, for wanting more. Like all crusaders, they went against the grain. People didn't like them, felt they were unnatural. But today, they would have been like so many of the rest of us enjoying life.

I feel some people of my generation forget the sacrifices of those who went before us, both men and women. I was embarrassed once when in college a girl in my Political Science class didn't know when women had gained the right to vote. In that same conversation a black person didn't know that the 15th amendment, giving black men the right to vote, was passed in 1869. I found it very sad. So, I want to say, I remember. I am thankful. I am thankful I own property; I can and do vote; that I was able to go to college and get a job that I was able to move up in; and all the other things I and others take for granted. And I will raise my girls to be thankful for the same.

Happy 4th Birthday, Jena!

Hard to believe, but just four years ago Jena came into to our lives and forever changed them. She amazes us everyday with her love of life and wonderment for the world around us. She has gone from baby to toddler to big sister to preschooler. And she never slowed down. Thanks, Jena for making us parents and thanks to all of you for watching with us as she grows up. Happy Birthday, Jena!

Snow in NC Part 2

We got our second snow just in time for the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

This is after an hour on Friday night.

This was Saturday morning.
Behold a Southern Snow Shovel (yes it is a rake.)

Did I mention Lily is not a fan of snow?



Jena on the other hand loved it. Our neighbor Daphne came over to share in the fun.

Aim!
Fire! (no little girls were injured in the commissioning of this snow ball fight.)

Lily once again did better in the snow with Daddy holding her.

The girls built a snow man. Check out the head gear!

Snow in NC, Part One

We did get some snow again this year. Funny how we got less snow than Georgia this year.

The first snow came with freezing rain, so it was really are hard sheet snow. Our nice shaded driveway was frozen for two days.

Jena was excited to give the snow a try. I bought these snow pants at the Hugs and Kisses Consignment Sale in the fall. I bought the set for the matching coat because blue is Jena's favorite color. But we did get to use them after all.

Our first attempt at snow angels. The snow was too frozen to really do an angel.

I built a tiny snow man.

Lily truly did not like the snow. She wouldn't even try to walk on it.

She did much better with Daddy carrying her.

Poor Hershey, she hates the snow too.


But we ending the morning with fresh baked cookies and hot cocoa.

Military Spouses get a little attention

NBC nightly news ran this short segment a few days ago on a military wife who writes a blog for our local paper here in Fayetteville. She is the wife of an Airborne soldier who is getting ready for deployment number 4. I don't always agree with what she says (she is a republican) but I am very happy she is putting a voice to the thousands of spouses out there trudging through the Army life.

Thinking of the Colbys

My friend Alicia is going in for her C-Section today to welcome her new daughter into the world. We are thinking and praying for Alicia, Craig and Noah today. Can't wait to meet your newest addition.

Another non-snow snow day...

They say it might snow tonight, which mean the world is coming to end here in NC. No, not really. But the schools are on a two-hour delay in Cumberland county which means no preschool tomorrow for the girls. YAY! And here we are a 10 pm and no snow. In honor of the event I am posting pictures for the non-snow snow day in January. I know, I'm a little behind.

What do you do when there is no school? Invite friends over!


And Play!And marvel at the wonderland of snow (or non-snow as the case may be.)