About 5 Years Ago...

Baby Meri Alan
Big Sis Sara Frances and her Baby Sis Meri Alan (about a week old)

Five years ago tonight I woke up a little after midnight feeling like Meri Alan would soon arrive. Kenneth is a very heavy sleeper and when I tried to wake him up he (very groggy) told me to go back to sleep and it might go away. Well he was just sleepy and we're so glad she arrived on Sept. 1, 2003. Sweet baby Meri Alan will be 5 tomorrow. Where has the time gone??

Preschool Open House

Meri Alan is sooo ready for preschool to start next Wednesday. We rolled into town yesterday just in time to make her preschool open house. She's excited about her new class and her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Francille. We took SF to Memphis yesterday for her 6 month eye check up. We're so thankful that her eyes continue to do well. What a praise!!

Happy Birthday From Chuck E.!!

I love Chuck E.!!
Ava and Meri Alan-See my gold medal!

Lucy Helen, MA and Will
Susi, M & M!
Lucy Helen, MA and Anne Daniel
Vic

Molly, MA and Luke
Liza and Sara Frances
Molly, Emma Taylor, MA, Turner and Ally Ayers
Harrison- checking out the mouse!

Deal or No Deal
Anne Daniel and Emerson
Isabella and Mary Conlee
Meri Alan has been dreaming of having a party at Chuck E. Cheese's for years. Well I guess that some dreams do come true!! Her party was Monday night. Her "real birthday" is this coming Monday but we had it early due to the upcoming holiday weekend. It was soo fun and she now has lots of fun memories of her birthday with Chuck E. and so many sweet friends. One of her favorite parts of the party is when Chuck E. gave her a gold medal. After watching the Olympics the last 2 weeks that medal is extra special. She can't believe she has a REAL GOLD MEDAL!! To top it off her new teacher, Mrs. Francille, told her to bring it to school on the first day to show the class. She's now counting the days until she can take it to school. What a way to get her excited! Thanks to everybody who helped us celebrate Meri Alan's special day! We're blessed to have such kind friends.

More Zoo...

G.G. and Granna

fun in the reptile house

Here are a few more pics of today's zoo trip. I can't believe I'm posting these right now. I don't have anything else to do. ha! ha!

Butterflies!!

Today we went back to the Memphis Zoo. That means back to the butterfly garden! I love that place. The kids can spend forever in there hunting butterflies and looking around. One actually landed on Sara Frances' hand today. We won't talk about how Meri Alan held hers! It's probably against the rules. ha! We had lots of fun with G.G., Heather, Granna Judy, Emma Taylor and Harrison. I'm about to post some more pics from the zoo. You'll see the girls really got in to posing for the camera! It rained all of the way there and stopped as we entered Memphis. It was a perfect day for the zoo.

Blueberries!

pizza grocery was yummy!

Yes- I haven't had much time for blogging. Have I let my girls sign up for too much stuff? maybe... How do you choose? Anyway, last Friday we went to a blueberry patch in Corinth. Even though the guy told us he didn't have many blueberries left- we managed to find a good amount and have fun in the process. Now we all know Meri Alan isn't really very into fresh fruit but she has eaten some blueberries that she has picked. I guess I need to grow a garden or take her to more places to pick her own food. :) We all know I'm kidding myself. Sara Frances is still LOVING second grade and her teacher, Mrs. McGraw.

More Sunshine!

Sunshine is such a sweet kitty. We're enjoying watching him grow and become more playful!

Makeover Madness!

G.G. treated SF and MA to Libby Lu do's Friday evening. Fun! Fun!

Off to Second Grade!

my sweet second grader!

walkin' to class

giving a hug to Ava!

The door to my room opened right as I rolled out of bed this morning. It was Sara Frances. She was jumping up and down with excitement! I hope her love of learning will follow her for a long time. She loves everything about school which makes it a little easier for me to send her. I hope she's having a great day. I know she'll be grumpy when I pick her up but luckily she'll have the weekend to get rested up for the full week ahead. Meri Alan will begin preschool after Labor Day and will get to go to Joyner kindergarten next year.

Meet Your Teacher

Mrs. McGraw, SF and Ms. Ann
SF and Mary Carson

Sara Frances is getting very excited about school starting now. She's been hesitant to say that she's ready but after tonight, she is! I get a little sad thinking about this being her last year at Joyner. It's such a loving, nurturing place. We're so blessed to be a part of the Joyner family. Sara Frances loves her new teacher, Mrs. McGraw, already. We look forward to a wonderful 2nd grade year. In other Sara Frances news, she lost a tooth and began her ballet/jazz combo yesterday. This is turning out to be an eventful week as Meri Alan "Miss Jazzy Pants" begins her jazz/tumbling class tomorrow. Looks like we're about to be in full swing around here. I pray that everyone has a great "back to school" day on Friday!