Thursday, November 30, 2017

FALL 2017 - Part I

Fall is always a busy time for everyone!  Will's third grade class had a fun field trip to the Montgomery Museum of Art where they not only toured but also made a cool art project.  Lena was invited to a Super Hero party on the playground at Eastwood while Andy and I were out of town.  Nathalia and Viola put their talents together and came up with a great outfit without spending a penny!  My kind of folks!  The kids got to visit three different fall festivals and Will  enjoyed having a part in the 3rd grade Thanksgiving play at Eastwood.

We also got to celebrate Nathalia's 23rd birthday!  She cooked for us and made delicious desserts.  We did take her out to eat and celebrated her on her birthday!  This included her having her very first cookie cake which she loved by the way!  We also celebrated Dow's 23rd birthday!  Where did our little boy go!  He grew up - that's is where and is living and working in B'ham!  We are so proud of him!

We have enjoyed getting to know not only our au pairs but others as well.  Ruth Carpenter is from South Africa and we have enjoyed having her in our home on several occasions.  We will be saying goodbye to another au pair who is from England soon.  She lives with a family in Prattville.  It has been so wonderful for our children to meet these young women from different countries and cultures.

Every year, Eastwood hold an even called Olympic Field Day.  This year, it rained and rained but rather than call the even off, the dedicated staff made it happen inside!  I still don't know how they did it but they made it work and the children had just as much fun!  Our kids were on the Phoenicians Team and while they didn't win, they tried hard!
Will's class made a trip to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts!

Will's 3rd grade class at the Museum

Lena dressed up like a super hero for a birthday party!

The kids having fun at Sweet Creek with Nathalia and Viola

Will saying his part in the Thanksgiving program at school

Will and Charlie Coon

Nathalia made Brazilian goodies for her b'day

Celebrating Nathalia's 23rd birthday

Celebrating Dow's 23rd Birthday with his favorite cake - red velvet!

The kids with Ruth (S. Africa), Nathalia (Brazil), and Viola (Germany)

Hope with Clara Jane Mauney ready for three legged race!


Will and his three legged partner!

Mr. Geiger during the closing ceremonies of Olympic Field Day.

Hope and Will holding up their team's banner - The Phoenicians!

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Hope turns 10 and is off to NEW YORK!!!


Hope has always been a big fan of the Lion King.  We acted out scenes of the play over and over with her stuffed Simba, Nala, Mufasa, Timon, etc.  She and Caroline Colee would sing the songs together and Hope almost knew every word of the movie by heart.  She had a Simba B'day cake one year and got all of the plastic figures of each character.  So.... we told her that when she was 10 years old, we would take her to NY to see the play.  Well, she turned 10 very quickly and off to NY we went!!!

Hope and Andy in Central Park.
Hope playing the keyboard at Macy's Dept. Store
Hope standing in front of animals made from Legos!
A big honor for Hope to visit the Statue of Liberty!
Hope in a turtle shell at Central Park
Hope with the Statue of Balto!
The 9/11 Memorial
The big day finally came and the play did not disappoint!  Hope loved it!
Hope sitting in the window of our hotel with Scar!!