Let the Good Times Roll

It is Mardi Gras time again, and we started off at the Dauphin Island parade this past Saturday. The three of us took my grandmother to my mom's where we met up with Kathy and Mary. We had a really good time. Mom thought it would be clever to take Andy to his first parade...not such a good idea. He completely fell apart as soon as the first band came near, so Mary walked him home. Amos is too rowdy, so he didn't get to go at all. Audrey loved the horses and all the throws she caught. After the parade we had lunch at mom's. She cooked spaghetti and Kathy made a salad. What a terrific way to start off the season. This may very well be the only parade that Audrey gets to attend this year...we will have to see. I'm not really a Mardi Gras person, so I doubt we will be going to any of the night parades in Mobile. But you never know with us.

Takes my breathe away

Walking on Sand

Look who finally walked in the sand!! Ward and I took Audrey to Dauphin Island yesterday and she couldn't wait to walk on the beach. I have to say, I am proud of her. This is the first time she has EVER touch the sand without screaming. Although she had her boots on, I'm still very happy. This could be a sign of fun times at the beach this summer. Stayed tuned....

Check out the pier, where is the water? What happened? The public beach on Dauphin Island now connects to Sand Island. I guess that is what happens after several storms touch down near such a small barrier island such as "Dauphin Island".

Beanbag
Last night Ward was watching "American Idol" and Audrey seemed to be enjoying it as well. Ward was in his recliner, but Audrey insisted that they share her beanbag that Santa brought her. Audrey pulled her beanbag in front of the television and asked her daddy to come sit with her. Without hesitation he did. He also picked her up from school at her request. She wanted to go to McDonald's and of course they did just that. Audrey has a t-shirt that reads: "My Hands May Be Small, But I Can Still Wrapped Them Around My Daddy". That is the two of them in a nut shell.

Audrey's First Haircut



We took Audrey for her first haircut yesterday. It was awful. Bless her heart she was scared to death. We took her to the lady that cuts Mary Catherine's hair in hopes that it would help with her fear. No such luck. She needed a haircut in the worse way. Audrey, like me is extremely tender-headed. She cries in pain every time I brush her hair. I have to use a rinse conditioner and a leave-in conditioner. I thought that if we got her just a trim, brushing her hair wouldn't be so bad. She screamed louder than I have ever heard her scream before. She kicked, slapped, and somehow, kicked her boots off. Ward and I had to take turns holding her. I have to give it to Ms. Charlene...she was very patient and very soft spoken with Audrey. Hopefully next time will not be as bad. Coming Soon, first trip to the dentist....

Today in the News...

This was too funny, I had to share. Audrey climbed up on potty, grabbed the newspaper, and began doing her business. She is such a big girl. Is this hilarious or what??

First Cousins, Best Friends,

As Close As Sisters

Bleassed
We had another fun weekend in the Fendley house. It all started Friday after work. We went for Bar-B-Que at Dreamland. Yummy. Audrey loves that place, she was on her very best behavior. After dinner we decided to just go home. All three of us were completely exhausted.

Saturday morning the three of us went to Krispy Kreme...to my delight I was invited by Audrey this time. This is usually just one of those things that she and her daddy do together. But every now and then I get the invite. The weather was horrible. It rained most of the day. By lunch time, the weather was a little better, so we decided to go out for lunch. Again, Audrey was on her best behavior. We took her to "Butch Cassidy's". This is a very small place, with the best burgers in Mobile. It is guaranteed to make your mouth water for more. After lunch, all of us napped. We played with Audrey's Crayola easel, she sang her ABC's for us, and counted to 11. I'm so proud.

Today Ward took Audrey to the Explorium downtown. Ward took this picture of her playing in this humongous ball pit. She wants me to go next time and get in the ball pit with her. I can't wait!!! She really enjoyed her day with her daddy. I opted to stay home. Lots of work to do around the house. Actually I just needed some "me" time. I also tried my hand in cooking homemade Vegetable Beef Soup. I have to say, it turned out pretty darn good. I cooked enough for a small army, so the remainder is in our freezer for another cold and rainy day. I also made Banana Pudding for dessert. I prepared a huge salad to take to the office for our lunch tomorrow. Talk about being hot in the kitchen.

Weekends like this makes it all worth while. It makes me realize just how lucky and blessed I am. I have a husband who will volunteer to take his daughter to a place that he knows he will have to chase. I have a beautiful little girl who tells me I'm so pretty when I have my hair in a knot on top of my head, no make-up, and wearing sweats. How is that for LOVE???

Foxy Lady

I found this photo of my family and had to share. This is by far my favorite. Check out my parents outfits. We were being dropped off at my grandmother's so that my parents could go out for a night on the town. I was 4, my sister was 6, and my brother was 10 days old. I can just hear my dad saying...Hey baby, put on your "Foxy Lady" t-shirt and white strappy sandals and don't forget to tease your hair. We are going to the Long Branch for some cold beer. I'll put on my really dirty work boots and leave them untied just for you."

A Snake and A Hawk????
Yesterday afternoon, I got home with Audrey and decided we would play outside until her daddy got home. To my horror, there was a snake on my porch. I went into a complete panic. I snatched up Audrey, got inside, and slammed the door. I gathered myself together enough to get to the phone. I called Ward, who at the time was at the super market. He said he was almost done, and that he would be home in about 30 min. He said, that since we were safely inside, he should finish his shopping. WHATEVER!! I then called my mom, she suggested that I get the shovel. Well mom, the shovel is OUTSIDE WITH THE SNAKE...NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. I then called my nephew Thomas. He was in route downtown to watch the GMAC parade. I told him about the snake and that Ward was tied up for bit. So while I waited for Thomas, Ward, or whom ever to arrive first, me and Audrey starred out the window at this thing. We were waiting for someone to pass by, I mean there are always people jogging, strolling babies, riding bikes, etc., but no one passed by. And then it happened...the nasty thing started moving. Finally, at the same time, Ward was home and Thomas was right behind him with his friend Nick. Thank goodness we were safe. Thomas stomped on it, but I insisted that he do more. I ran inside to find something for him to use to chop it up. Thomas did what I asked, and threw in the street. Just then, his other friend Justin arrived, I asked Justin to run over the snake, back up, and run over it again just to be sure. If you are wondering, this was a small snake, about the size of a drinking straw, but so what??? Where there are babies, there are mamas. I wonder if the mama snake was seeing all of this happen. Goodness I hope not. I called my sister to tell her what had happened, and she suggested that I put moth balls outside. So today, I plan to sprinkle my entire yard, flower beds, shed etc. with moth balls.

Later in the evening I was outside taking to my neighbor across the street. I told her what happened and how worked up I got. Just as we were walking over to look at the dead snake this huge hawk flew over us. That thing was gigantic, beautiful, but my gracious it was big. That was it, that was all I could take of the Wild Kingdom outside my home...I mean I live in the city, but you would think there should have been a film crew near by shooting a documentary for the Animal Planet.

Every person I called, Ward, my Mom, Thomas...they all asked me "What kind of snake is it?, How big is it? My answer, I have no idea what kind it is, and it's big enough. I mean, a snake is a snake.

Lordy Lordy Look Who's 40

We celebrated my sister Kathy and my friend Kim's 40th birthday last month. They chose to dance the night away at Chantilly's and man did we have a good time. Their birthdays are a day apart, and they have shared many birthdays together in the past. This year was no exception. I brought a cake, just like the one they had for years. Many of their friends were there to help bring in this new mile stone with the two of them. We danced until our legs ached, laugh until we cried, and toasted to the two of them all night long. Kathy and Kim received the G.R.O.D. keyring and Magnolia to commemorate their 40th. If you click on my album link, you will see just how much fun we had. Happy Birthday you two, I love you!

Bye-Bye Bottle
Audrey is now officially a "Big Girl". She is completely potty trained and no longer takes a bottle. She had her last bottle Christmas Eve. I told her that when she was fast asleep, Santa was going to sneak in and take it from her. We bagged up all her bottles and left them for Santa. This transition was a little rough at first. She wanted me to call Santa and ask him to bring her bottles back, and in return she would give him her new tricycle. Everyone told me that I should have taken the bottle from her when she turned a year old, but for my own selfish reasons, I ignored their advice. I wanted to keep her my little baby as long as possible. This new adventure totally broke Audrey's heart, and in return, crushed me. She cried hard, but never asked me for it at night. I knew the reason for her tears. Thankfully I threw them all out, because there were a few times that I felt like giving in. Her daddy could barely stand it, and he was tempted to go and by her a bottle. This ordeal was hard for all of us, but especially for Audrey. All is good now, she isn't crying for it any more. I have no regrets about letting her have a bottle until she was more than 2 1/2 years old, I only wish it could have been a lot easier for her.