First Day of 1st Grade

Today was Audrey's first day of 1st grade and my 1st day as the new "Teacher's Assistant" for one the kindergarden classes.  With both of us as nervous as imaginable, I think we both did a really good job.  We only had a 1/2 day today, but tomorrow we will be in full swing. 

Audrey looked precious in her new uniform, shoes, and backpack.  Still missing her front tooth and the other really loose, she smiled perfectly for the camera.

We are both so excited about what this school year will bring. 

My Sweet Audrey
Audrey asked me to make a video of her with her new camera. I had no idea what she had planned to say....this girl of mine takes my breath away more and more everyday.

You will need to scroll down to the bottom of this page and mute the volume of my playlist before watching this sweet video of my baby.

Little Miss Sassy

Show & Tell


Audrey's class has Show & Tell at school each week. Each being a different theme such as something purple, something red, something about Mardi Gras, something about St. Ignatius, etc. A few months ago Show & Tell was something about grandparents. Audrey asked if she could take my dad's fire helmet. My heart melted with such delight. Her teacher Mrs. Mac sent me this picture of her telling her friends about her Papa Tom.

I know if were still with us, he would just adore her. She told me that when the moon is full, my daddy is smiling down at me. Hearing her tell me this makes me smile. Audrey is such a sweet little girl with the kindest heart. It amazes me everyday how I can love her more than I did the day before.

Gramps
We spent our Mardi Gras in Demopolis. Gramps has cancer and he begins his radiation treatments this week. We left Sunday morning and returned Tuesday afternoon.

Gramps didn't meet us at the hotel upon our arrival this time. The medication has really started to take a toll on his strength. We took him some comfort food, but he just wasn't up to visiting, so we decided to try and meet for breakfast.

We heard from Gramps Monday morning and he informed us that he went to the ER Sunday night. Thankfully he was treated and released. Ward was so upset that he didn't call us for help. I had to remind him that Gramps is ill and not to get to angry with him. He didn't feel like breakfast, but he did have lunch with us at the Farmhouse. After lunch, we took him home so he could rest.

Harding and Thomas arrived Monday afternoon and we all went to the Marina for dinner. Gramps seemed to be feeling better....he ate very well. We didn't stay long, but all and all it was a wonderful time.

Tuesday morning Gramps met us for breakfast. I could tell he was nervous. Today will mark the 1st of 45 radiation treatments. He tried to make jokes, but his fear was obvious. Sadly, we had to leave and return home. The ride home was nearly silent. Ward is really concerned for his dad, and wishes he could do more.

We plan on returning to Demopolis in March. Hopefully all of his children will be able to make for long weekend visit.

I Love This Girl...

Happy Ananniversary #6
Today Ward and I celebrated our 6th anniversary. We started the day with "Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentines Day. Ward had to get to the office and I scooted Audrey to school. Later, he picked me up and we headed to school to have lunch with Audrey. The menu consisted of everything Valentines. Love Me Tenderloin, Heart of the Artichoke Pasta, Sweet Beans, and a Browning for desert. After lunch, Ward went back to work.

Audrey had dance practice after school today. I picked her up and headed to the house to get ready for the parade. The three of us had the best time together. Audrey wanted to have dinner after the parade so she chose Morrison's.

When we got home, Audrey gave us an Anniversary card that she made for us at school today. I have the sweetest girl in the world. She did it all herself. The beautiful drawing and the sweet words. This is truly the best gift I have ever received. Ward and I hugged and kissed and thanked her for being so thoughtful.

Ward and Audrey remind me every day of just how blessed I am. I love my husband and my daughter with every fiber of my being. They are my whole world....I just adore them both.

Demopolis
This past weekend we loaded up and headed to Demopolis to visit with Gramps. We picked Audrey from school around elevenish and we hit the road.

We stopped at our favorite on the way for lunch "Jackson Steakhouse". This is one of our traditions. We have lunch going and coming. After lunch we stopped at the "Bassitt Creek Cemetery". It's amazing to see so many of Ward's ancestors. This a very old cemetery and such a beautiful place. Ward's grandfather was once the pastor at the church.

We made it to Demopolis around 4:00 and Gramps was at the hotel waiting for us. Audrey was so excited to see him. We visited for a while and decided to go to "Mr. G's" for dinner. It wasn't a late night, we all were tired so we made plans to meet for breakfast in the morning.
After breakfast, we took a ride to Livingston, AL. This is where Ward spent some of his childhood. He showed us the boarding house where his mom once lived, the "Brass Monkey" where he once worked as a bartender, and the college he attended. Livingston is a very quaint, and really rural little town.

When we got back to Demopolis, Harding, Lyn, and Thomas where there waiting for us. Everyone was starving by this time, so we headed to "Smokey's Bar-B-Que" for lunch. Gramps went and picked up Robin and they met us there. I love fun filled days like this...

After we rested a while, we went to the Marina for dinner. Audrey and Thomas played pool, or so that's what they call playing pool. We visited for a while and headed back to the hotel.

Sadly, Sunday came and we had to head back home. We all met for breakfast and said our goodbyes. I know how much Gramps misses us, and loves for us to come for visits. Audrey gets a little emotional when we leave. She doesn't like to think about him being lonely. We just reassure her that he is fine, and that he has a lot of friends and Robin to keep him company.

There isn't a lot to do in Demopolis except eat and visit. Demopolis is a small country town where everyone knows everyone. We all agree that this was a wonderful trip and we are planning to go back real soon.

Non-Stop Fun...
This weekend started off and ended with a BANG!!! We had one of the best weekends in a long time. Friday after school, Audrey packed her suitcase for an overnight slumber with her "BFF" Margaret Catherine. This was the first time she stayed the night with a friend. I kept waiting for the phone call to come get her, but to my delight it never came.

Ward and I took advantage of her night away and decided to make Friday our date night. We went to Chantilly's and danced the night away.

Saturday I expected Audrey to come home early, but instead she stayed and played with Margaret Catherine until we picked her up at 3:00 pm. Even then she wasn't ready to come home. She said the two of them had the best time. They started their night with watching Margaret cheer for her basketball team. They then had pizza and a movie, and made beaded necklaces.

After we picked her up, we went home to get ready for our first Mardi Gras parade of the year. We had so much fun....Audrey is really getting into the spirit of things. She yells her little head off for candy, trinkets, moon pies, and most importly beads . When the parade ended we met my sister and her family at Wings for dinner.

Sunday the three of us went to The Whistle Stop for breakfast. We then went driving around and ended up at the Explorium. We played with all the exhibits and watched the I-MAX movie about sharks.

I picked up take out from Dreamland and we got ready for the Super Bowl. The Giants won the game by 4 points over the Patriots.

All and all, we had a great weekend as a family. I love Ward and Audrey with all my heart, and I feel the blessings God has granted me.

Donuts with Dad
We are celebrating "Catholic Week" at school all week long. So many activities and so much fun for Audrey and her entire school. Today was "Donuts with Dads". Audrey and Ward were so excited to celebrate this morning together. Sweet Audrey talked about until she fell to sleep last night. This morning she was bright eyed and bushy tailed. She couldn't wait to show off her daddy at school.

Ward told me that the gym was packed, and that the two of them really enjoyed their special morning together before he walked her to class. He said she was so excited to introduce him to all her friends....Although most of her friends have met her daddy at least once during the past 2 1/2 years, the excitement and joy is still in her heart to brag about her daddy.

I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband and such a sweet beautiful little girl who completely adores her daddy.

Alabama Jags
Audrey had her second cheer leading competition this past weekend. She and her Tiny Team were fantastic. They were up against three other tiny teams, and although they placed 4th, I am so elated with how far they have come. Her daddy and I are so very proud of her. She is really getting over her stage fright.

The day started early with my mother and grandmother meeting us at the house. We loaded up the van and headed to the Pensacola Civic Center. Audrey and her team were the second group to hit the floor. After her performance, we sat and watched the other teams from all over the south. We had snacks, ice-cream, and more snacks.

After the awards were announced and the girls were given their medals, we headed to our favorite...."Cock of the Walk". We all had our share of fried catfish, fries, coleslaw, and greens....not to mention the cornbread. We fed the ducks, and Audrey fed the chickens. She really got a kick out of that....she had those things eating right from her hands.

The day was really long, and we were all extremely exhausted by the time we got home. I am so proud of my beautiful little girl. I love her with all my heart.

Happy 2012
So many things have been going on, so many things to catch up on. I started this blog for my sweet Audrey. I was doing pretty good for a while until BOOM "Facebook" was introduced to me. I have really slacked with my blogging and have used Facebook to post my day-to-day events. So last night I remembered my blog. It took me forever to remember my password, how sad is that? Any way I plan to start it up again and post as many things as I can remember. Stay tuned.....