A WEEKEND IN CHARLOTTE

Last weekend we spent our time visiting our great friends, the DeMauro Family. Chris, Melanie, and Mason welcomed us for a fun and relaxing getaway. We arrived Friday and spent the afternoon hanging out, catching up, and feasting on Melanie's awesome cooking! Tim and Chris took Tyler and Mason to the pool, while Melanie and I hung out as Mallory napped. Saturday, they took us out on on of Tony's boats (Chris's brother) on Lake Norman. Talk about NICE!!! I now want to move by a lake and buy a boat of our own! It was a picture perfect day with the most beautiful weather. The kids enjoyed every minute of it, as well as the parents! We swam, ate lunch, and toured all of the beautiful homes along the shore. Melanie and I have ours picked out! Here are some snapshots of our weekend....
Thank you, DeMauro's, for such a wonderful visit! We miss you guys!Tyler and Mallory playing with Mason's sand table.Getting the boat ready for our adventure.
The kids getting ready for our departure. This is where Tyler and Mason were the entire time. They loved sitting up front seeing everything!Tim and Tyler swimming in the lake.Blythe and TimChris and MelanieWhat an adorable picture of the kids!Tyler with his "godfasha"Mason posing cute with Blythe

TOO FAR TO WALK NOW!

We are so happy for our great friends, the Clifford Family, yet so sad. They used to live behind us (we had a trail in between backyards and everything), but have now found a new home in Cumming. We won't let a longer drive (or, for that matter, a drive at all!) get in the way of a visit to their house! Tim and Tyler had not met their newest addition, Baby Preston, so that was exciting for them. We spent a Sunday afternoon, on June 7th, with them going to the pool and grilling out.

First, our trip to the pool...Mallory having a snack in the shade with Allyson and Preston.Mallory's first time in the baby pool. Madelyn is an old pro!Mike likes the baby pool, too. He had fun with the girls!Tyler jumping in to Tim - his favorite thing to do at the pool.Blythe takes Mallory in the big pool. Mallory is still adjusting to the whole idea!

And, back at the house for some backyard fun and grilling out!Mallory and Madelyn looking as cute as ever on the patio.Tyler hitting the ball with the guys.These girls spent the whole evening playing on or in the wagon.Preston watching the kids play.Mallory trying her first slice of watermelon.Okay, no shirts, watermelon is messy!Mallory making a big mess!Tyler enjoying his the smarter way - with a fork!

We'll be back soon for another visit. We miss having you guys so close!

A DAY WITH DADDY

Due to a wonderful schedule Tim has been able to have at work, he is off every Wednesday. This allows him to have a day with the kids. A few weeks ago, he took them to Kennesaw Mountain to check out the views and enjoy the weather.A view of the Atlanta skyline on top of Kennesaw Mountain.

AMERICAN IDOL - HERE HE COMES!

Tyler has found his voice (and his favorite song that we have to play for him over and over and over....), but he may have a little practicing to do. Pretty hysterical! (Sorry for the jumpy video, we couldn't help the laughing!)

(You'll have to pause the music player to the right to hear the video.)

MALLORY IS WALKING!

Perfect timing, too, as she began on Mother's Day weekend! What a special gift! Here is a quick video of her showing off her first steps.

(You'll have to pause the music player on the right to hear the video.)

TYLER GETS HIS CAST OFF

After four weeks of having his cast on, he finally gets it off. Just in time for the pool! He was such a sport during his recovery and handled it very well. Here are a few pictures of the cast removal. What a proud boy!

MOTHER'S DAY TEA AT SCHOOL

Tyler's preschool had a very special Mother's Day Tea that I was invited to attend. They put on a little program of songs before we all sat down together and had a nice lunch. What a neat way to spend some special time with my little guy!This was our place setting. The one on the left is mine - it is actually a card unfolded that he made for me. The one on the right is his - a special poster completed with a picture of him.Two of the four 3 year old classes performing their songs for the moms.Afterward, we were able to take pictures of the kids. Tyler has to stand on the floor because of his broken arm. Poor guy!Me and my little buddy.

LILY PAD PAPER'S NEW WEBSITE!!!

I finally disciplined myself to get my act together and finish the website. Ahhhh...... I love marking something off the list! Check it out - it has all the products on it, as well as a shopping cart.
www.lilypadpaper.com

HAPPY EASTER! (a little late.....)

Okay, so I obviously haven't mastered juggling the whole blogging thing with all of the other things I have tried to keep current. But, at least I am back-tracking, and not having to go very far!

Here are some Easter pictures from a nice Easter Sunday we spent with the family.The Easter Bunny's gifts for the kids at our house.Tyler opening his basket that was left at Mimi and Papa's house.Tyler posing with Daddy, while Daddy sneaks an egg!

Nana helping Mallory with hers.Happy (2nd) Easter, Mallory! It felt like her first, since she was only 1 day old on Easter last year. We couldn't do much since we were still in the hospital.Tyler hunting for eggs. Not so bad left-handed!Mallory showing off her dress.Trying to get the kids to pose together. Not always an easy task.An awesome picture taken by Tim.

TYLER'S UNFORTUNATE FALL

Well, we have entered into a new realm with Tyler. The "I can now say I've broken a bone" one. Yep, four years and 8 days old and one broken arm. The accident happened at a playground and it was the simplest of falls. No monkeying around - just slipped as he was climbing up, fell back and landed on his hand, which caused his humorous (the bone that connects elbow to shoulder) to break right above the elbow. OUCH!!! As soon as he got up, I knew something wasn't right. He wouldn't move his arm and he wasn't inconsolable. So, Mallory stayed with my mom (we were with her at her neighborhood playground) and I took him to CHOA Urgent Care. They were WONDERFUL there - so nice. He was such a trooper, despite being in so much pain. They took a couple of x-rays and confirmed that he had broken his arm. They put a splint on it for the night, and we were to call for an appointment the next day to go to an orthopedic specialist.

They sent us home with a cd that had his x-rays on it. Tyler thought this was so cool! (Me, too, quite frankly!) Here is a view of his elbow, where you can see the break.

This next picture is of Tyler at Children's Orthopedic Specialists of Atlanta. This is where they "set" his arm and applied the cast. We'll follow up with them from this point on. In this picture, he is about to have his splint removed and the cast put on. Before taking the picture, I asked him to point where it hurts. :(
I didn't get a chance to take a picture of his cast right after they applied it because that was a very very painful experience and he wasn't ready. I hope he never has to go through something like that, again! It was very hard for me to see.

So instead, I took a picture of him sound asleep on the way home. He was wiped out.
This happened on Thursday afternoon, so it has been three days now. He is doing pretty good. He is aware (as much as a 4 year old can be) of his limitations and that he has to take it easy. This is the hardest part. He has to wear the cast for 4 weeks. We'll go back next week to have a follow-up x-ray and make sure the cast is set correctly.

He has had a great weekend otherwise, and liked showing off his injury and cool blue cast to his friends. At least he can be proud and not ashamed! What a brave boy!

Here is a picture of his cast that runs from hand to shoulder.