A Special Visit

About a month ago, I was getting ready for Laurel's Eighth birthday.  I was planning her birthday party and also her baptism.  I was having a pity party because none of my family would be at her baptism.  Mom and Dad are coming for a month after the baby is born and could not afford to come to her baptism also.  So, I was hormonal and just feeling sorry for myself. 
About 3 weeks before the birthday party/baptism weekend, my sister Audra calls and says, "Lori, I have been thinking about Laurel's baptism for weeks now and Linn and I would like to come and I would like to be one of the speakers!"  I busted out laughing, because you see, my sister does not like to publicly speak.  My exact words were, "You don't speak!"  She laughed and said that she was serious.  She would do this for Laurel.  Then I started crying.  I told you I am one hormonal woman right now!  This meant so much to me and to Laurel.  They flew from Utah the Thursday before all the events.

They were both such a big help.  Linn, Audra's husband,  knew that I had a lot of errands to run on that Friday so he told me not to worry about the house.  He deep cleaned my house!  That's right girls, he deep cleaned!  I had the basics covered like a clean toilet and clean sheets but he got areas that had not had attention in a while.  And it looked GOOD when I got home.  Now this is just some selfless service and I had no shame letting him do it!   I told Audra while we were out that I was just giddy knowing someone was at home cleaning my house!  And Linn was giddy when he saw that rainbow vacuum cleaner!  You have to love a man like Linn! I told him I owed him blue bell ice cream for a year.

Landon fell in love with Linn.  He called him "bubby" for "buddy."  I could go on and on about this visit.  It was great having family here and I think we all bonded.  Thanks Audra for acting on the inspiration to come.  You and Linn made the birthday party and baptism so special and one that Laurel will never forget. 

A helping hand

Savannah came home yesterday with this recognition.  She was so excited!  I wasn't surprised.  Savannah has always loved helping people.  When she was in preschool, she would come home and talk about this little boy in her class who cried alot and didn't speak.  She would say, " I held that little crying boy's hand today."  I just thought it was a little boy who was sad and missing his mommy.  One day Savannah and I were in Wal-mart and this lady with a boy Savannah's age came up to me and said, "I am Gunnar's mom.  Savannah and Gunnar are in preschool together.  Gunnar has Autism.  I just wanted to let you know that we have prayed and prayed for an angel and this little girl is Gunnar's angel."  I could not have been a prouder mom!  I later learned through Savannah's teacher that Gunnar had not let anyone close to him, much less hold his hand, until Savannah.  He was drawn to her and she was able to help him calm down.  Savannah helped out with Gunnar's speech therapy as well.  Gunnar was also an angel for Savannah that year. 

At the beginning of this week, Savannah came into the kitchen and said, "my back hurts so bad."  I asked what she had done.  She said, "It must be from stretching back to help that little boy who can't ever get his pack opened!"  I laughed and told her she might need to change her position when she is helping him.  I love her sweet personality and how she loves to help others.

First Day of School

Laurel and Savannah were so excited to start school.  Especially Savannah because she is in Kindergarten now!  She has been waiting for two years now to go to the "big school" with Laurel. 

We love Laurel's teacher, Ms. Harris.  She has been teaching for 24 years and seems to still love teaching.  We got to go meet Ms. Harris on Laurel's actual birthday, August 8th.  When Ms. Harris found out that it was her birthday, she grabbed Laurel and hugged her and sang happy birthday to her!  I think she is going to have a great year.

Savannah's teacher is Ms. Conn.  We have heard great things about her.  Savannah said some of the funniest things that first day.  She put on her backpack and said, "I can't believe I have a real backpack now!"  Before she got out of the car, she said, "Now mommy, I want you to go home and get my baby and cry."  She got in the car at the end of the day with the biggest smile and said,  "that was the most exciting day ever!" "I did not even get a one (a warning)!" The next day she came running into the kitchen and said, "goodmorning! I was so sleepy when I woke up and then I remembered it was a school day and I told myself, get up you have to go to school!"   She asked if I was going to walk her to her classroom.  I told her I thought I would just drop her and Laurel off in carpool.  She raised her arms up, formed a fist and brought them down with a "YES!" 

I think she is going to be just fine!

A Really Fun Day

It all began with the play, Jack and the Beanstalk, at the children's theater....




 We met up with some of our best friends, Ava and Lily!


Jack and his fairy godmother.



The Giant!



The giant's wife

Landon was mesmerized for the whole hour.  His eyes never left the stage.  And since Landon sat there so long, he was on the go as soon as it was over.  He would not stay still for a picture.

So, once again the children's theater did not disappoint.  It is amazing how they can put on such an entertaining play with only four actors.  Oh yeah, the cow was amazing and there were two people under there.  Great costumes and a great spin on the original Jack and the Beanstalk.

After the play, we rushed home to meet up with two of my friends from my Parisian past!  Stacy, Barb and I try to get together every summer for a visit.  Stacy and I are here in Birmingham and Barb moved to Atlanta and is a school teacher.

Let me just tell you, this doesn't happen very often.  Landon doesn't warm up to most people this quickly.  He was making me laugh.  He just crawled up in her lap and started snuggling with her.  She is so good with mine and Stacy's children.  You can tell that she was born to be a teacher.

The children had so much fun playing.  You may think that is a girl on the far right,  WRONG, that is Mason.  He is the oldest of Stacy's children and is always such a good sport when he comes to play with all these girls.  He was the MC of their fashion show and then decided to give us a good laugh by coming out swinging a purse, in a silky dress and a tutu on his head.  It has been fun watching all of Stacy's children grow up.

Great Entertainment.
Great Friends.
Great Day.

Little Brides

Laurel was so excited when she saw my wedding dress in the back of my closet.   I scored major points with her and Savannah when I took it out and let them try it on!

Then they asked if I would put it on.  HA!  I told them that would not be a good look in my current condition.  I wonder if my waist will ever be that small again!:)

Serious Trouble

Yep, that's right!  I'm in serious trouble.

This little boy has his mommy wrapped around his little finger.  What will I do when I have two of these?  When I get on to him, he just grabs my cheeks and squeezes them together and says, "MOMMY, MOMMY!"  And then he gives me a big kiss.

The day he said, "I wuv you,"  it was all over.  I just melted into a big sappy pile of yeah, you pretty much can get away with anything.

But, No, No, No!  I have got to get control of myself and this little boy who thinks he rules the house around here with his charm.  Let me just be clear.  It's not only me he has wrapped.  He has us all wrapped!  He is the sweetest most loving, little brother.  Then in a split second he can grab a toy and knock Savannah or Laurel over the head.  He says the most precious, "I sorry!"  and when this is said, all tears are dried up.  He grabs Savannah's hair and drags her to where he wants to go.  Savannah says, "he just drags me around like a dog on a leash!" 

It makes me think about growing up with my two brothers.  If we wanted mom to bake cookies, we always sent one of our brothers in to ask for it because we knew she would.  There was always this special, unspoken bond between them.  Now, I totally get it!

Awww..... the beach!

Dear Mr. Beach~

It has been way too long, four years to be exact.  We vow to never let this happen again. 

This was Landon's first time to have his cute,  little feet in your grainy sand.  He did not know what to think about you.  He didn't really like the way his feet were feeling.

As we approached your ocean, he became even more troubled.  He gets the cutest, concerned look on his face.  When your vicious waves came rushing up to him and  ran over his feet,

he squealed like a girl and jumped in his daddy's arms!

But, not his sisters!  They rolled and splashed all in your salty water.  They let your waves slap them in the face and knock them down.  They giggled and were in their own little world.

The next day brought more joy for Landon.  He decided it was a lot of fun to be out with daddy and Laurel riding your waves.  If daddy was out with Laurel and Savannah, he would stand at your shore line with his arms reached out saying, "daddy, daddy!"

Savannah had the most fun playing in your beautiful, white sand.  We watched dolphins play in your ocean and fish flip up in the air.  One poor fish lost his life to a sea gull.

We buried each other in your sand!

We built sand castles and collected sea shells.

We had a blast and you are truly one of the most beautiful places on earth.  Until next summer Mr. beach, until next time.
Love,
The Claytons