Yes, Virginia, she IS amazing!

This is Ashley and George.  I am obsessed with this picture of them.  George is my "Fairy Godson" (this is the Godmother equivalent of "other than Catholic" which I have a lot of experience with, so I should be perfectly suited for the job).  Also, I want to be Ashley when I grow up.  You do too, you just may not know it yet.  And yes, she is even more amazing than she looks in this picture.  Everyone should have a best friend this cool.  

Here are George and Henry.  I have a feeling they are going to be red headed.  This makes me very happy.  VERY happy.  They are precious miracles and I love them very much.  I miss them, too.

I will be back with Spring Break '09 part 5 soon.  Just had to share my boys!  Rob and I are heading up to W&L on Thursday - so I need to finish up Spring Break before I get some beautiful shots of Virginia in the springtime!

Ann Louise's First Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Ono - Spring Break '09 Part 4

SUBTITLE:  Herding Cats

Ann Louise planned an Easter Egg Hunt for Friday.  Complete with very specific rules for hiding and hunting.  We all followed the rules, and Rob  passed them along to the "big kids" while the little ones got a head start.

Rob knew to take Ann Louise's rules VERY seriously.  

I think she approved of the seriousness with which Rob took said rules.

Mac was successful in his hunt... for the most part.

Sub-Subtitle:  If it were a snake, it would have bit ya!

Jane, Madison and Barclay scoured the shoreline for any missing eggs.

Then the Dexters, the Ortegas, the Kaufmans and the McGinleys all took a load off and ate some candy.  (Madison threw up that night - shockingly enough).

Still eating candy but with a better view from the Little's porch swing.

Susu and Mac were pleased with his Easter booty.

It's War! Spring Break '09 Part 3

Thursday marked the much anticipated arrival of the Daddys.  And n'ere a moment too soon, I might add!  Rob really needed to work on his "bow tying on the fly" skills and the extra practice really paid off.

Tim was kind enough to teach our son how to shoot a water gun.

And Mac was kind enough to turn around and commence shooting Martha.  (Don't worry, her Dad had been smart enough to teach her to shoot first - so she held her own).

The Ortegas stopped by for some beaching fun that afternoon.  Here are Rob and Suzette planning Ann Louise's Eggstravaganza set for the following day.

This is Rob's God daughter Francie.  She found Mac's tricycle and had a big time on the porch. Love me some Francie.

Susu was able to round up Ann Louise and Madison for an afternoon project.  They made chocolate covered cherry mice complete with sliced almond ears.  The girls were proud.  I ate too many mice.  

I realize that I am dragging out these Spring Break posts, but there were so many pictures (and so few since) that I thought it might be best to break them into a few smaller posts.  And we haven't even gotten to Easter!!!

Can't Catch Me! Spring Break '09 Part 2

Wednesday started out with a bang - hooray, beach weather had arrived!  All three kids stampeded out to the pool and beach as soon as I opened the door.  

Then - as if in a dream, my children spontaneously began to play with each other ... on purpose!

This game of tag/keep away/run away from your little brother lasted for half the morning.

And just when Mac couldn't keep up any longer - we had a friend infusion - Yee Haw!

The Kaufman's arrived (here it comes ladies and gentlemen) with a splash!  (I know, I have some mad skilz with phrase spinning).

Will and Madison showcased their finest canon balls.  Betcha can't guess who won!  (Here's a hint, his name rhymes with "ill" and he can also do some mean Tae Kwon Do moves on the fly.)

Not being a big splash man, himself, Mac took this opportunity to work on his tan.  Lookin' good Mac Daddy.

Speaking of Mac Daddys ... Mac has now decided to become Martha's "Baby Daddy."  Seriously, the boy has NEVER, and I'm not exaggerating here, NEVER voluntarily shared his trains with anyone.  Ever.  This is love folks.  She then allowed him to take care of her baby doll - hence the new nickname for the Doodle-Man.

Again, Barclay hit the bathtub for her post pool warm up.

And again, she was joined by the rest of the crew.  

Peace out.

Spring Break '09 Part 1

For Spring Break 2009 we rented a house for the week on Fort Morgan Road (thanks to Boot and Susu) and had our own pool and beach out front - it was the perfect spring break location!

After a nice Palm Sunday nap, Mac and I left to meet Rob and the girls at the beach.  He was still feeling pretty sleepy, but I promised him that he had a whole week with his sisters ahead of him - so he was happy with that news!

As I unpacked Mac's bags, he unpacked his trains.  You can never have too many trains.  (Also, for anyone with train obsessed boys, I highly recommend this traveling Thomas the train table that converts into a carrying case.)

Day one started out a bit breezy - so the girls got creative and threw their pants on under their swim skirts.  Definitely feeling cute!

Ann Louise came over from Ono Island for a swim with us on Monday.  It was freezing in that pool - but they were not to be deterred from getting their spring break on.

Barclay tried to hang in there with the big kids but she was FREEZING.  So she headed straight for the warm bath tub.

And was soon joined by Ann Louise and Madison!

Day 2 was sunny but a bit too cold for the beach or the pool - so we put on our shades and headed to the outlets.  Susu and Mommy were proud of our three shoppers - they lasted longer than expected, thanks to an on-site play ground, a merry-go-round and some 75 cent kiddie rides along the way.  Mom took some pics from the mall so hopefully I can get some downloaded from her.  

Waving Palm Branches

We got gussied up for Palm Sunday because Madison was singing in church and all three children were going to be carrying palm branches in the processional.  Susu made every one of these outfits.  Pretty snazzy.  (Insert appropriate amount of gushing here.)

Clearly, something didn't smell so good at DWUMC - that or my children were doing their best impersonations of Carolyn Gray (Mehlburger joke).

Madi carried her branch high and proud.  After all, she would be singing today!

See that little girl in front of Mac, well, just after this photo was taken, he took to whacking her over the head with his frond.  Good times.

This was the last moment of pleasantness for Mac all morning - he proceeded to melt down about 45 seconds later, just as Madison began singing.

From what I hear, Madison sang beautifully.  Mac and I, however, were standing outside by that point.  Gotta love 2.  Thank goodness for video!  We came home and immediately packed and left for the beach - and not a moment too soon!

Lookin' For 8

When Daddy works as much as he has been lately, there is a bit more excitement associated with welcoming him home from the office.  His evening greeting usually looks something like a pile on (which he loves).  

Mac then requests some "tickle time" on "Daddy's bed."  The other day they all piled on Dad for a ride after their respective tickles.

Madison didn't quite win a buckle this time!  We love you Daddy!!!

With All the Frills Upon It

Barclay's Easter parade was a raging success.  She chose hydrangeas for her bonnet and wore a lovely smocked blue linen ensemble that her grandmother Susu made for Madison when she was 2 or 3.  Barclay is closing in on 6 and it fit like a charm.  She was so proud to finally be the McGinley girl in the UMS Easter parade!  

This is Barclay's K4 teacher, Lee Pipkins.  She rocks.  I have been hiding Mac from her in an attempt to sneak him into her class in two years without her finding out that he is the devil's spawn. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a better K4 teacher.  I kid you not.  

Barclay with her grandmothers.  Susu and Boot saved the day!  I had Mac and came roaring in to UMS in true form, at the last possible second.  Fortunately, these lovely ladies only had eyes for Barclay and made it there with time to spare.  Whew.  They then proceeded to chase Mac while I photographed and filmed like a woman possessed.  Thank you Susu and Boot.

Mac likes to visit Barclay's classroom for one reason, and one reason only.  He knows where Mrs. Pipkins keeps the matchbox cars.  For some reason he feels the need to line up like items in perfect little rows.  I canNOT imagine where he gets that from...

Barclay's class had an Easter Egg Hunt after the parade.  When you are Barclay, real live bunnies beat out eggs every time.  No contest.

Mac was home sick from school - so he got to pile into our bed to watch Thomas until Barclay came home ...

As it turns out, she was sick too, so he lay down next to her while she watched tv, and he watched her.  Mac loves him some Barc-way.

Madison, on the other hand, was not sick.  She was so happy that it wasn't raining (at last) that she danced for joy!  Madison feels the dance from deep down within her soul and she is a very happy child.  Can't you just tell?