My goodness gracious, where has this month gone? We started MMO this month, ended our summer pool days, and even had some fun Chicago visitors come see us in Athens. Suzanna Grace is growing like a weed and is getting sweeter and sweeter by the day. In true "I am using this blog as a photo album" fashion, I present our August photo collection:
I had a fun time playing dress up with SG early this month as we prepared to consign some of her old clothes that baby sissy would not be able to wear. Unfortunately the Superwoman outfit did not help SG fly when she fell down a few stairs (probably because we've lost the cape...) but it wasn't anything that a frozen yogurt pop couldn't fix. The peacoat and hands in the pocket look was just too funny.
We enjoyed our final days of the Dolphin Collection music class with with Mrs. Cathy. This was our second session and SG has learned so much. During the first music session (when we first moved to Athens) she spent most of the time crawling or running around while I participated in the class alone. She has learned to following Ms. Cathy's directions and how to respond to various songs that we sing. She loves playing the instruments and dancing too. SG is a good twirler and kicker when it comes to dancing.
I just love seeing quotes like this that remind me of how important my actions are. This month I started volunteering at Downtown Academy. DTA is a private school for inner city kids in Athens. While their is a tuition, most families have a 98% scholarship leaving them with roughly $20/month in fees. Right now they have K-3rd grade and about 50 students in the whole school. DTA is trying out this model of private school for high poverty kids in hopes that they will find huge success. I think it's a pretty cool idea and am excited to dive in with the organization. I had been praying about ways that I could serve the children of Athens and heard about DTA from several folks. I felt like it just kept coming up in conversations so I began praying that if there was a need for me at DTA that I would be able to connect with them. Sure enough I contacted the Principal and he asked me to come in right away. In our meeting, I shared my prayer and one of the administrators said, "I have been praying specifically for someone who could come in to create an enrichment program and help with our struggling readers." Ding, ding, ding...gifted teacher and reading specialist right here. I will be volunteering with groups of 6, 2, and 4 one day a week for 2.5 hours while SG is in MMO. Hooray for answered prayers, the continued use of personal laminators, and fresh school supplies...
Miss Prissy had her first pedicure by MaMa. I was painting my toes and SG wanted in on the action. She sat still for the painting but then wanted to touch them. They were too cute!
Lots of fun drumming and taking selfies. Such a peach...
Our Australian relatives sent SG a late birthday gift and she enjoyed sporting it around the house. Every 1.5 year old needs a workout sweatband! DaDa had her doing swats and wall push ups.
While we didn't get to go, we did watch our sweet Wilkes as he was dedicated at church. What a handsome fella in his handmade Ashford Collection gown and bonnet!
Carolina James continues to grow and grow. I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy is flying by. I love being pregnant and certainly feel more pregnant right now than I did at this point with SG. Perhaps my tummy wasn't quite as tight this time around?? Grow CJ, GROW! SG pulls up my shirt to give baby sissy kisses. She hugs my tummy and makes her sweet noise and squishy face too. Just when I think she "gets" it, she pulls up her shirt, points, and says, "baby."
We played outside a lot towards the end of the month as it cooled down...to the 80s and low 90s. SG loves the front sidewalk in our house and could spend hours going up and down the hill. She also enjoys climbing the front steps...and sometimes doing her morning business there.
Suzanna Grace started MMO this month! We had Meet the Teachers on a Friday and began classes the following Monday. She is one of three girls in her 8 kid class that has two teachers. I love both of her teachers and so does she! On her very last August day of class she hoped into one teachers arms at drop off and never looked back. No tears, no paci needed all day, and while I am so happy that she is having fun and is no longer getting a little sad when I leave, I must admit, it kind of broke my heart.
Harry invited SG over for a playDATE while MaMa ran some errands. Jeannie sent me picture after picture of their interactions. SG is definitely the aggressor in the friendship and loves to eat Harry's snacks and then hug, kiss, and hold his hand. Overall, he's just not really sure what he thinks about her. There relationship at 1.5 years old reminds me of what most middle school boy-girl relationships look like. "Mature" girls going crazy over the cute boys...the cute boys being oblivious to girls period.
Many of our MaMa friends stay home or work from home which means we have lots of afternoon playdates. Caroline is always good about having us attempt a photo...I am not sure, however, that any of them ever actually capture us all looking...but they certainly capture real life with these silly babies.
Another perk to MMO is that we get to have baby showers and MMO brunches while the babies are in school. We celebrated Kate and baby Max with a "sprinkle" at Big City Bread.
Andrea (girl due in Jan., GA (girl due in Dec.), Kate (boy due Sept.), Jeannie, Dai, Tiffany, Caroline.
This sweet baby has been worn out after school. While I was showering I could hear her saying, "nite, nite, nite, nite..." and when I looked out she was "resting her eyes" on the bath mat. Bless her. We run lots of errands on our days off and going to the Publix is one of SG's favorite things to do. They always give her a cookie and usually before we leave, SG has met every member of the bakery and checkout staff. I mean how can you resist this precious smile. Sometimes we go walk around the grocery store or other shops just because I think she's just the cutest thing and I know that her waving and smiling at folks makes them smile too. I like to think of it as an act of goodwill and kindness. :)
DaDa loves his baby girl and has continues coming home some days for lunch. He and SG ALWAYS enjoy breakfast together too. Needless to say, SG is a messy eater and usually requires an outfit change or bath after meal time. OR sometimes we just go outside and let the mess rub off on it's own.
