Hailey wrapped up a week of church camp at Holy Cross today with a special morning mass. The theme was missionary work and her class represented France. She also was in the choir and it was great.
Here are a couple of the photos from Hailey's next to last game. Maria shot some individual and team shots since our photo day was rained out this spring.
Hailey
Hailey with coach and big brother Ash
This year, Easter weekend was simply fantastic!
Today marked a special Easter in our family in that it was also a celebration of my God son's first birthday. Oh, he's a right handsome little man.
We enjoyed a great afternoon of sunshine and egg hunting and then a late lunch with all the local cousins back inside. Here's my God son again, this time with me.
And lest I forget, here's my beautiful daughter Hailey in all of her Easter dress splendor.
I tell you, there's just something great about the circus.
For the last several years my little family has had the privilege of seeing Barnum and Bailey at Philips Arena. Historically we have been guests of a friend and associate with tickets through his company. In fact, it was with my host Aric and his family that I saw the B&B circus for the very first time. This year we moved from an upper suite to seats--no joking-- third row, center ring.
I've always taken some photos of the show but this year they are, if I may humbly say so, better than ever. The total number of shots was over 250 but these represent the best. It creates a story line that really helps highlight the experience.
These are the acrobats from the circus.
 And these are the acrobats we took home after the show. |
| From Barnum and Ba... |
As expected, I rolled out of bed this morning to the dulcet tones of my daughter's voice. I'm now the parent of a 6 year old girl. She had her pick of any breakfast she could have in town: Picadilly, IHOP, Waffle House--anything. Hailey wanted "Papi" to make her french toast. Aww... Life is good!
This post is dedicated to my wonderful daughter Hailey on her birthday. It is also inspired by my "foodie" friend who's blog I sincerely enjoy reading and have tried to emulate in this post.
This is only my 3rd time making french toast. I can say with certainty that I've never felt terribly comfortable in the kitchen. Sure, I love to eat (and it shows). It is easy to appreciate the difference between good and great meals. Suffice to say that learning to cook well was taken for granted. However, when you cook something for your child--even as simple as this--and they love it, you are inspired to make it better.
My first foray into french toast a while back was coincidental: I had eggs and bread, not much else and a little time. I whipped it up and served it to Hailey in a press for time and obligation. She ate it all without even one "finish your breakfast, honey" from dear ol' Dad. Hmm, now that is interesting. I'd made enough and it turns out that everyone in the house had eaten their french toast with no words of encouragement. Cool.
A week or two later I come home and Maria has been to the grocery store on her way home. There, next to the whole wheat and whole grain breads we usually enjoy, is a loaf of texas toast. It does not really register until I open the refridgerator and see a new dozen organic eggs, prominently placed to be noticed. Ahh, gotcha. French toast good. French toast with proper ingredients that Maria does not have to actual cook herself is even better.
So all of the leads us to today. Like last time, I assemble the ingredients on the counter and ease through the cooking process.
I crack two organic eggs into a dish and add 1/4 cup of 2% milk. I whip this vigorously until well mixed. One at a time I soak the toast, first one side and then the other--twice. I place the egg covered toast into a non-stick pan pre-heated to medium. The cooking time is just a few minutes per side.
Off the heat and onto a plate, I add a light coating of powdered sugar and then syrup to taste. Today's batch--my best so far--was received with smiles and appreciation.
Happy birthday breakfast Hailey!
8:45pm on a Friday night. But this isn't any ordinary weekend. No, this is a Hailey birthday/Superbowl weekend extravaganza! Tonight I've already been to the K-1 cheerleader end-of-season party. Fuddruckers may never recover from the chaos that a couple of dozen little girls created.
And folks, that's the warmup.
I fully expect to be up with the sun to either cook or take Hailey a mega-breakfast. It's gonna be french toast or pancakes or waffles or some such. Mmm...
Later in the day will be a gymnastics-themed party with a gym filled with kids. Some of my "dad crew" will be there so it will probably be as great for me as it is for her!
Sunday... Oh, Sunday. Too much to deep-dive into so let's go bullet points:
This morning we went to Hailey's school for assembly. We were there to watch her receive an award for the virtue patience. I have not been to one of these events in a while and it was a real treat. Here's why:
The school gym was filled with exuberant voices of students from kindergarten to 8th grade. As the assembly began they all rose to their feet for prayer and to respond to readings from the Bible. It was amazing to hear these hundreds of children with their voices raised in unison in prayer. Later, as a special treat, the 2nd grade class recited a famous old Irish blessing. Their tender voices were so humble.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
What a day today. The snow was awesome and it deserved to be captured and shared. I would love to take credit for the video and fun but all the props go to Maria.
The music, "Snow" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is a bit loud when viewing the video. Enjoy!
Hailey and Maria were asked to read one of the Prayers of the Faithful in Spanish at IHM's international. The prayers included other moms, dads and students reading in their native languages. There were prayers in French, German, Italian, Swedish and Russian. Hailey did a great job with her prayer. We were all really proud of her.
Sometimes, you just have to ride. On Saturday Hailey and I went to Dublin and Statesboro for a (too) short trip.
Dublin:
My mom came to visit my Granny Hardin and so we were able to get 4 generations together. Granny Hardin was doing well enough for us all to go out for lunch.
Also, Hailey enjoyed the tea set my Mom gave her!
After lunch we all went back to Granny Hardin's house to visit and also to let Hailey play with her cousin Samantha.
Statesboro:
I wish I'd had more time. We got in around supper time so we ate with "Grandpa Frank", My sister and her family. Then Hailey played with her cousins until she gave out while the adults all visited at my parent's house. The next day we stopped by my sister's house to visit before heading back to Atlanta. Hailey was EXCELLENT the whole trip!
Me? Not so much... :-)
Hailey and her classmates enjoyed Field Day last Friday (kind of late in posting). Maria went over there too and took these photos.
I will ask Hailey to give me some commentary on these photos and update this post later. In the meantime, enjoy!
Ahh, one our favorite holidays of the year. Not only does Valentine's Day invoked a sense of love but it's great for kids! Next month all of us adults can get our St Patrick's on.
Here we find Hailey with friends in class playing (maybe it's clean up time).
Now Hailey is showing off her special Valentine's Day headband--complete with hearts!
Lastly, we see snack time! And, yes, those are in fact heart shaped jello snacks being devoured by eager, hungry little Pre-K'ers.
Superbowl--schmooperbowl. We've got BIRTHDAYS!
Hailey had her birthday party today at Jumpin' Jamboree, an indoor play gym. It was GREAT! Here is Hailey way up on top of one of the inflatables.
Later on there was pizza, cake and drinks.
Here is the "oldie but a goodie" song "Happy Birthday (Hailey)"
Happy Birthday Hailey!
We are very proud to tell you all that we have a birthday in our family today!
She is saying, "I am 5 years old today."
My sister and her family came into town today to do a few things around Atlanta related to their home building project. All of that pales in comparison to what we did tonight.
Around 6pm or so we headed up to Discover Mills in Lawrenceville to do something I've wanted to do since it opened: go to Medieval Times. Yeah! So we shell out the big bucks for tickets and head in.
First let me tell you that this place holds about a thousand people. The stage is a giant oval and the whole seating area is only about 6 rows high. That means that every seat is a good seat--Hazzah! Their plates and bowls are metal--and there are no utensils. Everyone inside is in character from the beer wenches to the King. The show is a massively choreographed event meticulously timed to the lights and music. I don't want to tell you the details of the show but suffice to say that the 2+ hour event is pretty cool.
So, advice.
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| From Medieval Time... |
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| From Medieval Time... |
Maria also joined Hailey at Livsey today for their Thanksgiving Program. The photo's in the album show them doing a small production of Pilgrims and Native Americans.
Has it been a year already??
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| From Halloween - O... |
When my son started wearing these I thought it was great. Now that my daughter has one it just can't get any better!
AWESOME!
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