Friday, May 30, 2014

Toohig Tidbits

We were talking about dinosaurs being ‘extinct’ and what that means. “They’re up in heaven? That must be a really big cloud.”

“My favorite color is blonde.”

“Why did God make earthquakes? Mama, look it up on your phone.”

“Lovey makes my feelings come together.”

Funniest words of late: “Stunk” and “sporky-pine”

“Coming right up!” When I asked her why she said that phrase, she said, “Because waitresses say it!”

“Mama, you make all the days better.”

As she sat at the kitchen table eating cereal for breakfast and looking out the window, she said, “Mama, that squirrel is growing weed.” Obviously shocked and confused, I asked her to repeat what she said. She again said, “That squirrel is growing weed.” When I stopped to look out the window, I saw a squirrel hanging upside down off our bird feeder, dropping bird seed into the grass. She’s heard me complain that the seeds grow weeds in the grass, so she was tattling on the squirrel. I giggled about that all day!

Shopping at Hobby Lobby2014-05-14 15.31.30The night Granddaddy gave her the hula hoop

2014-05-12 07.03.13-MOTIONEnd of school cook out at the Garibaldis2014-05-22 19.12.35Goodbye hugs2014-05-22 19.17.34 Our family at the beach- note her side pony and big bow and Daddy’s “beard”2014-05-27 18.01.35 Another family portrait- daddy in green, mama in red, HG in blue2014-05-26 10.46.23 It’s ridiculous that she can play soccer in the heels that I can barely walk in (and sometimes I can’t).2014-05-18 18.04.43-MOTION Butterfly release

The cats are still watching the butterfly cage (on top of china cabinet) even after they are gone. (Please ignore party planning central that’s happening in my dining room.)IMG_20140520_184351920 Opening Bubba’s birthday presentIMG_20140523_114459162 IMG_20140523_114947524 IMG_20140523_122720014 My favorite part is a little after 2:00- “I’m about to turn five”

Playdough is serious business.playdough w bubba The second part of this video is hilarious- HG is the skating instructor, and Spiffer is the student.

2014-05-28 10.39.03Sallie Key stayed with us one day this week. Crafting was a big hit and kept them entertained for almost two hours.2014-05-28 09.36.33   Then to CFA for ice cream!2014-05-28 11.48.412014-05-30 15.22.44-1

Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Day at the Brown’s pool, as usual, and it was Helen Grace and Addison’s first dip in the pool this year. I thought we’d never get them out! HG was being a big girl- putting her face in the water to blow bubbles and then kicking her legs like crazy. She even jumped off the side to John a few times. Let’s hope this swimming momentum continues through the summer!

John and CB grilled burgers and hot dogs and enjoyed our first picnic on the new screened in porch. (Nini and Teddy have switched houses with Emily and CB, and they’ve added on a bit.)

More than the fun of togetherness on this day, we are thankful for the men and women who sacrificed their lives so that we can live in freedom.

2014-05-26 13.22.56 2014-05-26 13.27.10 2014-05-26 13.37.02 Grandma’s hat2014-05-26 13.59.36 And then she CRASHED.2014-05-26 15.39.02

Monday, May 26, 2014

“I’m 5!!”

No surprise. I know y’all are shocked. Helen Grace asked to go to the zoo on her actual birthday, Sunday the 25th. Grandma came along with us too. The morning started off nice, but I swear the temps shot up 10 degrees as soon as we hit the entrance to the zoo.

Since it was her day, we did what she wanted to do…lots of playground time, a carousel ride, lots of water fun at the geyser at Teton Trek, a stop by the Icee cart for a sweet treat, a visit with the sea lions to cool off, a check in with the new baby giraffe, and a run through of the birds’ exhibit.

If this weekend is any indication of her fifth year, BRAVE is going to be her watchword. After being so brave on the ice on Saturday, she was a wild woman in the geyser- like never before. She put her face right down into the thing, and ran straight through the middle. Daddy, Grandma, and I all had our mouths hanging open!

Lunch with the crazy monkeys2014-05-25 10.47.14

“I’m 5!!!”2014-05-25 11.12.09 IMG_5877 IMG_5883 2014-05-25 11.31.17-1 IMG_5887 IMG_5889 IMG_5896 IMG_5899 IMG_5901 IMG_5906 IMG_5909 IMG_5910 IMG_5917 IMG_5918 IMG_5919 IMG_5928 IMG_5931 2014-05-25 12.03.10 IMG_5932

I believe this is her first ever Icee.2014-05-25 12.52.08 2014-05-25 13.02.12 IMG_5935 The birds were not cooperating, so John had to take matters into his own hands. And then had to get every other kid a bird too. Sweet daddy.IMG_5937 IMG_5939 IMG_5944

We had Helen Grace’s grandparents over for dinner and cake on Sunday night and let her open their presents. The hits of the night were the sparkler candle, the Just Dance video game, and ROLLER SKATES!!!

CF6C3811 CF6C3816 IMG_20140525_185650161 IMG_20140525_185728698 CF6C3830CF6C3842 CF6C3855 CF6C3858 CF6C3863 IMG_20140525_194357416 IMG_20140525_194402196 CF6C3871 IMG_20140525_200820241-MOTION

This video of Granddaddy’s is a great capture of the night’s highlights!

It’s official- she’s 5!!! 9:21 p.m. on May 25, 2014 (and up way past her bedtime)

2014-05-25 21.21.13