The Ball Family

Happy Holidays

2009-12-20T23:33:00.007-06:00

I have been such a SLACKER with this blog!!!! One of my New Year's Resolutions is going to be to keep up with this better! We have been so busy around here, it's just crazy! Manze started preschool this year (K3). She goes ALL DAY and wears a uniform! She has to be at school by 7:45 and she is done at 2:00. She goes to after school until I get off work and pick her up! She has gotten so big and independent! I'm so excited for her but sad at the same time! My baby is growing up! She LOVES her teacher Mrs. Montgomery and we love her too! I went to New York over Thanksgiving with some girlfriends and had a blast (pics to come)! I'm still monogramming away and really loving it! Tommy got a new job at UMC. He is over the Pharmacy and is in charge of buying the drugs for the pharmacy. We are so excited to be on Christmas break and to finally have some time to relax! We had a little elf come visit us for the first time this year and Manze is just enamored with him! She named him Drew Brees...can you tell we are Saints fans at our house! My goal is to catch up with blogging and clean house these two weeks! Here are a few

pictures to start with!

Manze on her first day of Preschool in August!

Teresa and I in Times Square in NEW YORK CITY Thanksgiving week!

Sports

2009-10-01T21:05:00.000-05:00

Top Row: MSU shirt; Paw Print with Cougars monogrammed across, Megaphone
Middle Row: Eagles applique in USM colors; Jersey shirt for a mom to wear with her son's football number appliqued on it; shirt with son's number and school name
Bottom Row: shirt with son's number and school name; MSU Football shirts

Christmas in July Shopping Event

2009-06-27T14:37:00.003-05:00

Click on the picture to make it larger! I hope you can join us and bring a friend!! Copy the picture and post it on your blogs my blogging friends! :o)

Back to blogging

2009-06-15T16:06:00.006-05:00

This summer has already been so busy! After school got out I taught camp invention for a week at my school. Manze started science camp and Mothers Morning Out (MMO). She will be doing cheer camp later this month, then we will be going to the beach next month! I've been a major blogger slacker! I found out at the end of the school year that my teaching license expired in June! I was freaking out! I thought I was okay and that my National Boards would carry me for another 5 years! I was so wrong! So, I've been taking an online class and computer classes offered by my school district! Plus, I'm monogramming away and trying to clean up and organize my house (those of you who know me are laughing at me right now and wondering if I even know how to organize...ha, ha). We've made it out to my parent's house to swim and we've just relaxed! It's been a nice summer so far! Next chance I get I will post pictures of Science Camp and Manze's hair cut (you can tell in the first picture that I had it cut off...to her shoulders).

Manze's first day at MMO with her friends Richard, Wes, and Emma! They all ended up in the same class!

Manze and her teacher Mrs. Julie! Julie teaches with me and I was so excited to hear Manze was going to be in her class this summer!

Here are some misc. pictures! Manze got into my purse (she loves to do that...I really need to hide it) and put on my lip gloss!

Manze and her daddy made me a cake for Mother's Day!

Dance Recital

2009-06-15T15:38:00.010-05:00

Manze took dance for the first time at Miss Rhonda's and had a great time. She had her recital a couple of weeks ago and it was intersting. During rehersals she danced away. In the audience before she went on stage, she danced away. On stage, she STOOD STILL!!!! After the recital in the parking lot, she danced away! Go figure! Tommy and I were very proud of her and she looked precius in her "Sleeping Beauty" tutu!

Manze and Emma dancing in the audience

She was not happy that I had to leave her backstage before she went on, so I told her if she stayed back stage like a good girl I would get her ice cream after her recital! See next picture for results!
Happy face now that she gets ice cream!

Here she is on stage doing the one thing she did (sleeping like sleeping beauty)

Poppy brought her roses

Mommy, Daddy, and Manze

Dancing in the parking lot

showing off her trophy and roses

Eating her ice cream that was promised!

Swim Lessons

2009-06-15T15:17:00.005-05:00

Manze took swim lessons with Miss Lou again this year and had a blast! My parents built a pool at their house last Spring so we have been swimming a lot since last summer! I was so proud of Manze and how well she was swimming...she was a certified fish!

Manze and Emma

Minnie had to come to swim lessons and watch Manze!

Giveaway

2009-05-25T21:14:00.007-05:00

I'm having a giveaway at my monogramming site, Ballpoint Designs! If you would like to win an appliqued/monogrammed shirt or tank go to my site and enter to win! The winner will be announced Friday! Here are some pictures of things I have done recently!

Prom 2009

2009-05-08T18:50:00.003-05:00

Here is my niece Alexa and her date at prom this year! She is a Senior and is graduating next Saturday! I can't believe it!!!! She has grown up so fast and is so beautiful! She will be going to Western Kentucky (WKU) in the fall and is so excited!!!!

Catching up...

2009-04-22T21:33:00.002-05:00

It has been very busy at the Ball household! School is winding down, YAY, Manze is finishing up dance, and the weather is beautiful! My niece, Alexa, graduates from High School on May 16th and Manze has her dance recital on May 17th where they will be dancing Sleeping Beauty! We have a lot to look forward to! I tried to catch up a little, but I still have more to add eventually! I hope everyone is doing well...only 23 1/2 days until school is out! YES, I'm counting down! I can't wait until summer when I can relax, sleep in, and play with Manze!

Roller Skating

2009-04-22T21:29:00.006-05:00

Manze went roller skating for the first time and LOVED it! I had to carry her out of the skating rink kicking and screaming and crying! Her friend Neely turned 10 and had a skating party! Neely and her friends were so sweet and took Manze out skating holding on to her hands! Poor thing, she would skate a little, fall to her knees, skate a little, fall to her knees, and so on! It was so cute and hilarious! I was laughing so hard I was crying!! I thought she would be tired of it but she LOVED it! I loved how cute her little skates were! We'll definitely be going back!

Easter

2009-04-22T21:27:00.003-05:00

Great friends! Here are Claire, Manze, and Emma in their matching bunny shirts I made at the babysitter! I have som great Easter pictures on my mom's camera! When I get a hold of those, I will post them! Manze started off the Easter holiday at an Easter egg hunt at Claire's house, then we headed to Oxford to spend the holiday with family!

Spring Break 2009

2009-04-22T21:14:00.012-05:00

For Spring Break we went with our good friends Jason and Teresa and their son Caden to Mexico Beach, Florida! We took along our awesome babysitter Lexi and had a blast relaxing. The weather was gorgeous and the water was so clear and blue! One day while we were sitting on the beach, a bunch of dolphins started jumping out of the water! It was like they were giving us our own personal show! One got so close to us, we couldn't believe it! Of course, Teresa, Lexi, and I are huge Twilight fans so we bought the movie in Florida the day it came out and watched it that night! It was a perfect ending to a perfect vacation!

Manze is ready for the beach!

Sunbathing

She LOVED to play in the water!

Here we are at Margaritaville in Panama City

me and Teresa

Tommy, me, Teresa, and Jason

Manze "bungee jumping"

Manze is ready to go crabbing!

St. Patrick's Day at Mrs. Beth's house

2009-03-14T14:53:00.002-05:00

The kids had a blast at Mrs. Beth's house celebrating St. Patrick's Day early. They ate greem cinnamon rolls and I made the kids matching shamrock shirts! They are so cute!!

Happy Anniversary

2009-03-09T22:53:00.003-05:00

Seven years ago today Tommy and I were married! Now, we have a beautiful little family! Its been a great 7 years...I can't wait for 7 more!

A picture is worth 1000 words...

2009-03-07T12:58:00.002-06:00

The other night after I got Manze out of the tub, she ran off streaking through the house! A few minutes later Tommy brought her to me looking like this! She had taken her potty seat and put it over her head and couldn't get it off! LOL! It was hard to get off too!!

GIVEAWAY

2009-02-25T23:27:00.002-06:00

I'm having a giveaway on my monogramming blog! Check it out...go to Ballpoint Designs and sign up right away! Here is an example of what you could win:

What really happened on the Hudson...

2009-02-18T20:57:00.002-06:00

Friends

2009-02-15T13:32:00.003-06:00

Here is a group picture of the kids at Mrs. Beth's on Valentine's Day! I LOVE how they are all holding hands! They have been together for 2 years now and are all the same age (they all have birthdays very close to each other). They have become such good friends and will all be heading to K3 preschool together next year!

L to R: Manze, Emma, Claire, Wes, and Richard

tutu

2009-02-10T22:03:00.010-06:00

Manze and her friend Emma go to dance (ballet and tap) each week. They both got big fancy tutus for Christmas and they wore them on the same night not too long ago! Manze really wouldn't pose for my sister, but she got some fun pics! The collage is from Cindy's camera after dance!

Manze and Mommy (no, I did not just get Botox in my forehead, I was just raising my eyebrows when my sister took this picture) :o)

getting ready

More Birthday...

2009-02-01T21:43:00.016-06:00

I finally got around to posting Manze's birthday pics from 2 weeks ago! It was a fun filled weekend. It started off on Friday celelbrating at Mrs. Beth's house (her babysitter), Saturday was her party at Punp it Up, Sunday (her real birthday) we had lunch at El Potrillo and they sang to her and put the sombrero on her head, then Sunday night we went over to my parent's house to celebrate! Monday morning she wanted to know why we weren't singing Happy Birthday to her! LOL!

Friday morning in her crown...on the way to Mrs. Beth's house

celebrating at Mrs. Beth's house

PUMP IT UP

This picture cracks me up. They had to watch the informational video (like they really understood it) and they were all intently watching it!

Playing at Pump it Up

Tommy at Pump it Up...he was all over the place playing (by himself at times or dueling with Troy)...I asked him, "Whose birthday is it, yours or Manze's?" We know where we're celebrating his birthday this year! LOL!

Family Picture

cake and presents

Celebrating at my parent's house

My sister got her a rock star outfit! She LOVED it!!!!

Wearing the sombrero at El Sombrero

Happy Birthday Manze

2009-01-18T15:47:00.009-06:00

On January 18, 2006 Manze was born! I can't believe 3 years have FLOWN by! Our precius baby is growing up so fast! She is such a sweetie and we love her so much! Here are some pictures of her on each birthday so far! I have some fun pictures to add to a later post about her party and more!

Manze on the day she was born

1st birthday

2nd birthday

3rd birthday

CATCHING UP!!!!

2009-01-01T21:07:00.017-06:00

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a relaxing holiday! I know I have and it's going to be so HARD to go back to work on Monday! We enjoyed ringing in the new year with our friends Jason and Teresa in Vicksburg. We gambled, won some money, then danced to Dr. Zarr's Amazing Funk Monsters. I now finally have some time to sit and blog about what we've been doing! I've crammed everything into one loooong post, so beware! What have we been up to?? I was very busy monogramming and getting orders out for Christmas, so I am now taking a much needed rest before I begin again! Manze loved seeing Santa this year (the past two were quite traumatic = pics to come). Santa came to visit Manze (after we told her if she didn't go to sleep he would pass by her house....she immediately went to sleep)! As you can see, he left her some great things (almost all PINK, which is what she requested this year = pink presents). We enjoyed being with family and friends during the holidays and resting up for the new year! Oh, and my parents celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on the 28th! Amazing!

Manze's loot Santa left her!

Manze running in to see what Santa brought!

playing with the cash register and pizza set

riding her new Radio Flyer tricycle

playing dress up in her pink tutu and pink headband

posing in her pink princess dress and pink headband

Riding the tricycle in her dress up clothes

DINNER WITH FRIENDS

Our good friends Jason and Teresa had us over to thier house for dinner before Christmas! We had a blast and Manze made a new friend, Avery! We played Rock Star...Tommy and Caden played guitar, Jason played drums, and Doug sang (he sings in Dr. Zarr's so he was automatically handed the mirophone). The guys were very serious and the rest of us enjoyed dancing and singing along (especially the girls).

Manze and Avery

Doug, Caden, Tommy, and Jason playing Rock Star

Manze grabbed the mic and sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Caden and Tommy = so serious

Tommy attempting to sing!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LEAVE AN ALMOST 3 YEAR OLD ALONE

One night after dance I realized how quiet it was. Manze is a ball of energy, so if it's quiet it meand she's into something she doesn't need to be into! I found her with the contents of my purse scattered on the floor enjoying a bag of M&M's she found in my purse!

You would have thought we would have learned our lesson! Nope! Another quiet moment found Manze with my lip gloss and mascara all over her face and her doll's face because "my dollie needed make-up too!"

Snow Day

2008-12-12T22:32:00.005-06:00

Yesterday, we were under a winter storm watch! I thought for sure we wouldn't go to school. I waited and waited for my phone call, but it never came. I woke up to torrential rain and still wondered if I might get the phone call...nope. I drove (swam) to school. The roads were flooded. I knew it was going to be a crazy day! Around 8:30 it started snowing...huge cotton ball size snowflakes. My students were all going crazy! I let them bundle up and play outside for about 5 - 10 minutes (it was COLD). The whole time I was so sad I did not get to spend this moment with Manze. You see, last year it snowed too...the day after her birthday on her birthday party day! We were running aroudn trying to get ready for her party and get there, we didn't get to play in the snow. I thought de-ja-vu...I'm missing another snow day with her! We ended up dismissing school at 11:30 (total craziness calling all the parents and getting the kids home in the sleet) and when I got to my car I had to get all the snow off before I could get in. I picked Manze up and we headed home. By that time it was sleeting bad and we could not play in the snow. Later Mrs. Beth (Manze's babysitter) e-mailed me these pictures. She took them outside and all the kids LOVED the snow and couldn't get enough of it. I hate I didn't get to play with Manze in it, but I'm glad she was able to get out in it! These pictures do not do it justice. When I got to my house it looked like a winter wonderland...too bad I didn't get a picture...I need to get on the ball!

Manze and Wes in awe of the snow

Manze, Claire, and Wes watching the snowflakes fall

What I've been up to....

2008-12-09T21:20:00.009-06:00

I've been busy monogramming, appliqueing, and more! You can tell Christmas is right around the corner! I have literally come home from school, turned my machine on, and monogrammed until about midnight every night! I am so excited and having a blast! I appreciate all the orders I've gotten! Check out my website at: http://ballpointdesigns.blogspot.com/ to see more! Let me know if ever need a monogram, applique, or more! I have other items like sports bottles and linen hand towels too!

The Advent Calendar

2008-12-07T22:39:00.006-06:00

When I was growing up, my dad always brought an Advent Calendar back from overseas to me. I loved celebrating Advent and opening the doors each day to get a piece of chocolate. If you dont know, Advent is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus...or the period immediately before Christmas. I decided to start this Christmas tradition with Manze this year. Her cousin Loo Loo (a.k.a. Alexa) gave Manze an Advent Calendar and we started it on December 1st! It was hard to explain to Manze that she could only open ONE door and eat only ONE piece of candy. Once she got over that fact, she had a blast! Here she is with her calendar!

opening the door

Here's my candy!!

YUMMY!!

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-12-07T22:23:00.009-06:00

This Thanksgiving we went to the country (Shubuta to be exact) and I'm not kidding about the name! My dad's side of the family is from Laurel and Jackson and his dad grew up in Shubuta! Before we could travel to the country, my wonderful photographer (Melanie Thaw) took a family photo of everyone (me, Tommy, Manze, my parents, my sister, my niece, and my brother and sister-in-law) for my mom. We were ALL in town for once and that was the only time we could take it. Melanie is awesome! Not too many people would get out on Thanksgiving Day and do that! After the picture, we all headed to Shubuta for some family time and great food! Manze had a blast hanging out with all her cousins (especially Macon who is 18 months old). Macon's mom Michele and I are the same age. When we came for Thanksgiving one year, we sat at a small white table eating our lunch. The table is still there, so we had Manze and Macon sit at it so we could get pictures! It was so cute! Manze is in love with my brother and follows him everywhere...she does not let him out of her sight! The whole time she said, "Where is my Bucky...I want my Bucky...that is MY Bucky!" She loves her Uncle Bucky and Aunt Amy and we are so glad they were able to come for Thanksgiving!

Manze and her Uncle Bucky

Manze at the little table

Manze and Macon

Twilight

2008-11-25T21:56:00.006-06:00

My niece (Alexa) and me at the movie (for the 2nd time) wearing our TEAM EDWARD shirts!

Twilight = if you haven't started reading the series, start NOW!!!! It is incredible! If you are not sure you will like the vampire thing, trust me...you will! It's not what you think and I have not been able to put the books down! I'm almost done with the third one and will immediately have to go buy the fourth! My friend Poppy got me into the series. I could not put Twilight down and when we would get to school, Poppy and I would talk about it all day long!! I made my friend Lori read it and she was reading at her desk during her breaks. Now, I got my friend Teresa reading it too! It's that good! Well, the movie opened Friday and I, of course, went to see it! I went with a couple of other teachers and we met other people there too! Lori and I rode with Poppy and we couldn't get there fast enough! We decided to go to Malco since they have the biggest screens. We were the first ones in the theater (I don't think I've ever been that early to a movie before). We actually go kicked out while they cleaned the theater real quick! We all LOVED the movie! The book was better (but what book isn't better than the movie) and they did leave stuff out for time purposes, but how could you get upset when you could look at Rob Pattinson the whole time (I think the whole theater erupted in squeals when he came on the screen the first time)! Ahhhhhh! After reading about the movie...it was a low budget film produced by a low budget company. They had no idea it was going to become the hit it has. I think that will make the other 3 longer and keep more with the book knowing all the rabib Twilight fans out there! When we got back in the car, Poppy's daughters said that me, Lori, and Poppy were acting like a couple of teenagers over the movie! Hysterical! Well, I loved it so much that I'm going AGAIN, TONIGHT!

Robert Pattinson a.k.a Edward Cullen

Edward & Bella

The cast

Ballpoint Designs

2008-11-16T16:54:00.001-06:00

I have started my monogramming business, Ballpoint Designs! I would love to mogram for you! Check out my website by clicking on the picture or the name above! Leave me comment, e-mail me, or call me if you would like something done! Remember, Christmas is right around the corner!

Halloween with "Super Manze"

2008-11-03T20:51:00.009-06:00

Trick-or-treating this year was the night before Halloween in our county. They changed it because of all the High School football games on Friday night (Friday Night Lights)...that's what happens when you live in a "football consumes our lives" part of the country! LOL! So, Manze was able to trick-or-treat in Flowood on Thursday night AND Ridgeland on Friday night (they kept trick-or-treating on Halloween)! TWO nights of trick-or-treating...you can't beat that when your two-and-a-half! Manze was "Super Manze!" She looked so cute in her costume! Thanks to Brittany who found a toddler size Superman cape at Six Flags and brought it back to me for Manze's costume! How sweet was that!!!! It MADE the outfit! I got to work on my monogram machine and monogrammed "Super Manze" on the back of her cape and monogrammed M's on wrist bands that I made and a red jacket! She was a stylin Superhero! She had superhero boots and all! She was running all over the place and HAD to ring the doorbell at every house! The big kids that were with us got to the door and waited for her to come so she could ring the doorbell! How sweet!!!! She had a BLAST!

Happy Halloween

Carving a pumokin with Daddy!

"Super Manze" striking the superhero pose! (Don't know what was wrong with my camera)

The next night of trick-or-treating, striking the pose! She had been jumping in the space jump so her hair was a mess!

If you look real close you can see the monogram...every pic there was a glare from the shiny fabric of the cape!

running all over the place

Carrying all her loot home!

Halloween at School

2008-11-03T20:46:00.004-06:00

For Halloween this year, the 2nd grade teachers dressed up as punk rock stars! We all went to Walmart together the night before and got our outfits and accessories! The kids LOVED it and thought we were so cool!! We have way too much fun together! Pictured (L to R): Lori Murrah, Jennifer Gordon, and me!

Miss Nelson is Missing

2008-10-18T22:09:00.002-05:00

Every year we read the book Miss Nelson is Missing! It is one of my favorite books! Basically the story is about a teacher who is fed up with her kids not following the rules so she dresses up as Miss Viola Swamp and comes to the classroom and whips the kids back in shape! Every year the 2nd grade teachers dress up as "The Swamp" and pretend we are missing. We let the kids come into the room in the morning and get started on their morning work, then we all go bursting in the room! The kids LOVE it and when I come back as myself they tell me all about what Miiss Witchington (that's my swamp name) did! It's hilarious! Here is the picture from this year!

FOR SALE!!

2008-10-14T21:18:00.003-05:00

Santa brought Manze this Lifestyle Grand Walk-In Kitchen for Christmas. We thought it would be great for Manze and she has LOVED it, but it takes up too much space. If we had a playroom, it would be perfect in there, but we don't! It's not a year old yet and in great condition. Listed below are all its features. It retails for $259.99+tax. We would like to sell it for around $130.00...that is over $130.00 off! If you are interested in buying it, let me know!

Attached dining area includes 11" stool
3 electronic features: microwave, stove top, and phone
"Oak hardwood" foam flooring provides realism and comfort
Over six feet of "granite" counter tops provide space for cooking and dining
Large sink with swivel faucet and push button
"Stainless steel" appliances enhance play and provide extra storage space
Acessory set
Durable poly construction wipes clean easily and lasts for years
'Inside' Dimensions: 23" x 25"
Requires 4 AA and 2 AAA batteries (included)
Adult Assembly NOT Required (it's already set up)
Made in USA of US and imported parts (some accessories, phone, silver doors and faucet made in China; foam floor made in Taiwan)

More Monogramming

2008-10-05T20:29:00.010-05:00

I've been doing a lot more monogramming and practicing! I'm having fun (except for when I mess up, LOL) and the next thing I'm going try are appliques! Here is some stuff:

Mt little model modeling her new shirt! The bows in her hair are were made by my friend Jennifer of Bowhead Hairbows!

posing and saying "cheese!"

These shirts were done for Richard to wear to his Daddy's High School Reunion!

fleece blanket

Big girl mattress...bed...

2008-10-05T20:16:00.006-05:00

Manze is growing up right beofre our eyes...it's sad and exciting at the same time! Last Friday, Tommy called me and said he was taking the crib down...it was time for Manze to have her big girl bed! I was working late and thinking...this is not the best time, but okay! I was too tired to stop by Walmart and get a rail for the bed, so we decided to let her sleep on her mattress and she how she liked it! Tommy said when he was taking her crib down, Manze was so excited and kept saying she couldn't wait for her beautiful bed! Well, she slept great in it that first night (never tried to get out and come to us) but nap time the next day was a little harder. I had to lay down with her and when she finally went to sleep I snuck out! That night she slept in it great again but Sunday nap time was a whole other story. Manze did NOT want to take a nap. Tommy and I were not too excited about having to lay down with her and after a while told her she needed to go to sleep like a big girl! She sleeps on a mat at Mrs. Beth's house, so this should be easy right?? NO! I swear she turned into Linda Blair from the Exorcist...she was screaming and crying uncontrollably and the worst was when she started throwing herself on the floor and against the wall to get us to come back int he room! OH MY GOSH! I almost fainted! What had come over her???? Tommy and I were beside ourselves. After going through this for over an hour, I finally laid down with her. She went to sleep only to awake to the ice maker. I just put her in our bed at that point...I was spent! That night we decided to move her nig bed in her room to see if that would make a difference! She's doing better, but must have one of us lay down with her to go to sleep (nap and nighttime). If anyone has any suggestions on how to handle this, I'm open!!!!

her mattress bed

she was pretending to be asleep

her big girl bed (we still have to hang her stuff up correctly)

posing on her bed!

First Major Haircut

2008-10-05T20:05:00.006-05:00

On Thursday, Manze got her first major haircut! She's gotten her bangs trimmed a lot and the split ends just trimmed off the back, but it was time for a haircut! Once we got our beach pictures done, I was okay with getting it cut! We went to Michelle and she cut off 2 1/2 inches! Manze was so excited! I almost fainted when she made the first cut (it seemed like so much)! I never thought I would be one of those moms who got upset over a haircut, but I guess I did! I know it will grow back and I'm even thinking of going shorter next time! Manze did a great job and was so excited! Here are some before and after pictures!:

Manze Before

Before

Getting her hair cut by Shell (Michelle)

After

It might not look too different, but she did get a lot cut off and it looks so healthy!

"Super Manze"

2008-10-03T16:51:00.003-05:00

A couple of weeks ago Manze was playing and ran to me and said, "Mommy, I not Manze...I Super Manze...blast off!!" I laughed so hard and wondered where she came up with that! Now, she wants us to call her "Super Manze"! Here is a conversation from the other night:

Me: "Manze, let's go brush your teeth!"

Manze: "Mommy, I not Manze...I Super Manze!"

Me: "Okay Super Manze, let's go brush your teeth!"

Manze: "Okay Super Mommy!"

Since she is obsessed with her new alter ego, I decided that she will be "Super Manze" for Halloween! When I asked her about it she got so excited and has been telling everyone! I have some really cute ideas for her costume that is going to be a group effort to make...thanks in advance Mom (a.k.a Mimi) and Aunt Tyler!

I've been Monogramming!!

2008-09-14T20:46:00.010-05:00

Yes, that's right...I've been monoramming!! Right before school started, I bought this awesome monogramming machine from Renee Guest at Baby Face Designs! She had to get rid of her machine to focus more on her paper business, so I jumped on the opportunity to buy her machine! My friend, Cathy, came over one day and turned my machine on and helped me get started (she has a machine exactly like mine). I've been taking classes on Saturdays and have had a blast learning how to use my machine and monogram some cute things! I keep expanding my inventory and keep learning new things on my computer program! My goal is to start a small buisness monogramming! I'm almost there!!!! Here are some cute shirts I've been playing around with!

Manze came up to me last night, carrying this shirt, and asked me if I would make something for her! :o) So, I did! There is a small spot on it...I have no idea where she found the shirt or what she got on it!

Here she is modeling her new shirt!

I took this picture of Manze with her bow! My friend, Jennifer, is making bows! It is called Bowheads Hairbows! Right now, she just has a family blog...but go to her blog and get her contact information if you want any bows! She has made me tons of cute bows to match outfits for Manze!

DANCE

2008-09-02T23:10:00.012-05:00

Today, Manze started dance class (tap and ballet) at Rhonda Whiteheads! She was so excited! When we got home we excitedly got dressed (Mommy was very excited too) and took some pictures to document our first day of dance! I can't believe how fast my baby girl is growing up! She is such a big girl now! After pictures, we trudged out in the pouring rain to meet Emma and Lainee...they are all in dance class together!

Here she is posing in her leotard!

look at that sweet smile!

I just had to do a bun!!

Manze and Lainee

Emma and Manze

They lined up and formed a choo choo train and choo chooed out the door to the dance room. We watched them on the T.V.

After dance, we ate dinner with Emma and Cindy at El Sombrero! Emma was hamming it up for the camera! Check out those big blue eyes...I bet she gets away with anything at her house once she bats those eyes at her Daddy! LOL! She was acting sad because Manze had gone to the bathroom and she was wanting her Manze to come back! Check out the mega ketchup stain on her leotard...the ketchup ended up there instead of her fries! Life with a 2 year old...gotta love it!

Here is Emma eating away at the lemon from Cindy's water and loving every minute of it!

We can't wait until next week! We had a blast at dance! Manze is now Angelina Ballerina all over the house! :o)

Beach Pics

2008-08-28T22:53:00.006-05:00

When we went to the beach in July, we had Melanie Thaw take family pictures! Melanie has been taking pictures of Manze since she was 9 months old! When she e-mailed and told me she would be at the beach in July, I quickly made my reservations for the same time so she could take pictures of us! We LOVE her and she is so patient with Manze (who does not know the meaning of sitting still and posing...but we get great candids that way)! :o) I scanned these pictures, so they do NOT look as colorful and vibrant as the real ones!

All photos by MELANIE THAW

Happy Birthday Claire!!

2008-08-28T22:47:00.003-05:00

Our sweet friend Claire just turned ONE!!!! Manze had so much fun at her birthday party jumping on the space jump!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE!!!! We love you!!

The Zoo

2008-08-23T20:48:00.008-05:00

Tommy and I took Manze to the Zoo right before I went back to work. This was her first time to the zoo (Tommy was insistant that I wait nad take her when he could go too). Our little zoo is pretty sad. First, it's not in the best part of town, then they were missing some animals (NO bears, and Manze really wanted to see a lion...not there or a tiger). The other animals were kinda dirty. They are doing some renovations, so maybe it will get better. Manze had a great time, so that's all that counts!

Family Picture

Manze and Mommy riding the carousel
Posing in front of the elephants (Manze said, "Oh Mommy they are SO DIRTY, they need a bath!) LOL!

Here is Manze acting like a "mingo" as she called them!

posing in front of a snake...EWWWW!

Manze and Daddy!

Click on the collage to see more!

Geyser Falls

2008-08-23T20:14:00.009-05:00

The weekend before school started, we went to Geyser Falls! We had grand plans to meet The Odoms and The Lee's and all hang out together, but it didn't happen as planned. We saw The Lee's in passing once and got to hang out with The Odom's at the end. It was VERY crowded...I need to remember NOT to go the weekend before school starts ever again...I think everyone was getting one last visit in before summer ended! It was very expensive to get in and to eat, so we decided we would do it all and get our moneys worth! Manze had a blast and at the end we went to the big slides for the kids and she LOVED going down the slides...she kept wanting to go again and again and again! Here are some highlights from our outing:

In the toddler area Manze was running through the water!

Here she is going down the slides in the toddler area (these were not the big slides I mentioned earlier)
She LOVED the lazy river...here she is floating on her back with Tommy!

Manze and Hayes had fun going down the slides together. Here is Hayes grabbing her hand and then they walked up the steps together! SO CUTE!!

Here is Brittany and Hayes (Caroline didn't want to pose) and me and Manze right before we left to go home!

Compilation of Funniest News Slip Ups and Bloopers

2008-08-15T20:35:00.001-05:00

Hilarious bloopers! Pause my music to hear!

2008-08-06T21:26:00.002-05:00

Manze loves to watch "the doggies" (101 Dalmations) at my parent's house. Tonight she was watching them with my sister when I walked in the room and started laughing! She decided she needed to sit under her umbrella as she watched them! She is too funny!

Manze's dolls and shoes

2008-08-06T20:00:00.005-05:00

Manze LOVES playing with her dolls! She feeds them, changes their diapers, dresses them, and even occassionally has to put them in time out! Here she is with a few of my old cabbage patch dolls at my parent's house! She insisted they sit in the bed with her!

I think Manze is going to adopt my shoe fetish! I went through all her shoes and and put the too small ones in a box. My sweet mother then came and brought them to her house to store! She definitely has a pair of shoes to go with every outfit!

These are all the too small shoes!

Manze's "wave runner"

2008-08-06T19:54:00.004-05:00

Aunt Tyler is the motor!

Manze LOVES her new "wave runner" that she can ride at Mimi and Poppy's house!

Prayers

2008-08-01T21:37:00.003-05:00

Okay all my prayer warriors, I need you! Please pray for my sweet friend Cindy! Manze and Emma are such great friends themselves and their family needs your prayers! You can read here!

Family Beach Trip 2008

2008-07-22T15:34:00.011-05:00

We just got back from our family vacation to the beach and we had a great time! We went with our friends the Gordons (Chris and Jennifer and their girls Taylor and Lainee). The girls had so much fun playing together and we were having such a good time we decided to stay an extra day! We brought along our babysitter (best money ever spent) Victoria, and she was wonderful! We were able to go out to dinner with Jennifer and Chris by ourselves two nights and she stayed in the condo while they took their naps and we had our time on the beach! We ate wonderful food, took the girls "crabbing," and had a relaxing time! Manze loved the beach (and the sand, wahoo) and the ocean! She kept calling it "the big swimming pool." We told her it was the ocean and then she kept calling it the lake! Go figure! Melanie Thaw took beach photos of our family and I can't wait to see them and post some pics! We can't wait to go back! I have several posts on our trip! Enjoy the pictures!

Family picture

The girls: Taylor, Lainee, and Manze

Manze and Lainee at The Crab Trap

Victoria and Manze

Victoria with the girls (Manze, Lainee, and Taylor)

Ready for the pool one afternoon!

Days 1 and 2

2008-07-22T15:29:00.003-05:00

Manze had so much FUN at the beach!

Hanging out!

2008-07-22T15:19:00.004-05:00

Manze and Lainee "posing" with their dolls

taking a capri sun break (or as Manze called them "pretty suns")

relaxing in the pool

Manze LOVED swimming in the pool and got quite comfortable wearing her "water wings" and jumped in the pool a dozen times and swam all over the place! Twice in one day (once in the morning and once in the afternoon) when we took her water wings off to get ready to go inside she jumped in the pool with nothing on to keep her afloat! Tommy and I had to jump in and get her! We had to have a huge talk with her about how she can't swim well yet so she cannot get in the pool without Mommy and Daddy and her water wings! Talk about a panic attack!!!!

Going "crabbing"

2008-07-22T15:08:00.010-05:00

On our last night we ordered take out from The Original Oysterhouse then took the girls looking for crabs! They had a blast and Manze loved playing with her flashlight! It was so much fun to see the looks on their faces!

Manze is ready with her flashlight

Looking for crabs in the sand

Manze and Lainee

We found one!

We found several little ones and one big one!

Manze and Daddy

When we got back she was so tired and went right to sleep!

Driving home

2008-07-22T14:45:00.002-05:00

When Manze woke up on the last day she said, "I ready for the beach and to go swimming!" I had to tell her it was time to go home and we would come back next year! She had a blast and was so tired! Here she is sleeping on the way home!

Sneak Peek

2008-07-21T22:55:00.005-05:00

We just got back from our family beach trip and we had a GREAT time! Good news: Manze LOVED the sand this year! LOL! Here is a sneak peek...more pictures coming SOON!

LAST YEAR (This is what Manze thought of the sand the WHOLE time): which meant....not a lot of time was spent on the beach!

THIS YEAR (she LOVED it!) Whew!

These two cutie pies (Lainee and Manze) had the best time together and played so well!

Mother's Morning Out

2008-07-21T22:50:00.004-05:00

Manze had the BEST time this summer at "school" (Mother's Morning Out) at Lakeside! She couldn't wait to go each Tuesday and Thursday! She is becoming such a big girl! Here are some pictures of her on her last day!

Manze and her wonderful teacher Mrs. Leora

Walking in (looking so big) on her last day!

Another Birthday

2008-07-13T20:55:00.008-05:00

Today I turned 29 AGAIN (as my friend Jennifer would say)! I LOVE birthdays and really get into them...what a great time to celebrate our birth and the wonderful time we've had on this Earth! I start celebrating my birthday early and if it was up to me, I'd celebrate it the whole month of July! Today Tommy told me my birthday had been going on for a week, when was it going to stop!? Monday night Tommy's parents took me to Biaggi's to eat and it was delicious...my first time to go there! Then on Thursday my mom took me to Nick's for lunch. On Friday I had my big birthday bash! 9 of us headed to Vicksburg to see Dr. Zars! It started out a little dirty...when we got to Vicksburg and parked the car we got out and there were a million (no lie) birds flying overhead! We joked around that we better hurry inside before someone gets pooped on and then it happened! I got pooped on...right on the back of my shirt...EWWW! I guess it could have been worse...it could have been in my hair! After I got cleaned up we had fun dancing to the band! They played Come on Eileen, OF COURSE...and we decided to write out their last set for them and requested a ton of songs! I just LOVE 80's music! I had so much fun with these sweet girls and I can't wait to do it again!!!! Saturday night my mom and I went to Thalia Mara to see the IBC Reunion Gala! IBC (International Ballet Competition). All those who had won medals in the past came back to perform! They were fantastic!!!! Today Tommy and I took Manze to my parent's house to swim in the pool and when she went down for a nap we kept swimming, then we went out to eat with my dad! It was GREAT and I guess it will have to be all over tomorrow! There's always next year! I am so greatful for another year, my sweet husband, my beautiful daughter, my parents and sister and brother, and all my wonderful friends! THANKS for making it another great year!

The group: Front (L to R): Jennifer, me, and Crystal

Back (L to R): Teresa, LaDonna, Stacy, Mandy, Laura, and Amy

Mandy, me, and Amy (the non car sick riders) riding in the way back on the way to Vicksburg

Manze playing with the tambourine the band gave us

Mommy & Manze

2008-07-13T20:51:00.003-05:00

There are hardly any pictures of Manze and me because I'm always the one taking the pictures! So, tonight I decided to get a few! At one point, as you can tell, she started playing with the light! It's hard to get her to smile! She is so sweet and we have had so much fun together this summer!

Sweet Girl

2008-07-13T20:47:00.002-05:00

Kung Fu Panda

2008-07-10T17:18:00.008-05:00

Yesterday Manze and I met Cindy, Emma, Michelle, and Richard at the movies to see Kung Fu Panda. What we thought was a great idea, turned out to be not so great! They all started out sitting in their seats eating their popcorn and watching the movie. Then, one by one they all got down and started playing instead! In the middle of that Manze announced that she needed to go potty! Since we are doing so well I thought it was time to tackle the "public potty!" Ugh, Not a great idea! I took Manze to the bathroom and put about 5 layers of toilet paper on the seat. Then I sat her down telling her not to touch anything. We sat there and sat there and sat there until finally she tee teed the tiniest little trickle you can imagine! She started clapping and yelling YAY! I was thinking all that for this tiny trickle! Then I told her to wait because Mommy had to go and the next thing I know she's laying on the floor! Gagging, I yanked her up and told her not to touch the floor because it was dirty! Gross! Major hand washing went on after that! We go back into the theater and about 2 minutes later she announces, really loud, I have to go potty! It was soon after that we all decided the kids were playing and not watching the movie, so we left early! Better luck next time!

Manze sitting in her booster seat at the movies

Not really watching the movie...you can see Manze crying in 2 pics because I was taking the pics! She wanted me on the other side of the "gate."

This is what Manze & Emma would have rather had, yummy candy!

Potty Training Part II

2008-07-08T16:29:00.003-05:00

Well, potty training has gone SO much better since the last time I posted! Manze has been pottying so well (she still has setbacks) but she is trying hard! Tommy and I told her that every time she went to the potty she would get a sticker and when she got 10 stickers she would get to get a sno cone! She's gotten a sno cone twice! Wahoo!! Of course, we also give a little "potty candy" each time she uses the potty! Now, if I can only be brave enough to leave her in big girl panties all day around the house and tackle a public bathroom (EWWW) we will make great strides I know! Here are some pictures of her actually on the potty this time! Wahoo!

Am I done yet?

Yay...I want "potty candy!"

Dinner Night

2008-07-07T22:12:00.005-05:00

This summer a group of us have been trying to get together and go out to eat at least once a week! Tonight we went to the new Pan Asia and it was delicious! Our waitress was a little flaky, but we had so much fun! This is was a going away dinner for my sweet friend Cathy Cadle Lowe (we all still call her Cadle out of habit) who is moving to Oxford, MS next Monday! :( We will miss her! I had FUN girls! I can't wait until next week! Here is the group that made it out tonight!

me, LaDonna, Cathy, Susan, Teresa, & Crystal

Jellystone Park

2008-07-06T13:14:00.008-05:00

Last week we went with Emma and Wes to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park! The kids had a blast and slid down the slide a million times! Since they closed down Rapids, we have to be creative as to where to go to cool off! Jellystone was a great place to go! You can pull all kinds of knobs and water will come shooting out. Manze loved the water that shot out like a hose and would pull it and stick her face in it! It was hilarious! The water was not deep at all so they could run around in it and slide all by themselves!

Manze, Emma, and Wes posing with Yogi Bear! Wes wasn't too sure about Yogi Bear so he kept his distance!

We sent all three down the "big" slide together!

Manze sliding down backwards

As you can see, they all had a BLAST!

FAFA: fun and funky art

2008-06-25T23:28:00.008-05:00

FAFA: fun and funky art...my business with my friend Stephanie! Many of you know that I paint and many of you don't! Well, for all of you I have FINALLY started a blog for fafa! Just click on fafa and it will take you to the blog! My friend Stephanie and I started fafa about 4 years ago! We started doing the craft show circuit then started sticking to home shows and custom orders! We do some really cool funky art that can be custom made on wood or canvas! We also paint canvases (quotes, birth announcements, names, initials, anything)! Stephanie and I will paint just about anything on anything. You can bring us a picture of what you want or colors or a certain font! If you want it, we can do it! Go visit our blog!!

If you would like to see some of our stuff in person, my friend Tracy Lofton is having an Open House at her house Wednesday, July 2nd from 3 - 7! It is a come and go and will feature, fafa, custom frames by David Peeples, Personally Yours Monogramming, Southern Baby: precious clothes, jewelry by Nikki Dearman, and photography. Just click on the name and it will take you to their blog! Anyone is welcome to come...it is very casual and laid back! We are calling it Christmas in July! If you would like to come and need directions, just leave me a comment with your e-mail address! It doesn't matter if I don't know you...you are welcome to come!

funky circle art

Name plate hanging outside a teacher's room: GREAT teacher's gift

Custom birth announcement to match baby's bedding!

Potty training or bust!

2008-06-21T17:45:00.004-05:00

What's wrong with these pictures you say???? Oh, I know! Manze is NOT on the potty! Okay, here's the deal...Manze LOVES to sit on the potty, but will only sit for a minute then say, "Nothing, all done!" She won't go to the potty for me, but she will go at Mother's Morning Out and when she stayed with at her friend Caroline's house she went for Ms. Brittany! All you potty training pros out there, I need some advice! HELP! Any suggestions anyone??

The Natural Science Museum

2008-06-21T17:28:00.005-05:00

We went to The Naural Science Museum on Wednesday to see the Dinosaur Exhibit and we had a blast! There was one room where they had a bunch of dinosaurs that were made to look real and were moving and making sounds...Manze didn't really like that room...it scared here...that's why there are no pictures of her with the dinosaurs! She had fun wandering around and loved the fish!

"Riding" the frog
checking out the HUGE catfish!

Here she is in front of one of the huge fish tanks!

Swimming Lessons...

2008-06-21T17:14:00.006-05:00

with Daddy!!! They had FUN!

Here are some pics from week #2

We LOVED swimming lessons with Lu Lee...Manze keeps asking when she is going again! I am very impressed with how much Manze learned and how far she came from Day one! I am glad, though that we don't have to wake up and hurry to lessons anymore! Here is Manze when I had to wake her up on our last afternoon lesson! She was NOT happy that I woke her up! Ugh! She likes her sleep like her mommy! :o)

Photo Shoot

2008-06-14T23:21:00.006-05:00

My niece came to visit over Spring Break and I had some pictures taken of her and Manze by Melanie Thaw! Melanie has been taking pictures of Manze since she was 10 months old and we LOVE her! If anyone is looking for a great photographer who has reasonable packages, please let me know and I will give you Melanie's information! She will also be taking family pictures of us at the beach in July and we are so excited!! I finally ordered my pictures from March (I'm a little slow) and I just got them in...I just wanted to share a few! Warning: I scanned them and my scanner isn't that great, so the quality isn't as good as the real thing!!

All Photos by Melanie Thaw

Day Two of Swim Lessons

2008-06-10T21:50:00.005-05:00

After our first day of MMO, we had to come home and take a nap so we would be ready for swimming lessons! Day two started out great! Manze was so excited to get into the water! Emma...not so much! I put Manze's "Safe T Seal" on and her "water wings" and she was good to go! She jumped in was splashing around like a fish! When it was Manze's turn with Lu Lee she got a little mad at her when she made her go under water, but she did everything Lu asked her to do, even if she was gritting her teeth! After Lu was done with her she played with Emma in the water and they kicked together! By then, Emma was loving the water and kicking, blowing bubbles, and "swimming" to her water toy! Emma was Queen of the water today! Yay Emma! Manze, on the other hand, got a stubborn streak in her! She decided she wanted to go up the stairs on the side of the pool! When she did not get her way, she had a screaming fit! So, we ended up leaving early! Maybe she will get over her stair fetish on Thursday! Manze is having a blast and loves the water! Wahoo!

Manze and Emma "swimming" in the water together!

Mothers Morning Out

2008-06-10T14:39:00.004-05:00

Today was Manze's first day of Mother's Morning Out at Lakeside for the summer! Yesterday my friend Cathy monogrammed 2 sippy cups and a lunch bag for Manze to take to MMO! I packed her lunch and got her all ready and was a little nervous about leaving her! I was more nervous than she was! We met Emma and Lainee at the church and we all walked in together. They are both in her class, so I knew she would be excited to see them! I was prepared for Manze to be a little nervous and shy and not want me to leave! Boy was I wrong! She is a very social child...I should have known better! Her teacher couldn't get the gate opened fast enough for her. She ran right in and never looked back! Sadly I walked away but was glad that she was happy and content! When I went to pick her up and she got in the car, I asked her how her day went! She was so excited and told me all about the slide and her friends! As we drove away she said, "I don't want to go home Mommy, I want to go to cool (school)!" I'm so glad she had fun!

Swimming Lessons

2008-06-09T22:58:00.003-05:00

Today Manze had her first day of swimming lessons for Summer 2008! Emma is in her group and they had fun together! Manze is taking lessons from Lu Lee...I call her the Rock Star of swimming lessons! I have been hearing about her for years now from everyone and I'm glad Manze finally gets to take lessons from her! Manze LOVES the water and had a blast! She went right to Lu Lee and was ready to go until she swallowed "freddy the fish"...that would be pool water! Then, she cried a little bit, but Lu Lee kept going and pretty soon Manze was okay and going under water and kicking her legs! Lu Lee put goggles on Manze and I wasn't sure she was going to wear them. I was wrong, and she had to have her "glasses" on the rest of the time in the pool! I can't wait to see how she progresses these two weeks!

Blueberry "pickin"

2008-06-09T22:53:00.004-05:00

This morning we met Cindy & Emma and went and picked blueberries from a co-workers blueberry trees! They girls had a blast and ate more blueberries than they picked!

(click on the collage to make it bigger)

A MUST see...

2008-06-07T10:40:00.005-05:00

Last night a bunch of us went out to eat and to see the movie Sex and the City! It was FABULOUS! I LOVED the series on HBO and watched till the end. I was so excited when it hit the big screen! Even if you did not watch the series, you will enjoy the movie! Go get "the girls" and go see it! I promise, you will love it!

"Going to School"

2008-06-07T09:54:00.007-05:00

Caroline and Hayes came over to play one day last week and Caroline and Manze ended up in Manze's room playing dress up! They each found a back pack and said they were "going to school!" They put their juice cups in their back packs and each found a pair of rain boots to wear! They helped each other put the boots on...it was so cute! They had a blast! Caroline and Hayes...come over to play again!

(About a week later I found Manze's back pack and opened it up...there was her cup with yucky moldy apple juice...you never know what you might find when you have a 2 1/2 year old)

playing "dress up"

"Going to school" with our backpacks and rain boots!

Jumping up and down in our rain boots!

My sweet girl...

2008-06-07T09:34:00.003-05:00

Memorial Weekend

2008-05-26T12:49:00.011-05:00

We had fun at the cul-de-sac! Scroll down to hear about our adventure!

Manze and Lainee

CHEESE!!

Manze and Lainee really getting in to saying "CHEESE!"

Riding on the golf cart (L to R: Madelyn, Manze, Lainee, and Taylor)

Last night (Sunday night) after eating over at Tommy's parents we headed over to the old cul-de-sac (where we used to live) to hang out with our old neighbors and good friends The Gordons! Manze had so much fun playing with Lainee and Taylor (she kept calling her Tyler). They played ball, ran up and down the hill, played with their babies, danced, and the highlight...rode in the golf cart. When Manze got up this morning, the first words out of her mouth were, "I go see Lainee and Tyler and Miss Jennifer and we can play!" She had a blast!

Girls Trip 2008 slideshow!

2008-05-08T21:56:00.004-05:00

Girls trip to Orange Beach!

2008-05-08T21:37:00.003-05:00

For the past four years I have been going on a girls trip to the beach the first weekend in May! The first year it was just me, Tracy, Mandy, and Cathy! We went to West Palm Beach to stay with Tracy's sister! We decided then to make it a tradition! We have a great group and look forward to this time of year, planning the trip in August! This year 10 of us (all teachers together) went to Orange Beach! We had a blast! We usuallt high tail it out of school on Thursday and miss Friday! This year we decided to miss Thursday too! We left at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday and were settled in the condo and on the beach by 1:30! The first night Tracy and Mandy had a little surprise up their sleeves! Matching t-shirts for our first night! We were a little skepical at first, but decided they were cute and it would be fun! Um, good thing we went to the Florabama that night...anything goes there! We decided our cover story for the matching t-shirts would be that we were all cheerleaders on a high school cheerleading reunion! LOL! We were all "Little Miss" something! I was Little Miss Chatterbox...I have alsolutely no idea why they would give me that name! :o) We certainly created a lot of attention! We also found out that Kid Rock was hanging out at the Bama since he was performing at The Wharf the next night! The weather was beautiful Thursday and Friday and we all got a lot of sun! Friday night when we went to eat at Cafe Grazzi who was there eating too...Kid Rock! He was following us...must have been the t-shirts! I got a good look at him and he almost bumped into me leaving the restaurant...he's really a little thing and he was wearing slippers!! He was in a rush to leave because he was late for his concert! The next day it was storming outside so we went to The Wharf and saw the movie Made of Honor...cute! Then we went to the outlet mall to do a little shopping. We topped the night off at Louisiana Langiappe! I had a great time getting sun, relaxing, and spending girl time with some great friends! I'm ready for next year!

Prom

2008-04-26T21:49:00.004-05:00

My beautiful 17 year old niece had her prom last night! She had a ton of fun! Too bad she lives all the way in Nashville! :( Here she is in her dress and with her date! She looks gorgeous! Hmmmm, anyone remember what you wore to your prom or dance way back when?? Definitely not as pretty as the style today! I love you Loo Loo (Alexa)...you look stunning!!!!

She's becoming a BIG girl!!!

2008-04-20T11:05:00.003-05:00

Manze has been sleeping in a pack-n-play at Mrs. Beth's house, but on Friday Mrs. Beth put her on a mat! She did awesome! Mrs. Beth told her that big girls sleep on mats, so Manze said, "Okay, I a big girl Mama Beth," and laid down on the mat and went to sleep! She woke up about an hour and a half later and Mrs. Beth said nap time was not over, so Manze went right back to sleep! I can't believe how big she's getting! It's so sad and exciting at the same time!

Please Pray

2008-04-13T12:16:00.005-05:00

To all my prayer warriors out there...please pray for a student of mine. His name is Corbin Adams and he was diagnosed with Cancer last year. I taught him in 2nd grade and he is now in 4th! The doctors have not given him long to live. He was supposed to go the the beach today for a week courtesy of Make a Wish and he had a bad seizure last night. He is at the hospital and is getting weaker! Corbin is his mother's only child. Please pray for her and that Corbin is not in pain!

*UPDATE: I went to visit Corbin at the hospital today and he was not doing well. Thankfully he was able to rest and he was resting when I was there. His breathing was very labored and his lungs are filling up with fluid. He is not expected to make it past Midnight tonight! When I was visiting his mom and her family were sharing stories about Corbin and they were laughing and it was nice. Please pray for them as they go through this difficult time!

*UPDATE: Corbin passed away tonight, Tuesday, April 14th. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers!

I've been tagged

2008-04-07T21:06:00.006-05:00

Okay, I was tagged a LONG time ago by my friend Jodi to tell 7 things about myself that people might not know! Things have been so crazy around here that I'm just now getting around to responding! So, here goes...

1. I'm an Army brat! I grew up all over and I moved to MS from Chicago! Yes, I was called a Yankee and I said "you guys" instead of "ya'll!" I loved moving around and meeting new people and wish I could have gone more places! There is a whole great big world out there and I can't wait to see more!

2. My sister and brother were born on the same day TWO YEARS APART! No, my parents did not plan that...back then you didn't have a choice! I am 11 years younger than my sister and 9 years younger than my brother and we are all very close!

3. My friend Stephanie and I started a business called fafa (fun and funky art) and we paint adult and children's art! We do some really cool funky art on canvases! I started a blog for fafa but yet to have uploaded pictures...that is a goal of mine!

4. I can get a little OCD at times! Before I go to bed at night I check all the doors like 5 times to make sure they are locked (including the garage), I make sure the stove and oven are turned off if I've been cooking, and I check my straightning iron to make sure it's turned off! Like I said I will do this over and over then when I finally get into bed I will think I didn't check something really well and I'll get up and do it all over again! Weird huh?

5. I have very curly hair, but you would never know it because I straighten it everyday!!!! You would only know it if you saw me when I got out of the shower or were at the pool or beach with me or if I was with you in the crazy hot muggy Mississippi weather! But, I fixed that problem for a while anyway...I got my hair chemically straightened about a month ago! The real test was last week when I was playing a tennis match and I got rained on...more like poured on! Later on as my hair dried, it dried straight! I thought to myself...hmmm that was money well spent! That and my Chi iron (can't live without that)!

6. I LOVE to read! I get obsessive about it! I am a speed reader and I have to buy several books at a time so when I finish one I will have another one immediately! I just watched a Dateline and Oprah special on the two families who had their daughters identities switched, by accident, at the scene of an accident in Indiana two years ago! One family thought they were burying their daughter and in fact she was being cared for by the other family! The book is called Mistaken Identity! I bought the book on a Saturday and finished it that Monday! One of my favorite books I think I've ever read is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult! I could NOT put it down! I highly recommend it! I've learned to be creative with my reading time (since I have a 2 year old and finding time is hard). I read in the bath (that means about an hour bath time)!

7. I'm a big time night owl! I get a second wind about 9:00 and I end up staying up really late! I rarely get to bed before 11:00 or midnight these days! Not always a good idea with a 2 year old running around the house!

One more thing: I HATE elevators...they terrify me!!!!

Now I tag: Michelle, Denny, and Cathy!!!!

Welcome Sullivan Family

2008-03-29T21:09:00.004-05:00

My friend Michelle FINALLY joined the blogging world!!!! WELCOME! Her son Richard and Manze go to the same babysitter and they love each other! Richard told his mom that Manze was his "gurlfriend!" LOL!

Bring The Rain

2008-03-13T12:57:00.004-05:00

I found this blog through another and have been so touched! Please read Audrey's story (Bring The Rain) and send prayers!

Happy Anniversary

2008-03-10T17:20:00.004-05:00

Tommy and I have been married for 6 years and the actual day was yesterday (March 9th). I just learned how to use the scanner on my printer (WAHOO) and I scanned these pictures in. I didn't own a digital camera back then (like I got married soooo long ago LOL!)! Six years later and we have added our precious Manze to our family! We are so blessed!!

Dinnertime is always interesting!

2008-03-03T19:51:00.003-06:00

I turned around at dinner and when I looked back, this is what I found! Hmmmm, what an interesting way to eat your bananas! A true little monkey!

Here Mommy!!!!

2008-03-03T19:23:00.004-06:00

This afternoon I came home from work and was on the computer. Tommy was in the other room and Manze was playing in the living room in her kitchen! The next thing I knew, Manze came running into the office/playroom yelling, "Here Mommy, here Mommy!" and shoved her hand in my face! Pinched between her index finger and thumb was the creature you see below! All I saw was a big black thing with its legs moving a mile a minute! I screamed, slapped the bug out of her hand, and jumped up out of my seat knocking Manze over! She was sprawled out on the floor looking at me like I was crazy, then started crying! I felt TERRIBLE! Poor baby...all she wanted to do was show her mommy a bug! Little does she know her mommy is not a bug, frog, snake, insect kind of person! Now Manze on the other hand can hang with the boys and play rough and tumble and fall and scrape her knee and keep going! That's fine just as long as she is always my sweet little girl with bows in her hair! After the drama, the bug got away only to be found later (hence the picture) as it emerged from wherever it was hiding. Before Tommy threw it out the door, I had to get a picture!

My silly sweet girl

2008-03-02T15:01:00.005-06:00

The Park

2008-03-02T14:57:00.002-06:00

The weather has been so pretty lately so Manze and I met Emma and Wes at the park one day last week! Last year when we went to the beach, Manze screamed when we set her in the sand! I laughed at her rolling around in the sand at the park...maybe that means she'll love the sand at the beach! When it was time to go home, they all "helped" push Wes' stroller to the car! What fun we all have together!

Story Time

2008-03-02T14:48:00.003-06:00

We love going to the library for story time! The other day Manze went with her friends Richard and Emma! They sang songs, listened to stories, played with magnets, read books, and more! Everything is interactive and so much fun!

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-17T21:40:00.003-06:00

Tommy got me some beautiful roses for Valentine's Day! When I got home, he had them in a beautiful vase and was cooking me a delicious dinner! What a wonderful night! I LOVE Nestels Turtles, so he had a few packages of those for me too (can you see Manze's little hands going for the Turtles?!)!!!!

Tent

2008-02-17T21:37:00.003-06:00

Manze went to play at Richard's house one day and LOVED his tent, so she had to get one!

Sleepless nights...HELP!

2008-02-17T21:09:00.010-06:00

trying out the pallet

ending up in bed (didn't want the flash to wake anyone up)

Okay...we have had some rough nights here at the Ball house! For the past 2 - 3 weeks, Manze has woken up EVERY SINGLE NIGHT (except for 2 nights...on the weekend, of course)!! She would wake up screaming and complaining that her legs were hurting! Manze is a very strong willed child and I tried letting her cry it out, but she would cry FOREVER and even make herself sick or cry so hard she'd cry all her air out and pass out! Crazy huh?! Tommy and I were at our wits end! Both of us have to work and we both need sleep too! What to do? Well, I tried putting her in her chair (the one I can strap her in) by our bed, but she's figured out how to get out of it! I tried rocking her back to sleep...wouldn't work! I was determined NOT to put her in the bed with us! My friend Michelle suggested making a pallet on the floor and she LOVED that for a couple of days! So, after we got her calmed down (usually at 2:00 a.m. and settled on her pallet) she would not sleep until one of us slept on the pallet with her (not very comfortable, but sleep none the less). But, she would go back to sleep and I could eventually slip back into bed! Then, one night she decided "NO pallet!" What to do? After a week of no sleep, I was delerious and at the brink of a nervous breakdown! I did the unthinkable...I put her in the bed with us! She went right to sleep! BUT, now when she wakes up she wants in our bed! Yes, she does go right back to sleep, but she's not that fun to sleep with! She's moving all the time and she likes to push me off the bed and steal my pillow exclaiming, "my pillow...Manze's pillow!" Oh my goodness...what do I do???? I should have never put her in the bed with me, but I needed sleep desperately...it was a last resort! Any suggestions will greatfully be accepted!!!! Please pray us at the Ball house!

*NOTE: I did talk to the pediatrician about her legs hurting and she told me it could be growing pains and to give her Motrin every night before bed for a week! No more complaints about her legs hurting and no more Motrin!*

*NOTE #2: For those of you out there who let your children sleep in the bed with you, I am not saying that is bad, I just don't want Manze in my bed until she is 6, LOL! I am all about the saying: "You gotta do what you gotta do!"*

Mommy's make-up

2008-02-17T20:59:00.002-06:00

Don't worry...those are NOT scratches...it's just Mommy's lip liner! As I was drying Manze's hair one night, she opened up my make-up drawer and quickly drew lip liner all over her face!

Ava..."Super Princess"

2008-02-09T12:15:00.001-06:00

A few days ago, it was a year since sweet Ava went to heaven. I stumbled upon Sheye's blog this summer and have truly been inspired by her character and strength and visit her blog often. I can't imagine what she's going through and hope I never have to. Learning about Ava has changed a lot of lives. Read Sheye's blog by clicking on her link and visit Ava's memorial site by clicking on this link.

Vaccuming

2008-01-26T15:12:00.000-06:00

Manze got a vaccum cleaner for her birthday with a detachable dust buster and she has been a cleaning machine! She loves to vaccum...now if only it were real!

Sleepy girl

2008-01-26T15:05:00.001-06:00

I noticed how quiet it was and went into my bedroom to find this! How sweet!

Thing 1 & Thing 2

2008-01-26T14:54:00.001-06:00

Here are Manze & Richard wearing their Thing 1 & Thing 2 t-shirts they got for their birthday!

Come back and play anytime!

Birthday Party at The Play Place

2008-01-22T22:24:00.001-06:00

On Saturday the 19th, Manze and Richard had their birthday party at The Play Place. M & R were born one day apart from each other, so his mom and I decided to have a dual birthday party! It worked out great! Dream Cakes make the cupcakes and smash cakes and the kids enjoyed eating pizza, making new friends, and playing hard!

Here is the Birthday Girl

Look at all the fun we had!

It was a crazy morning getting ready for the party...it SNOWED!!! Manze stood at the window saying, "snow...it cold...pretty snow!" Since we were running around getting ready, I never thought to stop and take her outside to "play" in the snow! I'm so mad at myself! Oh well...I won't make that mistake again! THANKS to everyone who came to the party! Manze had a BLAST!!!!

Party time at Mrs. Beth's house

2008-01-22T22:11:00.000-06:00

Manze celebrated her birthday at Mrs. Beth's house! Mommy brought cupcakes (Suzanne Barnette made the precious ladybug cupcakes) and Richard's mom brought cookies (Richard's birthday was the next day)! The kids ate pizza (Manze's FAVORITE food) and had lots of sugar for dessert! They had fun!

Here is Manze after her birthday celebration...snoozing away!

Manze is 2!!

2008-01-18T22:00:00.000-06:00

Wow, where has TWO years gone?? I can't believe my baby is 2! After a long day (pushing for 2 1/2 hrs...there were 9 babies born in the hopital that day and she was the 9th) Manze Elizabeth Ball came into this world on January 18, 2006 at 4:31 p.m. She was 6 lbs. and 19 1/2 in. long! She has been the light of my life ever since! I thank God for her everyday! Here are a few pictures from her birth and from today!

Here I am in all my glory at 5:00 a.m. getting ready to leave for the hospital to be induced! Manze was taken two weeks early because she was so small and she was not growing and gaining weight like she was supposed to! She was a small baby at 6 lbs. (and is still small and petite) but she is feisty and full of energy! I don't think I slept much that night and I woke up at 4:00 a.m. in anticipation of my sweet baby girl arriving!

Here is our first family picture

At home with my sweet baby girl!

Here is Manze this morning! I told her I wanted to take a picture of her in her #2 shirt and her crown! She said, "okay!" and lowered her head so I could take a picture of her crown! LOL!

I have a 2 year old!!! :o)

Princess Manze

2008-01-17T23:14:00.000-06:00

Manze's cousin Alexa (a.k.a. Loo Loo) sent Manze a princess birthday box in the mail! She sent the sparkling pink shoes, the tutu, a bag of suckers (we had to immediately open one and eat it), a fairy princess wand, colors and a coloring book, and a Hello Kitty movie!!! Boy was she excited to open her package! Here's a huge shout out to Manze's favorite Cousin Alexa! THANK YOU!!