Monkeys on the Playground

Spring Break '09

For Spring Break, we didn't go to the beach or the mountains or to Disney World like many of our friends. Instead, we made a few short trips and had fun at home too.

On Saturday, we went to the farm with some friends for some hiking, creek stomping, picnicing, and kite flying.

Sunday we celebrated Elise's third birthday with family. Did she like the cake? Yes, very much. Chocolate cake with chocolate icing, per her request. The cats are obviously making an impression on her.

Monday we had a little party at home with Elise's friends and their older siblings. The camera batteries were dead. It didn't matter too much, because the egg-hunting flower-potting party I'd planned had to be reinvented due to the 36-degree temperature outside.

So on Wednesday, we headed South to warmer days and good times with the cousins! The Huntsville Botanical Gardens are great, and very kid-friendly.

This enormous dogwood tree stole the show.

We continued on to Birmingham and stayed with friends (love to baby Emma!), then checked out the zoo the next day. Oh my. Let's just say it needs updating and leave it at that.

I was so thrilled to take my own children to the McWane Science Center where I used to work. Some things had changed (like three new floors of exhibits!) and some stayed the same, but it was fantastic to experience it from the other side of the nametag.

In front of the Gulf of Mexico tank. (Leah is doing "Deep and Wide.")

The girls smashed their hands and faces (and Elise's belly) into the pin boards. Not just once.

We came home and did the church Easter egg hunt Saturday morning (Leah found a golden egg!)

... and went to Cheekwood in the afternoon. How I love Cheekwood! But alas, we did not love their egg hunts. Too many kids fiercely competing for bad candy. And they should really collect and reuse their plastic eggs. Just my opinion.

Getaway in St Louis

In late March, James and I took a little weekend getaway to St. Louis - without the kids. It was the first time in almost seven years we'd had that much time to ourselves! We saw a lot of sights (taking time to READ things and smell the flowers and converse with each other without being interrupted) and packed a lot of fun into just a few days. It was sunny the first day, rainy the second, and snowed the morning we left town. Here are pictures from some of the highlights.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis - It's hard to believe something as grand as this is right in middle America!

St. Louis Zoo

This peacock put on a show for us - twice. Well, once was really for his girlfriend.

It was fun to watch the sea lions catch their lunch as it flew through the air.

Hippos in the pool were getting cleaned by the fish.

The lush aviary had a very Indian atmosphere.

Art Museum

- Amazing, inside and out! James especially loved the Medieval armor display and the Santos. I liked the stained glass and woodwork.

Missouri Botanical Gardens

- One of the best in the nation. Beautiful, even in March!

Inside the biosphere.

Looking down at the maze.

Looking up at the balcony.

Impressive and expansive Japanese gardens.

City Museum

- One of the coolest, most eclectic places anywhere!

We both went down this multi-story slide while live music played on the pipe organ below. It was awesome!

The Story of Cowboy Sam Ross and Lady Elise

Once upon a time, there was a lady named Elise. She fell down and she cried, “Help! Help!”

A brave and noble cowboy named Sam Ross was watering his horse, Diamond, nearby and heard her pleas for help. With one swift move, he swung himself up into the saddle and snapped the reins, causing Diamond to lunge forward. Like a bolt of lightning, they raced to Lady Elise’s side. Cowboy Sam Ross extended his hand and pulled Lady Elise up from the ground and onto the saddle behind him.

She petted Diamond’s mane, and held tightly to Cowboy Sam Ross. “Why Thank you for saving me, Mister,” She said.

“No problem, little lady,” said Cowboy Sam Ross. “A cowboy is always glad to help.”

And together they rode off into the sunset.

Christmas Cheer

Merry Christmas to all!

We celebrated at least five times (with different combinations of family), and were thoroughly filled with joy!

Here's the recap.

We had James' dad and his sisters up to Franklin to exchange gifts, do lunch, and see the sights at Opryland. The kiddos had a great time exploring the twisting maze of paths and making new discoveries around each corner! We later went down to Huntsville for the day to make merry with our family there and enjoyed spending time together.

One of my favorite traditions is our church's Christmas Eve service especially for families with young children. Upon arrival, kids dress up as either sheep, donkeys, cows, shepherds, angels, or wise persons, then participate in worship through a retelling of the Nativity story accompanied by carols. Angels are very popular with the girls!

Of course, there's always time to read our many favorite Christmas books.

Elise's big present was an animatronic kitty cat from her sister. Hopefully this will take some stress off Poppy.

Daddy wanted to get his girls the Barbie Diamond Castle playset because he knew it was what they wanted most. He was well rewarded by their reactions.

Happy New Year from the Whitfields!

Cold hands, warm hearts

Over fall break, the girls and I made a trip to the farm before it became too cold for camping. Now that the cows have been sold and are on their way out, our family is in the process of converting the property to a "rent-a-park" venture, so we spent a lot of our time looking at everything from that perspective.

We found a gigantic see-saw...
started a village of fairy houses...

and generally enjoyed our time out in nature with my parents.

Then we took the girls to Pumpkinfest - our favorite Downtown Franklin festival! The girls went as warmly-dressed Ariels.


Elise had her first pony ride and did great!

We loved seeing our friends' triplets dressed as the Shrek babies, with big sister as Donkey!

And finally, Halloween! It's always a big time in our neighborhood - a virtual parade of kids! We had lots of people over to watch the action and enjoy some Fall treats. This time the girls opted for slightly warmer Sleeping Beauty ("Seeping Bootie" as Elise says it) and Barbie Princess Annalise dresses.