I'm telling everyone I'm four

Last night we took Hadley and her friend Gracie to Red Lobster for a little birthday celebration. Hadley picked Red Lobster because she has a new found love for shrimp scampi. Ever since her PawPaw came up at Christmas and asked her to try it, she has been hooked. The girl can eat her weight in shrimp scampi.
This morning Hadley woke up and was almost in disbelief that she was actually four, she asked, "you mean I'm not three anymore"? Once I got her straight, that she was in fact 4 she kept telling me, "I'm going to tell everyone at school I'm 4." Which she did as soon as we walked in the door.

Today being Hadley's actual birthday the celebration continued. I took doughnuts and fruit to Hadley's school for her class. Ms. Lisa gave her a birthday crown, which thrilled her. I'm not sure how long she wore it, but I know she was wearing it when I left and she told Ms. Lisa she wanted to wear it to the gym to play!!!

Tonight we let Hadley open her presents from Wayne and I. Of course there was some fun practical summer clothes and then the little pink scooter. Which was suppose to be a Christmas present, but because the girl had such a blessed Christmas, we held it back. I can't wait to see this thing scooting down the driveway!!!!

Four Years

Four years ago at this time, I was neatly organizing my desk in anticipation of what I hoped Jo would say at my doctor’s appointment that afternoon. I had just spent the last nine months hugging the trash can on my office floor. My greatest form of entertainment was pressing my fingers into my cankles to see how long until my finger impressions stayed, I was swollen and miserable. To say I was ready to see my little DIVA that made her presence known everyday of my pregnancy would be an understatement. As we sat in the Jo’s office and she looked at my rising blood pressure and swollen legs in dismay, she said, “Folks I think we are going to have a baby tonight.” I was absolutely giddy, beaming, smiling, over the moon and all of a sudden from the sidelines, Wayne says, “So does this mean I’m not going to make the basketball game tonight.” He seriously should have questioned his safety at that point!!!! He did survive that ill timed comment, I was induced that night and he did miss the basketball game, but Hadley made her entrance a little more grand and was born the following morning at 3:00 a.m.

Four years later, I am so grateful that she is a healthy happy little girl.
Four years later, I am entertained daily by her antics.
Four years later, I can’t wait for the next day to see her next milestone.
Four years later, I am amazed that the time has flown by so quickly.
Four years later, I still race to school to pick her up.
Four years later, I dread impending Pre-K and the mark of my baby going to school.
Four years later, I am in awe of the girl Hadley is becoming.
Four years later, I shake my head every time I hear her Sass someone.
Four years later, I pray we are able to manage her strong will without changing her spirit.
Four years later, I love to see the world through her eyes.
Four years later, I crumble every time she gives me her sweet angel face.
Four year later, I know all the lyrics to every Hannah Montana and Miley song written.
Four years later, I smile every time I hear her laughter.
Four years later, I thank God everyday for making her mine.

The Pre-Birthday

Today we went to Hadley's Aunt Mary's house. Her Grannie Sue was there and as a surprise her Uncle Richard and Ms. Lynn. She got to have a little pre-birthday celebration. There were cupcakes before lunch and gifts involved, so this was one tickled little girl. Uncle Richard is showing Hadley how to make spring rolls.

Her she is trying a bite. I was glad she tried a bite, but she quickly decided she would just eat her weight in boiled shrimp.

After lunch it was time for the Wii games, my little Guitar Hero.

Her she is taking her turn on the Wii Fit. She is playing Skiing here, but actually did really well with the bowling. Her hand eye coordination was a little shocking to me, considering the takes after me with her lack of grace.

Here Uncle Richard has picked her up and they are double teaming the soccer game. She had a serious case of the giggles.

The Night the Lights went out in the Valley

Today Stacia and the girls came down and we hung out. The plan was to go eat lunch and then go to a local petting farm. Well we did both, but the petting farm was a bust. It wasn't closed because the gate was open. We got to pet a few of the animals, but there wasn't anyone there. The owners weren't at the barn and they never came down, so we really didn't get to do much there. It is just down the road from the house, so we took the girls home and let them play and watch Princess movies. I love how quickly Hadley has taken to Makaylee and Madison. She is one of those kids that requires a little warm up period and then she is on 100%. With these two she has been on 100% from the start.

After we hung out at the house, we went to a fish fry at the Church. Everyone was having a grand time visiting and eating and then all of a sudden the lights went out in the Hall. Yes, that's right the Night the Lights went out in the Valley. Guess who the culprit was, my kid. For the next 15 minutes we all sat in the glow of the emergency lighting waiting for the lights to warm back up.

From the Carseat to the Driver's Seat

This weekend, I made the mistake of telling Hadley I was going to put her to work. She didn't get to watch cartoons, she was going to help me clean. Did she want to scrub the tub or dust? I expected her to scream in horror and act all girly, she quickly replied that she wanted to scrub the tub. Knowing I couldn't give her the real deal to clean with, I set her up with a bowl of water and a bath cloth and let her go to town scrubbing. Amazingly it held her attention for all of 5 minutes. Ah the days when cleaning was fun, they are long gone for me!!!!


FROM THE CARSEAT TONIGHT
Hadley: Mom when do I get to sit where you and Daddy do?
Me: What???
Hadley: When do I get to sit in yours and Daddy's seat?
Me: You mean you want to sit here and drive the car?[Heart palpatations for me]
Hadley: Yes, I want to drive the car.
Me: [I glance back in horror, then explain] It will be a very long time before you drive honey, you aren't even 4 yet.
Hadley: Mommy just now you weren't watching the road. You remember when you weren't watching the road and you wrecked the car on the way back from Bowman's and I bit my lip and freaked out. You have to pay attention, Daddy wouldn't like that, if you did it again.
[Wow, what a great day a 3 year old backset passenger who is ready to be a driver, clear the road and Lord help me!!!]