Disney World 2010

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Snakes and Skating on a Saturday

Sophie had two birthday parties to attend today.

The first one was at the Nature Center. I don't know whose child this is with a snake around her neck. She is like me in so many ways, but I have never had a snake anywhere on my body.

Okay, get it off me!

Here is my sweet precious girl. She's caring, she's happy, she goes with the flow, she's a delight...most of the time. However, she seems to have inherited some of my not-so-fine character traits. She's a perfectionist and if she can't do something right the first time she gets really frustrated...like in tears frustrated. Sophie has had skates since last Christmas, but the most she's skated in them is back and forth across the garage...very slowly. Skating is one of those things that came naturally to some of her friends at the second birthday party. Not to my right hand/left eye dominant child. She isn't coordinated or confident enough to just go for it. This resulted in lots of falls and lots of tears. Thankfully, unlike in tennis, she didn't give up. She kept skating even with tears rolling down her face. The thing I love about blogs is that we don't usually show that side of our children. My friend commented once that my kids always seemed so happy and well behaved. "Based on what?" I asked her. "On your blog," she said. Well, of course I tend to only highlight the times when my kids are being charming or cute or clever. So in the spirit of keeping up the facade of my blog...here are the pictures of Sophie skating today (during the first 5 minutes) and having a delightful time.

Weekend Pics

Friday Night Fun with Friends

Storytime with Daddy



Finally Warm Enough to Play Outside

We got a surprise package in the mail from Aunt Carol - new P.J.s for Disney World. Sophie LOVES her big girl gown (even though I made her wear long johns under it). JC got some too but before we could get his picture, he didn't get his pants down in time in the bathroom. Oops! Thanks Aunt Carol!

My Dog

Anybody else wish they were my dog today?

I could be curled up on the couch in my snuggie with a good book (see the book she set aside after finishing it?). Little Man doesn't let me do that, though. When she finished her book she curled up for a nap. No one in the house is as spoiled as Gracie.

I'm not a dog person, but I am THIS dog's person. We got her for the kids, but she is my dog. She likes the kids, especially when she gets to sleep in their beds at night (something I NEVER thought I'd let a dog do in my house). She likes Taylor because he plays with her and wrestles. But I'm the one she waits for by the door even when the rest of the family is at home.

My dog

New Year's Rockin' Eve Sandlin Style

Happy New Year everyone! Our kids have been at my parents' house for much of the week. We picked them up yesterday afternoon and were ready to spend some quality family time together. We decided to have our own New Year's Eve party. We started by making homemade pizzas.

Then Sophie wanted to set up her January calendar.

Grammy sent home some noise makers and poppers so we went outside to do those. The kids enjoyed throwing them down and hearing them pop, but Sophie wasn't thrilled with the loud noise the big confetti ones made. I love my new camera. It caught some of the confetti in mid air.

Next Daddy made us a tent in the living room and we got in it and played some games. The kids got quite a few new ones for Christmas.

Then it was time for dessert and our special sparkling white grape juice. Sophie loved being "fancy". Can you tell we were trying to draw the night out???


Finally the kids settled down in the tent for a movie around 8:00. I thought they would fall asleep during it. No such luck. We lay down in the tent with them after the movie and they were wired. We all got the giggles and it was 10:30 before they finally fell asleep.

I am so thankful for this time I get to spend with my family. As I was laying in the tent with the kids Sophie reached over and grabbed my hand as she was trying to fall asleep. I just lay there and held it and thought about what this year might hold for her and her brother. They are both growing up so quickly and I don't want to take a minute of it for granted (though I know I do daily). I know before long she won't want to sleep in a tent on the living room floor with her parents and she won't need to hold my hand as she falls asleep. May you and I treasure each precious moment of this new year.