Spelling

Ana's latest passion is to spell. She spells out any word she sees, then asks what it says. Words on street signs, TV commercials, cereal boxes, clothing, packaging, you name it. She knows how to spell a few simple words herself too. Very impressive!

We had a funny exchange today in the car

"Mom, do you want me to tell you how to spell big?"

"sure"

pause

"Mom, how do you spell big?"

"B. I. G."

"Ok'

pause

"Mom, do you want me to tell you how to spell big?"

Determined Swimmer

Ana made a major breakthrough swimming last night. I took out most of the floats in her float suit and she did really well. She swam a lot with the help of a noodle, but when I took her noodle away she managed to swim a ton on her own. She was swimming with her face barely above the water so she kept swallowing water until she suddenly had a realization and said "Hey, if I keep my mouth closed I won't swallow any water"so she swam the rest of the time with her lips pressed hard together. So cute! Of course it still went up her nose, but not as much.

She is also SO tenacious. She did not want any help at all. Even when she was sinking. And she would not give up. She had her eye on the prize (the wall) and was getting there no matter what. She kept telling me "step away from me" and "Don't help me". Once when she tried an overly ambitious swim to the noodle and could not make it and had to turn around I said "Shall I move the noodle closer" and she reluctantly said "Okay, but not TOO close". I am so proud!!

Seven

Anniversary Weekend (first installment)

We had perfect weather to get outdoors and spend some family time together last weekend. On Saturday we went hiking at Factory Shoals and on Sunday we climbed Stone Mountain. Obviously Mum planned these events, but a wonderful time was had by all :)

Happy Anniversary to my dear sweet hubby, the most wonderful husband and father imaginable! xx

Stone Mountain

Ana insisted on bringing "Baby Mia" on our hike. This clearly didn't bode well for rocky terrain. Ana carried "Mia" for about 2 ft. then resorted to dragging her for another 3 ft, then said her legs hurt, then sat down and refused to walk any more.

Cue full on melt-down .....

She cheered up when she finally got her way! Ridin' in style!

Once James' legs could no longer take the strain I told her there was chocolate ice cream at the top of the mountain and she was off.......

Seeking shade!

The self-proclaimed "King of the Rock"

Made it to the top!

Q. Which is bigger? Mummy's ass, or the city of Atlanta?

A.

On the way down.... following "dinosaur footprints"

Ana is ready for her Broadway debut

I had to catch her unaware because she will not perform for the camera.

Untitled from jasmin hutchinson on Vimeo.

(yes, that is James passed out on the couch. he was suffering from "man flu")


SUCH a Diva! J-Lo has nothing on this!

Untitled from jasmin hutchinson on Vimeo.

Family Portrait

Awwwww. I went to pick Ana up from school yesterday and she presented me with this!

I asked her what she had drawn and she explained in great detail that the "person" in the middle of the three was me, since she has curly hair. The person on the right is Ana, and she has LOTS of long hair. And the person to the left is Daddy. He doesn't have a lot of hair. He is also apparently the only one with facial features, but look at those ears! Ha ha! I assume the blob at the bottom is Briscoe.

Ana also proudly pointed out that she signed her name on her art work, and that she drew it for me (the mess at the top right is supposed to say Mama).

I almost wept. I love it so much. Yes, I'm going to frame it, and no I don't care if you mock me. This art is priceless!!

This does remind me an awful lot of THIS though. And THIS. Which I laughed at a lot before I just became one of those parents! Well, I still laugh. It is still funny!

Faces of Easter

The Joy of One

Ana is so much fun to be with these days, and so grown up! This morning we went for a nice walk and collected things we saw (pine cones, flowers, etc.) along the way. Then we came home and ate a snack together while watching Spiderman. Sometimes it is really nice to just have one kid!

Hola!!

Untitled from jasmin hutchinson on Vimeo.

Sigh - talking in Spanish for my Mum is so tiresome!