July 2010 - Peachtree, Playdates and Parades!

I searched high and low and finally found a church that held a true "vacation bible school" for 3 year olds...or 2 year and 10 months olds. The only catch was I had to serve as a teacher for the entire week, which I did not mind because they had free childcare for John William! Unfortunately, John William did not enjoy the nursery and spent much of the four days crying...it really broke my heart, but there was nothing I could do - I had 13 three years olds keeping me busy and I had little time to worry about my baby, but I knew he was in good hands. This was the most organized VBS, I guess it is essential since they had 750 children!!! Did I mention it was similar to school? Started at 9 am and last until 1pm?

All week the weather was perfect - hot, hot, hot!!!

Everyday there was a bible lesson and we made a craft; I was just as tired as the other three. The days were jam packed with activities...morning coloring, worship, bible lesson, snack, music, play time craft, outside and finally lunch!

.

On the last day, I brought in mini cupcakes and let the children decorate with icing. So glad we did this at school and not at home - it was quite messy! Impromptu AXO playdate with three of my pledge sisters! Here is beautiful Erin holding John William...which is somewhat rare, because he usually only lets mom hold him. Erin has the magic touch!

Sweet Jana's little baby, Summer, is really as cute as a doll - I wish I had a picture of her standing up in this dress - really, she looks like she could be a doll model! So, there is definitely something to be said about Jana - she actually blogged about this playdate...um, the day after it happen - she is amazing! Jana is super woman!

Erin's little girl, Rebekah - yes, little Erin had a 9 pound baby...naturally! She is my hero!

Our gracious host Nicole, who just gave birth two #2 just a few weeks, made the fun playdate happen - and she even prepared lunch! What a treat! Left to right: Marley Rose McLaughlin, John William, Summer Martin, Thomas, Elizabeth

...plus baby Rebekah Hamby on the end and sweet little Stella was sleeping in her crib

Family picture of the Powells horsing around after church at Saint Francis

Potential Christmas card???

Did you know the boys are wearing the exact same size clothes in this picture and pretty much all the time? Do you notice anyone in the background?

Papa with his three grandchildren - when do they learn how to smile for pictures?

Yeah, it's Fourth of July!!! Back at Capital City - it seems like we were just here a year ago. Family shot in front of the pool

Sweet friend Berkeley, lovin' on John William.

Nothing comes between a boy and his ice cream - he ate the entire thing! Thomas and Elizabeth finally had their face painted!!! Usually, they opt to have their hand, but so glad this amazing woman painted their little faces!

CCC offers the best firework show in town! Not to mention it always takes place on July 3rd! All the children had a comfy seat to watch the show.....tom and tom Toppy and Elizabeth

The next day Tom packed up Elizabeth, Thomas and John William in the car for a 2 hour trip downtown...it usually takes about 20 minutes. But of course the Peachtree Road Race presented a little more activity downtown than normal. The Peachtree Road Race is the world's largest 10K and it is a great event to people watch! Here's Tom with a potential girlfriend, Beau - daughter to one of mommy and daddy's best friends.

Andy is great with children and I think he has a special bond with Little Tom...maybe because Andy and hubby have been best friends since they were born! Isn't Beau beautiful!!!

A horrible, horrible stomach virus didn't stop me from finishing my first Peachtree Roadrace with Berkeley! I only had a few hours sleep and unfortunately visited many of the port-a-potty on the race. Let's just say the ones at the start line were much cleaner than those around mile three! Anyway, 6.2 miles later I finished and look forward to a better race next year!