Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club

Through Junior League, I have spent the last seven months volunteering at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club here in Greenville. I am in charge of planning "Girls Night" once a month for the elementary school girls who participate in the after school childcare program. This past Thursday was my last "Girls Night." Although it's been challenging coming up with a new idea each month, I am going to miss seeing the girls. They have been so sweet to me (for the most part) and were always excited to humor my ideas. We've made valentines and friendship bracelets and chocolate candies......we did an exercise demonstration and a cooking demonstration......and this week, in honor of Earth Day, we made planters out of eggshells. I spent the day hollowing out 30 eggs and chopping off the tops. The girls made stands for their eggs and painted faces on them. Each egg was then filled with soil and sprinkled with grass seeds. The hope is that the seeds will sprout and their eggs will soon have "hair." The girls were very creative when naming their eggs: Shelly, Hairy, Spike, Eggward, etc. And some were pretty random: twin eggs named Alyssa and Melissa and another one named Jonathon. I think the little girl who made Jonathon named him after her crush! Too cute! And an Emery egg was made for me. I have kept Emery on the windowsill in the kitchen and watered her every other day, but no grass yet. I hope my girls are having better luck!
Random picture of Atticus. He looked so funny and I had the camera in my hands as I had just walked in the door from the Salvation Army. I took advantage of the situation and snapped him in his "black bear" position.

Me and Emery(in my belly) and Emery (the egg). No comments, please, on my hugeness. I am aware that I look as though I could go into labor at any second or that I am giving Octo-Mom a run for her money.

One of my girls showing off her planters.

More Hayes.....

I am addicted to my new nephew. Ben and I went down to Atlanta Saturday to spend the day with Hayes, Alison and Brian. The day turned into a marathon cigar and drinking session for Brian and Ben and Neighbor Doug--and eventually Nando, while Alison, Nanny and I fussed over Hayes all afternoon. Ben and I are so lucky to have TWO precious nephews--if only Austin lived closer! We miss you, Austin! I will see Hayes again this Thursday--two and a half more days to go! I get to see Austin this Friday!!!!! Yay!
Nanny and the pram--must bring back memories for her!

Ben, Brian and Neighbor Doug do their best to pollute the neighborhood.

Mommy-to-be Tara stopped by to meet the little guy.

Hayes looks quite sporty with his basketball sneaker socks and baseball burp cloth (made by Debbie!)

My nephew--Hayes Alan Stephens

Alison FINALLY gave birth Monday, April 20th, to a beautiful baby boy. Hayes Alan Stephens entered this world at 2:56 weighing 7 lbs, 1 oz and measuring 21.25 inches long. He is absolutely perfect. Unfortunately for Alison, the delivery was under less than ideal circumstances and she ended up with a C-section.....but one look at Hayes and all that is forgotten. Alison and Hayes are being discharged this evening. I was in Atlanta from Sunday through Wednesday and hope to be back down this weekend to see the little guy again. He is so precious!
The night before......Brian brought dinner from Seasons 52.

Hayes wasn't handling the contractions very well, so a C-section was scheduled. Daddy bravely suited up to go into the OR. He did a great job! Brian was very apprehensive about witnessing surgery, but he even managed to get great pictures and a video.....and didn't faint!

Mom and Dad (Oma and Opa) are instantly in love with their first grandchild.

Hayes is so lovable and snuggly.

Chilling on his Boppy. Hayes is the most alert newborn I have ever met. His eyes are always open and he actually tracks movements and turns towards sounds.

The incredibly proud and smitten aunt.

Happy Anniversary, Ben!

Yesterday was our second wedding anniversary. Hard to believe that two years have flown by already.....and that we are about to become parents! We didn't make a big deal out of our anniversary (unlike last year's Napa trip), but Ben brought me flowers from my favorite florist (Dahlia's) and a very sweet card. We enjoyed dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, put together a stroller and watched "Dancing With The Stars." Crazy night! I'd say marriage has tamed us, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Thanks, Ben, for giving me two amazing years. I love you!
A trip down memory lane.......
Our wedding reception at Villa Christina--the garter toss

Saying our vows

We did it!

Newly married Ben with his brothers

My gorgeous flowers Ben got at Dahlia's. Lillies are very special to us. Dahlia's signature trademark is to have a crystal bead dangling from a leaf (?) and to wrap big leaves around the vase. I love their style!

Easter 2009 in Atlanta

Ben and I headed down to Atlanta Sunday to spend Easter with my family. Greg and Donna hosted the entire crew for a delicious dinner and two great egg hunts--one for the kids and one for the "big people." Shawn, Angie, Caleb, Cae, Colt, Nathan, Michelle, Wyatt, Lauren, Kriya, Beau, Wade, Tim, Diane, Alicia, Alison, Brian, Ben, Mom, Dad, Nanny, Neighbor Doug and I all enjoyed ourselves at the Greer household. Oh, and Maddux, Spark-e, Bear, Kodi and Bernie (our fur-babies). The weather was gorgeous--and to top it all off, the Masters boiled down to an exciting playoff! What would have made the day even better is if Alison had gone into labor--but no such luck. Baby Hayes is still waiting to make his debut. We are all eager for his arrival, which could be any minute! I'll be sure to post pictures and information as soon as my nephew decides to join us.
Donna did flowers for a wedding Saturday and turned the leftover flowers into a gorgeous centerpiece for our Easter table. I slaved over the bumblebee coconut cake for hours on Saturday. Amazingly, the cake survived Ben's crazy driving all the way from Greenville to Atlanta. Must be an Easter miracle.

On your mark, get set, GO! The "big people" take off to find the 84 eggs hidden in the backyard.

The dogs could not participate in the kids' egg hunt because the front yard is not fenced. They showed their displeasure by barking at the door. However, they were very much a part of the "big people" hunt in the backyard, so don't feel too sorry for them.

Shawn, Nathan and Wyatt looking for eggs.

2009 Wakeboarding Season

The gorgeous weather here in Greenville yesterday lured Ben out onto Lake Hartwell with Bret Hightower for the first wakeboarding session of the season. The cold water didn't bother them--they each bought wetsuits for such an occasion. Jason Crapeaux and I decided to tag along and enjoy the sunshine while staying nice and warm and dry. We had a great day! I am a little sad to be sitting out most of this season, but hopefully I can get behind the Malibu a few times towards the end of summer and into fall. Ben and Bret weren't very rusty--I was impressed. Today is a different story. Ben can barely turn his neck (I think he has whiplash from a 360 degree trick gone wrong). Bret, how are you feeling?!?!?
Jason enjoyed the sun and beer--I just enjoyed the sun.

Ben's first run of the year!

Suiting up

Inverted Bret

Warming up

Happy Day!

This was on the Atlanta news this morning.....

"KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The Atlanta Braves have agreed to terms with third baseman Chipper Jones on a three-year contract extension through 2012 with an option for 2013. The agreement Tuesday virtually guarantees that the 36-year-old Jones will play his entire career in an Atlanta uniform. "This contract ensures that Chipper will play his whole career as a Brave, which was a key factor for us, our fans and for Chipper," Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren said. "Chipper has been an outstanding performer with our club for a long time and he is still a key part of our team." The deal is worth reportedly around $42 million. A six-time All-Star, Jones was the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1999. His .310 lifetime batting average ranks second among switch hitters, trailing only Frankie Frisch's .316. He has 408 home runs, trailing only Mickey Mantle (536) and Eddie Murray (504) in homers by a switch hitter. He is the only switch hitter with at least 300 homer and a .300 career batting average. "

As most of you probably already know, Chipper Jones and Greg Maddux are my all-time favorite baseball players--that's how my dog got his name! I was devastated when Maddux left the Braves several years ago. Thankfully, I won't have to endure that type of disappointment with Chipper! He will be a Brave for life!

Weekend of Baby Showers

Alison and I had a very busy and fun weekend recently! We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of friends. Our Wheeler girls (and Sarah!) hosted a brunch in honor of the impending arrivals of Hayes Alan Stephens and Emery Catherine Slagel at Harry Bissett's in Buckhead last Saturday. Alison and I were so touched that they wanted to do this for us that we specifically said "NO GIFTS!" As you can see from the picture, they didn't listen! Each guest brought a bib (and some other items) to the brunch--so cute! Cindy made precious bunny bibs and Sarah got her bibs monogrammed. They are all adorable. We were also given picture frames that everyone signed for Emery and Hayes. Mine is already prominently displayed in Emery's nursery. I can't wait for her to meet all of her "aunts!" Meri purchased "Mommy's Sippy Cups" for Alison and me--precious painted wine glasses. Do you think taking that and a bottle of vino to the hospital with me when I deliver Emmy Cate would be frowned upon? Thanks, girls, for a wonderful afternoon.

Sunday afternoon we had another joint shower hosted by some women we have known our entire lives! Alison and I grew up in a neighborhood that was full of little kids all about the same age. You know the expression "it takes a village?" That was the philosophy! All of us kids would run around all day and the moms would keep an eye on everyone--not just their own children. We've all grown up, gotten married and are having babies but we still keep in touch. In fact, other than me and a few others, most of the kids and all of the parents still live in the Atlanta area so we are lucky enough to see each other at least a few times each year. Thank you, Mrs. Hoffman and Mrs. Cobb! The shower was gorgeous.

Alison and me in front of our "no gifts" at Harry Bissett's.
The crew--Elizabeth, Sarah, Kriya, Tara, Meri, Cindy, Alison, me and Lindsay. Paige, we missed you!
Clubhouse of Atlanta Country Club--where the 2nd shower was held. Alison and I spent all of middle school, high school and some of college living right down the street from this clubhouse, so it's always fun to go back to the old 'hood and check things out. We used to walk Baggins through this very parking lot every evening.

Mom, Nanny, me and Alison (and Emery and Hayes)

Dueling bumps--check out the cute cakes in the background.

Emery's exersaucer!