Rock climbing

We have been wanting to try this with Hannah for a long time, but just recently we finally took her rock climbing. Baylor has a HUGE free standing rock wall that she has asked to climb many times. I have to admit that I was worried she would get scared and back out but much to my surprise she did great and had NO fear whatsoever!
She was actually coming down this point, but you can get an idea of how high she actually went before she couldn't go any higher. I thought that she might be scared to finally let go of the wall and only be held up by a rope, but I think that was actually her favorite part!

Here she was climbing next to another Baylor student. Makes me proud of my brave 4 year old!!

Sea World

Last week, we took a day trip down to Sea World in San Antonio. Kelly, Hannah, and I packed up for the day and had a great (but HOT) day! This was Hannah's first time at Sea World and she really enjoyed it.

We saw 3 shows and LOVED the Azul show with beluga whales and dolphins. We also saw the Shamu show and a sea lion and walrus show. Hannah seemed to really get into the dolphin show so we actually ended up going to that one twice.

We got a chance to feed the dolphins which was a lot of fun! They came up close enough to pet and we got to throw fish into their mouths.

Hannah rode her first roller coaster that day too. Kelly and I asked her if she wanted to ride this big water ride (similar to a large log ride) and she did. She did get a little nervous when they put the big bar down over her lap, and she covered her face the whole time with my arm...but she loved it. We actually ended up going a second time since she liked it so much. I found my new roller coaster buddy...she just needs to grow a few more inches!

They had a whole kiddy area with little rides that she loved and a water park. At this point of the day, she was hot and tired. We had a great time though, and I hope to go back soon...when it cools off!!

Transformation

Every day our sweet Hannah goes through a transformation. It doesn't matter if she has just woken up, gone for a bike ride, been swimming, eaten a meal, or is about to go to bed. Without fail, these small changes occur frequently throughout the day...

First, the sparkly shoes appear. Mimi bought these for Hannah last month after Hannah so sweetly looked up at Mimi in Target and told her how much she absolutely LOVED these shoes...you can imagine how long it took Mimi to decide to buy them for her. Hannah would wear these shoes day in and day out if we allowed it (despite the fact that they are about 2 sizes to big).

Second, one of many tutus appear on Hannah's hips. Thanks to our friend Beth and Gramma, we have a plethora of them for her to choose from.

Third, the pink leotard (with food stains and all) is worn.

Then, our sweet Hannah quietly turns into a beautiful ballerina.

I still have yet to figure out where she learned her ballet moves...she's actually got them down pretty well! She loves to have me put on music for her to dance to, and she loves even more for her Daddy and I to watch her do a "show" for us. She is even willing to give lessons, although she was pretty sure I was not doing the moves correctly yesterday. She's a tough teacher!

She's a girly girl to the max, and a sweet ballerina at that! It brings me such joy to see the delight in her eyes when she transforms into a little ballerina...Thank you God, for these sweet reminders of the joy of being a carefree 4 year old!

Birthday Party Pictures

Here are some pictures from a little birthday party that we had for Hannah's 4th birthday. Mimi flew out for the weekend to celebrate Hannah and Jason birthday which was a huge blessing! Papaw and Granny came down with Aunt Amy and Hannah's cousins and some friends from here in Waco came over to the house for some food and fellowship. It was such a sweet time with our family and good friends! I realize when we have all these people over how blessed Jason, Hannah, and I are with our family and friends. We have a wonderful family on both sides, but we have also been blessed with an incredible Waco family who has loved us like their own. God truly has cared for us in this way beyond what we could ask or imagine.

Note: Unfortunately, blogger is giving me fits at the moment, so I cannot write captions for each photo. Suffice it to say, it was a wonderful time with some wonderful people!

36 years!

Happy 36th Birthday Jason!!!

God has blessed me with an incredible husband and Hannah with an incredible Daddy! God has made you into a wonderful man and I am so thankful that you were born 36 years ago today. Today, we celebrate you and all you mean to so many people.

We love you so much and are so thankful for you!! Happy Birthday!

Happy 4th Birthday

Our sweet Hannah turns 4 years old today! I cannot believe that our sweet "baby" is growing up so quickly into a little girl. Here we were 4 years ago looking quite tired, but overjoyed and full of love. Hannah, here is a letter for you on your 4th birthday...

My sweet girl,

Happy 4th birthday! We are so thankful to God for you today as we celebrate another wonderful year of you! I cannot believe how much you have grown and matured lately and honestly, I cannot even imagine my life without you. You are delightful and funny. You keep us on our toes all the time. You are strong willed and independent. You are caring and loving. You are a child of God and our delightful daughter and we love you deeply. I can't wait to see all that this next year has in store for you and our family. We are so happy to celebrate you today!

We love you,

Momma and Daddy

Today is also my Dad's birthday. I love that Hannah shares her birthday with her Papaw. This was 4 years ago today...

Dad - Happy Birthday! I am so thankful that God gave me such a loving and incredible Dad! I cannot express to you how thankful I am for you and the blessing you have been in my life! I love you so much!

We are off to party today with Mimi, friends, and family. I will share pictures later.

My mother's day gift...

...was this...

...and I LOVE it!

Our backyard discovery

Obviously, I am quite behind on posting lately. This actually happened about 6 weeks ago now, but I am just now getting to share it...SIGH!

We were in the backyard one day hanging out. I was picking some stuff up while Hannah was playing. I heard her talking and saying "Well, hello there. I'll take care of you. Well, hello there." I guess I figured she was talking to an invisible friend until I finally looked up and saw this...

Hannah was bent over this sweet little parakeet on the ground talking to it. Luckily, Molly had not noticed the bird yet (she's quite a pathetic hound dog!) and so after ushering Molly inside I got a good look at the bird. It was not scared of us, although it didn't want me to touch it. I can only assume it was a house pet that got out. Hannah was thrilled to find it and quickly asked me if we could keep it. I felt bad to just leave him to his own devices outside, seeing that Molly would go out there eventually and there are 2 more beagles next door. Hannah and I found a box and we caught him fairly easily. At that point though, I had no idea what to do with him. What are you to do with a lost bird?! I did call our vet (which is about 1/4 mile down the street) to see if anyone had lost a parakeet, but we had no such luck. After calling the humane society they said they would take the bird. Hannah begged to keep him next to her in the backseat. While I had visions of the bird getting out in the car and flying all over and causing a wreck...I let her keep the box in the backseat next to her under threat of serious consequences if he got out!

Hannah was quite the big girl even telling the lady at the humane society the whole story of finding the bird by herself. It was a delightful and wonderful detour to our normal morning and Hannah and I both enjoyed the learning opportunity.

Swimming lessons

Hannah began swim lessons last week. She is doing them 2 days a week for the month of May. She was quite apprehensive the first day, but her teacher was wonderfully patient with her. After 2 lessons (and some peer pressure by her classmates who are great swimmers) she is like a fish! Jason and I took her to Baylor's pool on Saturday and it was all we could do to keep up with her as she dove for her ring on the bottom of the pool for the 47th time. At this point, it was well worth the money we paid!!
Her teacher is a sweet man who has a grandchild her age. Hannah has always related better to men so it was a total blessing that she got to be in the class with him.

And here was our Hannah, during her 2nd class...just chilling underwater! It took everything in me to not run over there and check on her, but she was doing so well just going underwater and coming up all on her own.

New swimsuit - $14

Swim lessons - $65

Getting your kid to learn water safety and how to swim - PRICELESS!!!

Bluebonnets

Kelly and I took Hannah out a few weekends ago for our annual bluebonnet pictures. Now that Hannah is getting older she is so much easier to photograph. She enjoyed the time in the field and I enjoyed some great photos of my sweet girl!

I love that in this HUGE field of bluebonnets Hannah can spot the tiny little ladybug on a flower. That captured her attention and like she does will all ladybugs now, she just had to catch it.

And as quickly as it was caught, it was off again!

I love the sweet memories that were made this fun day!