The real Father's Day gift...

One of our great Woodberry friends has discovered an amazing talent as a photographer and I decided to enlist her help for Father Day this year. I wanted her to document Harper right now so that we could look back at this moment before our family added another member and remember how perfect Harper is...this is what we got. What an amazing gift!

Pls scroll down a bit to see Harper...

http://carriecolemanphotography.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

Monkey business on Father's Day

Harper's good friend, Hatcher stopped by bearing gifts Father's day weekend. The Williams family was sweet and sent gifts for Harper and the new baby. Harper was instantly enamored with her new gift-a monkey backpack! She loves it and loves filling it with her things and walking anywhere with it. She would love to sleep with it but we have managed to avoid this for now...


Hatcher showing Harper how to fill it and wear it.
On Father's day Harper and I tried to let her dad sleep in as long as possible and surprise him with a dutch baby pancake for breakfast. Even with Harper at her quietest...he still came to watch it cook with us.

There was lots to talk about this Sunday morning...Watson was just waiting for his piece.

How cute is this! Our little girl and her monkey.

Sierra's Birthday Party and Send Off

When the boys leave campus for the summer so do most faculty and staff...people instantly head out to summer homes, family visits, and summer programs (education extension and volunteer programs). Woodberry suddenly turns into a ghost town so before the summer starts we squeeze in as much with our on campus friends as we can.

Sierra was the first of "our" Woodberry Girls club to turn 2. Her parents were really busy preparing for their summer in Montana and also busy expecting their 2nd little girl in August so Sarah and I decided to throw a quick lunch and birthday celebration together. My pictures were not fantastic so I will just link you all to Em's blog that documented the occasion better than I could.

http://www.littlebitsandmore.com/2010/06/happy-surprise-and-sad-good-bye.html

Bye Sierra and Em , we will see you in August!

Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles...

Just before school ended we recieved a bubble bottle in our mailbox with a scrolled invitation for a bubble celebration for Elizabeth McRae. Assuming that we would not have our hands full with a new baby we planned to be there, and what do you know... we were able to attend with no problems. All our woodberry friends came out to celebrate her 3.5th (her birthday is the week of christmas so they celebrate 1/2's) birthday in fantastic bubble style. I completely forgot to dress Harper in her bathing suit but she had a great time regardless. Harper ended up closing the party down because we could not get her away from the sprinklers...she had turned into one big SUD with bubbles running down her legs!

Hunt and I agreed that there is a sandbox in our near future. The sand volleyball courts down by the pool are filled with "sugar" in her mind. I guess this is what happens when you use your toddler as your "sioux baker".

Lee Robinson signing Elizabeth's birthday banner table with Spencer and the birthday girl herself.

Harper and Huston - Huston knows how to pose for the camera!

Harper in the bubble pool, later responsible for her demise. She and Mrs. Rob were having tons of fun with all the wands.

Harper wanting to play with the big girls in the playhouse.

Sophia and Spencer hanging out.

Harper's first experience in a trampoline.

The girls bouncing their tails off...

Taking some time to cool off in the shade with mom. Most of our friends know how Harper likes to make sure everyone stays hydrated.

Can you tell that this is mom and son or what? Who wouldn't love some swinging time in the shade on a 90 degree day!?

The "REAL" celebration begins...

Everyone dives into the tastiest bubble cupcakes we have had.

Why is the almost 9 month mom pushing this girl on the trike in this heat? Thank goodness there isn't a picture from the other side!

Harper LOVED this bulldozer/digger! Look at the intent on her face.

Dad pushing this ride, maybe I did get the better deal with the trike.

Bathing beauty Huston!

The beginning of our downward spiral...actually the beginning was when she fell in the bubble pool 2x, once on her bottom and once on her side. It had to feel good though...believe me, even I wanted to jump in. We had a great time and Hunt and I loved seeing Harper really go wild even without a bathing suit. Needless to say it was straight to the bath when we got home and guess what???? We didn't even need soap.

While the cats are away...

Before the arrival of our newest baby girl, Hunt and I were able to squeeze in one last road trip for a little fun in PA. Two of our friends from Princeton were getting married and we just couldn't miss their nuptials.While we headed out, Hunts parents headed in for some quality time with Harper.
Harper's grandmother "Kat" always comes with a goody bag of toys that are getting second life from Hunt and his sisters childhood.
Harper playing some "old school vinyls" with Papa.

Our little drummer girl...maybe that is why papa is needing a rest!

Harper loves pushing a stroller of any sort, Hunt and I are just hopping that she does not push her new baby sister like this...she/we might be in trouble.

A morning walk with Watson.Harper's grandparents are lovers of history and architecture so how could they resist taking her to our closest historical treasure: James Madison's Montpelier.

Harper being the good little tourist. Hunt and I couldn't believe how old she looked in this picture.

Harper taking in the architectual restoration.

Enjoying the landscape...along with blankie!

One warm little girl...you know what a true southern girl could use right now...

A nice picnic with some sweet tea...shhhhh don't tell our dentist. We have already raised a little girl who prefers some sweet tea over juice. This only happens when we are out...we try not to keep tea in the house, it would be all Hunt and Harper would drink.

Petting Dolly's horses.
Kat even got Harper to sport some pig tails while they were visiting. I love the Punky Brewster throwback...
I think everyone enjoyed themselves but everyone was also ready to get back to normal wake up times and normal nap times...Papa included.

Woodberry Graduation 2010

This year's Woodberry graduation was a little different than last year for us. This being our 2nd year at Woodberry, we were closer with fellow faculty and staff and we also had time to develop some unique and close ties with some of the young men graduating. It is hard to describe how it happens but you see them daily, they interact you, come to you for advice or humor and entertain, watch out for and love your children and they quickly become family. It was and will be hard to watch these boys move on but we know that they will be doing great things with their futures and are proud to know that we have been part of their time at Woodberry Forest. (Please also know that the young men pictured below are not meant to be singled out but merely are the ones who we were able to catch photos with on graduation day.)

Maddie Keating (a fellow Woodberry daughter) took this great picture of Harper on the lawn before graduation began.

Harper sharing her applause for young men recieving their diplomas.

Eleanor Williams and Lee Robinson sharing some bonding time with Harper.
Another Maddie Keating shot-we may have a future photographer on our hands!

Harper and one of her favorites this year, Elliot Brewer. We heard Elliot's name so much this year we wondered if we were going to have to name Harpers sister Elliot to give it new meaning. Harper still has not registered that Elliot will be at Carolina next year instead of Woodberry Forest but we will really have to address that this coming fall.

As I told Harper, we needed to say our goodbyes...Aramide will be playing football for UCLA and even though we have many USC alum in my family-we will be cheering him on from Virginia!

The Heffners and the Hemmings. Funny side note: As most of you know, when you are pregnant it is sometimes not always the most fun getting dressed and on this morning I went through about 3 outfit changes and finally I decided on this oldie but goodie I have loved since I first bought it. I have worn it not pregnant and pregnant and still love it. On this day I put it on at the last minute before we were supposed to leave, not having a moment to change my mind...Harper took one look at me and said "Mommy, wearin' balloons!" Out of the mouth of babes, right!

Harper will miss her games of hide-n-seek with Ade while he attends and plays football for Brown next year.

Ed or "Eddie" as Harper calls him, was the first to bring tears to our eyes. He loved our girl more than anyone. Ed will be making us proud playing football for Stanford next year.

Hatcher always brought smiles to Harpers face and we hope that like Elliot he will not be a stranger to us since he will be down the road at UNC-CH. We are so excited that we did not have to say goodbye yet to Hatcher since he will be returning to Woodberry Forest to help with sports camp and hopefully meet baby girl #2.

As a mother who is trying so hard to raise a child who has empathy, honor, intelligence, determination, humor and many other things-I cannot imagine the pride that overwhelms you at moments like graduation when you see all your hardwork come to fruition. We feel blessed to have been a part of the journey and kuddos to you for raising wonderful young men.

What a personality!

As many first time moms have echoed, and many of my friends who are also fellow bloggers...there is something really amazing about watching your child "unfold". I know we all feel the same about our children, even though the children are all very different. For those of you who know Harper, she is happy, funny, expressive, sweet, caring, determined, tough and so much more. It is a constant challenge to keep up with her but also a constant joy. There is something new for everyday and it is hard keep up with new things as they come. We are trying to remember each moment but it is hard to when there are so many. Here are some shots from our "unfolding" personality... On this day Harper was determined to take a walk in some seriously humid weather in her raincoat and rainboots (which are so small, we had to shove her feet into them).

In Harpers defense, it did look like it "could" rain...it never did but it looked like it "could".

We had a visit from Harpers grandparents and were able to capture this "bubbly" girl running all over campus.

Harper and Watson hanging out on the steps of Woodberry's fine arts building. As my grandmother has said she has a laugh that is infectious and it would be amazing if you could sell it...it would make anyone feel better.

A short video of how Harper can lull you to sleep with repetition and then strike when you least expect it. She is one to always keep you on your toes.