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.

It's official, the pool is open!

In early May (yes, I am feverishly trying to catch up before baby girl# 2 arrives) Harper and I ventured down to the pool for our first dip. It was a beautiful day with a great temperature so the pools coolness did surprise us a bit, but it did not stop Harper from enjoying her time.
Our wagon all loaded up, snacks-check, towels-check, hat-check, sunscreen-check...only thing missing was Dad-who was busy on duty and doing a river walk with Watson. I had great visions of how the wagon would be so much fun toting her down to the pool, never really thinking about coming back up the hill (and being 7-9 months pregnant!) Needless to say we have been making the landcrusier take us on our pool adventures!
Not the worlds smallest Havaianas but pretty darn cute in this little size. Harper loves to try and wear her "flop-its" as much as she can but we are still adjusting to how they "tickle" in between her toes.

I had to make Harper take a small break since she was shivering but refusing to go anywhere but standing in front of the fun water spouts we have in the shallow end...I managed to get her out to warm up and enjoy the warmth of the sun!

One thing that our swim class taught us was that we love our noodles-we know how to use them in so many ways...as a horse, as a float and as a sword.

It was time to go already but I assured my chilly little prune that we would be back...hopefully with a warmer pool (which we have since experienced)

After dinner parties...Woodberry Style

One of the nice things about living at Woodberry is the ability for families to gather on the lawn after dinner. On this spring evening there was an evening assembly so all the kiddies and moms decided to spend a little longer playing before baths and bedtime.

Sarah being the dance teacher she is leading the kids in playing head, shoulders, knees and toes...

Gettin' everyone movin'!

"Ring a round the rosie"...but only Aubrey fell down!

We missed last year's but made sure that we were present for this year's end of the year "Popsicle Party".
Harper was so excited for her first popsicle ever!
Sophia enjoying her popsicle...after dinner in the hot dining rm, her whole body needed to cool off.

The Tallmans and Morans were our hosts.

I think by the time Harper finished her first, I was already onto #2.

Faulkner pormised good faces when giving the twins cool treats...Badgley was first!

Grazia was second...priceless.

Popsicles making everyone happy.

The kids had a blast with the pump and a fly balloons.

Sierra dancing the night away to Jack Johnson...

Bagley, Grazia and Huston threw a great evening lawn party to celebrate their birthdays. Everyone got cake and ice cream and a balloon to go with it!

We enjoyed the icing best.

Harper marveling at her "big bite".

Bagley and Grazia ready to dive in...

Hands, face or whatever touched them faster! Needless to say everyone had a great time.

Land of Toys-a.k.a. Avery's Tinkerbell Party

One of the best benefits of joining the Little Gym when Harper was 4 months old is the group of friends and moms that we now have in our life. We have shared advice, commiserated and celebrated together. On this Saturday we celebrated the first of all of our children to turn 2. Avery had quite the party with a moonbounce (with a slide) and a backyard tinkerbell hunt, not to mention the backyard FULL of toys. Harper with her cheeks all flushed after playing her little heart out and leaving with her hands full of fun party treats.

This toy looked crazy dangerous but was the favorite of the kids. Remarkably, we must have been on the perfect incline-no injuries for anyone! The kids just kept getting in line for one turn after another.

Down the moon bounce slide.

Addison really enjoyed this time around.

Jennifer helping the girls figure out how to use the ladder instead of trying to climb up the slide.

Addison and Harper

It was Easter allover again.

We still had a hard time moving on from one egg to another, we wanted to see exactly what was in each one.

Addison grabbing her loot.

Addison getting a little help from mom.

All the kiddies on the prowl hunting for Tinkerbell!

Harper and Hunt hitting the unchartered territory of the Tinkerbell Hunt.

Yes, this is the only picture of the birthday girl, Avery! She was so busy the whole party entertaining all of her other guests that Addison and Harper went solo most of the party. We had a great time and the parties will keep coming for all these kids turning two this summer.