Mixed Up Dress Up

Mean Pirate!
Not So Dainty Princess
Complete with satin gloves and pretty locks!


(Parker chose his "ensemble" and insisted he nap in it).
There is probably very little hope for him.
But, he is precious, precious, precious!!! However he dresses!

The Neverending Birthday...

Turner has mastered the art of stretching out a birthday! We took cupcakes to school on Monday, and she enjoyed (once again) being queen for the day.

Potty Humor

I was changing Parker's diaper the other day, and he looked down, laughed and said, "Mommy, I see my pee-pee!"

"Mommy, I touch my pee-pee!"

"HI, pee-pee!"

....So I guess he has officially discovered his "boy" parts!

*************************

On a related note, Turner was trying to get him to go potty the other day. He wasn't going. So, she said, "Parker, just pull on that thing, and you'll go pee-pee!"

SC Bound

Namesakes
Bowler Boy

KNUCKLES!

The Norris Bowling Team

Aunt Niki!

Nana and Grandad and the Birthday Girl

Cousins!

Miss Erin

"YAY!!! Bah-bee STUFF!!!"

COUSINS!

Birthday Girl and her BFF

5!!!

Mimi Love

Nancy!

Myrtle Beach

We had a great two week visit to South Carolina! We packed a lot in and the kids had so much quality time with their grandparents, friends and family. What a blessing to have the opportunity, time and ability to be away for such a long time!

Turner and Parker started the visit with two night slumber parties at Gammy and Pops' and Nana and Grandad's houses. They had a blast riding tractors, trains, visiting the fire station, going to parks and playing with cousins.

Then, we drove to Sumter for a visit with Grandy, Theresa, Niki, Clete and Ry. It was so much fun to go to IHOP (our tradition with Grandy) and on a fieldtrip to the bowling alley.

We rounded out the visit with a Hello Kitty birthday party at Alhambra Park. The weather could not have been nicer, and Turner was surrounded by all the people she loves so much! She said the day was "better than she could have imagined!" Yay!

After the party, we visited with a few friends and had some special time with Mimi. Then, we headed to Myrtle Beach to continue the festivities with Daddy. The kids had so much fun at Dunes Village Resort for the second year in a row and swam to their hearts content. Parker even ventured down one of the big water slides, and although he came out crying, could not stop talking about how great it was! Turner was a fish!

As I look back on the past two weeks, I am filled with gratitude for so many things...the least of which is not our loving, healthy, sweet families and friends. Thank you all!

Happy 5th Birthday, Turner

Dear sweet Turner,

I blinked...and you were 5 years old. How does the time go so fast? I do not know. All I know, is that you are this amazing, big hearted, smart, energetic, creative young lady...and you are registered for kindergarten with one foot on the school bus already.

I am truly blessed to have been chosen to be your mommy! Thank you, Turner, for the joy you have brought me over the past five years. I cannot imagine what Daddy and I did before you came into our lives! I know that everything has so much more meaning now that we share it with you.

Happy birthday, Turner! You are "beautifully and wonderfully made," and we love you so much, precious girl.

Love,

Mommy

Pap Free by 5

Tonight was the end of an era in the Guerard household. We said goodbye to "clear" pap, gnarly "yellow" pap and squishy "blue" pap. I was honestly a little sad. Turner was really sad, too, but she was ready and so brave!


At bedtime, Thomas, Turner and I prayed over the paps. We thanked God for providing great paps to help comfort her through tough nights, long car trips and much-needed naps...and asked God to give them to someone else who would need and love them as she has.

It may sound trite -- to pray about giving up paps -- but honestly it was a great lesson (and reminder for all of us). We cannot do anything -- large or small -- without giving it to God and asking for His hand in it.


This was the first of many difficult goodbyes on her journey of life, and our little girl has proven she can handle them with grace!

We're proud of you, Turner!

...Now, we have to work on Parker's equally strong addiction! :)

Chopsticks for my Baby!

We went to a hibachi restaurant in Myrtle Beach to celebrate Turner's birthday as a family. After supper, they brought out the giant gong, affixed to a statue of Buddha. They beat the gong and sang Happy Birthday to Turner. Afterwards, the waitress told her to touch the belly for good luck.

On the way home, Turner said, "Mom, why did that lady tell me to touch the statue's belly?"

"Some people think it is good luck to touch Buddha's belly."

"Mom, how do you know his name?!!!"