Celebrating Mary Gray

Carver and Springer enjoyed a beautiful Spring day celebrating Mary Gray's birthday. Carver didn't seem to mind that he was the only boy there! Several weeks ago Mary Gray was here and mentioned that she was having a 'girl's only' party. Carver was devastated and basically begged his way into her girl's only festivities. Either he's completely shameless or he's one smart fella! While Carver enjoyed the amazing balloon artist (he convinced the poor guy to make a full body spider man hanging on his web!) Springer went down the tunnel slide all by herself-and 'shared' Samuel's gold fish. He's such a good sport with his over zealous friend! Happy Birthday, Mary Gray!

Art 101: Springer Style

Springer's love of drawing is noted on a daily basis; anytime there is a piece of paper (or a book) she sits and draws small circles for minutes on end. But as I prepared lunch I noticed that she was unusually quiet. I rounded the corner to discover this-so intent and talking in hushed tones as she worked away. Although I am sure that my picture taking only encouraged more of these antics, I could not let the moment go unrecorded. Thank goodness for Magic Erasers!

I love how she held her head as if she was deeply pondering what to draw next!

When I asked to see what was in her hand she very gently opened it to reveal her beautiful green crayon.

Easter afternoon

Springer and Mae

Carver and Jack

After church we headed over to the Sellner's for a little Easter egg hunting and lunch. Carver and Jack did their egg hunting in costume-Carver as Super Man and Jack as Ninja Frog! They were a hoot! As you can see most of our pictures involved lots of giggles and multiple belly shots. They are both in the midst of some serious four year old humor and words like 'belly' and 'pickles' send them into fits of laughter. Much fun and a delicious lunch with precious friends to go with it. A wonderful, albeit chilly, Easter!

Easter Morning

Little Wildcats

Carver and Mary Gray

Springer and Sam

Yesterday morning we headed to Davidson to visit Carver and Springer's good friends Mary Gray and Samuel-and for me to visit with my friend Margaret Ann. Of course no trip to Daddy's alma mater feels complete without a stop at the college bookstore. Carver picked out new matching t-shirts for him and his dad. After that we strolled around campus and enjoyed a delicious grilled cheese lunch at the Soda Shop. While we were walking I pointed out G's old dorm and Carver asked, "Is that where he lived when you found him?" Another funny response came when I showed him the building in which G's English classes were held. Carver responded "You mean Daddy spoke Spanish when he was a little kid?!" Apparently English classes are only for those who speak another language! It was a beautiful morning out with sweet friends. Thanks, MA for sharing the day with us!

Love Bugs

The cutest little bugs around

Springer enjoyed splashing with the 'duck' in the 'stream'

The most common view I had of them-full steam ahead!

Carver is on Spring break this week and we've looked forward to our daily adventure. Today it was the Nature Museum where we visited our animal friends and enjoyed the nature trails. Springer particularly liked watching the mink and Carver deemed "all of them" his favorite! When we arrived he said, 'there's just so much to see I'm not sure where to start.' Believe me, they covered it all!

Sweet Voice

Springer loves to draw-and talk. While we waited for dinner on Saturday night I captured a bit of her favorite past times. Enjoy that precious little voice...we certainly do.

A great weekend

Springer, Carver and Sara James

Roll Film!

Well, he did it! Saturday afternoon we took Carver to our local PBS station and he filmed a little piece for the new Raggs Kids Club. He did a great job and really enjoyed it. He and two other little boys sat with the show's cat, Dumpster, and talked about all sorts of things. I imagine there will be lots of editing before the final product comes out! He didn't seem nervous at all and liked the whole process-including hair and makeup (strawberry chapstick and a bit of concealer!). We were so proud of him.

G and I have often laughed at the whole stage parent phenomena, but to see it first hand was a little unnerving. One mother must have said six times to her son, "this is your job; you're working; pay attention and do your job..." It was also scary to see how easily we can become 'those parents'. One of the boy talked more than the other two and didn't use very good manners; I found myself (wrongfully) resenting him and his parents too! There was a lot of stress (completely generated by the parents) for a small bit on a PBS show. I can't imagine what Hollywood is like! Although Carver has asked to 'go back and do it again' I think G and I could go a long time without doing so. Nonetheless it was a terrific experience for him and he had fun-that's truly all I wanted for him. We'll be sure to let everyone know when his piece airs.

Deja Vous

On Wednesday Springer began her first music class with Music Together. When Carver was her age we did the same class and he really loved it. Even at a year old he took on the role as the class entertainer; he never sat in my lap (like the other children), but instead walked around and visited everyone (especially one precious little girl named Roxy), danced in the center of the circle and otherwise just made himself known. Springer can be a bit more stand off-ish at first so I assumed that she'd be more of a 'sit in my lap kind of girl'. I was wrong. Very wrong. It was Carver all over again. She was the ONLY child who prefered the middle of the circle to her mother's lap. She danced, hugged the younger children, lifted her dress, rolled, clapped, drummed-all very happily from the center of the group. Every now and then she would look over at me and just grin. She was in her element. So here we go....eight weeks of the Springer show! My mom used to say that all I needed was to open the refrigerator door and have the light come on and I would perform, so perhaps she's getting it honestly. G, of course, has never shied away from the spotlight either so I guess our kids are just being who they were made to be.

Speaking of the spotlight, Carver's shoot for PBS is tomorrow at 1:00. Wish him well!

Beautiful Days

The weather has been just beautiful lately and we've taken full advantage of outside play time! Whether they are swinging and sliding in the back yard, playing at the park with friends or trying out new tricks (Carver, mostly!) on the scooter-if they are outside, they're happy! If we could just get a little rain to wash off the lovely green film that's covering our part of the world right now we'd be perfect!

The Response

I keep meaning to post about Carver's response to the news...it went something like this. He came home from Dylan's and we sat him down and said...

Me: Carver, guess what? The people from the kids show called today and they want you to be on the TV show! Isn't that cool?

Carver: (in tears and grabbing my neck) I want my mommy, I want my mommy!

Me: (pulling him off me) Carver, this is fun news! You really wanted to do this show and they chose YOU! Everyone is so excited...I talked to Uncle Micah (quite possibly his favorite person in the world) and he is so proud of you...

Carver: NO! I want to live with the Hiatts! I want to live with the Hiatts! I like living HERE!

Me: (trying very hard not to laugh): Carver, do you think that you have to move into the TV to be on the show?

Carver: Yes! And I don't want to go!

Me: You don't have to move, silly boy, we'll just go to a room and they will record you just like we do with our video camera.

Carver: (no tears now) Oh, it's sort of like I'll be a twin.

Me: (hesitantly) Yes, something like that. More like they'll just record you and then play it back on the television.

Carver: Oh, ok then.

G and I have had many a laughs thinking that he thought we were all so excited to be shipping him off! Poor boy! My favorite part was that he said he liked living 'with the Hiatts'. Since when did we become distant relatives?! Very funny.

We did get a call sheet and he'll be in the studio next Saturday around noon. I'll be sure to let everyone know how that one goes.

Our very own PBS Kid!

For a long time now people have encouraged us to get Carver involved in acting. Grocery store workers, our post man, neighbors, teachers, family...but we've hesitated for fear of being surrounded by or seen as 'those parents'. Well a few weeks ago a friend sent me a casting call for a new PBS show 'Raggs Kids Club.' It seemed the right time and
I figured PBS was as wholesome as it could get.

So, one Friday afternoon Carver and I headed to the auditions. We talked about it a little before hand and he seemed interested enough, but we really played it down. There were a lot of kids there and several days of auditions but I figured it was a good experience for him if nothing else.
After he auditioned he talked about really wanting to be on the show, but I stayed low key and just told him that there were a lot of kids and not everyone would be picked. March 10 was the day they said decisions would be announced. It came and went without a call so we really put it out of our minds. Carver asked about it a few times, but after the deadline I casually explained that some other kids must have been picked and maybe he could try again one day.

Well, low and behold, today I received an email from the casting director-he was picked to be on an episode! We are really excited for him and can't wait to tell him the news (he went home with a friend from school today so he still doesn't know). We'll see what comes of it. His Uncle Micah has already taken on the job as his agent and is requesting a cut!

He took the picture (below) that we used for his audition so he's looking for a finder's fee, I think! Wish him well; I'll post more information after the shooting takes place in a few weeks.

Thank you, Nonna!

Nonna (G's mom) came for a visit this past week in order to help G while I enjoyed a wonderful long weekend with my college friends at Isle of Palms. We could not have made it without her! The kids thoroughly enjoyed the walks she takes them on, playing with legos, reading, drawing, and playing outside with her. Carver cried as we drove away from the airport earlier today. We miss you already and cannot thank you enough for your willingness to come!
We love you!

 

Bedtime Boots

My dear friend, Elizabeth, recently passed along a pair of Caroline's outgrown rain boots. As I have mentioned before Springer loves shoes and these boots proved no exception. While we were getting her ready for bed tonight she decided to model them.
A good look, wouldn't you say?

She wanted baby to get in on the action as well!

"these boots are made for walkin'..."