Lola Gray: photographer extraordinaire

Remember this photo from my post last October about the PTA Reflections program? This was Lola Gray’s entry in the photography competition for the theme “Together We Can . . . “

Well look where this photo led us last weekend!

Lola’s photo was selected to represent Chatham County at the state competition – and then won 3rd place for the state! (Frankly, I thought her photo was much better than the 1st and 2nd place selections, but theirs were presented better . . . I’m always telling my student’s how much presentation matters but then I failed to take my own advice!)


I was a little worried that Lo might get stage fright, but she marched up on that big stage like she owned it!

We are so proud of our little celebrity! I have a feeling this is just the first of many, many awards for our talented little girl!

 

 

grouper and beluga and jellies – oh my!

Puttin’ on the Ritz

S.P.O.I.L.E.D. Every single one of us. And loving it!

We spent the weekend at the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta, and I have to tell you the Holiday Inn will never look the same. We got a great deal on a package including tickets to the Georgia Aquarium, but even without the deal I have to say I think the Ritz is worth every penny.

The kids were sold the second we entered the lobby and they found bags of jelly beans and cups of lemonade waiting for them. If you must know, the jelly beans (along with the beautifully decorated lobby and all the smiling faces) worked on me, too. The staff was incredibly gracious and went out of their way to talk to the kids, offering more jelly beans and lemonade at every turn. There were chocolates on the pillow. In case of rain (and it did rain) there is a complementary umbrella for use in each room. We ordered room service (they sent an extra plate of fries for the kids – on the house) and watched a movie in bed. And then, just before tucking the kids in for the night, a knock at the door . . . cookies for a midnight snack. Is this place for real?

I don’t know if The Ritz has considered mom-blog ambassadors, but I would be more than happy to offer my services! I would never have thought that a luxury hotel could be so family friendly, but then I suppose that is the same silly logic that keeps families confined to fast food restaurants . . . Anyway, I’m a convert. It’s going to be hard to go back to budget lodging after this one!

Pre-K Field Trip!

Today Lola’s pre-K class took a field trip to Forsyth Park to celebrate the first Friday of SPRING! It could not have been a more beautiful day and I was so happy I was able to tag along.  Of course, for Lola the most exciting part was getting to ride on the school bus for the very first time!

Playin’ hooky

Those kids getting awards for perfect school attendance? Not my kids. Because life is too short. Because sometimes you just need to take a day off to go strawberry picking and picnicking and splashing in cold waves in the hot sun.

For the record, the kids were not totally on board with this idea at first. But I think I brought them around.

Flowers from my child

Is there anything sweeter?

Saturday with Lola Gray

Fletcher & Henry: age 7

Seven is a great age. Fletcher is literate (there is really nothing the boy can’t read), independent (he crosses the street safely to call the neighbors out to play, then roams the front yards and sidewalks in a gang of barefoot boys) and he still loves snuggling with his Mama. He is also becoming aware of himself in context, comparing himself, for the first time, to the kids around him. It is fascinating to witness this emerging self-awareness. But a little heartbreaking too. He has started commenting on his size, noting how much bigger his friends are, wondering out loud if he will always be the smallest kid in the class. And he might be. Or, he might not be. I tell him that it really doesn’t matter. His friends don’t care how tall he is. I don’t care how tall he is.
He doesn’t really seem to care . . . but he notices.
It’s getting harder and harder not to.

Anyway, this has been on his mind a lot lately, so of course it has been on mine as well. I’m planning a series of photographs of my sweet boy with six of his buddies. Seven boys, all seven years old. I’m not really sure where it will take me, but here are the first images from the series.

Happy St. Pat’s!

Have I mentioned that I love Savannah?
Well, I do.
Especially on St. Patrick’s Day.
It just doesn’t get much better than a day like this.

Feelin’ a little green . . .

Tomorrow is a big day around here! Today we set the stage with a little leprechaun silliness, individual shepherd’s pies (in tiny ramekins for the kiddos), and rainbow cupcakes. Yup, I’m definitely starting to feel a little green!