It is starting to feel like summer is coming to an end. The weather is still warm, but not the oppressive heat we normally suffer through all summer long. Mary Grace has just started school this past week. We took her over to her open house last week to meet her teachers, see her classroom and get to know some of the other parents at the school. She immediately made friends with a few of the other kids and remembered their names when we left that night. This was a good sign for us. Mary Grace is extremely outgoing and friendly; it is fun to see her interact with other kids.
Mary Grace has taken a strong liking to Annie, the musical. It was always one of Molly's favorite movies, so we had the DVD lying around the house. One day we decided to watch it and Mary Grace has been addicted ever since. She loves to sing along with Dumb Dog and It's A Hard Knock Life, but gets scared when Miss Hannigan and Rooster come onto the screen. I'll try to get a video of her singing along to post later this week.
The last few weeks have been pretty exciting. We took a day trip to Chapel Hill last Saturday so that we could introduce Mary Grace to some of our favorite spots, and spent the next day out on a beautiful horse farm, thanks to Caroline, Sarah and Drew Blackwell. Mary Grace was on her best behavior in Chapel Hill, but had decided to test us a little bit come Sunday. Even though she was grumpy from refusing to nap, she had a great time holding baby chickens and riding Socks the pony.
One interesting side note from our trip to Chapel Hill: When we were grabbing a limeade from Katie's Pretzels in the old CarrMill mall (side note: the limeades are not as good without the pebbled ice. Go back to the pebbled ice.), we ran into an older woman who was missing her left hand. She was a grandmother and had her daughter and grandchildren with her. Like Mary Grace, she had been born without her left hand. She was extremely nice and reinforced our confidence with her stories. She had managed to become a nurse and told us it never really held her back in life. She also told us about how she and her husband had met. They were at a wedding and danced the entire night without him noticing that she didn't have her left hand. She had tears in her eyes when she recounted the story. It was nice to speak with someone who had managed to accomplish so much without letting her situation affect her outlook on life.
Getting ready to visit Chapel Hill.
On Franklin Street with Mommy.
A nice day on campus.
She liked the orange construction cones.
Walking on the Quad with Daddy.
Picture with Mommy.
In a tree with half her Yogurt Pump cone on her dress.
Drinking from the Old Well.
Exploring.
She liked the Old Well.
A drink with Daddy.
Family picture.
Trying to get in the fountain.
On Daddy's shoulders.
Singing Old MacDonald while walking through The Pit.
Considered her career as steeplechase runner.
I really wanted her to see my track. She liked that it was blue.
I cannot wait to take her to a meet this year.
Meeting the two horses.
Meeting the chicks.
Trying to get into the cage.
Holding a chick.
Eating a green pepper from the garden.
Hanging out in the stable, enjoying the shade.
Riding the pony.
Very confident.
Mary Grace didn't want to get off (Thanks Sarah!).
Saying goodbye.
Being nice to sweet Caroline.
Drew and Caroline Blackwell.
