Mary Lou Mia

A few shots from our first class last night. After a few tears and a couple minutes of uncertainty - all was well!


Can you hang? Of course, I can!

Go Mia!

Tuck your chin! She did such a great job, the teacher reminded her that her chin did not need to be tucked the entire time!

The finish - we have this down.

Balance Beam! Concentrate!

It is her first official "big girl" activity. Watching her wait in line, make friends, and follow directions, brought a smile to my face. This big girl is growing so very fast. 

Seriously Mom . . . Again?!?

Each Christmas we go home to celebrate the holiday with our family in Pittsburgh.  The anticipation of this journey is enormous and the amount of planning is considerable.  You see Santa (shh!) joins us on this adventure, as well as Sammy the Elf, a Woodberry ham, the kitchen sink .  . So one can see how a person might forget snow boots? Two years in a row now, I have forgotten our snow things.  Is it avoidance? I'm not sure. One would think growing up there for 34 years (I am not lying about my age - please figure in that we have lived in Virginia for three years), I would remember that Halloween to May might bring snow at any moment. So sure enough, the day after Christmas it snowed at least 6 inches within a couple of hours.  My angels have their little faces pressed up against the glass, loaded for excitement.  Sab turns to me, "Mom, seriously again? You brought no snow stuff."  One day I will enlighten this young man on what was involved in this trip.  Long story short (too long?!?) a quick trip to the store by Mr. Phillips and a little creativity provided all with some sledding gear!  Two of the four nieces I have, took my children out this day. The wise Meghan could be heard saying, "Sebastian, WHY does everything have to be an Olympic event!" He owes this girl big. My little girl Sassaruby truly loves her Ally and enjoyed every moment.  Thank you girls. Ever hear that phrase your reward is in Heaven?

This is what the day brought:


They have a great hill. 

Joy!

 

I spy with my little eye  . .  Uncle Jim

Just looking at this is COLD!

 

Tasting snow.  Lost hat!

Ally has to be thinking sometimes are you kidding me?

Meghan is a trooper for sure. Hopefully Sab will know this someday.

So the day we were supposed to leave  it snowed at least another 3 to 4 inches. No leaving that day! We anticipated this treacherous route and blizzard . . . only to cross into Virginia with no snow and 45 degrees.  Go figure!

The Plague Hits . . . all men and women down!

So the Phillips house has succumbed to something I like to refer to as the plague.  It has wiped out even the toughest Phillips - Curt!  Mia woke up last Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. vomiting and honestly we are still fighting the fire today! You can catch bits and glimpses of us as we come out of hiding only to be pulled back in again.  As I write this Sab is on the sofa, up since 1:00 a.m. and still fighting the good fight.  Long story short, I thought I would catch up on my blog.  Like the new look? Here is what we have been up to  . . . and just maybe we will join the civilized world again soon.


The life of a scout mom continues.  I have to admit I am a big fan of the neckerchief.

Every once in a while, some fresh air finds us.  This was the first day of scooter riding after Santa visited.

A determined young women - yes.  She is speaking freely with her friend Sophia in this shot.
 Sophia, the sweet thing, smiles a lot thankfully.
 

For all of you hoping and praying . . . we started a new sport besides soccer.  Can you guess? Game on!


I hope this finds you and yours well - if not, I COMPLETELY SYMPATHIZE!!!