Charlie Turns 8!

Charlie blows out the candles and wishes for world peace:


























Gran Gran made us a beautiful birthday tablecloth. It has all our names on it and designates a special seat for the birthday boy or girl. It will get a lot of use in the next few weeks! Thank you, Lou! We love it!!























David gives Charlie the traditional birthday tackle:
















Charlie enjoys some cake and ice cream.























Opening presents. What a lucky boy!

I Wish...

Sarah: Daddy, I thought of what I want for my birthday. Only I'm not sure you can grant it.

Daddy: What is it?

Sarah: I want to be a teenager for a week!

Laugh and the World Laughs With You...

Allison, through her tears, after spinning around, falling on the grass, crying, and getting soothed by Mommy:

Allison: When you cry, does the whole world cry?

Mommy: No. In fact, there's a famous expression: Laugh, and the world laughs with you; cry, and you cry alone.

Allison, giggling: That's funny, Mommy.

Season Finales

It was the last game of the season for Charlie's baseball team and Sarah's soccer team.
The Flying Dragons played their franchise finale, with the players graduating from the Under-6 league after 4 seasons in 2 years.

Coach Daddy retires from U-6 coaching, at least until Allison's of age, but retains his post as league commish.

Charlie, a switch hitter, comes up with big bats which helped his team to some challenging ties.

Way to end the season!

Charlie's First Golf Outing

We asked Charlie what he wanted to do to celebrate his First Communion with his family, Granny and Grandpa, and Auntie. I suggested a picnic or asked if there was a special restaurant where he wanted to eat. He thought about it for a minute, then said, "I'd like to play golf."

So Charlie, Daddy, and Grandpa had a great round of golf. They all came home raving about the experience. They kept score and Charlie made a great showing. Way to go, Charlie!





Charlie's best tee shot of the round went 100 yards. Look at that swing!

Charlie's First Communion Party

Charlie's First Communion Party

























This was the Sheffields' first experience with a chocolate fountain, so the Mackeys showed them how it's done.

They were quick studies!

Charlie's First Communion

Charlie celebrated his First Holy Communion on May 6.

He did great, and we were so proud of him.

Granny and Grandpa and Auntie all came to Atlanta to celebrate with him, and many other family members sent cards and letters to commemmorate his big day. It was a very special day. We capped off the day with a chocolate fountain!

The Fun Run

On Cinco de May we participated in the first annual 5K and Fun Run to benefit Charlie and Sarah's school.

Sarah and Mommy ran the one-mile fun run. It was Sarah's first road race and she came out strong and endured to the finish. Phew!

Charlie, Mommy, and Daddy all ran the 5K (3.1 mile) road race. It was Charlie's longest distance, having successfully completed the 2 mile Peachtree Junior in June 2006.

Charlie dug deep for some serious speed in the last half mile, and Mommy and Daddy couldn't catch him.

Allison and Grandpa came out to cheer for us. Allison and her friend Ellie enjoyed dining on Chick-Fil-A biscuits and a visit from the Chick-Fil-A cow, which according to Allison was a Chick-Fil-A panda.

Grandpa scoped out any Atlanta tips to take back to the Kiwanis July 4th races. Granny and Auntie helped David get his beauty sleep.

Yes Sir, That's My Baby

Allison and I went in to get David up for the morning. I tickled his toes and Allison's and was then laying him on the changing table for a fresh diaper.

Allison: Tickle me again!
Me: Hold on. First let me change my baby.
Allison: That's not your baby. That's the whole family's baby!

Some Party!

Charlie's 8th birthday is coming up, and we were talking about what kind of party he wants to have. Charlie said he would like to have a mystery party, and Bryant and I got excited and were talking with him about ideas for what to do.

Bryant: We can stage some sort of mystery, like Clue, and have people solve it!
Charlie: Yeah! And maybe we can make some sort of test about a book that they read, and have everybody take it!
Bryant: Dude! It's the last day of school. No one will want to take a test!
Charlie: Well not a test exactly; more like a quiz. About a book!
Bryant: Dude!
Charlie: Oh, all right.

I'm so proud of that kid! He's a boy after my own heart. :-)

Women in the Workforce

Sarah: Mommy, are there men at your work, or is it just women?

In Between

Sarah and Allison, playing house.

Sarah: Who do you want to be?
Allison: I'm the grown-up.
Sarah: OK. I'm going to be someone who's almost a grown-up but not quite. It's called a "teenager."

On Vacation

We are back from our vacation!
The travel blog is under construction. Stay tuned!