SNOW DAY

Catherine was outside in the snow by 7:06 AM and back in again by 7:18 AM, seems she is a true southerner. She will go out again, it'll be that way all day long. Here are a few shots. The news says we got about 6 inches...I don't know if I agree, but it sounds good. Now it is sleeting!

I need an intern...

In honor of SNOW DAY, here are two old photos. My mom, with our family dog Brutus (Emily, Ginger and Courtney, you will re-call the recent story about this sweet dog). Also, a picture of my beautiful sister Pam back in the snow, when we lived in Illinois!

We are all very excited that it is snowing, for us it is a novelty and so beautiful. Catherine is looking forward to sledding tomorrow AM. What a place to live, where Thursday it is 62 degrees and Friday we are having Winter Blast 2010!

Today, there seemed to be a lot on my plate and I got to thinking it would be so nice to have a "domestic intern." Doesn't this make so much sense? I could have them do some of the menial, tedious tasks that I just feel like I cannot fit in the day. Certainly, they'd come in handy for childcare too, but really they could even make phone calls for me and other work associated tasks - not to mention run an errand or two for me. Seems like a great idea and I am thinking I may start this program at the local high school. Interns are great, because unlike an assistant, you don't have to pay them, but they earn by the fact that this is a learning experience. It may keep today's young women in school much longer and have them more driven to succeed. It may even increase the percentage of women going for a Masters degrees or a Doctorates?

Enjoy the snow!

7th Heaven

Catherine has been talking horses for so long that we finally broke down and let her have a lesson. It was a great start! She was delighted, if not a little nervous when the teacher said they'd try a trot. I thought I was on the horse as nervous as my stomach was...

Overall, it was a great start! She was happy (and safe)... The ride out to the stable (13 miles from us) was pleasant, just me and Catherine singing songs together on a beautiful 65 degree day. I was fortunate that my mom kept Jake while we went to the lesson. Here are a few shots...

Jake's First Haircut...

First picture shows the new hair cut, precedeing pictures show the terror and anxiety of the "first" hair cut. Needless to say, he did not enjoy it. In the final picture, you will notice Catherine's hand...she was blowing bubbles to try to distract him (with good intent). Too bad, most of the bubbles were going straight into Jake's eyes. The animal crackers that Jessie (the hair dresser) gave Jake did not solve the problem either, they just came out on his chin in a mush ball. Even still, he did look awfully cute when it was all done and he even got to keep his "trademark" curls!

Happy Day

So glad to see my girl smiling so big! What a change, we had some adjustment issues getting going in kindergarten, but she is ready and willing to go now. This is such a relief. I love this little girl!!!!

A few pictures from our visit to the beach after Christmas!

Happy New Year!!!

Just thought I should add to the magic of Christmas...Catherine woke on Christmas morning beyond excited! She showed up in our room at 6:20 AM. C: "Mommy, Daddy, do you think Santa came?" Mommy: "Catherine, why don't you go downstairs and check." Less than 1 minuted later, Catherine comes charging up the stairs and runs into our room, "Mommy, Daddy, Santa CAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!" We told her she had to wait until 7 AM to go down and get the stockings started. On the way down the steps at 7 AM on the dot, she turns to me and says, "Mommy, let's go open presents for baby Jesus." Made me laugh!

Happy New Year to all of you!

One of the reasons I love Christmas!

Catherine got a Diary for Christmas and shared this entry with me... For those who don't speak kindergarten spelling, it says "Is Santa real Yes!" There is a true excitement in this short message that shows how the whole month of December felt so magical for her and in turn for the whole family. I especially like the exclamation point after the YES! What a great holiday we all had!

Giving it another go!

I have been off line for several years with this blog! I have decided to give it another go! In the years offline...there has been an addition, "limited edition Pruitt offspring #2," as Bryan likes to call him. Jake, now 18 months old. We are having a wonderful adventure with these two little people. Here is one of the sweeter moments and tells the whole story, the two of them make our world go round!!!!

Christmas 2006

We had a great Christmas with a visit to Raleigh and Christmas day at home. Catherine was very spoiled and I didn't even have time to hide some of her gifts, because she was opening them so fast, not to mention opening other people's presents. She is a master present opener! After Christmas we went to the beach for a few days. Catherine is incredible at the beach, it is like she was born to be there, she is so happy! Lucky too, because everyone but Catherine had a mean stomach virus, she played nicely at the beach!

I Want to go to the Football Game

Catherine went to her first football game this past weekend. She especially liked seeing the "funny" ram, a.k.a. the mascot. And to top it off, there were no accidents. She told us when she had to go to the bathroom. Small victories, right? "Daddy, where is the ball?" "Daddy, what are they doing?" Indeed.

Summer 2006

Nothing major to report, just having a really great summer. Spending lots of time at various swimming pools and enjoying very hot weather. It has been lots of fun to see Catherine getting to really like her "friends." We went to a birthday party for her one friend, AKA "the other Catherine." My Catherine just talks about the "other Catherine" all the time, it is really kind of fun! Featured on this blog is a picture of Catherine with cake in hand - she loves cake at birthday parties and singing the "birthday song."
Also, I have posted a shot of my grandmother (about to be 92) and Catherine swimming at my parents pool together. It is really amazing to see them together, 90 years difference. My grandmother is trying to "teach her to swim."
Last but not least just a silly shot of Catherine in one of her everyday modes where she tries to help me make my bed by pulling off all the sheets and covers and rolling around in them.
I know all parents must think and say this, but this feels like just the best time, 2 1/2 years old is really fun!

Van Halen's Next Lead Singer?

Step aside Gary Cherone, Sammy Hagar, and David Lee Roth. We have a new lead singer for Van Halen!

Catherine is a nut! Tonight, we put her to bed and we were watching TV. We heard her talking on the monitor, which is very unusual. She always goes to bed without a peep. I go over and turn up the monitor and am surprised to hear, “I get up and nothing gets me down. You got it tough, I got the toughest all around.” Bryan and I were hysterical. Bryan has been playing her Van Halen's song JUMP, but I was surprised that it is the lullaby she chooses to put herself to bed with!

Friends!

Nothing in the world like having a best friend. Check out Catherine and her best friend, Jorin. All the afternoons are better because she has her friend to cruise the backyard with. Notice Jorin's little brother Oliver trying to get in on some action too!

Stickers

So it has been awhile since I posted anything - work and life and such, but tonight Catherine did something so cute, I have to share.

After dinner, I was cleaning up the kitchen and doing dishes. Bryan said he was going to take Catherine upstairs to listen to records (this is becoming a ritual which has led Catherine to quote songs from Corey Hart and Van Halen...) As I was cleaning up I heard Catherine coming down the stairs calling my name. This is not a big deal, but I wanted her to stay upstairs so I could finish cleaning - I assumed Bryan had become to absorbed in his music to notice Catherine's departure. When she came into the kitchen, I heard her before I saw her and she was saying, "Look mommy I got stickers." When I looked up I saw my child in a pair of jeans and nothing else with US Postage stamps stuck all over her arms and belly! I was a perfect combination of mad and amused. I grabbed her to run up the stairs and fuss at Bryan. As I was going up the stairs I was calling out, "Bryan, are you not watching your daughter???" When we met Bryan at the top of the stairs, he started laughing so hard that I could not help but laugh. I sincerely wanted to take a picture however I did not want to waste any time taking off the stamps and trying to salvage as many as I could! Too bad I did not take a picture because it was certainly memorable.

More pictures...

My other "boy" friend, Ethan Graham...

More pictures from the weekend....

A visit with Cameron Whitehurst and his mom, Candice - eating at Andy's Pizzeria

A Day at the Park

We visited Raleigh for the weekend to celebrate Catherine's Mimi's birthday. We spent some time at Millbrook Exchange (Bryan's former employer). It is a real joy to see Catherine outside, she loves to play in any park, any where, any time.

A little like her mom?

OK, I could not resist, I have to post a picture of myself at about 18 months old....
Always and forever Catherine looks just like her DAD, which is great (he is a handsome fellow), but I see a little bit of me making an appearance in her! Take a look.

Springtime for Catherine!

I love this picture, taken about 1 week after a major stomach infection took over our home briefly. This is the typical Catherine, smiling and bright (nice to have her back). I sympathize with all those who have survived the dreaded "stomach bug." It is no joke and really heartbreaking to see your little one so sick.
Notice, we cannot see her teeth in this picture, I swear they are in there. We are enjoying some really beautiful weather here in North Carolina and Catherine is thrilled that she can wear her "sundresses." Her short hair seems to have brought out some curls too!