Rockin' Robbins

2012-02-10T08:09:00.001-05:00

Michael has taken Amy hiking/exploring around Sope Creek 3 times this week.

They have been looking for crawdaddies, turtles (to bring one home for a pet), and unicorns.

So far, they have found 1 crawdaddy.

2012-02-06T19:58:00.001-05:00

I have not quit this blog...I don't think I ever will.

There is just a lot going on in our family that we are not ready to make announcements about.

Very exciting things that I don't want to jinx.

2012-01-01T16:05:00.000-05:00

Santa gave us our own Elf this year.
His name is Rainbow Dash...or Dash for short.

2011-12-05T21:36:00.003-05:00

We celebrated Amy's 5th birthday with a party at the playground last weekend. We had a great turnout and perfect weather.

My favorite part of the whole day was her reaction to everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to her. You could see it in her face the moment she realized that everyone was there to celebrate her. She had the sweetest smile I have ever seen and her big blues eyes opened as wide as they ever have, and her jaw dropped a little bit. I had never seen her with an expression like that before. She was in awe of the moment. I saw her self esteem grow in that very moment (not that it was lacking to begin with).

Thanks Michell and Curtis for the great pictures! I was able to enjoy the party and the company so much more knowing you guys were taking better pictures than I ever could :).

2011-11-28T19:43:00.002-05:00

We are so excited for Amy's birthday and birthday party this weekend.

This is a snip of her invitation.

2011-11-23T14:48:00.004-05:00

Amy was trying to lure the horse in close enough for a kiss.

2011-11-20T09:10:00.004-05:00

2011-10-23T19:36:00.006-05:00

Grandma Martha took us to Southern Belle Farms in McDonough, Ga yesterday.

We were expecting a pumpkin patch and got SO MUCH more!

a caterpillar!

Horse races!

I have not laughed so hard as I did on this bounce pillow in years.

It was so much fun, and a great work out, too : ).

Then Mike got his workout peddling Amy around the go cart track.

2011-10-10T19:08:00.002-05:00

2011-10-02T19:49:00.002-05:00

Buddy & Grandma were kind enough to rent a pontoon boat for us to take to Shell Island.

2011-10-02T19:17:00.004-05:00

Amy and her crazy Council cousins.

We had a huge weekend in Elba last weekend.

A friend of my dad has a Cessna that he took us up in.

Jack flew us around Elba for about half an hour,

and I even got to pilot the airplane for a few minutes!

Amy caught a cricket while the others were having their turn in the plane.

I told her she could keep it if she kissed it.

2011-09-07T11:00:00.002-05:00

Amy has been in Pre-K for 3 weeks now and is doing so well...at least as far as i know. She loves everything about school...except the waking up early part. Takes after her momma on that one. The first week and a half she insisted I park and walk her in to her classroom and stay for a few minutes while she got acclimated. I told her I was eventually going to start dropping her off at the kiss & ride. This really scared her until I explained I what "dropping off" means and she learned that it wouldn't hurt :). When I took her yesterday, she begged to be "dropped" at the kiss & ride. As soon as I pulled up to the school she unbuckled and jumped out of her booster seat and threw her backpack on and jumped out of the car just as I opened the door. Before I could even say "have fun and be a good girl" she was sprinting down the hall (her class is at the very end of the hallway). She turned her head halfway around without breaking stride and yelled "don't worry mommy, i will." And I thought I was done with the tearful drop-offs.

It makes me so proud that she enjoys school so much. I do wish that I got more feedback from her teacher, though. When I pull in to pick her up, even if I go inside, they send her running down the hall to me and they don't really have time to answer my general questions about her day. I'm certain they would tell me if she got in trouble or hurt...but I want to know every detail about everything she does. I guess that is part of letting go. It is hard for me to not know everything that happened at school, everything she did good and bad, silly and mischievous. And Amy is no good about telling me what she did during the day. She enjoys making up stories to shut my inquiries up. She has told me at least 3 stories about school that I found out were just completely made up. I have learned how to decipher the made up stories: she uses cartoon character names for the other people. She swore up and down to me that her teacher's name was Ms. My Little Pony and her assistant teacher was Ms. Carebear. She told me all about her new best friend, Austin, down to his hair color and what he was wearing and how they held hands on the playground. I went in to meet Austin the next day and when Amy overheard me asking Ms. Olivia about him, she laughed hysterically and yelled "tricked ya!". The next week she told me Tyrone got in trouble for pulling her hair and she got in trouble for pulling his hair. I finally put together that Tyrone and Austin are both characters on The Backyardigans, and didn't ask her teacher for details on this one.

2011-08-15T09:05:00.002-05:00

Amy and I both had so much fun at Brendan's birthday party last weekend!

2011-08-15T08:58:00.002-05:00

Holy Cow! My baby is a school girl! Today was Amy's first day of preK at Primrose Lassiter. She is in Ms Olivia's class, and very happy about that.

2011-07-26T16:55:00.005-05:00

We met Amy's cousins and Buddy & Grandma Carolyn in Chattanooga for the weekend. We wanted to ride the incline railway up Lookout Mountain, but there was an hour wait, each way. So instead, we drove up the mountain and walked around the top.

Amy & Jael at the hotel lobby.

Then Buddy treated us to a sunset dinner cruise on the river.

The kids were still wired after the boat ride, so they road cardboard

boxes down a big grassy hill and sprinted back up...for about an hour!

The next morning we ventured over to Coolidge Park to play in the water fountains.

2011-07-26T16:40:00.002-05:00

Amy went through a short lived kangaroo kick.

I made her a tee shirt with a pouch so she could carry around her

beanie babies and other small animals.

2011-07-22T07:42:00.001-05:00

I just completed my first season of tennis. I played singles for a neighborhood team that I found while taking lessons at a nearby tennis center. It was so much fun to be participating in organized sports again and to be on a team. And it was just as much fun for Amy as it was for me. Two of my teammates had daughters that babysat for Amy while I practiced and played. Amy loves both of them...Ms. Kelsey and Ms. Nicole.

I dropped Amy off with Nicole yesterday morning before my last tennis match. She was super excited to be greeted by their dog, and even more excited to play with their cat and their guinea pig, but the best part... they took her to see their horses!!! She fed them carrots and brushed them and sat on one, then rode the other one.

His name is Curly and she did not want to get off of him.

This is Star, and her babysitter, Nicole.

What an unexpected treat!!!

2011-06-12T08:22:00.008-05:00

more photos from Va Beach:

Amy was so much more receptive to the water this trip.

She moves at her own pace and there is no pushing her or rushing her,

so it was nice to see her playing in the water.

Building sand castles with Daddy is always her favorite.

Uncle Dick got a new sea kayak that he shared with us.

2011-06-03T11:36:00.002-05:00

We coordinated with Andrew & Souraya to meet up and visit Mike's Aunt Carmond & Uncle Dick in Virginia Beach for Memorial Day Weekend. Between the company, their dog, their pool and the beach in walking distance, we had a great time!

Amy and her cousin Baby Gabey.

Amy trying to fetch the ball for Sir Lewis English.

Gabriel chillin' in the deep end.

Amy still won't leave the steps...which is fine with me.

Somebody pushed Daddy in...

and then laughed about it for 5 minutes.

2011-05-24T17:48:00.004-05:00

Amy and I went on a playdate to The Art Barn today. It was so much fun!

I knew it was going to be a great day when Farmer Sue welcomed Amy with a fresh egg.

Amy hugged (and kissed) most of the animals.

2011-05-23T18:19:00.000-05:00

Bubbles in the backyard.

Icing a cake with Grandma.

Also icing Amy's mouth and face.

2011-05-05T12:41:00.003-05:00

Nap time slowly graduated to quiet time.

Now quiet time has evolved to make a mess and play in your room time.

Can you find Amy?

Silly girl!

Barefoot fun in the new backyard!

Amy at Farmhouse in the City holding Bunny Love.

2011-05-05T12:36:00.002-05:00

A few Easter pictures.

Sorry, no dresses or bonnets this year.

2011-04-15T19:12:00.002-05:00

Amy had her first tennis lesson yesterday.

She did really well...except for the whole paying attention part.

Good shot Amy!!!

She thought her friend made a good shot too, so she's giving him a thumbs up :).

2011-04-10T07:43:00.001-05:00

2011-04-06T15:14:00.001-05:00

Amy loves playing in the backyard...with bare feet.

And then she loves when I wash them in the kitchen sink.

2011-04-06T15:05:00.002-05:00

Pajama Dance Party!!!

On April Fools Day, Amy and I made Mike a special dinner...April Fools Casserole. It consisted of many delicious ingredients, none of which went well together. We're talking mustard, pickles, onions, gatorade, oatmeal, peanut butter, honey, bisquick, milk, leftover mac & cheese, garlic, pesto and whatever else we found in the pantry and fridge. We tricked him in to taking a bite and Amy thought it was the funniest thing ever. I kinda did too, and Mike was a super great sport about the whole thing. I had a pizza in the oven ready to serve after the joke was over :).

Amy is sitting on her eggs (rocks actually) in her nest.

2011-04-06T14:38:00.002-05:00

Back on St Patrick's Day we met Amy's cousins at the playground on their way through town.

2011-03-04T11:31:00.002-05:00

Amy & Peanut

the happy dance

more happy dance

2011-02-20T10:50:00.005-05:00

Every Wednesday Amy goes to the YMCA for moms morning out, then lunch bunch, then wacky water Wednesday. Or as she calls it "school."

It is even more fun for Amy than it is for me. She loves her teacher and her classmates.

Mike has broken ground on a tree house/swing set for the back yard.

Amy & Butterscotch.

I finally finished this project that I had been working on for a while.

I guess its still a work in progress.

Its spring!!! Or at least it feels like it!

Also...thanks to some help from a good friend, I got Amy preregistered for pre-k. It is a big deal to have a guaranteed spot in a GA (lottery funded) pre-k when you are not a current enrollee. Amy will start preschool full time, 5 days a week this August, at Primrose Lassiter. Holy Cow!

2011-01-30T18:53:00.000-05:00

2011-01-17T10:23:00.003-05:00

A few more pictures from the holidays and family visits:

2011-01-13T18:22:00.001-05:00

It's not easy being a 4 year old princess' best friend.

2010-12-27T13:32:00.003-05:00

We got to share a white Christmas with Amy's cousins who had never seen snow before!

Here are Amy and Michael hollering for more snow.

Snow ball fight with Grandma!

We also had a very fun visit to Fernbank Museum!

Amy loves her grandparents...all of them!

2010-12-20T00:22:00.004-05:00

We are very lucky to have friends that know the REAL Santa Claus. Every year, a week or two before Christmas, he visits with Terri-Lynne and her family and they are kind enough to invite us over to share the fun.

This year Amy warmed up to the big guy pretty quickly and remembered most of the things on her wish list to ask him for. She also verified that Santa likes chocolate chip cookies...and that his beard is real.

She is playing with the new toy Santa gave her from his big red bag.

Amy with her cousins Alex and Santiago who are visiting from Puebla, Mexico.

They all like to dance!

And they all love books.

This picture is of Amy picking up a rainbow. We just recently installed a new front door that casts prisms into our entryway. Amy always gets excited when she sees them.

2010-12-19T23:48:00.000-05:00

We have a few extra tree skirts, so we each tried one on.

2010-12-11T11:14:00.002-05:00

Busch Gardens!

Amy did so well on the rides at the zoo, I decided to take her to an amusement park while we were in Florida. It took her a little bit of time to warm up to the rides again, but by the time she did, she didn't want to leave. We stayed until closing.

When the lady finished painting her face, Amy jumped out of the chair and chased a squirrel up a tree. Then she barked at some people, and then continued to chase her tail in circles.

Gretchen has taught her well.

2010-12-11T11:12:00.001-05:00

It is always a special treat to meet up with Mom Mom and Leia.

2010-12-11T10:56:00.003-05:00

Amy and I drove to Tampa to visit with Kim this week. Both of our husbands were out of town for work, so we figured it would be a good opportunity for some girl time. We went to Lowery Park Zoo on Tuesday and I had no idea how nicely it had been renovated. It was so much fun! And I was very impressed with how adventurous Amy was.

2010-12-05T19:54:00.005-05:00

I got a new camera (and flash) for my early Christmas present this year. I wanted it early so I could use it for Amy's birthday party. Unfortunately, I should have studied how to use it properly first. Most of my pictures turned out washed out from too much flash, or blurry from not enough light or the wrong setting. I'm learning...

Amy is 4!!!

A rare picture with Grandma & Grandpa Robbins.

We had her birthday party at a gymnastics and cheerleading gym. She is helping her friend, Mary, out of the foam pit here. It is tough to get out of the foam pit!

Holy crazy, Dad!!!

The adults had as much fun as the kids.

But I think Mike had the most fun!

My parents and my sister (plus 4) came in from Elba and Knoxville to celebrate with us.

I like to make Amy a cake for her actual birthday, and then buy one for her party. This is the one that I made and decorated that we had on Friday for our family celebration.

Amy enjoyed helping put the ornaments on the tree this year, but got scared on the ladder trying to help Mike put the star on top.

2010-11-28T22:17:00.004-05:00

Amy and her crazy cousins in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard in Elba.

Amy is allowed to play baseball with Grandma, inside!

showing off the teapot dance she learned at the ymca.

Amy has NO tolerance for a wet or dirty shirt.

She would rather be naked, outside, in the cold.

On your mark, get set, GO!

Amy is in puppy love with Conway.

the benefit of only weighing 31 pounds.

2010-11-16T15:47:00.001-05:00

2010-11-14T08:23:00.003-05:00

Buddy and Grandma took us on a train ride in Chattanooga yesterday.

2010-11-11T15:10:00.006-05:00

2010-10-31T22:20:00.004-05:00

Grumpy Bear, Cheer Bear & Harmony Bear

We were pulled around a subdivision on a trailer with

hay for our trick-or-treating.

Heaven forbid we burn off any of the calories we consumed by walking :).

The long drive home.

Amy really helped turn the pumpkins into Jack-O-Lanterns this year.

This was taken last week at Mike's office party.

...and this was at dance class last Thursday.

Amy dressed up many times this Halloween season!

and here she is jammin' out with her makeshift guitar.

We've been meaning to make this landing at the top of the stairs Gretchen's

spot for a long time. Mission finally accomplished, and that's a happy pup!

2010-10-16T21:58:00.004-05:00

a few more pictures from Burt's:

2010-10-11T13:53:00.004-05:00

We made our annual trip to Burt's Pumpkin Patch yesterday.

We had a nice picnic afterwards, and then

the kids played in the woods and in the creek.

By the time we got to our favorite photo location in the world,

Amy was DONE tolerating the camera.

2010-10-11T13:51:00.001-05:00

Amy's crazy Council cousins stopped by for a visit.

Here they all are at our favorite playground.

2010-10-11T13:40:00.004-05:00

Amy started dance class at the YMCA last week. She loves it. It is a class for 2-4 year olds and she made friends with the other girls quickly. They do 20 minutes of tap, 20 minutes of creative movement (which is basically playtime) and then 20 minutes of ballet. I was impressed with how well she listened to the teacher and followed instruction...most of the time.

2010-10-11T13:35:00.002-05:00

Mike made it home from Japan, for good.

And he is finally caught up on sleep and adjusted back to our time zone.

2010-09-30T10:28:00.003-05:00

On our drive home from Tampa, Amy and I stopped in Holiday to visit with Mom Mom & Leia, her birth grandmother and half sister. They are so sweet and loving. I am so happy that Amy gets grow up knowing and loving them.

Leia helped Amy make a bunny rabbit using her arts and crafts.

2010-09-30T09:23:00.005-05:00

Amy and I drove to Tampa for a mini vacation during Mike's final stretch in Japan. We had so much fun staying with Kim and Mike. We went to the beach, the aquarium, the children's museum, and rode the trolley.

Again, Amy didn't like going into the ocean, so we brought the ocean to her.

Kim had lots of princess presents waiting for Amy when we got there.

She played dress up with clothes, shoes and jewelry all weekend.

2010-09-08T13:51:00.003-05:00

We drove to Virginia Beach to visit with Uncle Dick & Aunt Carmond for

Labor Day weekend and had fun, fun, fun!

2010-08-30T18:03:00.001-05:00

I checked the weather forecast mid morning and saw the high was

in the mid 80's so I decided it would be a great day to go to the zoo.

Amy is showing me how the flamingos stand.

And here she is feeding a bird some millet.

Mike brought this toy back from Japan for Amy and she takes it everywhere, including the zoo.

It was such a beautiful day and Amy was so well behaved that I splurged and bought the unlimited ride ticket for her. We rode the train 4 times and I lost count of carousel rides.

2010-08-29T09:51:00.002-05:00

Daddy made it home from Japan last night at 10:45. Amy talked and talked to him the whole hour long drive home. "Daddy I missed you so much. Daddy I love you so much."

2010-08-28T13:41:00.001-05:00

Amber applying lip gloss at Beth's assistant coaching debut at GSU.

We stopped in Lakeshore Learning Center to pick up some art supplies and they were having their own do-it-yourself craft. Here is Her Highness on the way back home.

2010-08-26T13:19:00.001-05:00

Amy & Grandma at the East Cobb Market.

Ring Around the Rosie...

mmm...a cold treat.

what was I thinking letting her have a powdered donut in the car???

2010-08-21T10:11:00.002-05:00

Mike is in Iwakuni Japan for a few weeks.

That is the Kintai Bridge behind him.

(Mike, hurry home. Amy needs a bath.)

2010-08-21T09:35:00.002-05:00

With Mike in Japan for a while, Amy and I went to visit my parents in Elba last weekend.

Here she is in her Sunday best.

Amy is trying to get Conway to take a nap with her. (It didn't quite work).

My parents' church was having a back to school celebration.

We stopped by for lunch and some fun.

Face painting is always a big hit with Amy!

Amy loves chapstick. She is sharing hers with Buddy and Grandma.

We took Amy to a kids workshop at Lowe's where she built a bug house.

She was good with the hammer. Buddy enjoyed helping.

Amy is still very into birds and eggs and nests. We sit at the breakfast table in the mornings and she points out the finches and the woodpeckers and the cardinals, and our favorite, the robins. She saw this in Lowe's and suckered G'pa Buddy in to buying it for her.

2010-08-10T08:20:00.000-05:00

2010-08-02T21:48:00.002-05:00

Amy and I drove to Chattanooga on Tuesday to meet

my sister and Landon & Jael at the children's museum.

and here are a couple from the playground...

M4H03702

2010-07-25T23:17:00.000-05:00

2010-07-25T10:45:00.002-05:00

Amy and her friend (and neighbor) Arden having fun in the pool.

2010-07-23T11:42:00.002-05:00

mmmmm, wedding cake!

Amy found the best place to cool off at David & Jessica's wedding.

Amy is very proud of her new booster seat. She feels like such a big girl because she can get in it herself, and she can unbuckle and get out herself, too. Certainly makes my life easier.

Buddy, Grandma and Amy at Ikea.

2010-07-14T11:44:00.005-05:00

Grandma Robbins took Amy outside to play with the hose and water the flowers.

I didn't warn her about how funny Amy thinks it is to spray people with the hose.

Sorry G'ma, you were a great sport, especially when

Amy kept asking you whyyour shirt was wet afterwards.

I left the kitchen briefly during lunch today and returned to find

Amywatching tv in the reflection of the china cabinet.

Little stinker!

2010-07-05T15:57:00.006-05:00

We followed tradition and drove to Ohio again for this year's

4th of July holiday. Amy loved on all of her family,

especially her Great Grandpa Griffin and her cousin Elizabeth.

But she loved even more on Uncle Jon's farm animals.

2010-06-29T12:04:00.006-05:00

Our computer was broken (struck by lightning, again) a few

weeks ago,so here is a quick catch up of the 2nd half of June:

Mike's company party was at Stone Mountain this year.

Amy flew a kite at the top.

And we all had fun on the train ride.

Amy hid in the tree from Mike. She loves to hide.

If you listen carefully, you can always hear her saying "shhhh."

I got some purple highlights, but they've already faded out.

And we've been chillin' at the pool...alot!

Amy's friend at the pool told us that this jump is called the flying squirrel.

2010-06-08T20:08:00.001-05:00

I am afraid she is going to hurt herself making this silly face.

Seriously.

2010-05-30T12:28:00.004-05:00

2010-05-27T20:01:00.000-05:00

2010-05-16T21:35:00.002-05:00

Amy and I met up with her crazy Council cousins at the Chattanooga Childrens' Museum today.

I'm not sure why, but she wanted to make funny faces at the gecko .

her new toy.

eating honeysuckle for the first time. mmm.

2010-05-14T13:39:00.000-05:00

This is Amy's new favorite outfit...
and her new favorite camera pose.

2010-05-09T17:18:00.004-05:00

Our 3rd trip to the Yellow River Game Ranch

was even more fun than the first two!

See...

2010-05-06T10:14:00.007-05:00

I got home last night and was immediately under attack.

guess who doesn't like a wet shirt...

or skirt.

Amy in her new big girl (full size) bed.

2010-04-28T21:23:00.001-05:00

2010-04-21T20:14:00.003-05:00

2010-04-04T14:55:00.001-05:00

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T14:53:00.001-05:00

Amy's cousin Jael came down from Knoxville and spent a

few nights with us over her spring break again this year.

2010-03-31T11:19:00.007-05:00

My parents rented a pontoon boat for us for my birthday last weekend.

We took it to Shell Island and had lots of fun.

Amy really enjoyed feeding the seagulls on the go.

...and she also enjoyed grandpa buddy's cookies.

2010-03-10T20:00:00.008-05:00

Mike's Post: I am a very proud Papa, just look at my little trail runner in her dress and hair bow. She kept going, I had to stop filming and run after her.

2010-03-07T15:21:00.002-05:00

"Let's play Halloween!"

2010-03-07T15:02:00.000-05:00

We went to Emerson's 1st birthday party at Piedmont Park yesterday and Amy was in dog heaven!

...and sugar heaven.

2010-02-26T16:09:00.003-05:00

We made some playdough and spent all morning making a nest, then eggs to go in the nest, then mommy bird. Then the eggs hatched so we made them into lots of baby birds.

I swear I didn't photoshop her eyes. They are unreal.

Amy grabbed these out of the dryer and put them on and said

"I look like daddy. i beautiful princess."

2010-02-13T11:48:00.000-05:00

Stomping the snow.

Daddy shook the tree!

2010-02-12T19:35:00.004-05:00

trying to catch snow on her tongue.

getting a snowball ready to throw at me...

throwing the snowball at me...

she got me!

2010-02-03T12:41:00.001-05:00

Amy made a ladybug today at art class.

2010-01-28T13:46:00.003-05:00

Amy has been asking, no...begging, to go to the beach all week.

Finally, we decided to take an imaginary trip.

We put on swimsuits and sunscreen and laid down on beach towels in the living room.

We have done this 3 days in a row now.

We got a little bit of snow a few weeks ago and Amy REALLY wanted to make snow angels.

Unfortunately they turned out to be more of mud angels.

Grandma Carolyn came and stayed a week with us and Amy loved it!

2010-01-08T08:59:00.002-05:00

2009-12-27T16:38:00.003-05:00

2009-12-27T16:31:00.002-05:00

Christmas Chaos:

2009-12-27T16:21:00.002-05:00

4 grandkids loving on Grandpa Buddy.

A favorite holiday tradition is meeting the real Santa Claus at the Gilbert's house. He flies in with Mrs. Claus, an elf and his big toy bag. Amy gets to sit on his lap and talk to him. The whole car ride over this year she was telling us how she was going to give Santa a big hug, and she did.

2009-12-23T12:17:00.001-05:00

Amy sat her animals at the table and sang "Happy Birthday to You". I'm not sure if she was reliving her birthday party, or celebrating one of their birthdays, but we enjoyed watched her coordinate.

Amy got a big girl haircut for the holidays.

2009-12-13T09:59:00.001-05:00

2009-12-13T08:56:00.001-05:00

Hot chocolate in a sippy cup.

2009-12-13T08:50:00.001-05:00

2009-12-04T10:25:00.005-05:00

Amy turned 3 yesterday and she was most looking forward to blowing out her candles.

Also...she is working hard on potty training and doing very well.

She is diaper free during the day and even woke up with a dry diaper this morning!

2009-11-10T10:18:00.002-05:00

Checking out the zebras at Zoo Atlanta.

I think Amy likes the statues as much as she likes the real animals.

Amy is feeding a parakeet some millet.

Amy in her favorite play spot, playing with her animals.