Azaleas

In Charleston, right now the azaleas are in bloom. I asked Momma and Daddy if we could go to Middleton Place Plantation to look at all the beautiful flowers. Momma was very excited because she loves azaleas and secretly wanted to go too. Daddy of course wanted to go because his 2 favorite girls wanted to see the flowers.
One thing that we did not know about Middleton Place Plantation is that they let the sheep roam around the grounds. Every time I saw the sheep I wanted to run after them but the sheep herder was always close by so I did not get to play with them. I also got to see 2 alligators and many families of ducks. I tried to pull a fast one on Momma and Daddy when I was on the hill looking at the ducks by running down to the river to see the ducks up close but I did not get very far. I sure am glad that Daddy took us on this adventure. It was alot of fun to see all the pretty shades of pink and all the different types of animals I do not get to see on a regular day.

A Dress from Grandma Debby

A few weeks ago when Grandma Debby came to visit she brought a dress she had been making for me. I got to try it one for size but she took it back with her to Atlanta. I did not understand why she was taking it back with her after all I thought it was for me. Well I know why she took it back - she had to put the finishing touches on it.

Easter Sunday

Easter was a lot of fun this year because I know what all the excitement is about regarding the Easter Bunny! For starters he leaves eggs right out side your bedroom door. If you follow the eggs they will lead you to your Easter basket. Which had a lot of fun stuff in it like chicks and bunnies, play doh, an egg magna doodle, bubbles, jewelery and of course candy. For some reason I have not seen any of the candy since it was in my Easter basket. I do not know what happened to it.
After you get to play with your Easter basket goodies, you must eat breakfast before going to Easter Sunday Mass. In a very special dress made by Auntie Pam. Come to think of it the candy disappeared after Mass, maybe it had something to do with the way I behaved in Mass?

Play Dates

On St. Patrick's Day I was so busy. They day started with a trip and picnic to the park with some of my friends from Momma's Making It Group. We had a lot of fun playing and hunting for Easter Eggs. When we went home an Momma put me down for a nap but she did not tell my that my friend Ellisyn would be coming over to play. So I woke up to a great surprise! We played with our dolls, read books and Momma let us watch Sesame Street.

Later that night my day full of play dates continued with Daddy. We worked on building towers. It is very important to use precision when building towers for you do not want them to collapse. Even though it is really funny if they do.

A New Career

Since my hair cut I have been busy practicing lots of 'careers' that I might be interested in when I am older.

Sister Isabella Marie

I just finished taking up my collection for the new children's center.

IT Specialist
Explaining to Momma why the computer will not do what she wants.

Horticulturist

Teaching Grandma and Grandpa about the Angel Oak in Charleston, the largest oak tree in the world.

Wine Connoisseur
Picking out a bottle of wine for dinner with Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy and Momma, who of course was not drinking.

Beauty Salon

After 19 months, Momma and Daddy decided to let me get a trim. It was quite a different experience than I had expected because I got to drive a car while getting my hair cut. I have been preparing for this day for a long time by getting my hair blow dried every night and getting my hair fixed every morning while looking in the mirror. I followed most of the directions with the exception of a couple of times when I had to have my head held by the beautician or by Momma. In the end instead of getting my hair blow dried, I got some curl booster put in my hair. I was really excited to get a new do-- as you can see I was striking a pose.

Biking on Folly

In less than 2 weeks I was blessed with seeing the ocean. This time with Momma and Daddy! We loaded up our bikes for a nice Sunday afternoon picnic and bike ride along the beach. The weather was wonderful for such a fun day at the beach in the winter. Here are some of my tips for picnics at the beach:

#1 It is best to eat your lunch while laying on the sand. It is a plus to empty all of your gold fish out of the bag on to the sand. This gives is a nice gritty taste.
#2 It is important to bring the towel with you to the beach not leave it in the car; when playing in the sand mainly the wet sand. Getting back into the bike trailer can be tricky with wet sand all over your body.

#3 It takes exceptional skill to balance a ball on sea foam. Only those who are really talented can master this task. I am one of the few. It is not a good idea to leave it in the trailer with me because I like to throw it out and sometimes Momma and Daddy are unaware of this trick.

Dre comes to Charleston

My cousin, Andrea came to Charleston to spend the week with me because she was on break from school because of Mardi Gras. I call Andrea, Dre becasue it is easier to say. Dre likes to shop so we went to lots shops which was fun and I was very good in all of them. We went to Folly Beach one days since the weather was in the 70's. We had fun at the beach playing in the sand and letting our hair blow in the wind. I really wanted to get in the water but Momma said it was way to cold. I didn't even get to put my feet in!

We also went shopping on Friday. On Friday's I like to go have lunch with Daddy then go home to take a nap because I go to school on Friday's and I play really hard so I am extra sleepy. But since Dre was in town wwe went shopping after school on Friday but I didn't even make it to the stores.

The last day Dre was in Charleston, we went downtown to the Battery where we found a park and of course I had to swing! Here are a few pictures of some of the houses along the Battery and Rainbow Row.

Picnic at the park

On Sunday, it was so nice outside that Daddy thought it would be a good idea to go get some Popeye's and go to the park for a picnic. Momma said it reminded her of being at the parades since we had Popeye's and she promised someday soon that I will get to go to Mardi Gras. At our picnic Daddy gave me my first taste of cole slaw and I loved it. After we ate our lunch it was off to play. Daddy was swinging me high and low and wiping the drool every time I needed it. We had so much fun at the park and Momma was sure I would take a long nap but I surprised her with just a 45 minute cat nap.

Mexia-neese Doll

In this political day and age I wanted to make sure that I know what it is like for all nationalities to live in America. Therefore it is time to play dress up or pre-getting ready for bed time. I put on my china doll outfit first and had Momma put my hair in a pony tail. Then I got my moroccan to play some music for Daddy while he was working on trying to fix his laptop with Dell. I was really enjoying my music. I don't think that Daddy was enjoying his on the phone.
I decided to give Daddy a break from my music to go have a talk with Bailey. Bailey sometimes does not listen to me so I have to lift up his ear to get his full attention. As you can see we have an understanding of who is boss!

Counting Fraggle

After much repetition of going up and down the stairs, counting the stairs. I finally will count away from the stairs. Momma is so excited that I am learning new things.

Christmas Season Continues from NOLA to Atlanta

After Christmas in NOLA it was time to go to Atlanta, for the Hoglund Christmas. It sure is fun to get to experience chaos and calmness during the Christmas season. For breakfast our first morning there Grandma let me try out a new cup which was the same cup my Daddy learned to drink out from. I was drinking out of a vintage cup, how cool is that! When it was time to open presents there was a calmness that overcame the process. I was able to study and play with my presents in between opening gifts. The one I am studying is one of my favorite toys to play with, it is a grocery cart and I can put all kinds of things in it to roll around the house.

As the Christmas season comes to a close we were able to celebrate the New Year with Clemson playing in the Chick fil A bowl. We really should not talk about this game because it did not end well but we had a good time before Momma, Daddy, and everyone left for the game. I got to stay and play with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Jenna. But before everyone left my Paran Uncle Justin gave me piggy back rides. Be sure to note the cool orange patent leather loafers.Grandma is my favorite when it comes to Giddy Up Horsey. Unlike the carousel in NOLA this 'horsey' lets me slide down her leg.Everyone must have a family picture on New Years Eve just like on Christmas Eve.

The Eve of and Christmas Day Ode

After fluffing our curls for a long mass
To see the priest who was to marry Momma and Daddy at there wedding mass
But since the hurricane came,
these things would not be the same
My Nanny Hanna let me open a gift you see.
It was a new doll that I named Eva Marie
I took her with me to church where we played quite nice
We had to be as quiet as 2 little mice

Then we were off to Mimi JoAnn's, where I met a new friend
Kalee Jo said if we did not share it would be the end
For Santa would not come to see us,
And we would surely fuss

Another stop was to be made for dinner
Everyone knew that pasta would be a winner
Thank goodness for Aunt Angie and Uncle Andy for letting us in
For having McDonald's on Christmas Eve would have been a sin

As the night wore on I was tired as could be
For it was a busy day for little ole me

When I awoke from my sleep, Christmas Day was finally here
Now it was time to spread the Christmas cheer

Aunt Christilynn, leads us in song

So we know that it wont be long

The Garrity Caroling Tradition is here
For my singing debut was finally near

When the singing is all done

It is time for some real fun

The chaos came when the presents were passed out
For those who handed them out had to shout

When the presents were finished some love I had to show

To Uncle Johnny in case you didn't know

Uncle Dave was next, as he gave me some fudge
That dipped in shrimp dip tasted quite well so I did not budge

Little did I know this would keep me up all night
Which was not a pretty sight