Julianne's Show-And-Tell

School Pictures

2011-05-01T17:21:00.000-04:00

Mrs. Sharpe's Starfish

Our New Kittens

2010-07-18T17:04:00.000-04:00

"Lucy, you got some 'splainin to do!"

Thursday afternoon we all headed over to Stagelight Cattery in North Augusta, SC, to pick up the newest members of the family: Lucy and Desi, four-month-old Burmese kittens. Desi is a Platinum Burmese, like three other cats we've loved and lost: Buddy Jack, Rose and Grayson. Lucy, his sister, is a Blue Burmese. They are slowly getting used to us and their new home. Desi is Julianne's kitten; she loves him to pieces and is learning how to handle and take care of both of them.

School Portrait

2010-04-21T19:51:00.000-04:00

More Birthday Wishes

2009-09-10T16:49:00.000-04:00

When we think of snuggling,
Of frivoling, and fun,
We miss you, Nannie Barbara,
Because you are Number One!

Love, Julianne and Nicole

A Card for my Teacher

2009-09-07T19:24:00.002-04:00

PS: You may wonder, why the rats instead of cats? Rats moved into #1 this weekend when Tao, an adorable baby rat, joined our menagerie. Her dad bought Tao for Julianne (and mom!) when we visited the animals at Pendergrass Flea Market. Pics soon...

"I Can Point, Click, and Surf YouTube!"

2009-09-02T21:07:00.007-04:00

A developmental milestone that didn't exist when I was five.

Here are two of her favorites:

She

Today in Art Class

2009-09-02T15:45:00.000-04:00

First Day of Kindergarten

2009-08-10T07:00:00.002-04:00

Waking up at 5:30 is rough

Nervous and excited...

and still a bit sleepy!

Bus Stop

2009-08-10T06:45:00.001-04:00

Everybody watched her maiden voyage on a school bus! Thanks to Nannie Barbara for all these wonderful pics.

Sasha likes to bark at large vehicles going by, but Julianne insisted that she join us.

We cross carefully. My heart and prayers go out to the family of Suk Maya, the little girl in Clarkston who was killed this week crossing the street with her mother to get on the bus.

In the Halls

2009-08-10T06:40:00.001-04:00

These three mouseketeers from the neighborhood squeezed into the same seat together!

She rode the bus, but then we met her at the school to walk her to her room. (I know, I know!)

Heads down, hands grasped for comfort, they seem to think they're marching into doom!

Got to love the water turtles' antics.

Brown's Bears

2009-08-10T06:30:00.001-04:00

She's very excited about kindergarten as a Brown's Bear!

Mom is in awe of the concept and execution of this beautiful outdoor classroom sponsored by the PTO.

Cafeteria orientation.

New Classroom

2009-08-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

And so, the year begins.

Graduation Day!

2009-06-08T18:45:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Mimae!

2009-04-05T20:51:00.000-04:00

The gang gathered at Kani House today to celebrate Mimae's birthday.

The Birthday Girl

2009-03-31T11:39:00.001-04:00

Julianne was really excited about turning five, and had a great time partying with her friends Sunday afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese. We were so glad that everyone invited was able to come! The kids enjoyed pizza, cake, games, and a special appearance from The Big Cheese himself. (And Mom enjoyed leaving the mess behind.) Thanks everyone for making it such a special day.

P.S. The next morning, she woke up and ran upstairs to check with Mimae: "Am I still five?"

At the Playground with Maddie

2009-03-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

At the Playground with Sydney

2009-03-24T08:59:00.002-04:00

Building Lady Grey

2009-03-24T08:44:00.001-04:00

For my birthday, Nannie Barbara took me to Build-A-Bear and I got to make and adopt my own kitty cat! I picked out her colors and clothes and promised to take good care of her. This was so much fun. We even have matching pajamas for slumber parties, and she is my new favorite cat. Thank you, Nannie Barbara!

The New Room

2009-03-13T14:37:00.002-04:00

Hooray, the renovations are complete! This is how Julianne's new playroom looked for three seconds when it was brand-new, around Christmas. It is an awesome space for a growing girl, and it has been such a household relief to finally have "a place for her stuff." We are so grateful.

Seven Stitches

2009-03-13T08:58:00.001-04:00

On our way to a playdate with Ariana, a friend from ballet, Julianne slipped on a wet towel in the bathroom and busted her chin open on the bathtub. It was a very small cut, less than an inch, but so deep that you could see several layers under the skin. She had to get a shot to numb it and kind young Dr. Mitchell at NSF ER placed seven careful stitches, which were taken out the night we got back from Myrtle Beach. It's healing really well. Julianne was most upset about missing Ariana at the playground!

Star Student

2009-02-08T11:06:00.000-05:00

Got Tadpoles?

2009-01-09T23:13:00.005-05:00

For Christmas, Mom gave Julianne this cool Grow-A-Bullfrog kit and the two tadpoles finally came in today's mail! We put Freddie and Teddy in their new habitat tonight, and can't wait to find out what they teach us about the lifecycle of frogs.

Storyteller

2008-12-30T23:18:00.007-05:00

Tonight at bedtime, after reading books and in the dark, I told Julianne some Little Blue Ghost stories. Then she told me a few stories of her own.

"It's about a frog. One day a little frog went out to hunt bugs. And his mom made them into soup. Then the flies died when they were hot, and the frogs ate it. Then they were all full."

And then, in a more technical vein:

"How do you make this into gold? You put it in the oven and cook it longer and longer until it is gold. Then you, like, take it out of the oven, and see, it will be gold."

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T10:30:00.002-05:00

12/6/08 at 'Cute As A Button'

Miss Michelle's Class Holiday Party

2008-12-19T19:24:00.006-05:00

From last christmas

2008-12-14T22:34:00.000-05:00

Seeing Santa

2008-12-12T11:46:00.001-05:00

Julianne went to see Santa Claus with friends Sarah and Sydney. These girls always have such a good time together. Julianne asked him to bring her a mama dog with puppies (stuffed, thank goodness!)

Walk to D'Feet ALS

2008-11-09T09:03:00.000-05:00

This was such a beautiful morning at Centennial Park.

Julianne and all of Sonia's friends are so thankful for the generosity of her sponsors: Mark, Paul & Katy, Eric & Anna, and of course her own Mimae & Papa... with your help, there will be a cure!

Julianne and Judy at the opening ceremony

Julianne Needs Your Help!

2008-11-07T11:19:00.001-05:00

Sonia and Julianne, 2004

Dear Friends,

Our family lost a very special friend this year to Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). Sonia Victorio was my mom's dearest friend for decades, and the world was a better place for having her in it. She fought this tough diagnosis for many years with great bravery, and her kids, my friends, are going to be walking in it too.

In her memory, Julianne will walk in next weekend's ATLANTA WALK TO DEFEAT ALS. Could you please help us meet our $75 fundraising goal?

CLICK HERE, PLEASE, TO DONATE

IN HONOR OF SONIA VICTORIO

Sincerely,
Nicole & Julianne

ATLANTA WALK TO DEFEAT ALS
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Centennial Olympic Park

WHY JOIN THE WALK TO DEFEAT ALS:
ALS is a major health crisis; nationwide, occurring throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries. The ALS Association is the only nationally affiliated non-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. The mission of the ALS Association is to find a cure for and improve living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Trick-or-Treat

2008-10-31T20:10:00.002-04:00

Cute cats together

We're so glad Nannie Barbara flew down to spend the holiday weekend!

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T19:30:00.000-04:00

Halloweena Ballerinas

2008-10-28T19:51:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Emily's grandma Sue for sharing these pics!

Sara's Glam Birthday Party

2008-10-23T17:40:00.001-04:00

Sara just turned 7 and had a very special birthday party. She and her friends traveled by hot pink limo to the Sweet & Sassy Salon, where they got makeovers and manicures, performed several dances onstage, and then accepted awards on the red carpet ... before moving on to the cake and ice cream!

Glam Girls Concert

2008-10-23T17:33:00.000-04:00

Painting and Coloring

2008-10-23T17:25:00.001-04:00

Over just a few weeks Julianne's art has suddenly become -- recognizable! The butterfly above and cat below represent a lot of progress. She loves painting at school, and at home with Mimae.

Country Fair

2008-10-07T08:21:00.001-04:00

The Country Fair came to town last weekend, and Julianne's already been four times! She's had a blast every time: skybuckets, fishing games, roller coaster... Here she is with Kensley, holding an albino crocodile. Maddie was originally in the picture with them but then that yellow snake wrapped himself around her neck and she decided to get out of there -- and I don't blame her a bit!

Dancing in the Park

2008-09-27T23:05:00.000-04:00

Boating on Lanier

2008-09-26T23:16:00.000-04:00

Goblin Story

2008-09-25T23:03:00.000-04:00

"Me and Maddie are going to on a trip

far away to see a goblin,

and Maddie will protect me

because the goblin will eat her first!"

Stars and Strikes Games

2008-09-16T02:38:00.001-04:00

J

Sarah, Jackson, Dean, Sydney, and Julianne

Playing "Popcorn" with pink bear - thanks, S&S!

Julianne and Sara

2008-09-16T02:31:00.001-04:00

Friends in green gingham back-to-school dresses ... Sara's Bronco's uniform on the wall behind them
Tucker Lou on mone of our favorite quilts from Julianne's Grandma
It was so cool of them to let her play in this oversized "Claw" game

Miss Allison's Tuesday Dancers

2008-09-09T23:39:00.004-04:00

First day of class, she initiated a mini frog revolution

First to arrive in her new dance classroom

2008-09-09T23:32:00.001-04:00

Their first public performance is coming up at central park on SAT 9/27!!!

Nannie Barbara's pics from the spring

2008-09-09T23:14:00.002-04:00

Nannie Barbara's pics from the spring

2008-09-09T23:10:00.001-04:00

Nannie Barbara's pics from the spring

2008-09-09T23:07:00.001-04:00

Nannie Barbara's Pics from the Spring

2008-09-09T23:05:00.001-04:00

Beatles: The Return concert

2008-08-25T10:48:00.001-04:00

The Return - Beatles Tribute - Holly Theatre, Dahlonega, Sat 8/23/08
To celebrate Mimae's 60th!
with Sidney
and Sara.

The music was terrific and we had a blast. The highlight of the evening for me at least was probably before the show, when Julianne was dancing on the sidewalk right outside the box office and telling people that she was from South America...the lowpoint was having to pick up said show-off off the bottom step leading to the stage in the middle of the show.

Alex's Birthday

2008-08-25T10:37:00.001-04:00

Katy, Katie and Julianne reading "
Alex opening his magna-tiles!

Around the House

2008-08-25T10:32:00.001-04:00

In a new outfit from Nannie Barbara that is one of mom's favorites.
Going off to pre-K every weekday now
Ballet & Tap classes to start soon, so she's trying on her leotard and tights.
We love this new alphabet frog, who spits out A-B-C disks when you press the button on his back.

First Day of Pre-K

2008-08-11T17:21:00.001-04:00

Leaving for her first day of pre-K with Nannie Barbara!
Warming right up to her new teacher, Miss Michelle, on open house day last Friday.

The coolest backpack.
Lined up with a dozen of her classmates, anxiously waiting for the door to open on their first school year. Her teacher chose her on the first day to be Line Leader!

End of Summer

2008-08-11T17:13:00.004-04:00

Splashing Nannie Barbara in the yard

"Julianne's Papa" loves taking his girls (Julianne and Sasha) to Ace Hardware on weekends!

Last day as a preschooler in Miss Vicky's class.

Lower left corner: her favorite writing spider, who lives in our muscadine grapevine. Maddie has one at her new house too. Writing spiders bring good luck.

Two Frogs, a Horse and a Reindeer

2008-08-06T04:00:00.001-04:00

We caught a lot of frogs in July but they seem to be becoming scarce...
Carousel at Northpoint

Leapfrogs of Summer

2008-08-06T02:33:00.001-04:00

Frogs crouch, then leap!
With Sara (above jumping in pool and below Chuck E Cheese of course)

Neighborhood Pool and Playground

2008-08-06T01:37:00.001-04:00

Ashley
with Maddie
With Kensley
Sara & her daddy Mike

Pool Play with Maddie and Kensley

2008-08-06T01:26:00.001-04:00

Swimming Sisters

2008-08-06T01:15:00.001-04:00

Maddie & Kensley

Maddie & Tori

Smiles @ Stars n Strikes

2008-07-07T02:45:00.000-04:00

Cosmic Bowling

2008-07-07T02:17:00.002-04:00

Hannah Montana Themed

2008-07-07T02:14:00.000-04:00

Making a wish

Kensley's 8th Birthday

2008-07-07T02:05:00.001-04:00

Time to open gifts!
Maria & Ashley

Lazertag

2008-07-07T01:40:00.000-04:00

Tori, Renee', Tara, Kensley, and Sarah. (Mom Niiicole is behind the camera but does follow them inside, to get whomped!)
Sarah & Kensley close in

Randy's Birthday

2008-06-29T13:30:00.001-04:00

Happy birthday, Randy! We had a great afternoon with Randy, Johnny and Bonny to celebrate. Here is Randy helping Julianne learn how to bowl.
Johnny helped her a lot too. Those guys were awesome teachers!
This bowling-ball ramp, and bumpers that covered up the gutters, helped Julianne to knock down a lot of pins. She even had one strike!
After dinner at Zaxby's and going out for the movie WALL-E, we saw this rainbow on the way home. WALL-E was terrific and Julianne watched the whole way through. It was funny and entertaining, while delivering a serious message about our culture of consumption, kind of like Over the Hedge.

Baby Shower for ♥J™

2008-06-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

Mom-to-be Jessica was radiant
Kathi and sisters

Kathi♥ can't wait for Keegan to get here.
Erica & Daniel (thanks for the pics, Miss Boss Ladie!)

Backyard Splashing Again

2008-06-27T23:11:00.000-04:00

Julianne, Maddie and Kensley

Summer is Baseball Season

2008-06-26T01:31:00.006-04:00

The windup
The pitch
The swing

Thanks Tori for catching (many of these great images)! T.FR3$H +1UP!

CLICK HERE to view/order these summer pool pics at Snapfish.

Chuck E. Cheese

2008-06-15T00:30:00.006-04:00

The fun police

Nicole& Shaelynn
He's SO cute...

Tori & Lela

Where A Kid Can Be A Kid

2008-06-15T00:27:00.001-04:00

It just doesn't get any better.
Mmmmm, pizza!
Because FROGS ROCK
Earlier in the day, chilling with Mimae

More Summer Fun

2008-06-08T15:05:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Madison's mommy Renee for sharing these great pics!

Getting Her Swim On

2008-06-07T00:34:00.001-04:00

I think we've been every day this week... the water is officially PERFECT!

The other night when two (very nice!) little boys dared to invade their aquatic domain, Julianne and Madison took to shouting in unison, "GIRLS ARE NICE! GIRLS ARE NICE!"

Splashing in the Yard

2008-06-07T00:02:00.000-04:00

Last weekend with best friend Madison.

Healthy Teeth

2008-06-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

My dentist's office has the coolest waiting room, with video games, 3D wildlife murals on all the walls, and a real Noah's ark to play in.
They are very gentle and I wasn't scared. They X-rayed all my teeth, brushed them with strawberry flavored fluoride, and then gave me a Little Mermaid toothbrush to take home. Good news: that one tooth that turned dark after a trauma at school last fall has since gotten lighter again and is almost as white as the others, so it looks like it is healthy again without intervention.

Cats I Love

2008-05-25T11:38:00.002-04:00

"PAWS"
He's not our cat but he is a good playmate. We are looking for his family; we put up a poster at the pool.
Tucker Lou
Grayson

Callie
Midnight

4th Birthday Portraits

2008-05-16T18:10:00.001-04:00

Thanks, Nannie Barbara!

The Pool is Open

2008-05-15T20:15:00.001-04:00

...but the water's still pretty chilly!
Madison came over for a playdate tonight and just happened to be wearing a matching Hello Kitty shirt.
Reading with Nannie Barbara when she visited a few weeks ago.

First Toad of the Season

2008-05-04T19:17:00.003-04:00

... as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them. ~Aldo Leopold

It's one of life's free pleasures: making note of each reemerging species. We've found the first caterpillar of spring and watched the transformation into a chrysalis. We planted sunflowers and wildflowers and catnip and watched them grow, waiting for them to flower. Mom has been visited by the first ruby-throated hummingbird. And Daddy acquainted her with this guy - the first toad of summer, a big one.

♥ Katy and Paul ♥

2008-05-03T23:50:00.005-04:00

Four-year-old's two-step formula for eleventh-hour hijinks, just before the ceremony:
1. "Mom, I need to go see that lake."
2. "Alex, did you see that lake?"
Fortunately, respective daddies Tom and Tim are ready to detour Alex and Julianne away from the possibility of wet mischief. Which is the kind that is never far from Julianne's mind.

♥ Wedding ♥

2008-05-03T23:45:00.004-04:00

With Papa's sister Loretta

♥ Reception ♥

2008-05-03T23:40:00.003-04:00

She's going for that finger-down-the-keys flourish like the musical kittens and jazz cats of on Aristocats.

Q: Why do olives have holes?
A: Proof of intelligent design!

An idyllic setting, a beautiful ceremony, a rocking reception, and a perfect couple.

Paul & Katy, we wish you a lifetime of happiness!

CLICK HERE to view and order these and more guest-captured images of Paul and Katy's wedding at Snapfish

AND HERE for more at Picasa

Saturday at City Park

2008-04-30T22:40:00.003-04:00

What's down here, I wonder?
Oh no, my hat!
Madison, what are we going to do?
Daddy to the rescue!

Annual Health Checkup

2008-04-30T22:34:00.005-04:00

Height (36 inches) and weight (26.5 pounds) are in the lowest percentile, and Julianne's new pediatrician is concerned, just as her last one was. Mom explains that it is likely caused by inherited osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disease in which insufficient collagen causes brittle bones, and which in our family is characterized by short stature and blue sclerae.

Julianne's chance of having inherited it from Mom is fifty-fifty. The doctor's office will find out if the expensive genetic test will be covered by our medical insurance. Mom doubts it, since there is no treatment available in any case, and not much to do except avoid contact sports and other activities that involve the risk of traumatic impact.
The new high-tech hearing test is a little weird, but anyway Julianne passed with flying colors! However, testing her vision with the symbol eye chart (stars, hearts) suggests that she may be nearsighted. Time for a referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist. I'm getting HOW MANY separate shots today?? FIVE?!
No more injections (except yearly flu shots) till I'm eleven? Can I have that in writing?

Frivoling with the Henson Sisters

2008-04-30T22:27:00.004-04:00

I LOVE my sassy new haircut! Thanks, Nannie Barbara & Mimae!

Checking out a tumbling tots class to join later in the year... this was fun!

The Darnedest Things

2008-04-30T21:55:00.003-04:00

"Tomorrow morning I think I am going to be sick. Because Madison isn't going to school and I will stay home and she will come over and play with me. Okay, Mom?"

"Daddy, when I get bigger and bigger and you get smaller, I will get you dressed instead."

"I am growing some baby kitties inside of a nest of eggs. No, inside my tummy."

Myrtle Beach Weekend!

2008-04-22T12:20:00.002-04:00

On the road...

and on the balcony of our 7th-story suite at Bay View Resort.

Don't knock it till you've tried it!

Playing cats with Mimae.

Swimming Pool Paradise

2008-04-22T12:07:00.001-04:00

Papa and Julianne floating in the current of the Lazy River.

In the warm indoor pool. There was also a hot tub, kiddie pool, and sprinkler play area.

Julianne and Maddox, one of many friends she made at the poolside. She got a little jealous when her new friends preferred to play with her Papa... but he can't help it; he is a kid magnet!

Sea, Surf, Sand

2008-04-22T12:00:00.001-04:00

Meals on the Move

2008-04-22T11:50:00.002-04:00

Cheerios and an ocean view - what a way to start the day!

Dinner at Nakato's Japanese Steakhouse was a treat. She's already better with chopsticks than her Mom will ever be.

Having a snack in the room: Nannie Barbara's delicious pini cheese (by the spoonful!)

Piece of Cake

2008-04-01T22:30:00.001-04:00

Pinata, Fishing, Pin the Cat-Tail

2008-04-01T22:25:00.003-04:00

Family at the Party

2008-04-01T22:21:00.004-04:00

Sunday Party

2008-04-01T22:15:00.002-04:00

Opening Presents!

2008-04-01T20:35:00.000-04:00

Playing with Madison

2008-04-01T20:23:00.000-04:00

Caturday Birthday Party

2008-04-01T19:52:00.000-04:00

Happy Cat Faces

2008-03-31T20:09:00.003-04:00

Kensley & Tara

Donna & Madison

Nicole & Julianne

Linda & Tara

Slideshows and Order Prints

2008-03-31T17:46:00.007-04:00

(aerial view of a magna-tile tower made by Ben & Katie)

SATURDAY

CLICK HERE TO ORDER PRINTS FROM SNAPFISH FOR SATURDAY

SUNDAY

CLICK HERE TO ORDER PRINTS FROM SNAPFISH FOR SUNDAY

Pinata Videos

2008-03-31T14:49:00.001-04:00

Youngest partygoer Alex (above) took the first swing at the pinata. Click the (>) "play button" on each video below to see the older cousins in action.

Katie

Ben

Julianne

Katie

Ben

Just like the ones I remember from my own birthday parties, this thing must have been made of reinforced cardboard. It was almost unbreakable!

Birthday Care Package from Nannie Barbara

2008-03-27T21:28:00.000-04:00

100th Blog and Party Invitation

2008-03-27T03:01:00.011-04:00

...not only that, but April is the blog's 2nd anniversary! It's hard to believe there are hundreds of photos in here already.

This Monday Julianne rejoined Miss Vicky's class and got a warm welcome from friends she had been missing. Miss Vicky's class: Jadon, Jessaly, Madison A., Madison B., Halle, Alexis, Isiah, Mikey, Alex, Lillian, Kerrie, Jonathan, Sissy, Raven, Hunter, and Caleb. Even after 5 weeks in the academy, she never stopped talking about Jadon and Madison. I think she is in the right place now.

Julianne is turning 4, so come help us party! CATS are the theme... her current obsession... it must be genetic!

Saturday, March 29, 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm in our backyard. Rain date is Sunday, March 30, same time, but we're thinking Saturday will be okay. Saturday Forecast: High in the low 70s, 30% chance of occasional showers. Cross your fingers!

Lunch will be hotdogs and hamburgers, cake & ice cream

Games to Play ... Prizes for Everyone!
* Cat-face painting by Tara
* Pin the Tail on the Cat
* Little Bounce House
* Go Fishing
* Bubbles
* Water & Sand Play Table
* Swings & Slide

PLEASE WEAR PLAY CLOTHES
-- backyard fun can get messy!

Please RSVP if you can.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Saturday Egg Hunt at Faith & Johnny's

2008-03-22T22:26:00.001-04:00