Robert Burlington, now a 3rd grader!

Congratulations to Robert Craig Burlington III on a FANTASTIC year at The Main Street Academy. At the end-of-the-year recognition ceremony he received awards for:

All A's-all year long,
Outstanding Leadership,
Outstanding Music Achievement,
Outstanding Spanish Achievement and
Outstanding Attendance (that one goes to me I think).

Congratulations Robert on all your achievements and hard work. We love you!
Robert, his teacher Ms. Wiggins and his best friend Maldini Saintcillian.

Robert and a his very proud aunt Gloria.

And now, a first grader!

I am extremely proud to say that Esther Emma Burlington, along with her 120 classmates, graduated from kindergarten this morning at The Main Street Academy. Yeah Esther!
She was on the Principal's List for outstanding grades and received the Art Award for her class!
Esther, we are very proud of you, your hard work and your school!

proud family

Thank you to Granny, Papaw and Gloria for coming to be a part of Esther's big day!

Welcome to the world Joseph Novello Burlington!!

Here is my precious new nephew born yesterday at 10am. Life is such an incredible gift and miracle- thanks be to God! Congratulations to JP and Megan. Can you feel the love from the ATL??

"I'm a fer-to-gra-fer!!!!"

A game devised by Esther and Robert yesterday: while one jumps off the jungle gym, the other clicks a photo of the jumper in mid-air.

Esther caught some really great shots (above and below) of her brother prompting her to screeeeeeeeeeeeam the title of this post.
Robert caught these of Esther.

Esther is about to lose her first tooth- see the invading adult tooth? Crazy!!!
More teacher gifts from beaded flowers. I anchored single 'blooms' in pretty jars with corks. It worked!!!

Easter 2011

Pretty children on Easter morning.






My killer Easter shoes.

Spring Break 2011- Delray Beach with Granny and the kids

Spring break 2011 would not have been possible without two amazing women.
Woman #1- Santina Fortunato Novello, GG Tina to me and my kids. Great grandmother extraordinnaire, she has lived in Delray Beach for almost 30 years. This year, LM and BD bought a condo in her building so visiting her in Florida is a breeze now.
Except for the drive (14 hours on the way down). That's where amazing woman #2 comes in. She accompanied us on our trip and with her calming presence made the trip MUCH more pleasant. She is my mama- Sandra Haynes. So, with one trip, we fit in many hours of quality grandmother and great grandmother time. Also, we ate ice cream,
Wore pony tails,
Donned sunglasses,
Got some good squeezes,
Ate very very well,
Spent time outdoors,
Had a comfortable stay at 2070 Homewood Blvd,
Enjoyed the pool,

And explored the incredible Morikami Gardens.








The childrens' section of the gardens is UNBELIEVABLE! See Japanese classroom below. :)
Thank you to LM and BD for sharing your place with us. Thank you to GG Tina for wonderful food and company. And thank you mom for many hours of great conversation, laughter, enthusiasm and for putting up with me when I wouldn't stop the car. I won't do it again. I promise. :)

Eight years of diapers- closing the chapter

It is finished. The battle is over and I emerge victorious. Goodbye diapers and wipes, I won't miss you. We drove 14 hours in the van and CC never had an accident! I know it's Lent, but hallelujah!
And while we're talking about CC , some quotes-
Upon looking at her liquid deposit in the potty, "Look mom, it's golden!"
At the pool today (in Delray Beach) "Mom, are you gonna live here for the rest of your life?"
While wading in the crashing waves, "I love the beach!!!!!"