Tri Delt Easter egg hunt

This was the first of several Easter egg hunts that we have this week. Meg is finally starting to appreciate the fact that the more eggs you collect, the more candy you get. At her age, Jane Gray and Charlie would find one egg, sit down and eat the candy, and by the time they were done, the Easter egg hunt would be over. But not Meg - she is a fast learner! She was slow out of the gate (notice that Jane Gray and Charlie were one of the first ones), but she made up ground by choosing a spot in the park where there were lots of eggs and few big kids. It was a fun hunt, we got to visit with lots of our friends, and we collected lots of eggs (and candy)!

Visit with the Browns

One of Mommy's oldest friends, Amanda Bolen Brown, lives in Little Rock and came by for a visit while she was in town for Spring break. Her son, John David, and Charlie hit it off immediately. Amanda's daughter, Lainey, and Meg are only one month apart in age, and they are both third children, so they have a lot in common. They followed each other (and the boys!) all over the house and hugged all over each other. We had a great visit!

Jane Gray's carpool

Jane Gray carpools with her friends, Alice Ann and Maggie. They all pile in the back of the Tahoe and giggle the whole way home.

Fun with family

Aunt Wendy was in town recently, and we got to love all over baby Jake. Meg, in particular, loves babies, and she had so much fun playing with Jake. We also had dinner at Aunt Fair's on Monday night when Cousin Kathy was in town. Her fiancee, Glenn, was with her, and we were so happy to finally meet him.

Saying good-bye to Gigi

Saying good-bye to Gigi is always so hard for her and for us because she lives so far away, and we get to see her so infrequently. She is leaving tomorrow, so we loved on her a lot today. The children climbed all over her, and sweet Jane Gray gave her a jonquil.

Meg's pretend haircut

I went to Sheila today with Charlie and Meg in tow. As soon as Sheila was done, and I got out of the chair, Meg climbed right up in it. She wanted her hair cut, too. Meg is growing some very cute curls that Mommy refuses to cut, so Meg got a pretend haircut.

Zoo with Sarah Foster

Sarah Foster asked Jane Gray to go with her to the zoo today. This is Jane Gray's third trip to the zoo this week! But, judging by the pictures that Sarah Foster's mother sent me, this was a special trip - she rode the carousel and train, ate a snow cone, and got to pick out a stuffed animal from the gift shop!

Pooped out from Memphis

Jane Gray spent the night in Memphis with Pop and Sherrie and the Hurst girls. They had a great trip! The went to the zoo, played at the botanical garden, and had dinner with Sherrie's daughters and grandchildren. Apparently, Jane Gray didn't get much sleep because after her doughnut, she crashed out in the den.

St. Patrick's Day

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a couple of friendly pinches and these green doughnuts that Daddy brought home from work. Jane Gray and Charlie thought they were delicious!

Highland Village tulips

The children put on their Easter outfits, and we took pictures of them by the tulips at Highland Village. This has become one of our annual traditions because the tulips are always so beautiful, and they happen to be Mommy's favorite flower. Mommy made the girls' Easter dresses and bonnet, but Charlie is wearing one of his Daddy's suits. Charlie loved the suit and asked if he could wear it all day long.

Jane Gray's interview

This is the transcript of Jane Gray's interview at the zoo. It aired live Saturday night on WLBT's ten p.m. report. The news also showed a picture of Jane Gray, Charlie, and Meg standing by Ruby, the zoo's new baby giraffe.

WLBT Sponsors Zoo Day at the Jackson Zoo
By Julie Straw

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - More than 1,500 walked on the wild side Saturday at the Jackson Zoo. Spring is nearly here and the zoo featured its newest additions including baby giraffe Ruby and one year old chimpanzee Mojo.

For the first time the Jackson Zoo unveiled a new exhibit featuring a pair of fishing cats. The two were trying to hide from our cameras. Families were able to enjoy special activities in honor of zoo day including face painting, sidewalk chalk and arts and crafts. Children were quick to point out their favorite animal.

"I kind of like the baby. She's so cute," said six year old Jane Gray Barbour of the giraffes. "She's just been staring."

"They're cool," said Conner Clark of the leopards. "That ones pacing over there. It's freaking me out."

"I basically brought them out, you know, walk and so they can see the animals," said Clint Austin of Jackson with his twin two year old sons. "They can get the little smiles on their faces and try something new with them."

Animal lovers are hoping to welcome a new tiger habitat to the Jackson Zoo. Expect to see the popular attraction coming very soon.

Zoo Day

We had no idea it was Zoo Day at the zoo until Jane Gray's interview. We had wondered why there were so many cars in the parking lot, but we assumed that it was because it was spring break. There were lots of fun activities scattered around the park - our favorite being the masks. We also loved seeing our favorite animals, and we found a new favorite - Ruby, the baby giraffe. She was so cute and just gawked at all of the visitors (or, as Jane Gray said, "she was just staring"). We had a great time and rushed home just in time to see the children on the six o'clock news. They were so excited!

Whit's birthday party

Kortney sent us this cute group picture from Whit's birthday party. Whit is in kindergarten, but he is always so sweet to include Luke Smith and Charlie.

Hanging out with Grandpa and Gigi

We had lunch with Grandpa and Gigi today while our realtor was having a realtors' open house at our house. After lunch, we headed outside to play with all of Nana and Grandpa's toys - bubbles, balls, bats, guns, bows and arrows, you name it! Charlie had so much fun, he begged Grandpa to let him stay all afternoon. Mommy thought that was a great idea because Jane Gray had a bowling birthday party - how was I going to keep Charlie and Meg away from the bowling lanes??? We are so thankful for Nana and Grandpa!

Daddy's jersey

Mommy usually doesn't blog about our friends' birthday parties because, well, it's just too much work. We have four birthday parties just this week! But, Whit's birthday party was special because Charlie got to wear one of his Daddy's old football jersies. The party was at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, and Charlie had so much fun pitching (he struck the batter out!), watching old Ole Miss games, and jumping on the jumpyland. It was a great party!

Cooking with Jane Gray

Mommy's Junior League placement this year is the Arrangements Committee, which hostesses and cooks for the Junior League gatherings. Jane Gray and I love to cook together, so this was the perfect placement for us. Tonight, we made pecan cheese taddies. We had so much fun, and Jane Gray was a big help!

Bike riding with the Greggs

Sarah and Paul Gregg live down the street from us, and they have become such good friends to Jane Gray and Charlie. Almost every afternoon, there is a knock on the door, and it is usually Havens Smith or one of the Greggs. Today, both Sarah and Paul were at the door. It was a beautiful spring day, and the kids rode up and down Hazelwood Drive. The Greggs don't have a buddy Meg's age, but Meg was thrilled to chase Snoopy, the Bairds' dog. Charlie is getting better and better riding his bike. By the time Daddy got home from work, Charlie and Paul were racing each other.

Mississippi Museum of Art Family Day

Mississippi Museum of Art had their Family Day today. Their current exhibit is Jim Henson, so they showed the Muppet Movie. They gave out props, and the kids loved using their clappers, butterfly fingers, streamers, frogs, American flags, . . . . We also made lots of puppets - out of a paper bag, socks, and even a dragon puppet with sticks to move the dragon's fire-breathing mouth. We had a great time looking at all of Jim Henson's muppets, too. Kermit the Frog was the fan favorite, of course.

T ball practice

While Mommy was working in the yard, Charlie pulled out his T ball stand and bat. He is so excited to be playing T ball this spring!

House for sale!

It's official! After ten wonderful years in our house, we are finally putting it up for sale!

Gymnastics with Liddy

Pop gave Jane Gray and Liddy leotards and gymnastics lessons for Christmas. They have had so much fun being together and doing one of their favorite things - tumbling!