The Fat Face

When Rainey goes underwater and holds her breath she says she is making her "fat face." We have been at the pool a lot already this summer. Which is why I am working on what appears to be my first tan since I was a sophomore in college and had nothing better to do than float in the pool all afternoon. But I digress... Carlisle is completely flotation free and working on strokes. Rainey still floats around a good bit in an innertube or water wings, although she will take them off and spend a long time jumping and swimming without them.

Ballet Camp

I know *shock*, a new post. I finally downloaded all the pictures from the last few months from my camera. I actually have easter pictures too - but perhaps I won't try to make up that much blogging ground.

Anyway, girls went to a little ballet camp last week. They absolutely loved it!! Honestly, I was pretty sure they were going to hate it - not many children they knew, 2 1/2 hours a day of someone giving them directions, having to perform in front of people. But I signed them up anyway - because isn't that what you're supposed to do as a parent - force them into lots of experiences and stuff to make sure they are well-rounded? (i.e. - School's out for the summer and mama really wanted 2 1/2 hours a day of no children.)

Here are a couple of pictures and videos. They did a performance for the parents on the last day. Please note that Rainey is wearing a complete jewelry ensemble. She doesn't really like to leave the house unless she is fully accessorized. Carlisle doesn't look thrilled to be on stage, but at least she's moving. At her class end of school program in May - she pretty much stood there scowling and refusing to sing or dance. So I call this progress.

The girls playing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

The girls playing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, originally uploaded by charlescopeland.

I had a mediation today down in Biloxi. Susan and the girls tagged along because I agreed to take them to New Orleans for the weekend when I get done. I'm stuck in a conference room haggling over an insurance claim while the girls are playing on the beach. Susan sent me this picture and I'm sure her intentions weren't to remind me that I'm stuck in here on such a beautiful day.

What my kids do all day

What my kids do all day
Originally uploaded by sscopela

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to Me!, originally uploaded by charlescopeland.

Bacchus Ball

Okay, fourth and last post this morning. Make sure you scroll down and see all the posts - I've covered the last six weeks. Can you tell the girls spent the night out last night, and I have a few minutes.

Last night was Bacchus Ball, which is a diabetes benefit. We got all fancied up and hit the Country Club for a little food, drink, and dancing. There was also a silent and a live auction. Charles won something that is really interesting (not sure that's the right word, but I don't have any idea what the right word would be). I would really like to post a picture of the big prize - but he claims it is a present for his Dad and I certainly don't want to ruin the surprise. (Oh yes Dalene, this treasure may be coming to live at your house).

So here are some pictures from before and during the Ball. I have to give a shout out to Mary Clift, the beautiful woman in gold. Mary Clift and Jerry (See 4th picture down) are newlyweds and we are so excited they are finally married because Mary Clift finally moved to Jackson. She is a faithful Copeland Crew blog reader, so I just wanted to make sure she had plenty of material today.

Tea Party

Carlisle hosted a Tea Party last week. She decided she wanted to have one, then proceeded to make invitations, come up with party games, and actually invite people. Jessica called me Monday afternoon and asked if I knew Carlisle had been inviting people at school to come over that afternoon for the party.

Carlisle was so excited about it, and Jessica actually needed someone to watch Libby and Ellie for a little while, so I just decided to go along with her little plan. The girls had heart shaped little debbies and fruit, and then played Carlisle's party games which consisted of sack races and the "apple bottom dance competition" (don't ask).

Happy New Year!!!

Okay, last old post. Charles and I went to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl over New Years. A lot of our friends went and we had a blast. The weather was perfect, the Rebels annihilated Texas Tech, oh and the Lohmeiers and the Copelands won 5 bucks in the Texas lottery. What more could you ask for?

Thanks to my wonderful in-laws for keeping the children for three nights.

I don't think I took my camera to Dallas. So once again, I stole these right off Lyn's blog.

Merry Christmas

And here we are finally to Christmas morning. I promise after this (well maybe one more) I will start posting some recent stuff. I just had to show the girls on Christmas morning.



Rainey was more excited about the oranges and the stickers in her stocking than her new bike.





Likewise, Carlisle REALLY liked the fingernail polish. Santa might be going a lot cheaper next year if this is all it takes to make them happy.

Still living in the past - prelude to Christmas

So here are a few more holiday shots. Mom came down on Carlisle's actual birthday and all the girls (my mom, me, Carlisle, Rainey, Charles' mom) went to see the Nutcracker. Mom brought the girls actual nutcrackers (as you can see in the picture) and Carlisle absolutely loves them. She is insisting that we display them year round - and they are still out, but relocated from the mantle to a less conspicuous place. A few more weeks, and they will be quietly relocated to the attic until next year.

We also made it to south Georgia for the Spurlock family Christmas. The group shot is all my cousins on that side of the family. Also my dad and the girls from that trip. They were making a man out of pinestraw in the middle of the road - gotta find some way to entertain yourself at family gatherings.



And finally, here are some videos of Carlisle's Christmas show at her school. Not the best quality, but you get the idea. Most of the time she looked like she would rather be shot than singing in front of a group. But she did step right up when it was time to say her lines.