No More Training Wheels!!

This afternoon we took the girls to the Muddy Creek Greenway in order for Ron to teach McKenna to ride her bike without training wheels. In just 2 tries she was off and running! We were amazed and proud at how quickly she got the hang of it!! See for yourself...


Daddy helping McKenna get her balance...

By George, I think she's got it!

And away she goes!

A trip to the NC Zoo

The girls had a long fall break this year. For the first half we took the girls to Asheville for Halloween. The second half we ventured to the North Carolina Zoo. It was an overcast day, and being a Monday, we had the zoo mostly to ourself. Here's some of what we saw and did...

Happy Halloween!

This year for Halloween, McKenna decided to go as Batgirl and Molly wanted to be a Pink Poodle (named Fifi). I was particularly proud of McKenna's cape, mask and bat-ears that I made from a sequined dress found at goodwill. I also used the collar of the dress to make Molly's "dog tag".

This year we went to Asheville to spend Halloween with their cousins. McKenna, Molly, Maren and Emma had a great time together trick-or-treating. Actually, it was a real treat for Ron and I to get to see them all together and take them around on Halloween evening.


Here are the Garner Girls dressed as: Minnie Mouse, Batgirl, Fifi the Pink Poodle, and a Pretty Witch.

WOW! Reflections Contest

This year I strongly encouraged my little artists to enter the Reflections contest that the PTA holds annually at school. This year's theme was "WOW!". When I asked the girls what kind of things made them say "wow", they both responded with birds.

McKenna thought on the question a bit and then decided that a peacock makes her say "wow" due to its bright colors and beautiful tail. She diligently drew a peacock from a photo I had taken at the zoo, then over the course of a few weeks, painted her picture. The paints she chose were shiny and sparkly and the end result looked gorgeous. Unfortunately, you can't get the full effect from this photo, but she really did a beautiful job.


Molly thought about what made her say "wow" and concluded that a hummingbird elicited that response from her... due largely in part to the hummingbird feeder we had purchased last month . Armed with a black marker and crayons, Molls set to work and produced this beautiful drawing. I love the details she put into the picture such as the bubbles in the hummingbird feeder and the "flowers" on the base of the feeder. I also like that she put fall colors on her tree.

Both girls worked hard and did a great job. They are anxious for the winners to be announced when they return from fall break.

Halloween Craft

One evening a few weeks ago, the girls and I made these shirts from an idea I got from Family Fun Magazine. We cut out pumpkin shapes from paper and the girls arranged them on their shirts. I then sprayed the shirts with clorox bleach from a water bottle, let them set a minute and immediately put them in cold water in a bucket. After washing the shirts, the girls decorated their pumpkins with permanent markers and used their finger prints with green paint to make the "stems". Apparently, they were a big hit when the girls wore them to school the next day. What made this project even more fun for mommy was that it only cost $2 as I found the shirts at the dollar tree, and had everything else on hand. Yippee! And FYI... Molly's shirt is on the left, and McKenna's is on the right... I am sure they would want you to know whose was whose. :)

Hummingbirds

We were rewarded with a late season purchase of this hummingbird feeder by regular visitors to our deck. This particular little hummer was as brave as she was small. I was literally only a foot away from her as I took these shots. She really seemed as curious about us as we were of her. The little birds have gone away for the season, but we will eagerly anticipate their return when summer rolls round once more.

First Day of School Photos

Molly, looking so grown up on her first day of Kindergarten. How on earth can my baby be in elementary school already?

McKenna, growing into a beautiful little lady, looking "too cool for school" on her first day of second grade.

And both of our little "fashionistas", growing impatient with Mommy snapping photos, ready to get the show on the road.