WET WEEKEND

May 15th -16th: The Diamond family had a very low key weekend. Saturday Avery had her first swim lesson. We signed her up for a class that is a half hour and will consist of six classes, all on a Saturday. As soon as we arrived at the pool we had to hold her tight because she wanted to run straight into the pool. Her first class was composed of getting used to the water by being separated from the parent, such as walking in the water and going down the slide, going under water and floating on her back with the parent. She loved going under water and would laugh every time she came up.

Sunday was a rainy day so we built a fort in the living room. The grand fort in my mind didn't actually happen (I've never built a fort before). Avery could fit in the fort but David and I could only peek our heads in. I've vowed to make a better fort next time.

Here are some pictures and video from our weekend.

Avery taking Daddy to the slide.

David trying to get Avery to float on her back. She wasn't thrilled about that.

My little seal loves the water.

Avery tearing the fort down. I think that was her favorite part.

A video of Avery and Daddy going under water.

BOWLING & FLOODING

May 1 -2: What a weekend. David and I attended the Tennessee State Bowling Tournament in Johnson City. This was my first tournament and let's just say I didn't win any awards for high scores but at least I had fun (most of the time).

While we were bowling on Saturday we heard it was raining really hard in Nashville and the surrounding areas. There was talk all over the bowling alley about flooding in Nashville and how roads and even highways were shut down. At one point we saw a mobile classroom floating down a major street in Antioch, where David and I used to live. The rain continued to come and by Sunday night many people had lost their homes and lives.

They are calling it historic flooding. Many major landmarks were flooded, such as the Titans Football field, the Opryland hotel and mall. Nashville received more than 13 inches of rain in two days, I hear that is about 25% of our annual rain fall in two days. 42 counties have been declared disaster zones and the estimated cost damage is $1.5 billion. I have felt sad for many tragedies I have seen in my lifetime but this feels different, I guess since it has happened right in my back yard. There has been such a great turn out for help and that makes me happy. The flood pictures are from the Tennessean.

My bowling team for the tournament. When we played our team event I was one of two women who played. We were definitely out numbered.

The dynamic duo on Saturday when we played doubles and singles.

Water inside Opryland hotel. They had 10 feet of water in the building and it is estimated to cost $5 million to clean it up.

Downtown Nashville, the water is up to the top of many buildings.

On a bridge over looking downtown Nashville.

The home of the Tennessee Titans.

EASTER

April 2nd - 4th: As tradition has it we spent Easter on the Farm with my Grandparents. Saturday was our big Easter meal (and yes Bunny cake was served). We also had our first Easter egg hunt. It was so much fun. Avery was such a pro, she knew exactly hat to do with the eggs she found. It helps she had an egg hunt the day before at school. Below are pictures and video of our Easter.

Family photo Easter morning before church. Of course all Avery wanted to do was run around and play with her Easter basket so we didn't get very many good pictures of her.

Avery in her Easter dress.

Grandma and I with our traditional Easter Bunny cake.

Brianna, Addison, Avery and Denny Jr after the Easter Egg hunt.

Avery decorating her very own Easter cake. Grandma had a great time feeding her icing.

Avery jumping in the leaves.

ABC'S

April 1st - Ever since Avery was a baby I would sing to her, especially before bedtime. I wasn't well versed in nursery (I am now) so I sang the ABC's to her all the time. She now can sing her ABC's most of the way through and only switches a couple of letters. She sings it all the time except when I get out the video camera. I tried to capture her singing but when she has her cup and Mickey Mouse on TV she isn't much in the mood, below is the best one of the bunch.

SUNNY FLORIDA

Sorry I haven't blogged lately. We have been busy and sick. Everyone is well so I am going to try to update everyone in the next couple of days. So keep your eyes open.

March 26th - 28th: I had to go to Tampa, Florida for work so David joined me on Thursday night and we made a long weekend of it. The weather was beautiful and we had a lot of fun enjoying the sunshine. Thursday we ate Mexican outside and went to the movies. Friday we walked on the beach and went to Ikea. Saturday we went to Bush Gardens, stood in line all day and only rode 3 rides. I think Tampa is a nice place but I sure couldn't live there. Why you ask. Toll Roads. I usually get lost going to new places and with toll roads you can't turn around, unless you want to pay! Not a big fan! Below are some pictures of our trip.

Some of the animals we saw when we took a train ride around Bush Gardens. The train ride was the smoothest ride at the park.

One of the roller coasters we stood in line to ride. I was really scared to ride it but it wasn't that bad. It was a neat ride because at one point you go over some water and it shoots a bunch of water over a fence where kids are waiting to get soaked.

David on the beach. It wasn't warm enough to put on a bathing suit but that didn't stop some people.

Me on the beach. I could of stayed all day but David has some sort of aversion to sand.

TOURNEY TIME

March 11th - Growing up in NC you just can't help becoming a basketball fan because there are so many great schools and everyone lives and breaths basketball. The ACC tournament is always one of my favorite time of the year, right behind Christmas, Thanksgiving and my birthday. Today marks the beginning of the tournament. My favorite team, NCSU, is ranked #11 (out of 12 teams) so they aren't expected to go very far but that is the great thing about tournaments, anything can happen. Of course David's team, Duke, is ranked #1 so he is excited. Avery doesn't have a favorite team but I bet you can guess who picked out her clothes today! I hope everyone enjoys March Madness and may your team win big!

My favorite Duke and future NCSU fan!

PLAY DATE

March 6th - Avery and I had a play date with Amelia and her Mommy, Donita, on Saturday. We had such a great time. We went to Springfield to meet them at book club. After book club we went to the park and enjoyed watching the girls swing and go down the slide. They really enjoyed the slides. They would take turns coming down. Amelia was so cute, she would wait at the bottom of the slide and say "Come on Avery". After the park we ate at Burdetts, a great tea room in Springfield. I really enjoyed watching the girls play together and catching up with Donita, Danielle and Diedra. The girls were really well behaved thanks to Donita's Mommy bag full of tricks.

Avery and Amelia getting ready to climb the stairs to the slide.

The girls at the bottom of the slide. I really hope they become good friends like Donita and I have!