Reese-1 Fear-0

I thought giving this post the title, "working the Pole" would've been in poor taste.

Reese has been on the verge of conquering the fireman pole at the local park for months. This weekend something clicked and she's sliding down like she's been doing it all her life.

Daddy/Daughter Date

Reese was being so good and looking so cute that I decided to forego cooking dinner and take her on an impromptu date to BJ's.

When I snapped this photo she told me that she should give me her "sassy-face". I convinced her to use her "sweet face".

Fishing w/ Reese & the Niece

During a weekend trip down to Longwood for a visit with some family and friends, Daddy, Reese and cousin Hayley had some extra time on their hands. They decided to spend it trying to catch the "big one" down at the park. They didn't catch the big one, but a couple of small ones were pretty fun.

The fish looks a lot bigger than it really is...that's because the girls wouldn't stand closer than 3 feet away


Daddy was able to talk them in to holding the fishing pole for the second fish


Just as a size reference, here is Daddy holding the last fish

River Run Weekend

Daddy brought Reese with him to Jacksonville for a race he was running. Memaw and Poppy came up and hung out with Reese and Daddy for the weekend.

Reese LOVES hangin' out in hotels


Memaw, Poppy and Reese waiting on the course for Daddy to run by.

Sonny's Superstar

Reese did her own hair at dinner tonight.

Reese and the Local Celebrity

Enjoying a little Sunday afternoon Gator baseball with Albert.

Teeth Cleaning

Reese is being the perfect patient at the dentist this morning. This is one of those proud parent moments. All the kids in adjoining rooms are pitching fits.

Tis the Season

Hittin up the park on thus beautiful spring day. Is it really February?

Nap time

Like an almost extinct Amazonian species of bird, nap time is also very rare and elusive.

We were able to catch a few of the rare z's this beautiful Saturday afternoon. This will undoubtably result in a much more pleasant evening when Reese's cousins drop in for a visit.

Shopping w/ Reese

Daddy and Reese are at the mall doing some shopping. As we walk into one of the large department stores, Reese blurts out, "Daddy, there's lots of white people in here!"

Sent from my iPhone

At the Races

Reese is "enjoying" the bike race with daddy. Bike races are more fun with paper, pencil, baby doll and DVD player.

Trailer-Bike errands

Waiting at the pharmacy drive through with the Nugget in tow...literally.

We're at Venice Cafe for some Pizza and Pasta. Reese says,  "HI MOMMY!"

Rainy day

Heading out to run errands on this wet, wet, rainy day.

Plumbing

Reese is helping Daddy fix the potty on our day off of school.

Holiday trim

Reese is looking presentable following a little snip with Ms. Courtney.

Gameday

It's Daddy/Daughter day at the Swamp for the Messal family.

Thanksgiving lunch

Mommy and Daddy have joined Reese and her class for a Thanksgiving lunch and performance.

Thornbrook Art Festival

Taking a cheese and cracker break at the Art Festival. October has brought with it some beautiful fall weather.

Gator Girl

Reese has really become fond of striking a pose. Completely
unsolicited charm and character...we love it.

This is Friday night following the Gator volleyball game.

Feeding the Ducks

This past weekend's overcast skies saw the Messal family running a lot
of errands. We took a short break from all the running around to
subject ourselves to a hord of very un-shy ducks.

Reese's initial hesitation diminished once she found refuge atop the
retaining wall. As our fowl friends began to flank Reese's unprotected
back side it was again time to move on.

In addition to our philanthropical feeding of Gainesville's duck
population, we also pulled the trigger on Reese's BIG GIRL BED! We
picked up some new books for Reese at the library. We got Reese all
set up with a pair of cletes for soccer which starts tomorrow and we
topped it off with a little frozen yogurt.

Nice little Saturday considering the unhappy skies.

What happens when....

...we let Reese pick out her own apparel for a quick trip to Wal-Mart for some school supplies. Gray t-shirt (too small), a Puma skort, gaudy Gator socks with old black dress shoes (too small)... at least she didn't look out of place.


Reese-ism:
"Daddy, you can't eat poop or you'll get a tummy ache."

Story Time with Poppy

Memaw and Poppy dropped by this evening and Reese made Poppy read her
the 'Big Bird' story before she heads off to bed.

Reese-ism

While enjoying an impromptu meal at Chick-Fil-A, an Arabic family came
in and sat down at a table across from us. Reese glanced over at the
wife, with traditional head wrap, and nonchalantly says aloud, "That's
Jesus' Mommy."

Sent from my iPhone

Pre-Season

Reese and Mommy warming up our seats for the impending football season .