Your First Hurricane: Hurricane Irene

Our meteorologist, Colin Hackman, showing the storm's approach.

More scary-looking weather images.

In late August 2011, Hurricane Irene threatened the east coast and appeared to be heading straight for Wilmington, NC. After tracking the storm for over a week, area schools were closed and people were encouraged to board-up windows, stock their pantries, and plan on "hunkering down" for a few days. Being the worry-wart that I am, I was freaking out! I was trying to convince your Dad that we needed to evacuate, but he assured me that be prepared was the best we could do and that we'd be just fine. So, we made sure we had plenty of food, water, gasoline, cash, candles, batteries, and flashlights. We prepared for the onslaught that was predicted and waited out the storm with our neighbors, the LaFaves.

Thank goodness the neighbors were here to weather the storm with us!

Just part of our water supply....

Needless to say, we were very lucky and the storm made a last-minute turn and missed hitting Wilmington head-on. We still felt the effects of the storm, however: massive gusts of wind and tons of rain. Fortunately, we never lost power and suffered no real damage. Not too bad for only living 16 feet above sea level! Oh, and me - the worry-wart? Your Dad informed me the next morning that I slept through the scariest part of the storm while he tossed and turned all night!

The morning after Irene passed - left-over wind and rain for HOURS!

Dress-Up Daze!

You are such an expressive little lady! Most days, when you come home from school, the first thing you do is put on some of your favorite dress-up clothes and accessories. Sometimes, you even dress up the dogs! We love seeing all of your creative combinations. Maybe you have a future in clothing design!

First Day of School!

Your first day of school was Monday, August 8th! Now that you are almost three, the structure of a school day was important to us. Thus, you started going to Children 1st Preschool, and we absolutely love it!

When I dropped you off that morning, you immediately ran to the "Science Center" to check out the fish in the aquarium. You seemed completely comfortable in your environment, so while my eyes welled with tears, you were full of smiles and excitement; therefore, I kissed you goodbye and walked out sobbing!
Because it was your first day, we thought we'd "ease" you into the long school-day. I had planned to pick you up at 12:15 so you could nap at home in your bed (and because I knew I'd be ready to snuggle with you by then!). When I got to your school at 12:00 (I had waited long enough...), I walked into your room expecting you to run into my arms! What I saw, however, was that you couldn't stay awake long enough to wait for me! You begged your teacher, Miss Meg, to take a nap on your cot with the other kids, so she thought that was a good idea. Sooo, I was sent home and told to come back to pick you up after 3:00.


Overall, you had a FANTASTIC day! You followed instructions, ate all of your lunch, and napped the entire time. Since then, you've done just as well! You've definitely become more comfortable with your surroundings, teachers, and friends, and we're very pleased with all you have learned.

Here are some of your preschool facts:

1. Teacher: Miss Meg
2. Friends/Classmates: Brailey, Violet, Kourtney, Lonna, and Taylor
3. Lessons Learned: the parts of a book (front, back, spine, table of contents), days of the week, months, weather, shapes, letters, colors, tracing, coloring in the lines, and many more!
4. Good Habits Further Developed: Independent pottying and hand-washing, table manners, polite manners, confidence, social skills
5. Not-So-Good-Habits Developed: "You're not my friend" and other similar comments, teasing, sand-throwing