November Wrap-Up

November has been such a nice month! We have had a good balance of activities and down time and it was definitely a welcomed change from the hectic pace of last month!  We went to Mistletoe Marketplace which was so fun and got us all ready to bring out the Christmas decorations!

EK has loved going to the pep rallies each Friday. Sadly, our team lost last night in the state championship. Bummer. 

Emma has discovered she has quite a love for corn on the cob. I wish I had a picture of her face when the stick broke and her dear corn fell on the floor. Bless her. She was devastated. 

J has been off work this week and thanks to his free time, he has developed a love for baking homemade bread. I'm not complaining, it is delicious!

We hit up the park before dance one day and this bunch had such a great time. We are all excited that the fall weather has finally made its appearance. 

Sister girl is a big fan of her headband. Cutie. 

EK and her friend Frances partnered up to pack a backpack with supplies to send to Africa through Project Juembo. So thankful for opportunities to teach my kids that there is so much more to this world than our little life in Mississippi. 

This girl....when I put this outfit on Emma the other day, I immediately thought of the picture on the left. It was from our first day with Emma almost a year ago. My how things have changed since that day!

All that therapy Emma does is really paying off! Nothing like stacking your cheese cubes like the blocks you play with each week with the therapists!

We headed back to the park today while J was doing some pre-marital counseling. It's was chilly, but as EK said "the cold never bothered me anyway!"

We are looking forward to a fabulous Thanksgiving week with family and friends! Yay! I love the holidays!

Feast Fun for Everyone!

Walker had an open house at his preschool yesterday. The kids took the parents on tours of their classrooms and then demonstrated what they do each day during their closing circle time. They sang several precious little songs and did a wonderful job! It was darling!

Emma's little class had their own feast but the parents were not there. She was mighty proud of her headband and adorable crafts that she brought home. 

Ella Kate's feast was today. They set up the spread in the hall and feasted on some very traditional thanksgiving items like Chick Fil A and chips!

This girl adores Mrs. Wilson. We are so very thankful to have the most amazing teacher for our girl!

We are also so very thankful for the most precious little friends for Ella Kate!  We could not ask for anything more!!!!  

Woo Hoo for Thanksgiving break!!!!  

Celebrating J

This past weekend was such a treat!  J and I got to spend the weekend kid free in Greenwood at The Alluvian and man was it a fabulous time!  The hotel was beautiful and we ate tons of yummy food, explored all there is to see in the big city (no offense Delta people, but there is little to be found in the entertainment department), shopped a bit, slept a lot, and spent a bit of time at the spa. Not a bad way to celebrate J turning 33!!!!! 

J's parents gave us a gift certificate to The Alluvian last year on J's birthday and we were thrilled to finally be able to cash in on it!  The kids were even more thrilled to spend the weekend in Columbus. They decorated for Christmas and helped in the kitchen. 

The weather was gorgeous so they were able to spend a lot of time playing outside. 

Crafting is a necessity for my kids so they did multiple projects while in Columbus. 

They were super busy and played so hard which ultimately led to good sleep for all involved!

It was amazing to be able to spend some time away with J, but it was sure sweet to see 3 precious faces when we picked them back up...even if 2 of the 3 were in tears because they didn't want to come home with us and preferred to go back to Nana's. 

1st Grade Bible Presentation

I have mentioned before that our church celebrates milestones by presenting the children with new Bibles. They receive a story book Bible when they are 3 and enter the preschool ministry and they get a study Bible in first grade.  EK was thrilled to receive her new Bible!

The children sang several songs that their Sunday school teachers taught them and also had a little lesson time. They were precious!

As soon as their little program was finished, EK wanted to look to see how many pages were in there. She said, "1,804....I'll have it read in a month!!!"  She has been reading it ever since!!! Oh how I hope and pray that her passion and hunger to learn God's word will always continue to burn!

Happy little first graders!

EK's amazing teachers have been teaching 1st grade SS for over 30 years!!!! What a powerful testimony and beautiful picture of service!!! 

BFFs with their big ole Bibles!

It's always a treat when G and Kay Kay join us for church!

Haley too!

We love our church and all the people who are the "village" who help us raise our children!  We are so thankful!!!

Life Lately

Walker absolutely loves preschool!  It's really no surprise that he loved it when the fire truck and farm animals all came to visit in the same week!

EK had a fire truck visit as well but the highlight of her week was that her class won the box top collection for the month. This bunch is super competitive so it's a really big deal!

J and Emma made a quick trip to Columbus for shots one day. Shots aren't so bad when you get to meet up with friends afterwards!

This is what I woke up to one Saturday...three monkeys jumping and squealing in the bed!

J's parents came a couple of weekends ago to get our yard in order one last time before the cold weather hits. Walker got to help with the mowing and was pretty excited about it.

What is it about pig tails??? There is just not much cuter!!

They don't look alike at all!

We did a little singing in the rain. It's been so long since we have seen the rain!  It was a welcomed sight for sure but now it can go! We haven't been able to go outside at school in forever and the natives are beyond restless!!!

These sweet BFFs are enjoying our little carpool arrangement where they get to have a mini play date each week before class. 

This guy. He got an official preschool apron and all is right in the world. If we are at home, he is wearing it! As a bonus, thanks to his toy bull horn, he can now call everyone's carpool numbers just like the teachers at school.....and he does it all the time!

Hey, granny! 

EK went to a precious bday party for one of her sweet friends from school. Pjs, pancakes and art projects made for a perfect morning with friends!

I couldn't help but pull up the pictures from Halloweens past. 

Crazy how fast time flies! They will be going off to college in no time!

Walker's class had a fall festival at school. He loved riding in the wheelbarrow and getting a pumpkin. He also had a ball wearing his Dak gear for the parade. 

Ella Kate was named a "Super Pat" for the month. The character trait focus was "Individuality". She is definitely her own person!  Each student got a special CFA lunch and J was able to be her lunch date. We are so proud of our Super Pat!!!

In other news...we got an offer on our house and accepted it! YAY! Then......the people broke the contract a week later.  Bummer! So, we wait again. If you happen to know of anyone who would like our cute little house in NE Jackson or if you know anyone who buys properties for rental property investments...please send them our way!! We already found the perfect house that we love, so it's been a sad week for me!  I had already moved in in my mind so I've spent the week trying to adjust my attitude and focus on the positives!

We have a low key weekend ahead of us. I can't believe it is November!  Is this weekend too early to pull out the Christmas decorations?!?!