hallie

Lila and I got to officially babysit Hallie! I could hold and stare at this sweet baby forever!

and she always seems to have a smile for me!

It was the best way to start our morning! Ashley, I hope you will let us do it again soon! ;)

December 1, 2011

It's finally here...the first day of December! Let the Christmas fun really begin!

 The best thing about today is that our beloved Elf on the Shelf, Jingle Jack, is back home with us for the month and we were all so excited to see him this morning! The littles ran down the stairs looking for him! We found him in the bathroom and boy had he made an entrance! He had written on the mirror and the potty water was colored red and the potty itself was sprinkled with green glitter!

 We just love his little face and how much fun be bring us every day of December!

Christmas time is here...it's official here!

 Even the after school snack was more special today with Christmas in the air.....homemade hot chocolate and Christmas Oreos!

 If you have not had these and you like Girl Scout thin mints at all.....go right now...don't deny yourself of this Christmas pleasure! They are amazing!

Birthdays at the Crane House!

Tonight we went over to the Crane house to swim and celebrate birthdays!  Sarah Kate was really excited because the Crane twins are both going to be in her kindergarten class! We had the best time! The boys played..the girls played...and Debbie, Ashley and I talked!

 Debbie had a yummy cake for us...it was a birthday cake for Mrs. Howard, Lila and Jackson..all July birthdays!

 It was covered in m & m's! It was delicious!

 The July babies made a wish and we all enjoyed being there!

 These girls had the best time! I am so excited for Sarah Kate to be in class with Abby and Mia!

The XC assembly

Goshen had been planning a XC assembly to recognize the runners and celebrate the boys winning State. It has been moved and canceled due to snow days but today it finally happened! Being recognized with his team in front of the school really meant a lot to him.  He was so excited even though he really didn't feel good. They called the runners down...and specifically pointed out the top seven runners on the team. Riggs ran down when they called his name and slapped waiting hands as he ran by...part of a team he loves...with friends he cares for.

 He was recognized as being on the All State team for XC...and as the fastest 3rd grader in the state of Kentucky. I was so proud of him...mostly because he was happy with himself.

 Mrs. Howard watched this unfold in the assembly...as Riggs ran to join his team with his newly found confidence...as he was recognized for not only trying hard, but also.... for the first time ....for being  great.  She later sent me a text that said this: I can't lie...got a little teary eyed during the assembly....so proud of Riggs!!! That meant so much to me...she has no idea how much she had to do with him believing in himself. I will forever be thankful for her love and guidance with this tender hearted boy.

 He is a changed boy...still shy...still unsure...but so much more confident than he ever has been. He is still finding his way but yes...that kid in the Hardy sweatshirt is Riggs...and yes, he is doing the Macarena! You've come a long way, baby!

After the assambly I could see he was fading...fever back... we signed him out and headed home..his little body was tired but his heart was full of joy!

Oh Happy Fall Sunday!

She has arrived! Fall swept in today with her chill and I happily welcomed her with boots and a scarf and a homemade pot of chili!  It was an amazing Sunday that started with a fun trip to waffle house with my precious children.....I was able to sit back and watch them happily talk about their friends and school while they ate their breakfast.  Sarah Kate and Lila enjoyed their waffles...while Riggs and Rollins ate their full plates of egg, sausage and waffles...and all the while watching Rollins carefully stack each bite in the perfect order...one piece of egg, one piece of sausage..followed by one piece of waffle...and then putting this big bite in his tiny mouth!They are amazing...these kids of mine...and as I sat at a booth in waffle house...hands wrapped around a steaming mug of creamy coffee....I felt warm all over.


After Breakfast we went straight over to the park for a little walk on the nature trail. It was there we met up with Ashley and Henry and we were delighted that they joined us for our walk down to the creek where we found monkey brains on the ground and touches of fall all around us!

Back at the house our welcome fall day had a bit of a hick up as the children gathered in the court for a lemonade stand....it is hard to say goodbye to summer but with our final lemonade stand we say farewell...see you next year!