1st Soccer Game

Well, somehow we survived our 1st soccer game. We had exactly 1 practice which consisted of about 30 minutes of running around and 10 minutes of games and stretching with a group of kids that have never played before. I did not go in with high expectations AT ALL. To my surprise, it wasn't too bad. We didn't have a full team and got a great player from the other team to fill in. I'm pretty sure they don't keep score, either. If they did, we probably lost. It was cute, Gracie had fun and loved it and ran ALOT. So regardless of how the rest of the season goes...it's a definite win in my book : )

Ornament Day at Nana's

Nana has started tradition of making ornaments with all her grandkids the past couple of years. This year they made all kinds of different ones and had a fun morning together. It was a great way to end the Thanksgiving weekend.

Hanging of the Greens Program

This year instead of a children's choir program our church did a Hanging of the Greens/Advent Service and included all the choirs including the Cherubs. It was an absolutely wonderful evening and we so enjoyed the service. Gracie had an extra part and got to hang an ornament on the Christmas Tree with the help of one of the high school youth member and she loved it. The Cherubs sang Away in the Manger so well.

The Polar Express

Once again, we headed to the North Pole to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Polar Express. We are never disappointed in this outing. This year it was just the 4 of us and we enjoyed it just as much as always. It was a cooler night too so it really put us in the spirit! The girls wore jammies, we drank hot chocolate with marshmallows while we waited for the train to arrive, listened to a story, sang all of our favorite Christmas Carols with jingle bells from Santa's sleigh.

Thanksgiving Pictures

Thankful

Today, I am thankful for my many blessings in my life. I am blessed beyond words and very grateful for all the special people we can call family and friends.

These 2 celebrated Thanksgiving at school last week. Here are some shots of their parties.

More Celebrating!

Gracie invited her friends from school to her birthday party at home. We decorated mini cookies and cupcakes with icing and sprinkles, we made containers to put them in, painted "cookie dough" ornaments, bu a pinata and had cookie cake and snacks. It was a beautiful day so mostly everyone enjoyed playing outside.

We had all the treats set up with all kinds of icing and sprinkles and toppings

Hard at work!

Painting their Ornaments
Pinata Time

Mallary gets a turn too!
Everyone patiently waiting on their turn!

Candy Time!!
Time for Cake!
{Can you guess what team she is for, ugh! : )}
Happy Birthday to you!

Baker Gracie Thanks you for coming to her party!

Birthday Celebration

We had a small family party on the 14th. Meme, Chief, Nana, Andrew and Aunt Elaine came up for lunch and cupcakes. You requested broccoli cheese soup just like Panera (your favorite) and cake. I was more than happy to oblige. After lunch we sang Happy Birthday and opened your presents. You got your 1st American Girl doll and you picked out Julie! You got lots of other great things - all kinds of accessories for Julie, a poodle skirt from Nana, Money, a Rainbow shirt with your name on it and some other fun stuff.

FIVE

Holy Smokes, how did my baby get to be 5! Gracie, it's so hard to believe that you are now 5. I can't believe that the time has gone so fast. It just seems like you were born yesterday. You are such a sweet girl. You are a good student and are learning to write so well. We are always spelling our words, writing lists, words and sounding out things all the time. You really like to do art projects and paint. You also LOVE science which doesn't surprise me in the least. You are a good big sister and play so nice with Mallary. You both have the greatest imaginations and come up the the funniest games. You both love playing outside and on the swingset.

You love any activities we sign up for. You are now taking ballet, tap and jazz and Acro every week. We have just added indoor soccer and you had the best time. Of course softball is still on our list too. You also go to cherub choir at church and love singing all the songs you have learned.

You still have your magic and sleep with it every night. You love blue jeans and Auburn football. You will watch the game and cheer with Daddy and not even be bored. Your new obsession is your Julie doll and all her cool stuff. You also like purses and dress up. You like going to the movies and helping me and daddy cook.

Your favorite drink is still Chocolattes. Your favorite foods are nachos, soup, turkey sandwiches and cheeseburgers. You love ice cream and it would be your favorite sweet treat.

I am so proud of you and what a wonderful little girl you are. You make my heart so happy with everything you do. I love you so so much and always want nothing but the very best for you.

November, so far...

Already behind, but while we've been busy, it hasn't been that much out of the norm so the camera has stayed put up until last Sunday. The Cherub Choir at our church sang during the service. I love the Cherubs and all their cute songs. Gracie had been working hard on The Wise Man and The Foolish Man and Zacchaeus during choir practice and at home. I can't get good pics in the church because of the lighting, but these weren't too bad.







And after church, the girls and I headed to Birmingham. For a special treat. PRINCESSES ON ICE! We loved it. They knew they got 1 special treat so they both opted for cotton candy that came with mouse ear crowns. They both sat so attentively for the show and cheered. Gracie and I agreed that the "Sleeping Beauty" Segment was our favorite. Mallary loved them all. Gracie kept asking for all the "wicked queens" and said they were her favorites and was disappointed when one wouldn't appear. Ha!