My Christmas Cookie Party - Avery

Last year I invited some friends over for a Christmas cookie party. This year it was even more fun. It was me , Mackenzie , Sarah Grace , Mary Beth , Laney, Jordyn , Betsy, and Victoria. So we were lucky and everyone arrived at about the same time. We did a lot making bracelets that turned out to be bookmarks , Cocoa making , cookie decorating , eating pizza , playing games , and finally a Christmas American Idol. Mary Beth , Mackenzie , and Victoria were judges. I played the guitar, Mackenzie used my guitar also, Sarah Grace announced , Mary Beth took pictures , taped , and judged , Laney sang and danced, Jordyn sang, Betsy sang and did a cheer, and Victoria judged. It was so much Fun!!!

Yes, We Celebrate Christmas

Had to share another "Wil Story"...

Yesterday, I picked him up at Kindergarten and was met by one of the teacher's aides with a grim look on her face. "I need to ask you something", she said. "Is Wil allowed to watch Christmas movies?" I laughed and told her that we watch them nightly this time of year. Well, Wil had told them at indoor recess that he was not allowed to watch the Christmas movie they were showing! When we got to the car, I asked him why he said that he wasn't allowed to watch Christmas movies and this was his response...

"Well, that isn't exactly what I said. That movie was boring and I wanted to work on my roller coaster drawing, so I told her we didn't celebrate Christmas!"

My mouth hit the floor and I informed him that both Santa and God heard him say that! His reasoning turned out to be sound (in his eyes). Another little boy had told the teacher that and he got to do what he wanted. Granted, that little boy's family really might not have celebrated Christmas.... Never a dull moment with Wil!

Breakfast With Santa

This was the 2nd year for our church to have "Breakfast With Santa" and we just couldn't wait to go! Unfortunately, Wil got sick on Friday and we told he had to stay home all weekend. Wil was very good about missing the event. He said that "after all, I saw Santa at the mall."

Avery and I attended the event on Saturday morning. We started with yummy pancakes and sausage and Avery enjoyed making various ornaments and decorating Christmas cookies. Thankfully, she was not too old too sit on Santa's lap. I was quite amused to hear her tell him that she wanted dolls for Christmas, since she told us that "all" she wanted was a Zune, cell phone and lap top!!!

Wil Words

Tonight, Blake and Wil were watching a "World's Most Shocking Videos" show on Animal Planet. The second most shocking was about a python that was discovered in a neighborhood sporting suspicious bulge in its middle. Wil just couldn't wait to tell his sister about the story and what the "bulge" turned out to be. Went something like this...

Wil: Avery, you're not going to believe this!

Avery: What?

Wil: A hypothesis, that's a kind of snake, ate a cat!!!!

Avery: huh????

Background noise: Blake and I trying not to fall on the floor laughing!

Halloween

Can't pass up posting a few pics of Dorothy and Power Ranger #5! We were so excited to have a real Halloween store in Jonesboro this year. Wil found his costume right away. Avery on the other hand had to search and search. She had wanted to be a gypsy, but that was about the only costume this store didn't have! She is also in that stage where many costumes were too baby-ish and many were too grown up! She finally decided to be Dorothy and I think she looked just beautiful! The only sad part of the whole holiday was Blake being sick with the flu. He wasn't able to attend Southwest's Fall Festival with us.

Welcome, Fall!

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! I have loved the past few weeks with the cooler weather. I have my pumpkin spice candles out and apple cider in the fridge at all times. We are slowly making the transition from summer to fall clothing in the closets and drawers. Both kids had a growth spurt recently, so a shopping trip in going to be needed to round out the wardrobes (at least until Christmas).
This past weekend we got to go to one of our absolute favorite fall events....The Goat Roast! We have been going to this event, hosted by family friends, since before Blake and I were married. Now, the kids look forward to it year round. Saturday, we made the trip to Hardy and enjoyed time at the Young's home. They have the most beautiful setting. We were able to sit in the sun room and use binoculars to watch wild turkey cross the pasture below. The food, well it is simply the best! Just imagine the best church potluck you've ever been to! I don't think I need to eat a thing this week after what all we had Saturday! My favorite thing this year was watching my children interact with the older people there. There were several older ladies that adopted Avery as an extra grandchild! She spent the evening showing them her digital camera and all the pictures she was taking (will add those to the site soon!). She just talked and talked to them! Wil did his job entertaining. One lady told me that another couple was unable to attend this year and that they was sad to miss "the boy"! Everyone remembered that he had started Kindergarten and wanted to know how it was going. Wil's other favorite is the Young's spiral staircase and loft. He has come home before with carpet burn on his stomach from sliding down the stairs!
Hooray for fall! We are looking forward to all the fall festivals, our fall outing to Six Flags in Dallas, the Miley Cyrus concert, Thanksgiving and Christmas (which Avery told me tonight was only 72 days away!).

First Day of School Pictures