I've been wanting to post for a while, but I ran into a roadblock! I recently learned that I had maxed out my blog's photo limit. I decided to use photobucket to add photos, but I can't access that site either (I've tried from three different browsers, and it is only showing links on the left side, no HTML at all). I didn't know how to fix the problem until I read that another blogger had encountered the same issue and discovered a solution. (Thanks for the tip, Brittney!) Now I am ready to get back to writing!

Emily's birthday was October 26th, but we didn't have her party until November 6th. The kids were out of school for Election Day, so we used the free time as an opportunity for some fun! Emily chose to have her party at the ice skating rink. She's only skated three times, including the party, but she does pretty well, and she enjoys it!  She invited ten of her friends. Some of them could skate better than others, but the blue metal support bars (I don't know what they are called) were helpful to those who were uncomfortable skating on their own.


After a little more than an hour of skating, we headed to the party room for pizza and presents.  Emily was surrounded by lots of sweet, smiling faces!


Andrew didn't care too much for the ice skating, so he played laser tag with a friend.  He did, however, show up for the pizza and cake.  Funny how that works. :)


I can't believe Emily's eight.  She's growing so fast.  She is my feisty, spunky girl, and she is sometimes my drama queen, but she has such a tender heart.  She will be the one to take care of me when I am old and gray! I love my Best Girl!

Labels: My Best Girl

Emily had her first experience with soccer this fall, and despite breaking her wrist the night before her first game, she really enjoyed the season.  She is used to softball, so the constant running was an adjustment, but she had fun! As usual, her favorite part of being on the team was goofing around with the other girls. If they hand out trophies for silliness and giggling, Emily will win first place!

For the final game, Coach Stacy painted the girls' hair black and white (difficult to see in the photo) and painted their faces. The war paint and hair color were motivating, and the girls played a great game.  Afterwards, they wrapped up the season with trophies and cupcakes.




I think Emily will be back on the softball field in the spring, but perhaps there will be more soccer in her future!

Labels: My Best Girl

On November 2, I joined Andrew's fifth grade class for a field trip to the Carnton Plantation and the Carter House, both famous Civil War sites in our area.  The Carnton Plantation was used as a military hospital and was the subject of a popular novel called The Widow of the South.  The Carter House was used as the federal headquarters during the Battle of Franklin (while the family hid from the flying bullets in the basement).  It was a very interesting day!

We started the morning at the Carnton Plantation.  Our nice guide welcomed us at the front door.  Too bad she also didn't mention that no photographs were allowed in the home because I was reprimanded quite loudly by an employee before taking a picture. There's nothing a fifth grade boy likes better than for his mom to get in trouble on the field trip! :)


After seeing the home, we toured the grounds.  Because they are having special events in November to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, they had actors and storytellers helping the students better understand the time period.  One notable presentation was done by Mr. Lincoln himself.  He recited the Gettysburg address for us and discussed how much he hated the war.  Very well done.


We enjoyed an early lunch on the grounds of Carnton.  For fifth grade boys, lunch is one of the best parts of the day!


Before heading to the Carter House, Andrew and I stopped for a picture.  This is his last elementary field trip, so I was feeling a bit nostalgic!


We headed to the Carter House after lunch.  When we were at Carnton, one of the kids' favorite aspects of the tour was the fact that there are blood stains on the floor from the wounded soldiers.  Not to be outdone, the Carter House boasts actual bullet holes from the Battle of Franklin.  This picture shows one of the outbuildings, but there are holes in the brick house as well.


Todd Carter grew up in the Carter House.  He fought for the South for several years before being mortally wounded in the Battle of Franklin.  His family heard that he was near their home (practically in the backyard), and they went out and found him among all the wounded and dead.  He died in his own home surrounded by family several days later.  The kids were mesmerized as "Todd" told his story.


It was a great day! We all learned a lot and enjoyed seeing and hearing the history that surrounds us every day!

Labels: Fun, My Favorite Boy

Halloween has come and gone, but since I am always a wee bit behind on this blog, I will take the time to recap. With Halloween being on a Wednesday (church night), we had to budget our time wisely. We decided to trick-or-treat with some of our church friends from 6:00-6:30 before heading to Bible class. The houses in our friends' neighborhood are close together, so the kids were able to cover a good bit of ground in a short time.

Before leaving home, we snapped some pictures. Oreo loves to trick-or-treat (in other words, she loves to walk around the neighborhood and interact with all the people), but since we were not coming back home, she had to stay behind. That didn't stop us from dressing her up for photos! Last year she and Emily were both cowgirls, so we coordinated her outfit with Andrew this year. How cute is this rufferee?


Emily was Cleopatra.  She loved this costume!


We took a group photo before the trick-or-treating began.  Our friends were Jordyn Wieber and a Cardinals player that I can't remember, but who obviously has a very thick beard. :)


After church, we donned costumes once again and gathered the kids in the parking lot for an unofficial trunk-or-treat (those of us with kids just got together and gave out candy).  I loved seeing the little babies with the puffy, cute costumes.  I don't miss having a baby, but they sure are adorable on these special occasions!


Despite the fact that the kids didn't have as much time to enjoy the usual Halloween festivities, it was a wonderful evening.  I always enjoy being with members of my Christian family, and this added to the fun for all of us!

Labels: Family and Friends, Fun, My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy

On the weekend we celebrated Em's birthday with grandparents, she also had her first piano recital (she started piano in January). A year ago, she would have refused to participate; but with experience in school performances and a musical last spring, she has gotten much braver and is starting to enjoy the limelight!

We got to the studio in time for her to warm up on the keyboard with her amazing teacher, Mrs. Jaclyn.


Then, we took our seats and waited for show time.  It's always fun to see your own name on the program!


Emily had a cheering section!


She introduced herself and performed two selections beautifully!  We were very proud of our girl!

Labels: My Best Girl

On October 26th, Emily turned 8! Eight seems so big to me! We let her open one gift a day early--she can be very persuasive. My budding artist was thrilled to open a new set of supplies and a real sketch book.


Her birthday happened to fall on the same day as the fall party at school, so she enjoyed fun, games, and treats on her birthday. She also got to wear the special birthday hat while her classmates sang "Happy Birthday" to her.


The day after her birthday, both sets of grandparents came to help her celebrate.

Emily and Grandma

Emily and Papa Don

Emily and Grammy

Emily and Papa

The afternoon was filled with family fun and lots of smiles!  Emily will be having a party with her friends this week (we scheduled it on Election Day because they are out of school), but celebrating with the ones she loves most is always special!

Labels: Family and Friends, My Best Girl

Several weeks ago, Emily participated in the second grade program. Goin' Buggy is a tradition at our school, and it is my favorite of all the programs. The kids' costumes are adorable! Here is Emily as a beautiful butterfly:


It's so exciting to be lined up and ready before a performance.  She was thrilled to get her cast off the day before the show--she was ready to shine!


Emily loved the songs from the show.  We have heard them at home quite a few times!


Finally, it was time for her speaking part.  Two years ago, she would have been hiding behind the curtains.  Now, she's ready for the spotlight!


After the show, the bugs from her class posed for pictures.  So cute!

Labels: My Best Girl