Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Thanksgiving vacation brought Grandma and Grandpa down to Mississippi for a visit.

 

Amelia's first ever pumpkin pie!

 

It was delicious Amelia, way to go!

 

Gobble, Gobble.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

November Fun

 

Amelia's Connections class took a field trip to the Renaissance Festival in Louisiana.   The kids had a great time but we went on the coldest day of the year and it was FREEZING! 

 

Hot chocolate and warm donuts hit the spot.

 

Amelia trying out jousting!

 

Luke showing off his new Minecraft hat Grandma Joan crocheted.  

 

Addison at her final Children's House Thanksgiving celebration.  The kindergartners prepare a feast for the whole school.  They do all of the preparation and cooking and serving and are so proud of their accomplishments when they are finished.  They make friendship soup, cornbread muffins and pie.  Such cuties.  

 

Amelia's youth group recently had a surprise Girls Night Out and look what pulled up to take them to dinner!  They were so excited and had a great evening out!

 

Still is hard to believe Amelia is youth group age.  

Spartan Race Kids!

 

This past weekend Amelia and Luke were quite the little warriors. 

 They decided to compete in the Kids Spartan Race, an adventure race filled with obstacles, mud, water and fire.  

 

As we arrived and they watched the adults compete both of their faces became a little apprehensive.

 

We headed over to the kids course to warm up and Amelia's buddy from her Connections class, Whitney, was there so everyone relaxed a little then.

 

 Ready to race!

 

And then they were off and running!   The course was a mile and had lots of obstacles to climb over, through and under.  They did a great job sticking with each other  (Luke is in the purple shirt and Amelia in the pink and black). Addison and I were running from obstacle to obstacle to get photos and movies of our competitors.  Addison kept up great and often beat me to our next location- she can't wait to compete next year!

 

Addison and I were cheering our heads off and both the kids said they could hear us throughout the race.  They finished together in less than 10 minutes and we were so proud of them!  They both LOVED the race and cannot wait to do it again next year!

 

Way to go Mimi and Luke!!

 

On the way out of the race, they have some obstacles from the adult course to practice on.  So all of the kiddos gave the rope climb a try.  

 

Amelia said, "Mom, I know how to do this.  I can make it if I curl it around my foot."

I told her to have at it and off she went.  

 

As she got higher and higher, a crowd started forming around me and were cheering her on.  It was hysterical watching this tiny little girl shimmy up the rope!  She is so strong though!

 

Look who rang the bell!!  An 11 year old girl!  She had lots of cheers and congrats from that little feat.

 

Showered up and ready for bed, but look what they both are still wearing!  Medals and competitor headbands-they were proud of themselves!!

Trick or Treat!

 Happy Halloween!  The kids were very excited for Trick or Treat time and had a beautiful night to gather candy. 

 

Luke was all about being a Bears football player this year!

 

Amelia was still in full zombie mode from school and we both decided it would be too much hassle to change her hair and makeup to be anything but a zombie.  And she was freaky looking...

 

And the most original costume award this year:  

Addison as Elsa from Frozen...along with three gazzilion other little girls.

 Ready to start our party hopping- we had a few parties to hit before it was Trick or Treat time so we met up with the Gordons and headed out.  

 

JGo and JBo kicking it Halloween style. 

 Stephen said this must have been the Halloween Mommy costume because every single mom at the party had on skinny jeans and a black top and boots.  

THRILLER

 

Amelia's school has a tradition on Halloween.  The 6th grade Connections students choreograph and act out the Michael Jackson classic, Thriller.  They do the acting, choreographing, set decorations and costume/makeup.  Amelia loved dressing like a zombie with her buddies!

 

Zombie Amelia!

 

Amelia dancing during Thriller.

 

Way to go 6th grade Connections!  Awesome performance!

Fall Festival

 

Addison celebrated her last Fall Festival at The Children's House.  She was as cute as can be while enjoying the games and the crafts.

 

Addison and Sarah, love.

 

My sweet baby is growing up.

 

Happy Fall Kindergartners!

 

Addison also had her last soccer game which means TROPHY!!!!

State Fair

 

Stephen took the kiddos to the Jackson County State Fair after school.  Stephen had the goal of taking all of the kids on the tilt a whirl.  He politely asked me to stay home knowing I may have a slight issue with rides that come out of the back of a truck.  His exact words may have been, "I think we will have more fun without you."  Whatever, safety can be fun!  

 

 

Amelia getting kissed by a pig.  Did she use hand sanitizer after this event?  I don't know because I was asked to not attend.  So if she ate pig snot with her chicken tenders, it is not on me.

 

The kids all loved the "Fun Slide."  Stephen even got them all to ride the tilt a whirl, even Amelia!  Although it took two chances and Stephen making himself nauseous in the process.  

 

And then there is this...SIGH. 

 I received this text while they were on the way home, "Don't be mad."  I was thinking they were going to bring home a stuffed animal the size of Stephen and as I tried to figure out where said stuffed animal would live, they pulled up.  "WE WON FISH!!"

Backstory: Addison pleaded and begged for a fish for her birthday last year.  She received one.  Every mother knows the end of this story.  I have been taking care of birthday fish ever since.  "Did anyone feed the fish?"  Always met with a resounding, "NO!"  Who cleans out the nasty, cloudy, disgusting bowl?  Mommy.

So, to add to the fish and two dogs that I already care for and do not particularly enjoy.  And the three kids I care for that I periodically enjoy (kidding).  They are nonstop little joy balls.  Three more fish, each with their own individual bowl to clean.  Yay.  This confirms my stance on state fairs.