Jake's Halloween Party

Knowing ahead of time that Jake would have NO part in dressing up in a "real" costume, we opted for the football player look. These pictures are from the costume parade and party at his pre-school.

Waiting for the parade to begin

Jake's class takes their turn walking around the gym. I really like "Handy Manny" in front of him!

Jake sits with Ms. Tammy (one of his teachers) to watch a funny little performance by the music teacher.

I'm pretty sure the party was his favorite part of the day!

Canale Farms

Back in October, our church rented out an entire farm for an afternoon. It was a very fun, and very nice experience. We started the afternoon with a wagon ride around the entire farm.

View from the wagon as we rode.

Hannah takes a turn on the horses.

Then Emma took a turn.

Finally it was Jake's turn.

Paul and Jake spend time doing "guy stuff". Love this picture!

Jake's First UGA Game

Well my posts are way out of order now --- I was too excited about Emma's tooth not to post it! But I can still catch up, right? So here are the pics from our (Paul, Emma, Jake, & I) trip to Nashville to the Vanderbilt/UGA game. Hannah quickly opted out and begged to stay with a friend. Paul was very excited as this was Jake's first game. All things considered it went fairly well. The worst part was the weather......it was FREEZING! So we only made it to half-time. But it was fun to get away.

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Jake displays his ticket

View of the field

Emma really enjoyed getting decked out in her brand new UGA cheerleading outfit.

Paul and Jake try to steal a peek of UGA before we head out.

I must admit I think this was their favorite part.....returning to the hotel - where it was nice and warm - and eating pop tarts. Go figure!

Emma Loses Her First Tooth

After WEEKS of trying to pull Emma's first tooth......we finally had success!!

Zoo Field Trip

Earlier in the school year I had the pleasure of chaperoning for Emma's class trip to the zoo. Jake tagged along as well and we had a great time.

Emma and her friend, Presleigh, pose near the panda habitat.

Jake pauses to enjoy the giraffe.

Emma (far right) and a few classmates get a good giggle being splashed by the fountain.

Emma stopped for a quick picture (on the way out) with this great Elvis pumpkin. What would Fall in Memphis be without Elvis??

Clown Day for Emma

In early October, Emma had clown day at school. Thankfully, Paul was home that morning to help Emma get ready, because clown decorating is NOT my expertise! I was so impressed with his work.

Once they got started, she didn't like the paint on her face!

But the finished product sure was cute! Way to go Paul and Emma.

Emma seems to like playing this part.

Tiger Walk

Back in September, the girls' school held a fundraiser that involved sponsoring them for the number of laps their class walked. It's a big ta-doo around here we soon discovered, but also a lot of fun. Jake and I went and walked with both of them.

Hannah shakes her bee shakers at Jake and I as she makes a pass.

Hannah's class takes a break from walking to dance a little.

Emma's class is the "Lightnin' Bugs". She shows off her "tail".

Emma and her amazing teacher Mrs. Lavelle

The "Lightnin' Bugs" stop walking to do their cheer/chant: "Who let the bugs out? Who...who...who?

Shakin' their lightnin' bug bottoms!

Emma's class

Paul made an appearance at the event to come and eat lunch with the girls. No easy feat considering he had to drive 20 minutes, eat for 15, then jump in the car and drive 20 minutes back to work. But I think it was worth it to see Emma's face light up. Who wouldn't want a Daddy like that?

Adventures in Potty Training

Well who knew that "tighty - whities" could be so darn cute!! Potty training a little boy is the next installment in my learning curve of raising a little boy. It's certainly interesting! Although many folks have told me how difficult potty training a boy can be, I've been pleasantly surprised to find just the opposite. He has been very willing and able to work on this big step in his life (with the help of M&M's of course!). Let's hope he continues to make great progress!

Hannah's New Glasses

A few weeks into the school year, Hannah began complaining about having trouble seeing the board at school. I was a little surprised (I'd had her checked last school year), but Paul reminded me that with both of us having poor eyesight, chances were pretty good at least one of our three would have trouble. Anyway, the exam found Hannah was very farsighted and a few days later we went and picked up her new glasses. She was AMAZED at the difference they made and constantly moved the glasses up and down to compare her sight. It's been a smooth transition and I'm so proud of how Hannah has embraced her new self. I think she looks absolutely beautiful!

Paul Turns 36

The older we get the more we seem to opt for the "low-key" birthday celebration. For Paul's 36th, we stayed at home, celebrating with his favorite pizza, a one day reprieve from "Daddy Duty", and finished it off with a Ben & Jerry's ice cream cake. I think he enjoyed it!

Here he is emerging from the man cave for his "surprise" celebration.

The celebration decor...

and Paul blowing out his candles. Yes, yes, I know the candles say 35, but our number 6 seemed to have disappeared in our hour of need. Happy Birthday, Babe!

First Days of School

Here is our Hannah; Age 8 - First Day of 3rd Grade

It was such a relief to start school knowing where everything was, teachers, etc. rather than our middle-of-the-year move earlier. She was excited and ready to start back.

Although Hannah and Emma are now at the same school (hooray!), Emma started a week later than Hannah. The kindergarteners had a "staggered" first few days to get them acquainted with all the big changes. For chronological purposes, I should have posted the second set of pictures of Emma first, but got mixed up. Anyway......the first two pictures of Emma are on her second day of Kindergarten. On this day we finally had her teacher assignment and she is entering her room and finding her seat. She was so very excited.....and Mommy was so very sad -- Completely bittersweet!

Emma is OFFICIALLY a Kindergartener!!

Here is Emma on her first "staggered" day of Kindergarten. She went and spent the day at school, but did not yet know her teacher.

She was SOOO aggravated at having to stop and take these pictures. She had been waiting for this day forever!

Here she is climbing off the bus that first staggered day. I just love her expression! Much to her dismay I insisted on taking her myself the first few days, but in the afternoons she rode home on the bus with Hannah and Mr. Clements (waving in the back).

And a week after Emma got started, my baby boy made his first trek to pre-school. Wow!---I can hardly believe all the big changes going on in our house this school year. It takes my breath away at times. Jake attends "school" two days a week and he has loved it from the moment he stepped in the door. He asks every day if he's going to school that day.

My precious boy

Here's Jake with the dreaded "cheeese" smile showing off his "racing car" lunch box.

And here he is at school with "Miss Anese" (aka Ms. Denise). As hard as it was for me to walk out that door his first day and come home to an empty house, I have grown to look forward to those two days and the semi-freedom they provide me. It's amazing that God provides things that sometimes we don't even realize we need!

Slick Rock, Alabama

Recently Paul scheduled to attend a festival in Alabama over a weekend, so we decided to make it a family affair, take the RV and all go together. We hooked the RV up at a campground called Slick Rock (about 20 minutes from the festival site) and as you can see it was really nice. Lots of trees, right on a lake, and very peaceful & quiet. Well, as quiet as it can be with three children in tow. Although we didn't get to spend a lot of time there, we enjoyed it and even I would enjoy going back for a festival-free weekend there.

A shot down to the lake from our camper location.

Paul got some night crawlers to fish with and he and I both commented on how large they were. At first, Jake was quite disgusted with the things and then gradually became intrigued when he saw his sisters with them. Here he is getting better acquainted and then.....

they soon became his new best friends. He carried the box with him ALL over the campground and then began experimenting with dropping them from various heights. Look closely...you'll see one in motion above.

Let's try another one!

See.....even when he was done dropping them, he had to carry the box so they could color together. Hilarious!

Hannah concentrates on a sidewalk chalk masterpiece.

My little stinker!

Pretty rainbow, Emma!