Presentation/ Program/ Parties/ Paperwork

Thursday, 12/19, was a busy day...

PRESENTATION:

My friend Emily was sweet to let Crosby ride to school with Cole so that I could get to Rhett's school presentation by 8:20.  His GT class had just finished their study of the Titanic and he wanted me to attend the skit they'd prepared for their final project.  It was really cute, and they did a great job. Rhett was the narrator.  I'm always impressed with how calm he is speaking in front of a group.  I'm proud of him!

His group:

PROGRAM:

Next was Crosby's Christmas program at 11:00.  Doors opened at 10:30, and people are very serious about getting good seats near the stage.  I knew I'd better get there before 10:30 for any chance of a good picture. 

The curtains opened, and it was so fun to find C's sweet little face in the group!  He's on the back row, second from the left.  Everyone was asked to wear dark pants, and the shirts were loaned to them for the program.  One of the teachers made them.  They sang several Christmas songs, and the 4 year olds had speaking parts that went through the alphabet naming things related to Christmas.  Crosby had an "O" on his shirt, and his line was "O is for ornaments that decorate the tree!"  

Away in a Manger

(Isn't the backdrop pretty!?  One of the Pre-K teachers painted it too!)

Here he is saying his line with a classmate.  They did great--they spoke right into the microphone and were so cute!

I stopped by the classroom to say hello afterward, and he was standing there holding a gift that he'd made for our family.  We opened it together.  It's an adorable hand-painted wood block nativity scene--I love it!  I asked one of his little classmates to take a picture of us. Thank you for the beautiful gift, Crosby!  What a treasure!

PARTY:
Then it was time to go back to the elementary school for the 1:00 class parties.  I helped set-up in A's room.  Their party agenda included a Santa ornament craft, snacks, a book exchange and a smart-board holiday game (which we didn't get to because we ran out of time). 

I dropped by Rhett's classroom party to say hello too.  The 4th graders were sitting by a crackling "fire" listening to one of the moms read them the book that they wrote and illustrated.  Then they crowded around the teacher to present her with a class gift.  We're thankful for the kids' great schools and teachers!

PAPERWORK:

The previous afternoon, 12/18, we dropped some important paperwork in the FedEx box...we closed (by mail) on a home in Missouri.  I haven't written anything about it (moving just seems like too much to think about so I've tried to avoid it), but Lane accepted the job back in late August. He'll start as soon as he finishes his residency here in June (we'll move right after school gets out for the summer).  After all the school parties on the 19th we had to mail one more document, then everything was official after the sellers signed their paperwork on the 20th.  I'll write more about it soon!  It's definitely bittersweet knowing this is our last Christmas here, but we're thankful for the great career opportunity for Lane and look forward to what God has planned for our family in 2014.  

excited about the new house...

...and the yard with lots of trees...

...and a play set for the kids!

Christmas Card

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From The Garners

Front:

Back:

*****

I loved the photos that Kyle did for us at Pinnacle Mountain State Park!  

Check out his website at kyleboyingtonphotography.com

C's Party & Peanut Clusters

Crosby had his Pre-K4 party on Tuesday.  He was not at all interested in wearing this Christmas sweater, but I told him he could take it off right after I took his picture by the school Christmas tree.

He is such a precious little boy.  I can't believe this is his last year of MDO/Preschool.

Here's another precious little boy in the same Christmas sweater and the same lobby in 2008.  I was pregnant with C...and isn't Alexee so little and cute in her dress!?  Time goes too fast. 

This was C's letter to Santa that was hanging outside his classroom.  So sweet!

We love his wonderful teachers, Mrs. Vicki and Mrs. Susan.

When I picked him up that afternoon, he immediately started searching in his backpack for something.  He found two things and handed them to me.  He said, "I drew this picture of you because I love you so much", and THEN he told me that everyone got to choose something from the treasure box today and he chose this purple necklace for me because he loves me so much!  I thought it was so thoughtful of him to give up getting a toy for himself to get a gift for me!  My goodness...Melted my heart!

***

After school we made our annual double batch of peanut clusters to share with our neighbors.  They're so easy but so delicious!  (Single batch:  1 pkg almond bark, melted.  Add 1 (12 oz. ) pkg milk chocolate chips and 1 (12 oz.) pkg semi-sweet chips, microwave again until melted.  Stir/mix thoroughly.  Stir in 2 cans Spanish peanuts.  Drop onto wax paper.

Thankful for my cute holiday helpers!  I love them so much!

The Nutcracker

Alexee and I got to enjoy a special girls' night out last Saturday.  We went with our friends Emily and Kylie to dinner at Cantina Laredo and a trip downtown to see The Nutcracker!  I'm so glad we had the opportunity to go--it was great!

I gave her a book about The Nutcracker to open before we left.  The girls read it in the car.  

Sweet girls on the steps of Robinson Center Music Hall

(It was COLD!)

I'm truly grateful for Emily and her family--so blessed by their friendship!

I loved getting to spend a special night with Alexee!  The boys had a fun night too--they went to Larry's Pizza for dinner and games.  :)  We were really tired that night--Alexee was up way later than usual, but it was worth it.

 

Brunches, Lunches & More

I'd planned to let the kids help address the Christmas cards this year, but when it was time to sit down and do it, Alexee was the only one interested in the project.  :)  We had fun working on them together though.  

We had dentist appointments after school last Tuesday then went out for an early dinner at Purple Cow.  They were excited about the eggnog and peppermint holiday shakes for dessert.

I was SO happy to get to meet my friend Mary Katherine in Hope, AR, for lunch on Thursday.  We were trying to think back to when we'd last seen each other and decided it was summer 2012...WAY too long!  It was a quick trip...but wonderful to get to catch up.  I'm very thankful that we've stayed in touch. MK is one of the funniest people I know and always so much fun to hang out with!

We ate at Tailgaters Burger Co. on Main Street, and it was great!  After lunch we asked a guy walking by to "take our picture by this cute truck".  I guess we should have been more specific...he thought we meant the white Chevy!  We waited until he left then asked the next person walking by to take our picture by the decorated, antique truck.  :)

MK was so sweet to send ornaments for the kids!

One night we delivered a "Secret Santa"gift, and they thought this was so much fun!  They loved doing this last year too.  :)  They bundled up in their robes and made a plan for ringing the doorbell and hiding.

On Friday I had the ladies on our street over for a brunch.  It was originally scheduled for last Friday, but the ice interfered.  I don't know why I didn't take any pictures of the neighbors, but it was fun to visit!  Lindsey brought praline pull-apart bread, Laura brought an ambrosia salad and I made cream cheese crescent bars and potato casserole. 

Tulips and Christmas cards

Alexee has made a super sweet new friend in her class this year.  The girls really get along great, and Morgan has an older brother that Rhett enjoys hanging out with, too.  On Friday afternoon, Morgan's mom invited us all over after school to make cinnamon clay Christmas ornaments.  We had a great time!  The boys weren't very interested in the ornaments, so they played cards.  Lane was off that day, and Crosby decided to stay home with him.  We'd planned to drive around to look at Christmas lights Friday night, but it was raining so we postponed that trip. 

Saturday morning was the annual Cafe Volunteer Brunch at Barry & Jeannie's, which is always a treat.  I have to contact Jeannie about the recipe for the shortbread cookies she served--the kids all loved them and kept asking for "just oooone more, pleeeeease?"  It was a fun morning.  They sent us home with two loaves of delicious cinnamon bread (cute place for the favors in the red wagon!).

We sang one of my favorite songs, O Come Let Us Adore Him, at church on Sunday.  In the midst of a very busy season, it was great to sing these words:

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord

For You alone are worthy

For You alone are worthy

For You alone are worthy

Christ the Lord

We'll give You all the glory

We'll give You all the glory

We'll give You all the glory

Christ the Lord

Sunday lunch at Bravo--fun family time.

I hope you are having a wonderful December!

Chalk Paint Project #2

Well, I painted the hutch in the breakfast area.  The mirror project was easy enough, and I had a lot of paint left so Monday I started painting again.  I had a deadline because I was hosting a brunch here this morning and wanted to have it finished!

BEFORE:

 DURING:

The color (Duck Egg) looked a little brighter than I'd hoped at first, but I liked it after applying the soft wax and sanding the edges for a more antique look.  

 AFTER:

(Still need to find new drawer pulls.  I bought some at Hobby Lobby but they didn't fit.)

And I love checking the mailbox in December--Christmas cards!  I hung a ribbon across the window this morning and clipped our cards to it.