She's only 91...

Mamaw. She may be 91 years old, but pretty sure she can run circles around most anyone in their 80's... We had this year's girls trip to go see Mamaw, and she showed us to an amazing time. There is some incredible shopping in Indiana, but the best part was definitely the huge children's museum. I'll let the pictures speak for what we saw and how much we ALL enjoyed it. There was no shortage of smiles. 5 floors of history, art, education and fun. Mamaw walked through this place for 4 1/2 hours with us. We were about to leave, down on the 1st floor, and the girls wanted to make one more trip up to the 4th floor to climb a large boat set up they have, and Mamaw said, "sure, let's do it." See, what 91 year old do you know that can do that? I hope I have her genes.

Thank you Mamaw for a trip we will always remember. Thank you Mom (Mimi) for going with us. What a fun experience. Now because I didn't have Daddy on their first flight, he gets to take them on their first roller skating adventure without me. Have fun guys, you deserve it. :) 

Aspiring Artist Camp

Looks like I have been busy, it's only been 8 months since I last posted! Now Kate is in first grade, and turns 6 in less than 2 weeks. Lyla is approaching 4 in just 6 weeks, and they make me proud every single day.
I wanted to share with you a portion of Kate's most recent "track out". She is in year round school, so every 9 weeks we have 3 weeks off. This time we started the track out by flying on the girl's first plane ride to visit Mamaw in Mooresville, IN. When we came back, Lyla went to preschool and Kate went to Gymnastics camp, followed by theatre camp where she was in her 1st play, and then a day with Grannie, and 4 days of real deal art camp with Mimi. Mimi puts a lot of planning into art camps, and it's a tradition Kate looks so forward to. Because as she told us, "I get to do whatever I want" at Mimi's house (watch out for saying that Mom!), she truly explores a new form of art on each camp, and this one tops them all.
The idea for this camp stemmed from Fancy Nancy's Aspiring Artist book. Each day in the book, she learned about a famous artist, and then practiced that specific style to make a painting like that artist. Well, Kate studied Claude Monet, Edgar Degas (her favorite), Jackson Pollock and Henri Matisse. Her work is incredible, and her art show to showcase her art on Friday to some of the family and friends was her favorite part. Confidence is vital to children, and this was one of those days where she was proud of her work, and you could tell she enjoyed every minute of doing the pieces. Thanks Mimi, (& GrandDad- the bowling, cooking, and movie breaks really add to the fun!), she is pretty much the luckiest 5 year old I know. Lyla is going to be really ready for Art camp after hearing her sister talk about it so much! The art show also showed work from her previous camps when she learned to sew and made a quilt, when she had a pottery camp, and some earlier paintings using mixed media.

I believe jewelry camp is up next...and Lyla gets to go! Now back to birthday party chores, first real slumber party is next Friday!

The 23rd of December

I love it. I love them. I love their love for Christmas. For the lights, for the want to be kind to others, the desire to be on the good list, the joy in Christmas music, for making my favorite time of year their favorite time of year, and for making it the best ever. I have never been so excited for Christmas morning. Ok, maybe yes, when I was a kid who didn't want to sleep because I was so excited, but I never knew just the giving part could make me that excited. I have always loved giving a great gift & how it feels when you really feel like you made another's Christmas special, but the excitement of knowing your children are going to have sparkles in their eyes, this tops all. 

We spent the 23rd getting our hair done, all 3 of us ladies together, visiting Santa, baking a pecan pie, finishing up wrapping and we ended the day with cookies in the car while taking a stroll to look for the best lights in surrounding neighborhoods.  Great day, can't wait for the next two! 

Merry Christmas!! 

He didn't even complain

Here is a good idea. "Mickey we have scheduled family pictures, but when we are done, why don't you go watch football with some friends while I spend some time with the girls, ok?"
It worked. For the first time ever, I heard zero complaints, everyone was all smiles, and we had a great time.

One or more of these will be part of our Christmas card this year, but considering only about 3 people (ok, 4) regularly read this blog, I feel safe posting them here and getting your votes for Christmas card selection.