Teddy Bear Night

The local public library has recently become my best friend.  I enjoy going to check out books and I am hoping to get the girls just as excited about books as I am.  That's where nights such as "Teddy Bear Night" come into play.  

Tonight was an evening to bring your kids dressed in their favorite pajamas along with their favorite stuffed bear...  

There were many bear books to be read...

There were funny bear songs to be sung...

and plenty of bear crafts to be made...

These bear crafts were soon turned into bear masks...

and the teddy bear parade around the library began (I'm sure the people studying appreciated the added noise)...

This masked bear even got into the spirit by wearing his Bears shirt...

Teddy Bear night was a success...

and now the girls can't wait to go back to the library again.

Sneak Peek

The girls received their Halloween costumes today and I thought I would give you a sneak peek...

We have Jessie, the rootin-tootinest cowgirl...

and a sweet little Alice...

If only October 31 would get here soon!

Heaven on a Plate

Ever had red velvet pancakes before??

Ever had red velvet pancakes topped with whipped cream cheese and maple and pecan syrup??

Let me tell you, they are a little slice of Heaven served on a plate...  

Made with love by my husband.

Daddy's Little Helpers

As Joe made dinner tonight, he had a little help...

While he stood by the sink slicing strawberries...

Lily got prepared as sous chef by putting on her apron and "chef hat"...

Sophia taste tested the strawberries...

Joe barbecued (or as it is called in the south, "grilled") steaks...

Once the girls were happy with all of the preparations, we sat down to eat their fabulous dinner...

To top off this meal, we got the chance to eat out on the back patio.  Something I don't think we have done the entire time we have lived here.  

Sweaty Smiles

It's a big day at the soccer fields today.  Lily has a game , but first they have team pictures.  She gets to wear her jersey with her name and number on it.  Looks quite professional if you ask me...

Not to be outdone by Lily's flashy jersey, Sophia had to add some flash of her own ...

Which, by the way, has only been removed for naps and bedtime the past three days...  

After playing in the hot sun for 30 minutes, they finally get the team together for their sweaty, red-cheeked picture...

Just look at my girls, my soccer player and my flower child...

Lily starts the game (and may I point out that she is the only girl out there with three other boys)...

Let the game begin.  We are all excited, especially Lily's number one cheerleader...

her baby sister.  Go Yi-Yi Go!

Story Time

With Lily at school now, Sophia and I are going to have a lot of bonding time.  I feel like I plan everything according to Lily's age and knew that it was high time that Sophia gets to do something age appropriate for her.  After dropping Lily off at school, we drove to the local library for a little Toddler Story Time... 

For the second time today, I left a place feeling very happy about the decision I had made.  Just like Lily needs her friends, Sophia needs her own time that is focused strictly on her.

Mac-a-lit Pa-cep-tion

Goodbye homeschool, Hello Immaculate Conception.  (Or as Lily calls it, macalit paception).  Choosing an outfit for Lily to wear for her first day of school was no problem because like any good Catholic school, they have uniforms.  It makes it easy for me, but Lily is not too sure about it because once again, it is too much blue...

But look at how cute she is...

and how happy...

Once introduced to the other kids, she was instructed of her morning duties which consisted of...

hanging her backpack...

and her lunchbox on her designated hook...

Lily found her seat, got acquainted with her supplies...

and went to work...

Before leaving, I just needed to get one picture of Lily and Ms. Hardin, her teacher...

As I walked outside towards my car, I knew in my heart that this is where Lily needs to be, among friends.  I knew we made the right decision and that made me feel good.