Getting Emma's Ears Pierced!

Emma has been asking to get her ears pierced for a while....and since she's a little older now & can be trusted a little more, I thought it was a pretty good time.  I found a place in the Square next to her dance studio & Scoops that does it.  

I made plans one Friday after school to run over there & let her get them done as a surprise! 

Before...

After!  She did great & didn't cry a drop! I can't believe how brave this big girl is, seriously!

To celebrate, we went & got ice cream at Scoops, of course! :) 

Little man was there too....he enjoyed the ice cream! 

Quick note - this actually occurred the day of the horrible school shooting in Connecticut.  I had planned to get her ears pierced that day a few days before.  My heart was so heavy that day, I strongly considered putting it off but I'm glad I didn't.  We needed a good memory from that day...a day just being a kid & celebrating the ordinary.  We need to remember to focus on the little things & little moments with our kids.  None of us are promised tomorrow.  I sure am crazy about these two. 

Megan

Pre-K Christmas Program & Christmas PJ Party!

Emma's school did a Pre-K Christmas Program that they worked really hard on. 

They sang carols & did all the hand motions.  It was very cute!

Henry loved it, of course :) 

They also had a Polar Express Day before Christmas break & everyone wore their PJs to school. 

We got to play a little while with all of Emma's friends, then we got to slip out early to start our Christmas Break!!!

Megan

December Fun!

We had a busy December with lots of fun!!! 

Mrs Jamie came over to play & eat dinner with us one night! 

The kids playing with an advent calendar I bought...it was fun for about a day....then I threw it away...luckily it only cost a dollar...lol 

We went to Tuba Christmas this year in Porterdale.  A friend David works with knows people who perform in it, so we decided to all go.  David played the tuba in Middle & High School, so he likes to go hear them play. 

This picture really just makes me laugh...

There were all different tubas.  They played Christmas Carols & the audience sang along.  It was fun, I think we'll do it for years to come. 

We got to dress up for David's Company Christmas Party, so of course I made sure we got a picture. Ha.  It was at the Atlanta Athletic Club. 

I just remembered...me & the kids were in a car accident that week (not my fault, but a car t-boned us on the driver's side luckily at a pretty slow speed. We were all okay, but I hit my head & had a bruise on my back & was sore everywhere...needless to say, I wasn't feeling great in this picture, but faked it! Lol) 

The kids & I made & decorated sugar cookies.  They seriously loved it. 

Emma honestly did a great job & loved doing different icings.  She took it very seriously. 

Of course the best part is eating them!!!!!!

We seriously made tons, but here's a few! 

More pictures to come of all our Christmas gatherings!

Megan

Christmas Dance Recital

Emma was very excited about her Christmas Recital this year for dance!

Her class did "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" and of course was too cute :) 

They had a hippo to use as a prop for everybody in her class, LOL. 

Aunt Courtney brought her roses, Emma was proud :) 

My baby brother & Henry 

Everyone came over to play afterwards.  The kids showed off their playground :) 

My mom & Cory

Megan

Cecil Returns....

Emma named our elf Cecil a couple years ago & we sure enjoy each year when he comes to visit! Rather than spacing them out over my recap of December, I thought I'd just do a picture of Cecil pretty much every day (I think I may have forgotten or taken only an iPhone picture a few days).

Heads up on this one - shaving cream probably wasn't the best choice.  By morning it had all smeared & you couldn't read it anymore :(

E & H & a heart made with fruit loops - okay, really, Fruit Spins...yes, I buy store brand cereal whenever I can ;) 

Cecil is a Yellow Jacket fan, didn't you know?

It was a bit of a challenge keeping the kids away from Cecil, so Henry couldn't accidentally touch him. This works because we have a baby gate at the steps & we only go upstairs to the play room (our bedrooms are all on the main level).  He was in sight but just out of touch!

I think Cecil had a little help getting up this high in our foyer...

...Henry was so cute when he found him!

The last day Cecil was with us this year (Dec 23rd), we found him at our Nativity, reminding the kiddos what Christmas is all about (we had spend the night before at grandma's, so this wasn't first thing in the morning). 

On Christmas Eve he left a little gift & candy cane for the kids, along with a note.  We left a few fun things over the month like books, etc.  

The kids LOVE Cecil & I'm already excited about next year, Henry is going to flip out!!!! LOL

Megan