Little Mama's Pointe Shoes

So, about a month ago, Little Mama passed her pointe evaluation in ballet. It is such a huge deal for dancers. It is a major accomplishment! She was nervous but she did her best and she made it!

We had an appointment to go get shoes. What a process. You would think by now I would know something about the whole thing. But I don't. Thankfully her teacher met us there and was super helpful.

The room was small. And I am not the greatest picture taker as it is. But, here is my beautiful ballerina. . .

Shout Out to My Big Girls

For about six months now I have been serving breakfast once a month in an economically challenged part of town. A bunch of churches in our area have partnered together and for the last 14 years they have been serving breakfast to the homeless and the surrounding neighborhood.

A couple ladies from my church have agreed to take on the fingernail, card sending and coloring table. Just kind of ministering to the kids in the area. It is tough getting up at 6:30 on a Saturday but it is only once a month and honestly when I get down there and start serving I am always thankful I made the effort.

Anyway, because of our crazy Fall Saturday schedule, the two big girls needed to go with me. They were out late last night with their youth group and I am confident I was asleep before they were. In any event, I had to wake them at 6:45. They kind of moaned and groaned a little bit and it took them a few minutes to get it all together but not once did they complain! Not once did they whine and ask why. They were groggy and not overly talkative right away. But never a scowl even when they couldn't find their ballet stuff. (Of which I told them to get together the night before.)

I treated them with breakfast at McDonald's. And they went and served with me and never frowned or rushed me to leave to get them where they needed to be. They engaged the kids we served and helped with what they could.

For those who know me, I am super hard on my kids. My expectations are probably too high. But, this morning they lived up to those expectations and as I dropped them off at ballet I just told them how much I loved serving with them this morning!

When weariness hits this afternoon, it will probably be a little bit different story. But, I will take what I can get, when I can get it. Happy Saturday! . . . .

Silent Sunday

Harry Potter Party

Some friends of ours had a Harry Potter party for a few of the families that had read the books over the summer. And it was super cool! Their daughters planned the whole thing and it was fabulous. I wish I could post everyone's pictures but I haven't asked permission and I try hard not to put other people's pictures on my blog. But everyone in the other three families dressed up as well and they were outstanding!

Moaning Myrtle in the bathroom. Ha, ha!

Butter beer. I didn't think I would like it because it would be too sweet but it was actually pretty good.

The dinning hall.

Even got daddy to dress up. We were Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, Little Mama was Tonks, EG was Fluer, Boop was Draco Malfoy and Nature Girl was Narcissa Malfoy.

It bothered me a little bit about how good she did mean and evil. The look!

NG was Boop's mom. Narcissa and Draco Malfoy. So that was kinda funny.

NG, LM and I have finished all the books. Boop is on the fifth. We have yet to watch the fourth movie but we are looking forward to that. And LM is reading them to EG and they are on the second book. Harry Potter has been super fun for us . . . 

Latest Happenings

I dislike that life is so crazy for us right now. But, I have a moment to jot down a few of the happenings this weekend.

Boop and I started the weekend off by running a 5K together on Saturday. I hadn't run in almost 2 weeks but he really wanted to do it. So we worked it out. He started off pretty fast but about half way we ended up running the rest of the way together. At the end he put the afterburners on and beat me through the finish line. We both ran in under 36 minutes. Worked for me! We had a great time encouraging each other up and down the hills!

The girls had their Halloween party at church and dressed up as a Harry Potter witch and a nerd. Of course, I didn't take pictures of them. Or of Boop and our race. Oh well.

I did mange to get a picture of the kids at the pumpkin patch. We have been going to the same place for probably 10 years. I use to be so good about getting pictures. This year I was adamant about getting one. They humored me. No matching shirts or anything cute. I was just thankful they kind of looked like they liked each other.

Nature Girl had carved a pumpkin the night before with the youth group. But, we got three more pumpkins and let the other three carve. They did an awesome job all on their own. Last night EG put them all in the front yard, put candles in them and lit them. It looked spectacular! Because I am picture taking challenged I couldn't seem to get a great picture of them all lit up together, but did take one of each pumpkin.

See if you can figure out who carved what . . .

Birthday Boy!

He is 10 today! He is sweet and lovable and has a smile that everyone adores! He has his daddy's good looks and his servant's heart. God has great things in store for this young man!

He loves boats and planes and football and golf and basketball and baseball and archery and fishing and Moose and he loves to draw. Oh, and I can't forget Legos!

Last night was a family birthday dinner. Today he has the day off of school and he is going to lunch with daddy and shopping for an ENO. Later on next month his uncle is taking him fishing with a friend. Happy Birthday Little Man . . .

The Beach, Part Two

Lots of pictures left to post. Monday was Labor Day and we could tell. There were people everywhere. We didn't get to take our traditional family picture under the beach gazebo until Tuesday. Just because there were so many people coming and going. Monday we just hung close to the condo. Hung at the pool and just relaxed. The night before, we watched our traditional movie, Courageous. Hubby and I had gone to the movie theater to see it a bunch of years ago. It was such a good movie with such a great message. Our first year at the condo we let the kids watch it. Now it is a tradition.

Monday night the we were all super excited to watch our first Harry Potter movie. They loved it. I fell asleep. During my favorite part too. Well, one of my favorite parts in the book anyway and I really had wanted to see how they did it in the movie. Oh well. I guess I was tired!

Loved seeing daddy and EG holding hands walking down the beach. She love, loves her daddy. 

EG had to have a picture with her toes in the sand.

While we were walking on the beach, a young couple caught our attention and had to show us this crab. Boop chased it all around getting it's picture. EG and I think we found it's hole/home in the middle of the beach. He is kinda cute!

EG loved the water. We would walk ahead and I would turn around and she would be running and playing in the waves. And, of course, the sunsets on most nights was spectacular. Sunsets at the beach never get old. .