First Snow of the year!!

That's what I'm calling it. The first snow of the year..in hopes that there will be more to come. The flurries started falling at about 8:30 that Friday night (pretty much right after we put the boys down for bed!). Neither Xan nor I thought that it was going to stick, but when I woke up on Saturday morning it was a beautiful white sight!

The boys were ecstatic and couldn't get dressed fast enough to get outside and start playing!

Growing up in Mississippi, it maybe snowed once or twice. Jake and Reid have seen it snow every year they've been alive. Thank heavens for Al Gore and that Global Warming!!!

Apparently the neighbors made this rather large (considering the amount that fell) snow man in the night.

As you can see in this picture the sun was beginning to rise. It was a race against the clock to get in some good playing in the snow time!

Even Maggie came out to see the snow.

Nothing like a good 4-wheel ride through the snow!

This coat and hat were one of my favorite things that Jake had. So glad I had another boy to pass it down to!

I LOVE this picture!! If there was ever a doubt who Reid takes after, there won't be anymore. That is such a "Xan" look!!

Such a fun morning with the boys and we're eagerly awaiting the next snow fall!!

Introducing "Ice Dancer"

Jake's class Thanksgiving party this year was so sweet. They had a dad (Spence Flatgaurd) dress as a Pilgrim and tell the children about the first Thanksgiving. All the children made Thanksgiving place mats and Indian headdresses. Each child got to choose an Indian name for the party. Of all the names to choose from, our always an original Jake chose the name "Ice Dancer"! Why, you ask-as did Mrs. Pringle-(and here's a direct quote from Jake) "Because I'm a good dancer!"

Here's Mr. Ice Dancer himself in his headdress.


All the children waiting to hear from Pilgrim Flatgaurd.


Straight off the Mayflower...Pilgrim Spence Flatgaurd
His costume was hilarious and I gotta give him credit for having the nerve to do what he did. The children loved him. But he was dressed in black sweat pants and sweat shirt, black dress shoes with homemade white buckles, and some type of white cloth to go over his shoulders. It was a sight to say the least!! (My Xan wouldn't be caught dead doing something like this and I cannot express enough how proud that makes me!!)

After story time with Pilgrim Flatgaurd, they came back to their room and dove into their goodies!

Caught him with food in his mouth!

Sweet sweet Mary Robinson. Poor thing has to sit at a table full of boys!

And of course, how could I post a school picture without these two together. Jake and Ben!

I am having the best time with Jake being in Kindergarten. All that he is learning and all his little friends make this such a precious time. The sweetest part of the party was Jake telling everyone in a not so quite voice "My Momma made the cupcakes, my Momma made the cupcakes!!" That's my sweet boy!

Yummy Tom Turkey!

Now I ask you, what Thanksgiving party would be complete without turkey?! This year I was in charge of the sweet for both Jake & Reid's Thanksgiving parties. I saw these little darlings on "Family Fun" website and knew I had to make them for my boys!!

So precious!! The wings and head are made from 100 Calorie pack Sandies Minis and the waddle is made from a Fruit Roll up!

Obviously, we have candy corn for feathers and the tip of a candy corn for the beak.

Now a glance from this angle!

Just so you know, I made 34 of these things. You can bet I'll be making the salty next year!

From Tom Turkey and The Vineyards, Happy Thanksgiving!!

The Mummy & his sidekick Tex!

Thinking I could never top last years "Batman & Robin", I decided to go the homemade route for Halloween '09!

Introducing Mummy Jake and Cowboy Reid!

What started out as a simple idea, quickly turned into major involvement. My new axiom--never do Internet research on a project the day of! Once I started reading up on how to do a mummy costume I immediately got to hustlin'--I was not going to be out done by some YouTube mummy costume expert!! I had to find an old sheet, soak it in tea for hours to get that perfect aged mummy color, dry the sheet, shred sheet into a thousand pieces, and then proceed to rap Jake in the shreds of sheet. WOW!!

Reid (as usual--him being the second child and all) was less involved! Here is my little Tex in the cowboy costume given by Aunt Meredith!! Is he not the most precious thing you ever saw?! My only beef with Reid was that he would not wear the mustache I purchased to top off the outfit!! He would have been extra fabulous!

Jake giving me his best impression of a mummy! You really should have heard him..he was good!

My sweet pea!

Here's "Tex" keepin' law and order at the front door as Bon Bon passed out candy.

Each house we hit raved over Jake and Reid's costumes!

This guy here had music blasting and every Halloween yard decor from Wal-Mart displayed on his front lawn!

At this stop, the lady made her husband and son get up from their football game to come see my fellas!

This picture is just crazy.

My boys carrying all their loot.

We got stopped by just about everyone who saw the boys. And those who didn't stop us, made comments. Their costumes, especially Jake's, were a success. The boys and I had a great time Trick or Treating!!

(And Xan and I had a great time mining through their candy every night once they were in bed! Xan got the Tootsie Rolls and I got the Twix and Reece's Cups!! Thank heaven's for short attention spans--they haven't asked for their candy yet!!!)

FPDS Harvest Festival

First Pres held it's first annual Harvest Festival! We had three stations for the Kindergartners to visit. First the snack room that was decorated oh so cute (I don't recall having centerpieces at any of my class parties), the playground, and then an indoor carnival with games, face painting, and tattoos!!

Jake had already been "tattooed"! The next day Jake removed this tattoo himself (I can only imagine how) and had a huge red mark on his face for days!

Mary Tison and her dad dressed up like clowns and made balloon animals and balloon swords for the children.

Here is Jake's class coming in from the playground to have their turn at games and prizes!

This is Ben, Jake's best buddy from his class. He talks about Ben ALL the time!!

Is making rabbit ears/peace signs instinctive?

Jake & Mrs. Leslee at the Bean Bag Toss

Jake & Patton

Jake pondering his next move...

The parents all took turns running the games.

Jake & sweet sweet Mary Robinson Coco!! So glad this gal and her momma are in our class!

The prize at this game was a bouncy ball--Jake's favorite. Look at his focus!!

Jake & Cash

Jake here in his classroom waiting to be picked up.

I cannot express enough how sweet this school is and how grateful I am to have the chance to send Jake here! He is surrounded by precious Christian teachers and a very supportive group of parents! We love First Pres!!

Final Flag Football

The last week of October ended the Upward Flag Football season....and thankfully, I might add. The games were played 30 miles from the house and it pretty much rained every time we were to have practice or a game. But when the weather did permit us to play-we all had a great time cheering our boy on!!

Oh my-how I wish Jake would have had his eyes open. This would have been just the perfect picture. My sweetie pies hugging as they do quite often! They really are the best of buddies and I am so very thankful!!

Now Reidy's eyes are closed! Nonetheless, the boys hugging before we're off to Jake's last Upward Flag Football game.

He had looked so handsome in his uniform.

The huddle with Coach Cory!

Jake cheering on his team. GO TITANS!!

They had a cookout after the final game with hot dogs, hamburgers, and inflatables (which I am growing to loathe! All they do is make my children grumpy until they can get on those things and jump--ESPECIALLY Reid!)

There are no words for this picture!

Jake gives a big "thumbs up" to Upward Football!

Jake & Will!

Great season-glad it's over!