1st Sleepover (or rather ATTEMPTED SLEEPOVER)

Well, Ella Kate had her first attempted sleepover last night.  And while you are probably wondering why I thought 4 year olds would actually sleep over, I didn't.  But they at least got the opportunity to experience it for the first time.  We were originally going to have 5 little girls but one was out of town and one got sick so it ended up being only 3. 

                                       Look at those smiles :)

They had so much fun together.  There were no fights, arguments, jealousy, or anything that normally comes with little girls.  They all got along great!  We met the parents at chick fil a and we let them eat and play for a while.  Then we came home and they played some more.  Jackson was right in the middle of it!!  Then they swam in the pool for a little while (I know the pictures look like it was dark outside but it wasn't).  Then they played some more.  Everything was going perfectly until it was time to lay down.  That was the end of it.  They were ready to go home.  But they didn't cry or anything.  They really were so sweet :) They truly exceeded my expectations of the night.  We will definitely do it again in the future!! 

Eating popcorn in the playroom :)

Watching High School Musical :)

1st Soccer Practice

Ella Kate had her first soccer practice on Thursday.  She was so excited to get dressed up and put her soccer shoes on.  Could she possibly have any more pink on?

 

There are only 6 little girls on her team, 5 of which she already knows so she was even more excited to get to practice.  They all did really well!  I can't wait for their first game next weekend.  I am sure it will be very entertaining!!  Enjoy the pics!

Haircuts and a LONG overdue visit with friends

We drove to Brandon today to get haircuts!!  My sweet SWEET sister-in-law cuts my family's hair at no charge!!  She is the only one that can do it just right.  It's definitely worth the trip over.  Here she is with two of her clients :)

But that's not the only reason we go!!  The kids have a ball playing with their cousin Avery!! 

Here are some pictures of them getting their hair cut!!  It's the only time they ever sit still :)

And finally, we drove to Madison to visit with the Love's!!  They are some really great friends of ours that we don't get to see often enough.  They actually are the one's who set Rob and I up on our blind date!!  They have a precious little girl, Mary Landrum, that is 6 months younger than Ella Kate so we went and let them play for a little bit.  I'm so glad we got a chance to see them.  I hope we can do it again soon :)

It's FOOTBALL Time :)

Yeah, it's finally football season.  This is by far our favorite time of year.  Yesterday was Lamar's first home football game which meant Ella Kate and Jackson got to wear their uniforms to school.  They were so excited.  Ella Kate got to even experience her first pep rally!  She was amazed at everything and told me that it was the best thing she had ever seen :)  Here are some pictures of them on Friday morning before school.

Last night we went to the game for a little while.  Here are some pictures from the Lamar game.

Jackson and his friend Madeline :)

Ella Kate with her little group of friends (aren't they cute?)

We also attempted to go to the Meridian High game.  This is where I went to school and was a cheerleader.  My parents still go to every home game!! Unfortunately we could not find a parking space.  There was at least 8000 people there.  So I don't have any pictures of them in their Wildcat Uniforms but I promise Mimi and Papaw, they had them on!!  We changed in the car :)

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Yesterday, I celebrated the big 2-9!  One more year till the big 3-0.  I can't believe it.  I had a such a wonderful birthday.  Thanks to everyone who called, text, or emailed me birthday wishes!!  I really appreciate it. 

This is how my birthday started off.  A "Happy Birthday song" from my three favorite people.  It was better when they first sang it to me but I made them do it again so I could record it!! Rob wouldn't let me record him :)

Then last night, my "birthday club" (a group of girls who go out to eat once a month to celebrate birthdays) went to the new Weidman's to eat.  It was a lot of good food and great fellowship!! 

I didn't have my camera so this was taken with my phone.  Sorry for the poor quality but wanted you to see my great group of girlfriends :)

I'm celebrating with my family this weekend.  My dad's birthday is next week so we combine them into one party!! 

Thanks again for a wonderful day!!

Ella Kate's first day of Pre-K

Today was Ella Kate's first day of pre-k at Lamar.  I can't believe she is really old enough to be going,  Gosh how time flies!!  And as you can see, she was very excited to be going to her new school.  She walked right into her new classroom and never looked back.  Me on the other hand shed a tear or two :)  And guess what her new teacher's name is?  Mrs. Autry!!  No relation though but it will be very easy for Ella Kate to remember.  Enjoy the pictures!

Ella Kate with her new teacher Mrs. Autry

Jackson's 3rd Birthday Party

Jackson turned 3 on July 30 so for his birthday party, we had it at the fire station.  He loves fire trucks!!  Even more special is the fact that my grandfather was a fireman for the city of Meridian for many years.  I'm sure he had a little extra grin on his face in Heaven watching his great grandchildren have so much fun :)

When I called the fire station to reserve it, they said that they would love for the kids to come tour the station but that we would have to do the cake and ice cream somewhere else.  Thankfully our church gym is only a few blocks away so I reserved it as well.  I thought "How much fun?  The kids could meet at the fire station, play on all of the fire trucks, then go to the gym to play some more!!"  Well, taking it one step further, I found a fire truck train (I won't mention where I got it from) to transport the kids from the fire station to the church.  It was absolutely precious!!  My dad was supposed to drive the kids (that's why he has the shirt and hat on) but for some reason Rob ended up doing it.  Before I go any further with the story, let's take a look at some pictures...

The birthday boy and my dad (notice his outfit!)

Jackson and one of the sweet firemen!  They all got fire hats and badges.  PRECIOUS!

Taking a tour of the station (the museum)

Ok, let's stop here.  See how cute it is.  And notice how excited the kids are to be riding it!! Well, about 1 minute after I took this picture, Rob drives onto the street and down the first hill.  The brakes go out on the train, it jack knives and rolls on top of him.  Scariest moment of my entire life.  Not only did I think that I had just lost my husband, but I also thought I had lost both of my kids along with every other kid on there.  God was obviously watching over us and truly gave us a huge blessing because no one was hurt.  Rob did have some scratches and some bruises but overall he was fine.  Thank you LORD!!!  The kids were shaken up, only because the adults were trying to get the train off of Rob. We had the firemen and policemen out there making sure everyone was ok!!  Can you believe that? 

Well, we decided to drive the rest of the way to the church (the train was obviously broken)!  Once the kids got there, they had a ball.  It never phased them what had just happened.  The adults were a different story!  I felt horrible.  I never would have put those kids in that kind of danger had I known something like that would have happened.  The owner of the train was extremely apologetic and was in disbelief that it had happened.  Needless to say, I got my money back on that thing!

Here are a few more pictures of the rest of the party (POST WRECK).  I'm surprised I was even sane enough to take more pictures. 

 Let's just say this is a birthday party we will NEVER FORGET!!!

 

Thank you to everyone who came!!  I promise you next year, it will not be as EVENTFUL!