A visit from Old St. Who?

Is there anything more exciting in Kindergarten than the Christmas party? Well, actually there is. The anticipation of the fieldtrip to see the Nutcracker was pretty intense, only to be extinguished by the actual ballet. But that's another post. Anyway, it was a super fun day in Mrs. "Primes" class. She's a smart one, that little lady, she let the kids open their presents FIRST! Wonder what it is.....

Oh my goodness, it's our very first First Reader Book, and of course some candy!!

Okay, this picture is absolutely precious, and inappropriate. Mrs. P was reading a story about...what was it DAJ, a crippled lamb? Anyway, I looked down and Mimi Kate and T are totally holding hands during the story... they're only 6!

Then we had a kickin' breakfast of chicken mini's and just a tad of fruit. Yummy Yummy.

And now for the visit...Who needs Santa when Jesse's here!!!

I wish I'd had a video on those kids when he walked in. They were speechless. They all just stared at him and got all shy. It was adorable. And Mimi Kate took the cake. She jumped right out of her seat and ran across the room all frazzled. It was precious.

Mrs. P had to grab her some love b/4 the kids came out of their comas.

Once he got on the floor w/ them it was all over. They were chatting him up like the hero he

is. He got all kinds of information, some of it a little creepy, but all w/ good intentions. Ha!

I need to set this picture up...we got Mrs. P a gift tree from the class. It had an ornament from each child and a gift card or cash w/ it. T saw a $20 and was telling Jess all kinds of facts about Andrew Jackson. And then he asked Mrs. P if she might want to give it to him. She did not. ha

See I told you they warmed up!! They were sooooo happy to have him there and he was incredibly sweet to come and spend some time w/ them.

Ok, now it's time to decorate some cookies. And eat some candy.

Beautiful! And tasty!

Look at these handsome boys!!

Mrs. Prine had to get in on that action! She is so precious. She just loves them despite the fact that they're boys!!

This is the only time the kids sat still and quiet..... and that was b/c they were playing quiet game. It was so nice!

Finally we took a trip on the Polar Express. See what I mean, those Kindergarteners sure know how to party!!!!!


P.S. This is why I love CAK.
(As I've said b/4, go to the bottom and mute this beautiful song so you can hear this)

Christmas Parties....My favorite!

I know I've said it before but I LOVE going to my kids schools...especially on party days. They are so excited to have me there and they're soooo well behaved. I actually get to enjoy them instead of discipline them!!!
Parks class always comes in and does a show for us first. This is my sweet girl waiting to sing.
And here's the show...reminder: you'll want to go all the way to the bottom and mute the music. (Although I'd wait til this song is over b/c it's so wonderful!)

Funny story, that kid next to her that is almost at her shoulder, well he's 5 days older than her. And it's buggin' her to death in the song that he's not singing it right or ringing his bells!!!!

Here's little MIss Muffet waiting patiently for her snack.

A little candle light Happy Birthday Jesus song.

Finally getting to sink her teeth into that cookie she's been staring at. You all know how Park hates sweet things. HA HA!

There was even live entertainment while they dined on cookies, pretzels, fritos and juice boxes. Mrs. Sally's kids Brandon and Samantha came in and played some Christmas carols.

Here's Park with the sweetest teachers ever, Mrs. Sally and Mrs. Ann. They are precious! Both of our kids were very blessed this year with their teachers. Just wait til you see precious Mrs. Prine tomorrow w/ Taylor!!

And finally Park w/ her friend Christina waiting to go to recess. You should see these 2 prim & propper little ones when they hit the obstacle course. They put those boys right to shame!!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas....

Okay, so it wasn't technically Christmas for all, but it was Christmas for us. In West Virginia that is. We went to celebrate with the Dunns last weekend and were blessed with a bit a snow. Almost all the way through Kentucky and into WV.

This is the view from the car. It was beautiful. And I don't think little Park had ever seen this much snow. She's seen the typical East TN snow that's melted b4 noon but this was something else!! She kept yelling "look out my window guys!!" Like only she could see it and was afraid we'd miss it.

Even T was glued to the sights.

So then we got to Mama and Papa's house and it was a winter wonderland. Of course it was after 9pm by the time we got there.....not exactly prime play time, but first thing in the morning they were ready to go!!

For those of you who will be recieving a card from us.....here's the preview of it. And it might be a happy New Year card at the rate I'm going.

Getting their snow feet on. It was so funny watching them. T was all about some snow angels, while Park didn't want to commit to getting that cold and wet. (I'll explain later why I have no snow angel pictures.)

Here we go on our first sledding adventure. Park took right to it. She laughed and screamed all the way down the hill. Papa looked like he enjoyed shoving the kids a little too much!! Ha.

Taylor before......

And Taylor after. Notice my shadow as I'm taking pictures and not at all trying to help! OOps.

Enough of that. Let's ride the 4wheeler through the woods.....

And that's the end of my story. My camera died and apparently it's as picky as me. It only took the designer batteries which we didn't happen to have. Typical. Hopefully Aunt Carla will hook us up w/ some pictures of later in the weekend. It was a wonderful, restful, white (early) Christmas!!!!

Hope all of you are enjoying your Holiday Season as much as we are!!

A Day of Thanks!

After a semi hectic morning of packing up green beans, cinnamon apples and cookies... and anything else we could fit in the truck, we left.

Off to Nashville to see Aunt Jana and the boys!


Parker brought as many girlie things as she could hold since this is a 100% boy zone.

And, of course, Taylor brought money.

We finally got there and after a little catching up,

The the big exciting moment.......

The arrival of 2nd Lt. Cragwall!!!!!

It was sooooo good to see him and hug him!!!!!
Now it's time to eat.......

and most important... watch some football!

Little lovin' from the Cragwall dog- Jake.

Who cares about Detroit??? Let's jump on the trampoline!!!

Here's Jansen w/ the kids... all the boys were outside for a little moonlight basketball.

The next night we stopped by to see great-grandaddy, who was under the weather. But felt much better after some love from the dunn kids!

AAAHHHHHH, finally some peace and quiet!!!

Saturday was somemore family time:

Jamie's tricks.

Park couldn't take anymore...she just passed out on grandmommy.And finally, Jesse and T talking politics and world currency. Oh, and by the way...Joshua is lactose intollerant. (Don't ask)

Making Cookies!

We all know that I don't cook. So my contribution to Thanksgiving dinner is usually some chips and dip to snack on and desserts. Who can't heat up some cookie dough? This year we decided to get fancy, some moms from T's class were talking about these cute little cookies so I thought "what the heck!"Here we have a pilgrim hat and a turkey....

Obviously the kids ate more than they produced...expected. And, they didn't exactly follow the prototype.

I know, I know. "That's what makes them precious." Luckily they got bored and went to destroy the house so I got to make some the right way!!!!

I can't wait 'til tomorrow!!! I love Thanksgiving. No buying presents and wrapping....blah, blah, blah. Just a whole lot of eating!! And huggin' on my baby brother!!!

(ps...eat your heart out Kat! I'm on the ball and you're still stuck in September!!!)

A second Thanksgiving feast....

Well, this was quite a day. The kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast is something to behold!

The day started with nice little story from the most precious teacher in the world...Mrs. Prine. (or as T calls her "Mrs. Primes)

Then they went outside to blow off some steam.

Back inside we're waiting to get dressed. Anyone for a little Indians and Pilgrims?

Here's the "old married couple" being silly in the hall. They're together so much they bicker worse than a couple of 80 year olds!!

Yum yum!! Turkey with all the fixin's and we get to play dress up too!! This rocks!

Of course all T ate was the turkey and dessert! Besides, it's to exciting to eat....we had a big audience. Today was also grandparents day so they were stopping by too.

Saying Thank You for such a wonderful day!!

Little Park sitting with Mama waiting for the Indian show to start.

The kids did some songs and poems, they had one that they used tom-toms. It was adorable!! Since I'm so computer savy, I'll show it to you...

(You'll want to go to the bottom and pause the music to hear this... it's in the top left corner)

I did it!!! Didn't even have to call grandaddy!

Two little Indinas (T & Mimi) sittin' in a wagon....Jill and I used it to bring in all the goodies!

Daddy and Mama catching up w/ Mrs. "Primes".

A little cutting up with the boys...T, Carson and Blaine.

A fun time was had by all!!! Can't wait til next year!