"It's the most wonderful time....of the year!"

It's time for a pajama party!!! My sweet friend Karen has a neighborhood party every year where the kids wear their pj's, get to visit w/ Santa and eat enough sugar to go into a diabetic coma. She allowed outsiders this year, lucky for us and the Johnsons! We had so much fun!!

On the way...and so excited we don't usually get to go inside when we go out w/ pj's on!

First stop...the Cosey house to eat some pizza. And try to let these crazy kids get their sillies out.....

After we got to the party Mrs. Sapp had all the kids sit on the stairs and in came Santa!!

Hutton Button in her Mama's favorite kind of picture.....a crying baby w/ Santa.

Then the kids all sat around while Mr. Sapp read the Christmas story and then we got to visit w/ the Big Guy!

I think this is one of the 4 pictures I'm actually in with the kids!!!!!!!!!

Here's Johnson Party of Seven. I forget how many there are of them. They're almost NEVER together at the same time!

Ole' St. Nick was Chillin' like a Villin....

Thank goodness for the Sapps basement. I only went down there a couple of times, it was pretty crazy!

Then it started getting a little crazy upstairs! I think we had too much hot chocolate and cookies.

Here's Mr. Sapp telling Santa what he wants for Christmas. Poor thing, he doesn't even realize that the money he gave Santa wasn't for reigndeer kibble.

Then it was time to go. When Mr. Johnson starts balancing cups on Hutt's head, he's done.

So much fun was had by all. A BIG thanks to the Sapps for having us!!!

Milk Shakes & Christmas lights!!!

Our dear friends, the Johnsons (Polka Dot & her family), are all about some TRADITION. So this year we thought it would be fun to do milkshakes and Christmas lights. You put the kids to bed then go in and yell "SUPRISE". Then you jump in the car and take a ride. Ideally though, you do it really early. Mr. Dunn had a meeting until 8:45 so it was 9:15 b/4 we got started. This is where are exciting evening takes a sad turn. By the time we got our milkshakes and headed off on the light hunt.......the kids were both asleep. And that my friends is the definition of anti-climactic!!!!
Oh well, Maybe next year. Here are some of the photos I snapped b/4 my camera battery died. AGAIN.

"You better watch out, you better not cry!!"

Well, technology has failed me. I was going to scan in a picture of Parkers very first Santa visit... instead I'll try to give it to you in the literary sense. We went to this childrens boutique here in Knoxville called Crenshaws, they had Santa and Mrs. Claws with beatiful decorations and they gave you a picture for FREE. So we waited in a very lengthy line...a 3 year old and a 10 month old, and finally made it!!!! And as soon as sweet Mrs. Claws reached for Parker, the wailing began. Poor T didn't know what to do so he just sat there looking shell shocked. Looking back now it's a funny picture to have, not so much at the time!
So needless to say I still get nervous when we make these trips. I was pleasently suprised this time though. They had perfectly prepared what they would say to him and even rehearsed the grins. It was actually pretty painless!

Waiting, waiting, waiting......

Yipee, we're almost there!!!!

Finally!

Little Park was precious. She climbed right up there and told that old Santa exactly what she wanted. Some pixos! Done. Then she got down but had to run back over and whisper...."please." So sweet!

Then super cool T hops up and tells him to really listen b/c this is very important. He wants money. All the differents types of coins and bills. And a real cash register to keep it in. Wish I could say done for that one too. We'll do what we can. Good ole' Papa helped us out with the Ulysses S. Grant. ($50)

And here it is folks.......

Both kids smiling and looking in the right direction. No fingers in noses or panties showing, just a nice little picture. AAhhhhhhhh.

I'm going to collect all my pics of her like this and make a collage. She passed out on the way home. To much anticipation!

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!!