I blinked and she isn't a little girl anymore...

It has hit me in the last few days that my sweet Kylie isn't at all my "little girl" anymore.  She has certainly entered in the eye-rolling, attitude, I don't have to do what you say time of her life.  But, even with those moments (which are few and far between, thankfully) she has become a person that we are SO proud of. 

It is not easy for her sometimes being committed to so many things.  This past weekend, for example--Friday night we spend 45 minutes rolling her hair for a cheer competition--Sat morning we drove to Hot Springs, competed, ate and drove home.  I let her relax for about 30 minutes then she had to shower and I dried and straightened her hair (about 1 1/2 hours start to finish).  She got up early and sang with the choir at church at both services on Sunday.  She had enough time after church to get a quick bite before I had to put her nice straight hair in a bun with lots of hairspray and bobby pins (which pained me since I had spent so much time making it straight).  They she spent the next 4 hours at dress rehersal for The Little Match Girl ballet that she has a part in.

Looking through the last few pictures I have taken of her I realize she has a "pose" that she always does-- One leg bent, hands on her hips, and flashing a huge smile!

Here is my sweet little girl on one of her first days of kindergarten-

Little girl no more!  After her cheer competition on Saturday

And going to Little Match Girl rehersal

In her Little Match Girl costume

And before school this morning--see the "pose"??

Must be Santa...Santa Claus!

Gavin and Landon's class went down to College Square (an independent living facility owned by UCA) to visit with Santa.  They were really excited!  Santa gave each child a book...we came up with that idea a few years ago...rather than having a book exchange where you may end up with a book that is never read each parent sends a book for their own child that Santa gives them.  Everyone ends up with the "perfect" book.

On the way home from school yesterday Landon said, "I don't think that Santa was real".  I asked him why and he said, "well, his mustache wasn't even moving when he talked"!  So, we talked about how Santa is so busy getting ready for Christmas that he has helpers.

Gavin just kept talking and talking.  Landon talked but was much more 'too the point'.  So, the big question...what do they want Santa to bring them??  They both want a sword and binoculars.  Let me explain the sword...we have been to Hobby Lobby a lot lately and they have these foam swords.  That is what they want...they aren't going to get them but they are going to get binoculars.

Thanksgiving

What...I am caught up??  Last post of the day.  December is going to be a busy month so there will be many posts to come!

The boys had their Thanksgiving Feast at school on Monday.  And, my class had theirs on Tuesday.  Wednesday was spent picking up and Thursday my mom, grandma and brother came over for dinner.  I did not get one single picture of our actual Thanksgiving.  But, we all ate way too much and had a good time visiting.

I am probably the only person that does not brave shopping on Black Friday.  I hate crowds and chaos so it just isn't for me.  I am still in my pj's and having a great day updating the ole' blog (and cleaning and doing laundry--but that isn't so fun).

Landon (left and Gavin (right) with their grandma

Kylie was out of school the whole week so she got to come too

Landon putting a hurt on that turkey

Gavin was too busy eating to look up

Backyard visitor

The boys and I were playing in the backyard and something caught my eye as I looked up.  At first I just thought it was a clump of leaves or something.  Then I realized it was a ..... racoon!  It was asleep in the top of the tree.

At first, both boys were a little scared.  Then Gavin wanted to wake it up and put it in the pen with Sadie and have two pets. 

The next morning...it was gone and we haven't seen it since. 

Its the darker "clump"

Can't be too comfy sleeping like that!

Backyard Cookout

The boys BEGGED us to build a fire in the backyard firepit and cook hotdogs and marshmallows.  We had a few (and I mean a FEW) dry days in October and just decided one night to do it for them.  The boys are really getting old enough to "help" and they think they are so important! 

Landon blowing at the smoke

Gavin breaking sticks

Getting the fire ready

Hotdogs and marshmallows--the perfect menu for a cookout

The kids were ready to eat!

I love relaxing by the fire!

Fair Parade

One of my most favorite days in September is the Fair Parade!  I love parades!  Kylie was in it with cheer so JD, the boys and I sat and watched and Kylie watched with us after she was done.

Gavin and Landon were patiently waiting for the parade to start

Then they got a little impatient so daddy stepped in to help

They were so excited to see the start of the parade

The bomb robot was a favorite

Kylie's school float--she didn't get to ride on it but I took a picture for her to see

Landon just sat with his hand in the air the whole time :)

I missed her in the parade--but here she is after she was done

The bands are my FAVORITE part of any parade!

And the horses were a big hit with the kiddos

Wedding Weekend-August

My sister-in-law got married in August.  Kylie was a Jr. Bridesmaid, the boys were ring bearer/bible bearer and JD was an usher and sang.  It was a busy few days but the wedding was beautiful and the kids behaved (for the most part).

Really funny side story...at the rehearsal both Gavin and Landon were being horrible--not joking.  I wanted to crawl under a pew.  My mother-in-law told them to sit because they were in God's house and He wanted them to behave.  Not long after that the sound guy was testing the mics and his loud voice filled the sanctuary...Gavin looked over at me wide eyed and asked...Was that God talking to us?  It was too funny (and it made them behave for a few minutes longer)

A few pictures...


The boys got Transformer helmets as their gift for being in the wedding.  They are still a big hit!

Kylie and Mollie (both Jr. Bridesmaids) at the rehersal

Papaw and the boys before the wedding--waiting on pictures

Jenna and the boys (Gavin left, Landon right)

The cake

Kylie at the reception

Jenna and Kylie

The boys and their favorite babysitter--she wasn't there for them--her boyfriend is friends with the groom

What...a post from August?

Yes folks, I am that behind!

I'm not sure when all these were actually taken...some are swimming and some are from grandparents day at school with the boys.

Boys and Papaw


Boys and Mama Annie


Kids on the bad boy buggy






I am going to TRY to do one post a night until I am all caught up.

School Picture

I have about 10 different posts to make...we haven't really been up to all that much so hopefully I can sit down for a few minutes and update...

But for now here is Kylie's 4th grade school picture



I'm sure it was raining that day and her hair does not like to stay straight but I do like it! Can't believe she is in fourth grade already...

Taylor Swift concert

JD got tickets through work for the Taylor Swift concert last night! We were on row 9 (not on the floor but just to the left of the stage). They were great seats! It was Kylie's first concert...and actually, she really only knew one Taylor Swift song but she still had fun. I couldn't stop laughing at her...screaming fans everywhere and she was falling asleep! Only my child...

There were two opening acts...Gloriana (I've never heard of and later someone said that they just released their first record) and Kellie Pickler.

All these pics were taken with my phone (and I later realized that my camera was in my purse) so they are all pretty blurry and I figured out that it would take decent pictures of the big screen rather than the stage.

Kylie and Daddy


Gloriana


Kellie Pickler on the screen


Kellie Pickler


The rest are of Taylor Swift




We ended up leaving before it was over. We were all starving, it was late, and Kylie was falling asleep. It actually worked out good because we missed all the after-concert traffic.