November

So I'm just plugging along....I think everyone has given up on blogging, like maybe its moment is over.  But how on earth will I ever remember what my kids did?  I don't think Instagram gives the enough details.  Thoughts?  Maybe we'll all go back to making albums.  Or just occasionally flip through the photos on our phone.

Anyway...November.  We traveled to Jacksonville to celebrate Yomary's 40th birthday:

 

  

Then Nana watched the kids so John and I could travel to Savannah to run the Rock 'n Roll Marathon.  John ran the half, I ran the full, and we both really enjoyed the race:

 

  

We've stayed in Savannah many times on our way to somewhere else, but we've skipped  a lot of the touristy things in the past due to having toddlers in tow.  So on this trip, we had some fantastic meals at nicer restaurants--particularly at Alligator Soul, two thumbs up for the oysters.  We also visited a few of the historic homes and Juliette Gordon Low's birthplace.  I loved that last stop--she was a busy lady, I loved looking at all her art projects and hearing juicy details about her life that never made it into the elementary school version of her biography.

  

  

Back home, I watched the kindergarten Veteran's Day program...twice!  At school:

 

And at a local nursing home:

There's nothing cuter than 21 kindergarteners reciting the preamble to the Constitution.  Really.

And I went through the annual ritual of trying to get a decent picture for our Christmas card.

 

 Will wrote a book about a fictional Disney cruise (based on real life), and we published it via Blurb.  He was so proud of this project, although his perfectionist tendencies drove me nuts.  He's going to need a new editor before the next installment:

John and I were both on call for the Thanksgiving holidays, so our little family stayed put.  John was working during dinnertime on Thanksgiving day, so the kids and I went to church to have lunch.  I was so glad they offered that--I tend to be really nostalgic about holidays and the reality of our jobs means we can't always travel, so I am so thankful for a church that thinks about those of us that can't be with extended family!  Poor John missed it, but we celebrated again at supper.

And my sadness was short-lived, because we got to travel home (and then to Pensacola) to see Betsy and Josh get married.  It was a fun weekend...Betsy was a beautiful bride, and she had some super-cute flower girls (a semi-cooperative Lucy stole the show):

 

We stopped in Tallahassee to see Grandmama and Granddaddy:

And watched Aunt Laurie try on a few wedding dresses:

Which for some reason made me want to try on my 11th grade prom dress....

It sort of fits, as long as I take very shallow breaths. :-)

And we finished the month by celebrating the wedding of Miss Tori, teacher's aide extraordinaire and one of Anna's most favorite people.  Nothing says party like twenty-one kindergarteners and a candy buffet!

Next up....December!

Anna is 6

Baby girl just keeps growing--I've asked her to stop, but she's not listening. :-)

Anna and her friend, Lilly, have birthdays within two days of one another, and Lilly's mother asked me a few months ago if I would like to do a joint birthday party with her.  I thought splitting the work and expense sounded like an awesome idea, and Anna loved the idea of sharing her birthday, too.

We celebrated Anna's official birthday with pizza and a Publix ice-cream cake for supper on the actual day; they celebrated Dr. Seuss Day at school and I was busy with party prep that night, so we didn't do anything big on the actual day, but she loved opening all of her family gifts.

So, about this next photo--Anna decided she wanted to buy the new American Girl doll of the year sometime back in January.  She gets a small allowance each week, so has been setting that aside and, with some previous piggy bank money, was getting sort of close.  Thanks to generous grandparents and Uncle Shawn and Aunt Cindy, she reached her goal (and then some).  Aunt Missy and Aunt Laurie gave her the outfit to match Grace.  Here's Anna with her savings jar:

And some pics of Anna and Lilly's circus-themed party the following day:

And finally, we wrapped up her birthday the following Friday.  The kids were out for spring break, so we went to the new American Girl store in Orlando so Anna could buy her new doll.

She brought Kirsten along to meet Grace.  I heard her tell Kirsten the night before that, "You'll get to meet your new friend Grace when she comes out of my tummy."  Haha...I'm not sure exactly what she thought was going to happen at the store!

We looked all around the store--even Will was kind of intrigued by the fancy bakery in Grace's collection, and was very impressed that all the American Girls are black belts in karate (um, apparently they only sell one version of the karate uniform).

Anna with her purchases:

I took pity on poor Kirsten and shelled out some money for a new hairstyle at the doll salon:

Anna in her Grace outfit, with her Grace doll, next to cardboard Grace:

Best part?  Shawn, Cindy, Olivia, and Grandma joined us for afternoon tea:

Failed attempt at a cousin picture:

After perusing all of the cute outfits and doll accessories at the store, Anna ended up spending her extra cash on the "Feel Better Kit".  Which has entertained me tremendously.  There's even a tiny finger splint!

Anna at 6:

• Is somewhere in the neighborhood of 44 pounds and maybe 46 inches?
• Is a fantastic student.  She loves practicing her reading, hope that continues!
• Loves her scooter, wants to learn to roller skate, and is not all that interested in learning to ride her new bike (sans training wheels).  She can ride short distances, but is not motivated to take off just yet.
• Other than the above, tends to be pretty persistent in learning new things.  She essentially taught herself to tie her shoes, and will doggedly practice a new skill until she thinks she's got it--whether it's snapping fingers or learning her math facts.
• Worships the ground Will walks on, half of the time.  She's better versed in Minecraft and Star Wars Rebels than the average 6 yo girl, and she's the biggest fan of Will's handmade books.
• Spends the other half of her time fighting with Will.  Yep, we are in full-blown sibling fighting mode.  It's not fun.
• Is scared of the upstairs.  Which forces her to quickly make up with Will when they are fighting to that he can " 'tect me upstairs!"

Anna's favorites at age 6:

Friends: Kinsley, Lilly, Faith, Savannah.

Restaurant: Chick Fil A

Movie: Frozen

Toy: Grace

Sport to play: Riding my bike. (Me: really?)  Okay, riding my scooter.

Favorite outfit: My sparkly skirt.  And my Grace outfit.

Pizza topping: Cheese.

School lunch: Spring water!  (Both kids love bottled water.)

Book: My Bible book.

Color: Pink and purple.

Song: Let It Go

Favorite thing to do as a family: Eat dinner.

Breakfast: Yogurt.

Favorite thing to play with Will:  Star Wars!

Bible story: Adam and Eve.
After-school snack: Spring water!

TV Show: Star Wars Rebels.  No, actually, Clone Wars.

Candy: Cotton candy.

Ice cream flavor: Strawberry.

What do you want to be when you grow up: A singer.

Store:  Toys R Us!!