The Tradition of the Plate: Part 2

I love having my two girls both with me as much as possible but every now and then it is awesome to get some one on one time!  I had such a good time with Braelyn on Wednesday and today was Emerson's turn.  It has been so amazing to see the difference each year I have taken Emerson to paint.  This year I was amazed at how well she painted her oranments that she chose.  She is seeming more grown up every day and I can hardly stand it!  As always she finished her's before I could get the plate done and was trying to be so patient but ice cream was calling her name!  While we were eating our ice cream I asked her if she liked getting to have time for just the two of us.  She told me that she was having fun but that she really liked it when Braelyn was with us too!  It melts me how much they love each other!

That tickles!!

She picked out all the colors she wanted to use for her ornaments.

She wouldn't let me look til she had her ornaments just the way she wanted them.

I look forward to this every year!!!

Being silly!

I love you Emerson Leigh!!!

Beyond Thankful

The girls had their Thanksgiving lunch at school today and I was so glad I was able to be there.  This is our first year at First Kids Academy and I am more impressed by them every day.  The lunch was amazing!  Each class had made placemats and Emerson's teacher went above and beyond and made little Pilgrim outfits for each of the kids.  They were adorable!  Since the girls go to lunch at different times, I did the main course with Braelyn and dessert with Emerson!

Braelyn and Austin-still trying to figure out what is going on but happy both Moms are there!

"Thankful" doesn't even come close to explaining how Shawn and I feel about the smiles Miss B brings to our life every day. 

Hey Mom, see the placemat I made?

She was absolutely adorable!  She was SO happy I was there!

My little Pilgrim making her way in with her class!

Daddy and I are beyond thankful for what a sweetheart Emerson is and how much joy she brings to everyone she meets.

Emerson and Natasha enjoying their Thanksgiving feast.

How could you ever have a bad day seeing that sweet smile?!

Emerson couldn't wait to dress Braelyn in the Pilgrim outfit when we got home...hilarious!

Little Show Off

Braelyn is so cute when she gets something new...she can't wait to wear it and show it off!

She was starting to get pretty upset everytime Mommy and Em wore their boots so I had to get her some!  She is so proud and wants to wear them all time!  They couldn't even get them off of her for nap time at school!

Showing off her Wildcat t-shirt from Gransan!

The Tradition of the Plate: Part 1

Every year I look forward to making our Christmas plate with the girls.  Since having Braelyn, I have made it a two day process.  I take Braelyn to put either her footprint or handprint on the plate and then Emerson and I go back at a different time to finish the plate.  This was the first year that Braelyn was old enough to paint something for herself so it was such a fun time to spend just the two of us.  After she put her footprint on the plate I let her paint a couple of Christmas ornaments.  I could have sat there for hours watching her paint.  She was so focused on making it just right.  She was mixing colors and making sure each ornament was perfect.  The look on her face was priceless.  After painting it was off to get ice cream!

She didn't cry this year, which was a plus, but...

she did give the classic Braelyn look!

The artist ready to get to work in her little apron!

Showing off her finished masterpieces!

I am so glad she can finally have ice cream!!!

That smile right there can wipe out any stress you can think of!

Tumbling Twos

Braelyn got invited to Camryn's 2nd birthday party, one of the little girls in her class.  They also said siblings were welcome so Emerson and Braelyn had both been looking forward to this party from the time we got the invite.  It was a Minnie Mouse theme, which has been very popular these days, and was held at The Woodlands Rec Center.  The kids got to play at the park, the Tumble Bus came, and then it was time for Chick-fil-a and cake!  All the kids had a blast!

Olivia and Braelyn

Braelyn ran from one thing to the next on the playground with a huge smile on her face!

Time to head for the Tumble Bus!  The girls didn't miss a beat grabbing Camryn's mom's hand-they knew who was running the show and they didn't intend to miss a thing!

The little ones each had a place mat on the ground...

and the siblings had their own table too!

Little Indians

Today First Kids Academy had their annual Pow-Wow.  I have been hearing about it for over a week and wasn't really sure what it was, but I knew I didn't want to miss it!  I tried to figure out what I was going to do because I wanted to see both girls participate but I knew that if Braelyn saw me there was no way she would still participate.  I thought I found a perfect hiding spot.  I was able to come out and get a few pictures of Em first before Braelyn's class came in and then I hid behind a wall where I was still able to see everything.  Unfortunately B's class plopped down on their blanket right by where I was.  I was able to watch for a little while from my hiding spot and another Mom even grabbed my camera and got a couple of shots of B for me.  I didn't think she was looking so I stepped up to get a few more of her and my cover was blown!  Her time at the Pow-Wow was over!  She stayed with me the rest of the time!  It was so cute though.  Ms. Kathy told a story about the first Thanksgiving, Ms. Dean went on a bear hunt, and everybody sang songs about Indians.  They finished up with fish sticks and cornbread since the Indians taught the Pilgrims about fish and corn for food!

She didn't really know why she was supposed to be excited but she was excited to get to the Pow-Wow!

Where did she learn this pose?!

 

I love these two so much I can hardly stand it!

She was so excited!

Who are you and why are you taking my picture?(This was when the other Mom tried to help me out!)

Having a great time shaking her noise maker with her class.

Still relaxed and checking out the other classes, Pre-Mom discovery!

The two cutest little Indians I have ever seen!

When we got home Emerson insisted on putting her Indian clothes on Braelyn!

 

So silly!!