2nd Graduation

First there was kindergarten graduation. Moving up to "real school." In my day, elementary school lasted 6 years then we were off to junior high. Today, many only go through 5th grade and then off to middle school.

My oldest has now had his second graduation - goodbye, elementary school! Last Tuesday morning, every student in the school, kindergarten through 4th grade, left their classrooms to line the halls. They all applauded as the 5th graders filed by on their way to the gymnasium for the ceremony.

As each name was called, the students left their seats, in an obviously rehearsed process, to shake the principal's hand and receive their certificate.

There were also special awards given, including certificates to students who made the A Honor Roll every 9-week period for their entire 3rd-5th grade career at the school. (Letter grades aren't given in 1st-2nd grade.) Cole was one of five students to receive that recognition!

Cole with his 5th grade teacher

He's growing so much! And just today he asked if we could revamp his iPod to remove the kid songs (Disney, Spongebob, TV themes, etc.). He actually said the phrase, "I'm not a kid anymore." I knew he meant he's not a little kid anymore, 'cuz 11 is still a kid!!

So now we prep for middle school. My husband teaches 6th grade so I know how much these kids grow over this next year - and not just physically!

My new life verse:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Help me, Jesus!

And then there was one . . .

Soooooo, I guess I'm the only one from my original family that can wear this shirt now, eh, Beck? (I've got 6 years to milk this!)

Expressing Her Opinion

At least she's tactful:

One of the Family

This is Naomi's new thing:

I know, she looks like she about to die, but she's actually quite happy! For anyone who knows my family, you'll recognize this as the Cheely wrinkle-nose grin. My sister has perfected this particular smile. While Naomi might be imitating what she's seen her mother do, Aunt B still holds the gold medal for using her whole face to express joy.

What can I say? We're just happy people!

Wassup?

Update

I mean, seriously, are you kidding me? Who could look at this and not smile??

She's crawling all over the place, she has her first tooth, and she's just started pulling up. Look out, world!

Giggles!

We discovered that Naomi gets quite a kick out of someone burping. So we targeted her giggle box the other night - to everyone's delight!

She's on the move!

Merry Christmas!

My Christmas present to you: pictures of my family!!

As always, Christmas started out on a bed, reading the story of Jesus' birth. Yes, my PJs are crossword puzzles.

The boys got their annual t-shirts:

And Cole's last gift was the only thing he asked for: an iPod Touch. (we actually got it for free!!!) I don't think he was expecting it. He really thought he was done with gifts. It was in a small box completely wrapped up in tissue paper. I love the look of true surprise and happiness!

Boys and their toys!

Naomi LOVED her gifts!

Notice the trend?

This was our first Christmas to just stay at our house. It was lovely! My mom and dad came over for lunch, gifts, and games. Naomi got to nap and Cole got to play - literally. He was so excited about getting the Charlie Brown Greatest Hits piano book. After stockings, he immediately went to the piano to start working on "Linus and Lucy," the dance number in the Christmas special.

PLUS, Birmingham had its first White Christmas in recorded history! Now, my house didn't see anything stick to the ground until the next morning, but it did snow all day Christmas day! Brice and I sang a lot of "Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow!" from White Christmas.

We didn't send out a Christmas card this year, so no, we didn't leave you out! Maybe we'll send out Easter cards. I don't remember my life ever being this dizzying. I can't imagine what having three or four children would be like.

I do hope you had a wonderful time of fun, worship, and rest on your Christmas! Praise to the Lord for the greatest gift of all time! May everyone come to know and love the name of Jesus.

New Heights

Naomi loves to lie on her play mat and look up at the colorful bees, dangling from the music box. They are always out of reach though! I thought I'd give her a new perspective on the little creatures. I put her in her Bumbo seat right up next to them. She loved being able to reach them.

Reaching is her latest development. That and squealing!

Thumb and Blanky

Naomi has started to hold her burb cloth to her when she finds her thumb and snuggles in our arms. So I figured it was time to give her something soft and clean, meant for snuggling! I found her like this after her nap earlier this week:

So sweet. I hated to wake her up! At least she always wakes up with a smile on her face.

I love my Pop!

Halloween Part II

Yes, I missed out on the trick-or-treating fun for this:

And I'm so glad I did! I love this twice-a-year outing with the gals. I love them a whole lot more than the loud cars going in circles over and over again!

Halloween Part I

Over the years, Cole has been many things for Halloween: Buzz Lightyear, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Spiderman, a human Ninja.

This year:

Any guesses as to what he is? Leave a comment.

Props to JD for making this great costume!!

While you're pondering the above, gaze upon our little punkin from her 1st Halloween.

Thanks to Penny or Olivia for the outfit - not sure which of you it came from!

Brice was a trooper! He took both kids around the neighborhood and linked up with a family with a boy in Cole's class at school. Naomi loved all the activity! So much to see! She really enjoys being outside. I hate I missed it.

Where was I? Stay tuned for Part II.

Could She Be Any Cuter??

No, no she couldn't.

A Chair for Goliath

Sam's always does things big!!

Bumbo

It may be a little early, but we thought we'd let her try it out just to see how she did.

She's laid back gangsta style in her pimped out blue Bumbo (courtesy of Penny - thank you!)

Froggie PJs

She likes 'em!

Playing and Sleeping

I got a new toy this week! I'm just now learning what toys are. I think they are bright and fun things to look at. Check out this cool contraption my mom put together for me.

I think I look good in it! There's this little mirror (you can see it behind my head below) and there's another baby in it. I smile and talk and talk to that baby - she is so cute!! It looks like she has a toy just like mine!

My mom loves to get me to smile. She keeps telling me I'm beautiful. I don't know what that means, but it makes her happy to say it, so that's fine with me.

After a bit of playing, I get pretty sleepy. I usually sleep in my bed, but sometimes I fall asleep right where I was hanging out with mom. Daisy likes to be near me. Sometimes she sniffs my ears, but in this picture she is falling asleep with me.

And of course, one of my favorite places to doze is on daddy's chest. I can tell it makes him happy too. He looks at me kinda funny sometimes, but mom acts like that's a good thing.

Next time I'll try to show you some pictures of me hanging out with my brother, mom, and maybe the cat - though she doesn't like to come near me! Now I'm feeling sleepy again. Night, night!

Helping Dad

Tuesday was the last prep day for teachers. Brice had some last-minute things to take care of at school, including assembling a new piece of furniture for his room. Here's a trivia fact about Brice - he absolutely does not like to assemble anything, especially furniture.

Sidebar: Ever heard the Bud Light Real Men of Genius commercials? This one is spot on! Written for Brice!

So Cole and I set to putting the shelves together - and we had a ball! Again, evidence of our personalities. So here's the completed project:

Meanwhile, Naomi could be found close by, sleeping through the hammering!

And Dad could be found close by giving moral support and downing a Dr. Pepper.

To his credit, he actually put in most of the shelf pegs. Yea, Dad!

Now each student has a slot for their work and Dad was one step closer to having his room ready for the 1st day of school!