Fall Carnival

This past week has been FULL for me.  Lots of this and lots of that.  Yesterday I was at school from 7:30-8:00...with the exception of a 30 minute block of time where I met with Hallie's teacher and heard lots of good things about my sweet little angel. :o)  Thankfully my time at school last night was spent having fun with my little girl at our Fall Carnival.  The first thing Hallie wanted to do was get her hair painted!  We had lots of tickets to spend, and Hallie didn't have any trouble doing that. 

Pink, sparkly hair!

Hallie wanted a beautiful cupcake and a butterfly painted to match her princess-like hair!

After a hotdog and some nachos with Daddy, we went to Mrs. B's Book Sale for some good books!

Fishing for candy! :o)

This reminds me of the booth my mom always had at the fall festival at her school. 

Hallie on the train ride with one of my cute little firsties!

Hallie with all her lollipops from the Lollipop Tree Pull.  Yes...she spent probably $6 trying to win a prize...a lollipop with a red dot on the bottom.  I felt horribly for her.  She'd pull a pop and get nothing.  The next kid would go up and get a dot.  She'd try again and get nothing.  Three girls went up and all pulled a pop with a dot.  She kept trying and trying with no success!  The carnival was over at 7:30 and it was 7:25...the lady seemed oblivious to the fact that she might help a 4 year old's feelings by just letting her have one of the prizes that weren't even worth the 50 cents it was costing to pull a pop.  Finally...after another loser pop, and a very sad look on Hallie's face, the lady gave her a prize.  haha.  Hallie got a *beautiful* butterfly necklace (that I happen to know was left over from a fundraiser from last year!  lol).

Here's Hallie-Lou waiting her turn for the cake walk. 

It was a super fun night at the "carnibal" (according to Hallie). :o)  Afterward, we met Gramps and RahRah for yogurt!  A perfect beginning to a weekend!

Never Say Never

After Hallie's field trip, I said I'd never go on another field trip again.  Not because I don't love my sweet little cutie-patootie.  No.  But you know when teachers sometimes say that a child acts worse when his/her parent is with them?  Well, that's totally Hallie.  Oh brother.  I had a good time, and I think Hallie did, too...but she did not hold back with her stubbornness on this particular day.  Still, looking back at the pictures, I don't know that I could never go on another field trip again.  She had a blast and I loved being able to capture those moments with her.  The downside to the field trip--about an hour and a half after we were there, it turned dark gray and the bottom fell out.  It rained and rained and rained!  Thankfully we were under the tent petting the cute little animals.  But then there were all sorts of mud puddles that I had to keep Hallie out of (sorry--but if she'd have had on her rainboots, I wouldn't have cared!).  And the rain cancelled their plans for a picnic at the park...and Hallie was twelve kinds of unhappy because of that.  But, she was excited to go back to school, and let's be honest...I was thrilled to watch some mindless TV for the rest of the afternoon (well, before picking Hallie up at school and having to go to a "mandatory insurance meeting" at school).  Evidently, God knew I needed some down time and sent the rain...otherwise I wouldn't have had much down time at all. :o)

We started our field trip with Swifty Swine. :o)

These little piggies were just too cute!  They were racing to get an Oreo cookie!  Ha!  I don't blame them!

Waiting for Rainforest Adventures...obviously, Hallie was more interested in a snack.  She must have be3en savoring hers because I gave some to the little boys beside her, and they seem to be empty.  Haha.

I wish this could have lasted longer...but the skies were starting to get dark and it was so chilly...so the guy had to rush through the presentation.

A monkey...

An anteater...

Hallie would rather play in the dirt.  Lol.

And the beautiful bengal tiger...all the "Auburn Tigers" were asleep!  LOL!

Petting zoo!

There were about 30 kids in this petting zoo.  I think the llama was in shock.  He didn't even spit at anyone!

There's a Pirate Dog show (lol) at the fair...but it was pouring rain on their pirate ship, so the guy brought the dogs under the tent.  Here they are sword fighting!  Hilarious!

The kids got to pet one of the sweet sword fighters after the "show". :o)

The kids got to go through the cattle barn (?) and see all the cows that were there for show.  I had no idea that cows had huge humps of fat on their necks!  

Hallie and one of her little friends were getting a little too close to Baby Cow, so she stood up and protected her baby. :o)

The little girl had a fun day!  Can't wait to go to the fair and enjoy some rides!

And let's be honest--I can't wait for Hallie's next field trip.  By then, I won't remember this one. :o)

Pumpkin, Pumpkin

While Mommy was at school slaving away with her Firsties...then preparing for Open House...then preparing for her sub for the following day, Daddy and Hallie were carving a pumpkin (and burning pumpkin seeds)

When I came home last night, I found this little cutie sitting on my park bench.  Granted, she was all ablaze in her precious 4 year old carving skills glory...but I didn't snap a picture of it.  As the story goes, the design was all Hallie's doing, but she wasn't quite strong enough to actually carve the pumpkin.  So she drew what she wanted to be cut out and Daddy did all the carving.  Notice the rosy cheeks and beautifully long eye-lashes. :o)

We have a little Cubbie!

Just look at this little girl! :o)  That is one happy face after Cherub's Choir and an hour and a half of learning and playing at Cubbies.  Her face was absolutely ecstatic when I picked her up at church last night--she was so proud of herself for reciting her verse and receiving her Cubbies vest.  Now, on to earning more patches by reciting more verses.  

We are so excited for her as she learns to hide God's Word in her heart.  Jonathan and I were both marveling at what a blessing it was to hear Scripture pour from her lips.  What a tremendous blessing!  We are thankful for parents who raised us to love and fear God, and we are exciting to teach Hallie about His amazing love!

Cubbies

09.28.11

Tea Party Fun

Hallie had the wonderful pleasure of attending a sweet friend's tea party at Pinwheel Kid's!  And to add to the fun, we picked up another friend on the way there!  Hallie had a blast, as did all the little girls.  It was very cute--they were read a story, made a hat, made a bracelet, and dined on "tea" and treats all while dressed to the nines in fluffy skirts, feather boas, sparkly jewelry and gloves!  It was definitely a party we will remember!

Sweet friends getting ready to go inside.

Can you spot Hallie?!

Well, every princess has to be dressed for a tea party!

The birthday girl!

Joy's and Friends!

Dance season 2011-2012 has begun at Joy's School of Dance!  Hallie has been looking forward to this day for quite some time--she was ready to dance and ready to see her friends!  I've gotta say, getting back into the dancing groove and getting to visit with those mommas every week has been on my "can't wait" list, too.  Hallie and I are blessed with sweet friends!  There were SO many mommas and grandmommas there seeing those little bitties start their very first dance class that I hardly even got to see Hallie dancing.  I snapped one picture of the actual dance class (so unlike me).  Hallie was very glad to be in the same dance building in the same classroom, and she was thrilled to have the same teachers.  I think it's going to be a super fun year with dance!

Leaving school to head to class.

(Adorable leotard compliments of sweet Nonna!)

Sweet friends (minus Ivy--she was already inside and isn't a fan of pictures anyway)

Hallie, Caroline, and Lily

The 3 and 4 year old ballet/tap class

Egypt

Our Labor Day was filled with lots of relaxing...and a trip to Egypt.  Sort of.  Thanks to The Mayborn Museum, we were able to have a glimpse of what Egypt might be like.

This is Hallie's current favorite movie.  And when I say favorite, I mean FAV-O-RITE!  I'm not exaggerating.  She knows the story, she knows the lines...and she has favorite parts.  She loves this movie--and we really enjoy the movie, too.  So much so that now we've watched it...oh, 20 times (at least), and we still find it amazing.  This movie brought on the Labor Day trip to The Mayborn Museum for their Egypt exhibit.

The Egypt Exhibit

Hallie pulling blocks with (sleds) and without Egyptian technology.

Building a pyramid.

A camel!  Jonathan told her to pretend like she was hot since she was in the desert.  LOL!

There were also mummies--which Hallie was fascinated with.  We saw mummies when we went to The Museum of Natural History in Anniston.  I thought Hallie would be a little scared...but she wasn't.  And the same goes for this visit into the mummy room.  Unfortunately, we couldn't take any pictures of the mummy.  It was pretty neat, though.  And Hallie really enjoyed seeing the mummy and talking about who she might have been.  Seems we might have a little love and curiosity for history.  This definitely comes from Daddy and not from me! :o)

And because we paid our admission into the entire museum, we couldn't pass up the stationery exhbits. :o)

Hallie *loved* the transportation room...and I'm pretty sure she could have stayed there all day.  But we were mean parents and made her go to other rooms.  Ha.

Good thing there's a sunroof for those tall people. ;o)

 The communication room.

Jonathan and Hallie thought these old typewriters were pretty cool.

The Weather Room

Hallie and Jonathan are giving a weather report.

Once Hallie realized she was on TV, she was totally into it.  In fact, when we got finished, she asked us what time she'd be on TV.  I guess she thought she was like Daddy and would be on the 6:00 news. :o)

The Sound Room

Jonathan and Hallie at the "Whisper Wall"--this was *SO* cool.  I wish I'd have gotten a picture of how far these two things were from each other.  You could barely talk into it and be heard on the other side of the room.  Very neat.  Hallie thought it was super cool.

Making some music in the sound booth--it was VERY noisy in there.  LOL.

The Water Room

Hallie really enjoyed making a little canal for her boat.  She stayed at this station for a very long time.  The girl is a fish, I swear!  She'd play with water all day if we'd let her. :o)

Making a bubble window--I love the look of intrigue in her eyes.

The Fancy Tea Party Room

This was a favorite of Hallie's, too--she served Jonathan and me tea and cookies.  Very cute. She even gave me strawberry tea by putting pretend strawberries in a cup. :o)

Hallie was very disappointed that those hats did not come off.  She said we needed proper hats for a tea party!  HA!  

The Pioneer Room

This is where Hallie had a melt down because she did not want to go home--even though the museum was closing and we had been there for almost 3 hours. :o)  Glad our little girl loves outings!

Let Me Hold You Longer

Bedtime stories were read...night time prayers were said.  The princess had been tucked in.  While sitting beside her, in her sweet voice Hallie said, "Mommy?  Will you hold me like a baby?"  I melted.  My answer was "of course".  Then another question..."Mommy?  Will you sing me a song?"  So I began singing the very simple and sweet lullaby I wrote for her when she was just a tiny thing and I was rocking her to sleep.

My beautiful girl, you are my world.

I love you so completely.

Those fingers and toes--oh Heaven knows...I love you so completely.

You are mine.  And I am yours.

My beautiful girl, you are my world. 

As I sang my heart to her, she drifted into her little land of dreams.  Tears prickled my eyes as I realized I couldn't remember the last time I had actually sang and rocked my little girl to sleep.  I was sitting on the bed, holding her...my arms were going numb and my back was aching.  But I just wanted to hold her a little longer.

Then I was reminded of the sweetest book my cousin Stephanie gave me at a baby shower for Hallie--Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury.  It is a precious book...and a wonderful reminder that before I know it, I won't even be able to hold my little girl in my lap.  The book is written from a mother's view point.  It is actually of her and her son...but so much of it is still applicable.  

Let Me Hold You Longer

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts; first smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.  But one day you will move way and leave me to your past, and I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips.  The last time I lifted you and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying, needing to be walked, when last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold.  The last time that you said you'd marry me (Daddy) when you grew old.  Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past--would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last?

One last adventure to the park, your final midday nap, the last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.

The last few hours of kindergarten, those last days of first grade, your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all your yesterdays long passed.  So what about tomorrow--will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond.  The last time that you run barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn.  Silly, scattered images will represent your past.  I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your lasts...

The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight.  The last time that I pray with you and tuck you in at night.  The last time when we cuddle with a book, just me and you.  The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson, last vacation to the lake.  Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.  I look ahead and dream of days that haven't come to pass.  But as I do, I sometimes miss today's sweet, precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test.

The last time when I shout that yes, your room is still a mess.  The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there.  The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass.  I want to hold on longer--want to recognize your lasts...

The last time that you need my help with details of a dance.  The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me about your hopes and dreams.  The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.  

I've watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass.  If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning, you'll be going far away.  College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way.  One last hug, one last good-bye, one quick and hurried kiss.  One last time to understand just how much you'll be missed.  I'll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.