Under the Sea

After years of being second fiddle due to Addy's birthday being so close to Christmas, I finally got my act together and had a birthday party for Addy at the beginning of December. In fact, Evelyn and her already had it planned in the Summer just to make sure it actually took place. I guess planning ahead actually works? If you know me, I'm sure you know that wont happen two years in a row. The girls picked an Under the Sea theme so we had games like pass the mermaid, guess how many sea shells and flip the fish. Cakes by Angela made the most delicious cake I have ever had, and I don't like cake. But this cake, I had two pieces and am craving more.

Mermaid puzzles, rock candy, treasure chests w/chocolate gold

The Clan

in our backyard

Ok, its not really our backyard. More like woods across the street but it is so close it feels like our backyard. A hike in there is one of the girls favorite things to do. A lot of times they will go with Brian and take a snack to eat on one of the boulders. Sometimes they wont come back for a few hours and I never understood what they could possibly be doing over there for so long. Turns out there are a lot of dares going on during their adventures. "Dare you to jump across that log", "dare you to knock that dead tree down" or "dare you to climb as high as you can up that boulder". After saying "I don't think so" a lot of times, Evelyn quickly told me I could stay home next time and that I was taking all the fun out of their hike. What are moms for, right?

The crazy tree Evelyn named Arthur and Addy says "it's doing yoga"

Yah, thats right, we bad, we bad

Zoom in to the tent. Do you see the aliens looking out of the opening? Crazy!

Daddy doing his dare

Notice anything?

Do you notice anything different about Bubba-loo?

Return to Treehouse

As promised to the girls, we returned to Treehouse Vineyards so they can have time to play in the treehouse and run around the grounds. They had a great time and the bonus, Grandma and Grandpa were there with us this time.(original post)

Our Terrific Kid

Once a month, each classroom picks one child as a Terrific Kid. Each month they pick a different character trait.  Of course we are so proud of her, but even happier that others recognize her creativity and imagination. It may be just the boost of confidence she needs.  Maybe someday we will be going to her book signing!

After you read this, take a look back when Evelyn got terrific kid in first grade.

TERRIFIC KID

Creativity

From her teacher:

"Evelyn was chosen for our terrific kid because she displays the character trait creativity in the classroom and in her writing daily.  She comes up with great creative stories that keep her classmates always wanting to hear more.  She gives such creative details that the readers feel like they are there with her in her stories.  Evelyn does a great job using her imagination to come up with unique creative stories. Great job Evelyn for showing creativity in our classroom!"

Our Terrific Kid getting a donut with Dad

Back row 

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Tired of the same old corn maze/pumpkin patch/hayride venue, we went searching for something different. Corn mazes just aren't my thing. Sundays are my brain's day off and maneuvering through a corn maze involves too much brain function. We stumbled upon Anne Springs Close Greenway, and a little history. We've passed the entrance to the greenway many times and never knew what it was. We weren't disappointed. Turns out the wagon trail was the first main road or wagon trail east of the Mississippi that ran from Augusta, GA to Philadelphia, PA.

Add a small fall festival with hayrides, pick your own pumpkins (our first real pumpkin patch since we've been in NC), food, etc. All the things one would hope for. But with an amazing backdrop, trails, lakes, barns, animals, cabins and fall foliage. A photographers dream. And wanna-be's like me.