Labor Day Weekend Roundup...

We headed to the farm for the long weekend and it was glorious! The kids wasted no time making themselves right at home. On Saturday we left the kids and went to the classic city, Athens, for the day to see the Dawgs home opener. UGA did something new this year called the Game Ball Relay to deliver the game ball for the start of the game. It started 24 hours earlier at the Shepherd Spinal Center and made it's way from Atlanta to Athens. Vince Dooley ran it in to the stadium and then handed it off to Alison Schmitt. I was super excited to see her on the field since we watched all of her races in London just a few short weeks ago. I'm glad she returned for her senior year in Athens...and I'd love it if Missy Franklin found her way to Athens next year. Enough of that tangent...back to the game. The Dawgs played Buffalo and won by three touchdowns. It was great to be back in Athens watching football. I'm really looking forward to the next few months...now to get the rest of my outfits together for the season. Yes, if you've never experienced a football game in the SEC you are probably scratching your head as to why I'm concerned with my wardrobe. I guess it's just part of being in the south but most people dress up for games...yes, I wore a new sundress to the game that I bought specifically to be a game day dress. I've been dressing up for games since I started going to games. It's just what we do. Need more info click here. Thankfully, one can never have too much red and black in her wardrobe. ;) After the game we headed back to the farm. The kids had a great day with Nanny. The next day our friends, the Hornsbys, drove over from Macon and spent the day with us. AG loved showing Emma the farm and swimming all afternoon with his best friend. We were planning to have a cookout at the pool that evening but a storm rolled in and we ended up having it inside instead. Later that evening AG enjoyed watching Chipper Jones hit a walk-off homer to beat the Phillies in the 9th inning. He went bananas and the family members watching the game were so tickled watching AG. Monday, we laid around and did some projects. That afternoon we did one last swim before getting everything packed back up. We ended up leaving some of our stuff at the farm since we plan to go back in three weeks. AG was beside himself because he didn't want to leave the farm. He even woke up the next morning asking if it was time to go back. We love the farm. Being down there for the weekend was a great way to say goodbye to summer and welcome in the start of fall. Did anyone else do anything fun for Labor Day Weekend?

Early Morning Birthday Parties.

 Hello, Athens...I've missed you.

 Vince Dooley and Schmitty on the field. 

 Helping Nanny make brownies.

 So excited to see his best friend.

 Love these two. AG was holding her hand and showing her around. 

 Swimming the afternoon away. Annie was loving life in the pool. 

Wordless Wednesday...BFFs just like their mamas...

Words for Wednesday...Growing Up Edition...

For the last three years we've gone and cut down our Christmas tree with AG's best friend Emma...look how much they've changed:

2009--Emma 17 months and AG almost a year. 

2010--Walking everywhere and picking out their own Charlie Brown tree.

2011--What a mess these two are together. :) Talking, running, laughing together. Sweet friends.

Fun with your besties...

I'm fortunate to have two of my closest friends from college live in town with me. One of them, Julie, has been my friend since we were in 6th grade. We came to Berry together and even lived together our freshman year. Ginny and I did Camp WinShape growing up and met the first summer we both worked, 2001. Anyways, all three of us were friends in college and we all stuck around town. (The rest of our group Laura, April, and Aubrey are scattered...thankfully we all try and stay in touch.) Anyways, Ginn, Jules, and I were all pregnant together with our first borns. Briggs and Emma are 6 months older than AG. I'm grateful that our kids are forming life long friendships with each other and like to play together. Here is some fun they've had together recently...Emma's birthday party and a water play date over here. 

 AG gave Emma a Dumbo from Disney World. Dumbo is her favorite movie and it was fitting since her party was Emma's Favorite Things.

 So, sweet. 

 The best place to eat a popsicle is in your water table...

Avi-Kate I'm excited that in a few short months you will have your own Briggs and Emma! Yes, this go around I was pregnant first and Ginny and Jules are due together in January! Can't wait to meet the two newest additions to the group this winter and see them play together in the coming years. Thank the Lord for beautiful friendships that run deep. Grateful for Jules and Ginn and that we get to raise our kids together.

How to entertain your BFF...

...show her your new box hideout.

Show her how to jump out of it and yell, 'surprise!' 

Laugh at your crazy shenanigans. 

Take her for a spin on your wheels. 

Let her drive your wheels.

Kiss her goodbye and ride off...

AG and Emma thanks for always entertaining your parents when we hang out. Life is never dull with the two of you...we love you.

Mr. Analytical...

...yes, my child is a thinker. He has to analyze new situations before he jumps in. He likes to take it all in and study everyone/everything. Kindermusik was no exception to this rule. Last Friday we had our first class and he was completely content to sit in my lap and take it all in. Which didn't surprise me in the least. He studied his peers, their parents, the routine, and his teacher. At the end he began to get involved and my hope was that by the next class he'd be ready to go.

Well today was our second class. And he was super excited to go to music class with Emma. He kept squealing, "Emma!" as we spotted her getting out of her car this morning. We got there and sure enough he analyzed for a few moments and then jumped right in with Emma. He loved it today. And I loved watching him enjoy every minute of it.

I'm glad that we are in an organized classroom setting on a weekly basis together as we start to lay the groundwork for school and an appreciation of the arts. Already looking forward to next Friday...

Tree Farm 2010

So, just like last year we joined the Hornsbys to pick out our Christmas trees. Last year, AG was days away from walking this year he was all over the place. For the most part it was fun...AG had a meltdown when the wind kicked up it was only 39 degrees and in the morning we had some flurries. (Crazy child refuses to wear his hat.) I gave him his paci and he seemed to settle down...I guess I'm partially to blame for this meltdown it was past nap time AND he had been in a car the entire day before driving home from Disney. He was officially wiped when we got in the car and thankfully, we only had to drive 5 minutes back to the house where he took a three hour nap. 

Holding hands with Emma as we go to hunt for our tree. 

AG and Emma contemplating a Charlie Brown tree.

Our tree! It's huge. Wait till you see a photo inside our house. AG was more interested in the measuring stick than smiling for Ginn.

Helping Daddy.

After we cut down our tree they took us on a tractor ride and the kiddos fed the mini horse and burro peanuts. They enjoyed it.

AG giggled every time the horse nibbled his hand.

 AG inspecting both trees and deeming this trip successful.

Like I said the tree is HUGE. Really. Largest we've ever brought home. We brought it in and Andy laughed. He then asked if we had enough ornaments for it or was that my intention all along. Ha. Actually, it wasn't but thanks for the idea Babe. :o) It's a beautiful tree and perfectly shaped. I think that's why I wanted it. Anyways, it's a white pine and a good 8 feet tall once I trimmed up the top a little to put the angel on top. Once I get all the decorations out and to my liking I'll do a tour of the house. I still need to pick up some fir tree scraps from Home Depot to put on the mantle in our room, the master bathroom window ledge, and the window ledge in the den. (If you like fresh greens and free stuff...hit up the scrap bin in the garden section at your local Home Depot. When they saw off a few inches of the tree you select they throw the scraps in a pile. The scraps are free to whoever wants 'em...ah, fresh cut Christmas trees  scent in the house.) Hard to believe the holidays will be here soon. I'm off to tackle some cleaning and laundry. I promise to get Thanksgiving and Disney blogged soon...but for now I have to get the house back in order, the rest of Christmas out, and make a major dent in my shopping...thankfully lots will be coming from Amazon and arriving free on two day shipping...oh, Amazon Prime how I love thee. (One of the best things we invested in this last year!) And bake lots of treats for our students tomorrow night. We are doing our December dinner as dessert and a movie since it is finals week. What better way to start off your Christmas Vacation than watching Christmas Vacation and hanging out with your "family" once last time before the break?!? It's going to be a great week...