Merry Christmas Eve

We had a warm Merry Christmas Eve: morning at the beach, afternoon at the Kriese's, evening church then dinner with the Steel's.

Sweet Sawyer dreams

I hope I don't forget these sweet moments in our little 3 year old's days. 

Alice's best day

Alice said, this is my best day ever. 

Mama: better than getting your American Girl doll or Laura Ingalls birthday party?

Alice: yes, because today I had an idea and it worked out. We could make a bonfire and play too and make s'mores. 

The Little Princess play getaway

Alice and I had our first mother-daughter getaway this past weekend in Atlanta. We stayed with friends who have twin girls and a younger sister who all seemed to enjoy playing. Our Sunday morning was at All Souls, the church Mark and I went to our first years of marriage, where they presented a beautiful and moving Lessons and Carols for Christmas. For lunch we met my parents, younger sister and our nieces (missed you Annie and Anna!) at Mary Mac's Tea Room.

The afternoon musical performance of The Little Princess was the highlight of our trip. Sarah Crewe was from Africa in this remake, which was energized by the African dancers and excellent children and adults in the show. Mimi and Grandaddy were so generous to include us on a memorable girls' day at the play. I'm especially glad Mimi is able to join us after her recent terrible cancer advancements. Alice and I walked over to Centennial Park after the show to take in the lights, dancing water fountains, ferris wheel, horse-drawn carriages and playgrounds. Our Waffle House dinner was her first experience there and she was won over by all the chocolate chips on her waffle :). We hope to ride the ferris wheel on our trip to see the Holmes family for Christmas!!

Our Terrific Kid, Alice

Alice was selected as the Kiwanis Terrific Kid for her class in December. We are so proud of our girl for showing good character, friendship, and a love of learning! She was so excited to be on the morning news program and selected her outfit with care. Her teachers Mrs Eaves and Mrs Beasley are a great combo for Alice to learn and grow.

Full of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving school party day in Charleston last week

Grandaddy's new/old Porshe, perfect for a pleasant Thanksgiving day ride

Sawyer slept through our big meal at Sarah's. Here's Alice with the Squires girls celebrating our feast

So thankful to spend the day with my mama and daddy on Thanksgiving!

And did you remember that TEN YEARS ago today I married Mark? This picture was during our engagement after Mark won a race. I'm thankful for his love and support and friendship during the many changes in our lives.

The kids are growing like weeds

Today Alice and Sawyer went to the pediatrician for the first time in a long time. They were brave for their shots, didn't gag for their strep tests, and took long naps this afternoon; fine patients for sure.

The thing that AMAZED me was their growth! If you've said, "Wow, they're really growing up!" you weren't kidding. No wonder Sawyer's pants have been short lately. . .

Alice
Nov. 2014: 40 lb and 42"
Nov. 2015: 49 lb and 46"

Sawyer
March 2015: 38 lb and 38"
Nov. 2015:   38 lb and 41"

Pre Halloween Fun

Calabaza Fiesta: Sawyer's Pumpkin Farmer party at school. None of the boys liked pumpkin pie, but Sawyer enjoyed dressing up in the shirt Poppy picked for him. 

Alice's Halloween Parade & Party: Every grade and class, plus staff participated! Alice went as Mary Ingalls in a dress from Bobbie, apron & bonnet from Mimi. 

Mrs Eaves & Mrs Beasley dressed as the Pop See Ko video guys they watch

Wizard of Oz party with stations to walk through the story, fun dress up & food. The kids even watched the movie for the first time (except the witch parts!)

Mountain top Apple Picking

We had a great visit to my sister's house in Greenville this weekend. The drive to Sky Top orchard was highlighted by colorful fall leaves and beautiful mountain ranges. Our foggy mountain morning reminded me of last year's incredible Vermont fall foliage trip with Mama last year. 

beach afternoon two weeks ago

Two weeks ago I decided to mix up our after school routine with a beach afternoon. 

Sawyer's 2 wheeler ride

Sawyer rode his bike without training wheels today for the first time! He said he was ready and he was right. It's a new record for earliest bike rider in the family (beating out Mark's record) since Sawyer is only 3.5. The neighborhood girls commented that now EVERY kid in our neighborhood can ride now :)

Singing and Soccer

Mark and I had a date night last week to see Keith and Kristyn Getty's hymn concert. It filled my heart to join in singing such amazing songs, like in Christ Alone. 

Our family has seen the Charleston Battery soccer team play twice last month. Sawyer is in love with the sport and especially the long socks! After a decade of my brother's soccer games it was amazing to be with Mark for his very first soccer game. I still believe good, NON pro teams are more fun to watch that the pro games.

Fall bike ride along the greenway

This morning we rode nearly 10 miles on the nearby greenway. Sawyer rode behind Mark in the trailer while Alice peddled about 7 miles if our trip. The marsh views and birds on a cool, fall-like day were so relaxing and fun! In years past we would have been picking apples on a weekend like this, but no such luck in Charleston. Guess we're pretty lucky to have a great way to enjoy fall near the beach. 

Fun Run & Cousin Birthday on a rainy weekend

Alice's school had a Fun Run fundraiser for school new technology & playground equipment. She came home the days before talking about good character traits and THEN ran 35 laps on race day. Each lap brought a new smile, great energy and good form. She ran over 2 miles! Her principal even dressed up as Captain America and joined the fun because they reached their goal.

 

 School closed Friday for impending rain/hurricane so we left a day early for cousin Kingston's first birthday party weekend. I expected us to be gone three days and it turned into about 5 because of the severe conditions along South Carolina's highways. Our neighbors kept us updated with texts and pictures to our great relief. The marsh didn't overtake our house and we are so thankful to be in a dry zone, unlike so many others in our city and state.

 

Holmes cousins

Abby, Mark & Kingston

Fun families visit

Mimi & Grandaddy came for a long weekend this month and we packed in the fun. Mimi was a mystery reader for Alice's 5K class which delighted and surprised our girl so much she lost her words (hard to imagine!). Friday night we drove through Kiawah Island and golf, then stayed for picnic dinner and live music with other family friends. Saturday they treated us to our first Fort Sumter visit after a delicious brunch at Hominy Grill. It provided such a different view of the Charleston Harbor on the boat ride and we had a great time! Thank you for coming :)

We got to have a visit from the Ely girls again this Labor Day weekend. Alice and Sawyer always wish they'd had MORE time to play together! We had a nice morning at the beach before the rain chased us away and lots of dress up and imagination games at the house later. *MB had the camera at the beach. . .oh, well.

Sawyer starts 3K in Spanish

Sawyer's back in school MWF at a Christian preschool that teaches only in Spanish. He was excited to be back in class with his little buddies again. No, he's not using much at home but he does seem to like it! He's also dressing himself. . .

Sawyer's way

On Sunday at about 5:00 the kids brought out pillows and covers. Sawyer asked if they could stay outside until the bats started flying (3.5 hours later). He loves to watch the bats near our marsh! He also loves to make silly faces.

 

 

I heard Sawyer talking to himself while playing in the family room, making sure the pictures lined up and the "ABCs". Look how precise this kid is with Magformer building squares and wooden blocks! He even tried to match the colors when he could--quite an effort for a colorblind boy.

I routinely find cars, trains, and planes lined up as if a policeman were directing traffic. Can you see that on his train table?

 

 This boy loves chocolate and peanut butter. He just finished scarfing down his peanut butter iced brownie and hot chocolate before taking the picture below. He's got a mean scowl he'll shoot you in an instant, but underneath he's got a heart of gold.