It's Fall! CCS Homecoming Week!

It sure has felt like fall this week.  It has stayed in the mid 70’s  most days and warmed up to the 80‘s which has been great for spirit week.  The elementary fully participates in the week which Gracie loves!  It also made picking out clothes easy especially since this was a short travel week for me.     We did not get pics of each day, but several.  

Monday:   Duck Dynasty Day (camo day) 

Camo Day, this year we found something pink!

Wednesday:  Mismatch/  Backwards day.  We are reminded often, but especially days like this, how much Gracie is like me and has similar struggles.  Before I left I tried to help get clothes picked out which I though would be easy given nothing had to match right?  I struggled to make suggestions as even thought it was not suppose to match it still should look somewhat together right?  Every suggestion I made she quickly said “no”.   We come up with something not great, but okay.   Wednesday morning Jimmy sent me a picture of her dressed.   Completely not what I had picked out and it looked adorable and fitting for the day.   Jimmy said she was worried all morning on one else would be as mismatched as her, but he kept encouraging her.   When they walked into school she was at ease as she fit right in for the day.   Jimmy used it as an opportunity to help her that even if she was the most wildly dressed that was who she was that day and loved.   

Maggie on the other hand runs wild into Gracie’s school.  Doodle got right to the door, with Gracie and Jimmy well behind her, Gracie said “she is going to embarrass herself when she walks in all by herself.”  We love teaching moments. Jimmy and Gracie had discussion about being confident in who we are and not worried about what those around us think.   

A little blurry, but worth documenting!  

Maggie had Career week at school, so they brought in the big machines! 

Friday:  Homecoming!   We are blessed not only by the friends the girls have at school, but also their parents.  We met up for dinner with one family  before homecoming and then sat with our neighbors.  Almost all the kids had matching t-shirts so it was hard to pick Gracie out, but she enjoyed sitting on the hill with all the students watching the game rather than with us.   The school had done a fantastic job integrating all grades into the events.   This was the first year of Homecoming floats which were done by the High School classes   For a moment I had flashes to the days that our girls will be in those classes and had to blink and pray that the moments slow down just a bit! 

So blessed by CCS!  All the girls (Mommy, Maggie and Gracie had a girl night Thursday before the game for pedicures).    Gracie had "CCS" on her big toes! 

Working on our 2nd grade bug project.  Daddy and Gracie were identifying the insects! 

  The school at half time did a “flash mob” and all the kids ran out to do the Cha Cha!  Gracie was front and center and knew every move!  She loved it!  We were quite tired and decided to head home rather than catch up with my parents who were in town.    

Quick loves before the game when Gjyhs and KK got into town. 

A quick nap before the game! 

We wrapped up a great Saturday with gymnastics, starting our school insect project and dinner with family!   We are so blessed my brother, sister in law and Ellie live close by and my parents were in for the weekend.  It just felt great to all be out together, laughing and connecting.   

Working on decorating her egg carton for her bug project.   She is working very hard on this!

Sweet girls! 

KK was getting some girl time with Gracie and Ellie! 

Uncle Gabe and KK with the girls! 

Gjysh and Gracie at Milk & Honey!

KK and Gracie at Milk and Honey but Gracie decided she wanted hot chocolate! 

Love those miles of these two together! 

I got Ellie snuggles and Maggie took over feeding Ellie her gelato!  It is priceless to watch the girls interact and play with Ellie! 

This week we also had Gracie’s 2nd grade parent teacher conference.   While Gracie is doing okay and at grade level, she is on the lower side and focus needs to be given to ensure she pushes herself.   So, who do you do that with a child (who like her mom)  is not competitive at all.  When the math is timed and you need to know so many in a minute, getting Gracie to focus and do it fast is really a challenge.   We are trying a few rewards and encouragement which includes a penny for every math fact she gets in a minute.  She is really excited about filling her jar and what she gets to do with the money.   

A "to do" off our list list today...we finally ordered and hung our beach pictures!  We love how these turned out and how well Mr. Chris captured our girls and the rest of the family!