Wrapping up Fall Break!

I must admit while it was nice to stay home on a scheduled break, not have to travel, plan or pack, I do miss getting away!   The girls I think missed the beach too.  Maybe next year!   

What a beautiful young lady!  I am so proud of her! 

These two are precious and have really taken to each other!  Gracie is still a big help with Bella on walks and feeding her (as well as keeping track of her in the house!)

Girls and their puppy! 

This is one of my favorite snap shots of Maggie!  

Bella and Maggie adore each other can you tell? 

Nothing better than sisters (most days…) 

Since it has been getting colder we decided Sunday night would be a great time to do our first fire night of fall and roast marshmallows.   

These girls patiently waiting for their Daddy to get the fire together!  

This year we soaked in our puppy!   She is super sweet.   We sent her to puppy daycare on Monday since Jimmy was home and we were going to be out most the day.  We are trying to socialize her to other dogs and to be honest this gave us a break too!   The girls were really missing her by the end of the day!  We enjoyed the apple orchard (always a fall favorite), picking out our pumpkins, and some good naps too!   

Ready for fall!  We loved picking out our pumpkins at a near by stand.  (we decided this year that was as good as it was going to get as we did not have a weekend where we could go to Nashville like we did 2 years ago and loved it). 

Instead of carving we decided to paint them.  The girls loved the activity. 

Completed art project! 

Tuesday I told Jimmy he owed me big time....both girls flu shots (they both apparently since last year are terrified of needles!) and we managed to give Bella her first bath at home.  What an experience!   

Bella after her bath! 

She does not look to happy with us! 

For quiet time I did not require they sleep, just rest.  Maggie insisted that she did not need a nap…clearly she was more tired than she though.  

…must have been from playing so hard in her room before she fell asleep.  It was a disaster! 

Maggie LOVES to cheer!   She cheers all the time! And loves to wear CCS t-shirts like Gracie!  This shirt is from when Gracie was in Kindergarten.    

Wednesday was back to work and school!  I throughly enjoyed my extra snuggles with the girls, our play time, naps in the afternoon and more than anything just being home.   Now we are all ready to get back to work and routine for all of us. 

Gracie had been complaining of her ear hurting for a few days so Friday night I took her to PM Peds on the way home from school.  Immediately after hearing her symptoms they asked if she swam much. Of course.  After a quick look they diagnosed her with swimmers ear.   They called in ear drops but then we were up most of Friday night with pain and Saturday she was in tears so back we went.  They also now have given her an oral antibiotic.   Preventative: action:  have her wear ear plugs and also flush her ear out with peroxide from time to time.  

Why does she look like a teenager?   

Although she was not feeling well she dressed up (even with the okay from me to be in shorts and a t-shirt)

We enjoyed lots of company, family and friends this weekend as well as getting caught up on other chores (finishing organizing the girls rooms,  working in the yard, etc.).   We hosted Jimmy’s work team for a cookout.  It was a nice time to visit.  All those that have younger kids had girls.  So we had 7 little girls over to play!

After the party my brother, SIL and niece stopped by!  We always love having them over.  Gracie enjoyed Ellie snuggles in bed and watching Tarzan.   When they went to leave Gracie even got big “real” kisses (normally Ellie will lean in as if she is going to kiss bit not really!).  These cousins adore each other. 

These girls!  I am so glad they are close. 

Maggie spent the weekend with her best friend Addison.   They look cute together.  Addison is just a few weeks younger than Maggie and for her birthday did not want a party, just wanted Maggie to come spend the weekend!  So they took Maggie home with them after school, brought her back for Jimmy’s work party and picked her back up to spend Saturday night too!  Both those girls were having so much fun together!   

Sleepover time!  These girls are too precious!  

They went to Old McDonald Farm and met up with Tyler another buddy of theirs.   These three have been in school together since they ware just babies! 

Playing in the corn!  Maggie, Tyler, and Addison.  

Maggie, Addison and Tyler down on the farm.  

A fun fact for you girls when you read this years from now:    Gas is $2.59/ gallon which is the lowest it has been in 6 years!  

The Start to Fall Break

Sister Pics on Sunday 

Of course we had to get one with Bella! 

I am sure it is a surprise that Bella is quite spoiled.  

Gracie had church Sunday night with her friend Kenzie, so Maggie and I had time while Jimmy was in Atlanta with Papa at the Falcons game.    Maggie insisted on wearing this out….and I agreed.  I am learning (some times better than others) to let them be little, let them be who they have been created to be and get my own self out of the way!).   

Maggie took this pic on my phone before use lots her second tooth Monday at school.

Two missing teeth now! 

The girls have known for some time that we were not traveling for fall break and were disappointed until they knew the reason was Bella!   While we do miss the beach (where we were lsat year for Fall Break) or some new location to share the adventure together, it has been nice to stay put.  We have played hard with Bella, fully transitioned to fall/ winter clothes, cleaned the playroom, rest with naps, and did I mention play hard?   

Bella snuggles as we started Fall Break! 

They both piled on Gracie's bed! 

I have enjoyed being home and the chance to rest and play with the girls.  Friday we did a lunch date to Chili’s (the girls love it and Jimmy and I not so much).  Saturday we went bowling together, rested and enjoyed a date night (and the girls enjoyed some time with Ms. Erika, one of their daycare teachers they don’t see any more since they are both at CCS now).   It was a perfect day!

Lunch date! 

Ready to bowl! 

Watching the pins fall

Daddy and his Daughters!  There is NOTHING better to me than to watch these three together! 

Jimmy is working with Gracie on her form! 

Believe it or not, she is receiving the feedback well and really wants to learn!  

Daddy loves while he shows them the video of Gracie bowling.  

A Bike Rider!

Gracie after working a few weeks on balance on her bike, we put the pedals back on and off she went!  Even after falling o few times (with some tears mostly for effect) she got back on and kept doing it!  We are so proud of her!  

She finally got it! 

She was very proud of herself and she should be! 

Daddy and Bella were watching as she took off!     Daddy worked really hard with Gracie! 

Gracie was not feeling well the first part of the week and complained of a headache and stomach ache Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but had no other symptoms until Wednesday as school was ending I got a call from Ms. Wendy.   Gracie was running a 101 fever.   So we made a trip to the doc and it sure enough it was strep.   Gracie hardly ever complains of a soar throat, but rather throws up once (Sunday on the way home from Atlanta in the car which I assumed was just motion sickness or too much junk food), headaches and then a fever.    We enjoyed a day home together Thursday.  I worked some and we snagged a Mommy Daughter lunch date.   

A night at home always means extra Bella time! 

Gracie and Bella snuggled! 

This weekend was one of the busiest weekends we have had in a long time and while we are very tired (primarily due to the new puppy addition that is up at 5am EVERY day of the week) we would not trade the moments and friendships for anything.    We had a fun birthday party at the trampoline center for Abbie a neighbor of ours, we went to CCS to the elementary play of Winnie the Pooh, Gracie was surprised to see her good friend Addison from daycare there, Milk and Honey gelato with her best friend since Kindergarten Kenzie and her family then home, then friends from school that moved to Nashville were in town so we grilled dinner to visit and play.   It was a full day but one that always reminds me how sweet friendships are and how blessed we are to share life with those around us.    

Maggie was short of attention apparently so she decided to cover her face in icing! 

Bella snuggled with her new blanket! 

Gracie and Addison.  They were in daycare together since they were babies and now at different schools, but when they see each other that is a sweet moment!  Big hugs and smiles for these two friends.    Addison had a friend at the CCS play and Gracie did as well. 

Kenzie and Gracie.  Kenzie was a blue bird in the CCS Winnie the Pooh play!   

Gracie loves to have Bella snuggles like this before bed!  Maggie enjoys Bella kisses when she wakes up each morning.  

Bella has a rough life!  If we could get her to stay awake longer at night maybe she would sleep past 5am on a weekend!  I joked with friends this weekend that it is harder than an infant ….at least then I got maternity leave from work!  ha!