like momma, like daughter

The girls had their first day back at school this past Wednesday. On Wednesdays, we usually go to lunch with Jason and while we wait on our food, I look through their school bags.

The week before Christmas break, we were all sick around the house and the girls did not get to attend. So many of the things they made before Christmas came home with them this past Wednesday.

When I opened Ava's bag this is what I found...

I'm not sure if she is posing for her mug shot or a Christmas ornament.

I love her. She is not going to fake it if she's not feeling it. Sometimes it's like looking in a mirror...

a snow day

Snow has been on the forecast all week and secretly I have been hoping for it not to snow. I know, bah humbug to me, right?

You see the girls have Mother's Day Out from 9 to 4 on Thursdays and the thought of having all day to myself sounded wonderful, especially since this one would be my last completely child-free day for who knows how long.

But, like a lot of things, today turned out even better than I could imagine. The church offices closed early and the whole family was able to spend a relaxing lazy day together.

We had a little hot chocolate when we got up. Followed by a romp in the snow, well, at least what the South calls a snow. The poor girls were trying to make snow angels in the snow and came up with more dirt on their backs than snow. While the girls and Jason were finishing up playing in the snow, I came inside and made some comfort food of chocolate gravy and biscuits. Yummy! Then, we all curled up in the bed together (thank goodness for a king size bed) and watched "A Bug's Life", one of the movies they got for Christmas. After that, we took a good 2 hour nap. That's my kind of day!

a baby shower

I have some other things to blog about, but it would be pretty boring without pictures so I have to wait on my hubby to get me those.

So, I'll move on to my baby shower!

I was so humbled when some ladies from church decided to get together and throw me a baby shower, especially since this is our third little girl! It meant a lot to us as a family that people wanted to celebrate her life just as much as our first one! I was so moved by the giving of time and the generosity of my hostesses and also the generosity of the ladies that came.

We had a yummy dinner of soup and salad.

The flowers in red and pink just like Lila's room.

Yeah! One week from today she will be here!

The incredible cake, pink on the outside and red velvet on the inside.

Sweet gifts...

The opening of the presents...




Some of my lovely hostesses...

Some of the guests...

reflections

Well, another year has come and gone.

This is how my oldest, Emma, started out this year.

And this is what she has grown to at the end of it. Emma is 4 years old and is my imaginative girl. She is constantly happy living in her pretend world where she is a different character every hour. She is my encourager, telling me how beautiful I look and how she loves my outfit. She loves school and is so ready to learn. She loves church and hates when she has to miss.

Ava at the beginning of the year...

Ava at the end of the year. She is my spunky almost 3 year old girl. She always wants to do it on her own. She's my explorer. She is going to make a great leader one day. I love that she enjoys school and church, but also really loves hanging out with Mommy and Daddy. I love that at random she comes up to me and kisses my belly and asks how baby Lila is doing today. She is always making sure that I feel good. Such a considerate little girl. She is moving out of the toddler phase and into a little girl. Tear...

The girls together at the beginning of the year...

And the girls at the end of this year. The best of friends! Just now as the girls were playing with their Play-doh at the table, Emma leaned over to Ava and said, "You know what Ava? I love you!" To which Ava said, "Well, you know what, Emma? I love you, too!"

So precious!

And at the beginning of this year, we will have another precious little one to add to the mix, Lila Kate!

christmas in memphis

After we were done celebrating with our family on Christmas morning, we headed out that afternoon to Memphis. When we got there, we opened gifts with my side of the family.

The girls were so excited about all the good stuff that Mimi and Aunt Nanie (Melanie) got them. It was a Christmas filled with Disney princesses and Fancy Nancy.

The girls are opening up the mega set of Disney Princess Barbies from Target. They have already played with these so much that they are looking a little disheveled.

Ohhh, Disney Princess figurines!

The girls had to watch over all of us as we opened our gifts. You know, just in case someone needed some help.

Here they are waiting on Papa.

Patiently waiting on Aunt Nanie...

Aunt Nanie posing in her new scarf from us.
The girls and Nana...

Waiting on Mimi to open her Wii from all of the family.

This gift that the girls got cracked us up. Melanie got some things from Victoria's Secret and 2 stuffed dogs came with it. She decided to give them to the girls. So the girls got their first gift from Victoria's Secret this year.

Emma's new precious Fancy Nancy, the Christmas edition.

Ava's with her new Fancy Nancy.

Aunt Nanie and a shocked Ava.

An attempt to get a picture together on Christmas day.

Mimi and Aunt Nanie

christmas morning

While we were sleeping Christmas Eve night, it looks like someone came for a visit. When the girls woke up, this is what they found...

But most importantly, this is what they found around the tree. It looks like Santa had him a snack and dropped off some presents for 2 little girls!
Santa did good this year. He had a theme going. He brought the girls all kinds of dress up/costumes. This is all that they have asked for repeatedly. Word on the street is that Santa hit up the after Halloween sale this year.

After the girls finished opening Santa's gifts, they opened the gifts that we got them. We got them books, puzzles, play-doh sets and much more.

This is a picture of Ava in one of her new costumes playing with her new movie camera.