Lunch Date

My youngest still loves me to come have lunch with her.  I enjoy that, and really treasure these moments because they won't last forever.  The older two would prefer I drop off Chick-fil-A without being seen, and eating with them has been completely out of the question for years.

Here's some of her classmates sitting across the table.  

Before leaving the school, I had a chance to read her latest assignment posted on the wall.  Precious!

Conversation

Here's the conversation that took place earlier today:

Son:  Mom, do you notice anything different about me?
Me:  Yes, I took you to get your hair cut and you look nice.
Son:  No, that's not it.
Me:  Oh, you brushed your hair.  I like it.
Son:  No, Mom, gosh.  I shaved.
Me:  What?  Why did you shave?  I didn't know you had whiskers.
Son:  Yes, I've shaved 3 times now.  You can tell when I haven't shaved in a while.
Me:  Oh, I haven't noticed.  Let me feel your face.
Son:  Get your hands off my face!  That's weird.  Don't touch me!
Me:  (trying not to laugh) Well, you look handsome.  Do you want me to buy you some razors and shaving cream?
Son:  Yeah, maybe.  I lost mine so I've been using Dad's.

Since he wouldn't let me take his picture, I had to take this when he wasn't looking.

MLK Service Weekend

This past weekend, the little one helped me clear brush from a new cancer survivors park opening this summer.  Construction begins in February!  If interested in the progress, here's the link to the organization's website:  http://www.cancersurvivorspark.org/

Teacher & Student

 Our oldest has been a gymnastics coach for the little classes almost a year now.  She loves it!

Our youngest enjoys going now that soccer is over, and their classes overlap one day a week.

First 100

When a new Chick-fil-a opens, it's a big deal to be the first 100 customers.  We found this out a few days ago.  I'm the one in-line under the big green arrow.

We found out that if you're willing to show up at 6am the day prior, you'd be entered into a drawing for 52 free meals (one per week.)  Since our oldest didn't have school, she wanted to do this.  I agreed to stand in line with her.

Apparently, luck wasn't on her side.  Out of 136 in line, only 100 names and 10 alternate names were drawn and chosen to camp out all night in 10 degree weather.  We did receive 4 free sandwich coupons for our trouble of waiting an hour, but I'd say we were the lucky ones. 

Christmas Spirit

There are lots of Santa's this time of year who relay the messages back to the North Pole.  But every now and then you come across the real Santa, and we were blessed to see him when he stopped in South Carolina.

Only my girls were willing to talk with him, so they received a special ornament.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Birthday #8

Our little one had her special day that is always 12 months in the making!  This year was a little backwards in how we did things, but all the components of our family tradition were there.

We began her celebration with a party of girls coming over from 1-5pm.  The movie was at 3pm, so we did cake and presents first before heading to the theater.  It was a LOUD drive to the movies and back, but they all seemed to have fun.

Next on the birthday agenda was a family outing.  She chose Outback despite her siblings trying to convince her to go elsewhere.

That night (before her birthday), we decided to open family presents since her brother had a wrestling match the next day.  She loved her birthday shirt, earrings, cards, Justice trinkets, and a big stuffed animal from Frozen.  Thank you for all the wonderful, sweet gifts!

On her real birthday morning, we made her breakfast in bed with waffles, fruit, and milk.  Look at who photo bombed the pic!  Happy Birthday little one!