Thanksgiving Feast: Kindergarten Style

Before leaving home for school

All smiles

So proud to be the momma of this adorable little Pilgrim

Table of Pilgrims and Indians 

On Tuesday, Lily Grace's class enjoyed a Thanksgiving Feast for lunch.  A drawing was held weeks prior to determine who  would attend as a Pilgrim and who would be an Indian.  While Lily Grace had hopes of being an Indian, she made a really cute Pilgrim.  
The kids had a great time and looked adorable seated around the tables filled with traditional Thanksgiving food sent in by parents.  

Tea with a Sugar Plum Fairy

In the lobby of the Peabody Hotel before the tea

We were seated at the Dew Drop Fairy Table

Making her autograph card

Lily Grace and The Sugar Plum Fairy 

Getting autographs from some of the dances and posing for pictures with them

Tea was served

Enjoying a mini performance by some of the dances who play "toy dolls" in the nutcracker ballet

Oh!  The cupcake decorating station...Lily Grace was in heaven

Having fun dancing... that big open mouth smile says it all

Dancing with the Sugar Plum Fairy

PRICELESS

A spin on the floor with daddy..so sweet

A wonderfully sweet ending to a wonderful and most memorable day

Matt and I started taking Lily Grace to see the Nutcracker Ballet when she was 3.  Even then, she was smitten with aspects of it and loved to come home and pretend to be the dancers, in particular, Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy.  Now at 5 and a half she has a much better understanding of the story and her love for it only seems to grow.  
This year, we decided to take her to the Nutcracker Tea at the Peabody Hotel.  She has been so excited and by lunch today, she could hardly contain herself.  
We arrived in the "Land of Sweets" around 2:00 pm and it was beautiful, fun and entertaining the entire time we were there.  All dressed up, she was served high tea with finger sandwiches, and some delectable desserts.  
She was I must say, a little in awe when her turn came to get her picture made with none other than the Sugar Plum Fairy.  There was no need to tell her to smile, she couldn't stop.  It was sooo cute!!! 
She also enjoyed getting autographs from the other dancers, games, a  mini lesson with some of the professional dancers from the Nutcracker ballet, a cupcake station, a candy pot station and lots, I mean lots of dancing.  She not only danced with several of the dancers, but daddy too and that was just as exciting and sweet.
We ended our evening with the march of the Peabody ducks back up to their home and we headed for home as well.  
While her favorite character Clara was not there, according to Lily Grace, her favorite part was "EVERYTHING.!!"  
What special memories were made today.  Watching Lily Grace get so excited and come face to face with some of the people she admires and imitates was just something I will cherish always.  We all had so much fun and we can't wait to do it again next year.  

Beyond 40 Blessings

Today at 40

Well it has arrived, another birthday.  Not just any birthday mind you, a big one.  The big 4-0 to be exact.  Let me just be honest and say that I have not been looking forward to this one, or excited in the least.  I still can't believe it, even after cake, all the cards, gifts, well wishes and calls.  Now to be completely honest, I have been absolutely dreading this one.  However, as the day has wore on, I've come to realize something.  There are worse things to dread.  I'm healthy, I'm loved and I am blessed.  I'm blessed beyond what I ever imagined and more than what I deserve.  
If I had to, I could count 40 blessings in a matter of a few minutes.  I have a beautiful daughter who I love with all of my heart who was the greatest gift ever at 34 and is still the best gift at 40.  She is today and will always be the best part of me.  Lily Grace is a true blessing from God.  
At 40, I am married to my best friend.  I have been with Matt for over half of my life now.  Today at 40, I can't imagine a day without him.  
I'm blessed at 40 to be loved by my Savior, no matter what.  Lord, you know that at 40, while I may be a bit wiser, I won't always use that wisdom in the things I say and do and yet you still and will always love me.  Thank you God!
So, while I have tried to hide from 40 and avoid it's coming, it's here and I am proud to be 40 and indeed BLESSED!  Thanks be to God.  

Angelina Ballerina

 On her way trick-or-treating

Hoping for a treat as well for sitting still

This year, Lily Grace decided to be the little mouse Angelina Ballerina.  She and I had the best time making her costume and she looked adorable.  

Molly looked pretty cute herself wearing the little ears.  I just couldn't resist trying the ears on her.  

Both these girls are just as cute as can be!

With a cluck, cluck here...

Last week, Lily Grace's Kindergarten class took their first field trip.  They visited a large farm about 30 minutes away.  They got to see and do so many things.  They got to feed several animals, milk a goat, go on a  hayride, ride a pony, take a train ride, take part in the turtle races and visit the pumpkin patch.  We also enjoyed a picnic lunch outside before returning to school.  
Matt and I went along and I have to say, it is still pretty surreal to be the parents of a Kindergartner.  We are having so much fun and just cherish and adore sharing in all of these new experiences with Lily Grace.  What a blessing!

Fall Festival and a Cool Cat

 You really had to be there to appreciate the frighted look on her face as she came down this slide at the Fall Festival.

 Two silly girls having a great time

 Lily Grace's favorite game at the festival was this toilet paper toss.  Funny!

 These girls LOVED the funnel cake.  

With one of her teachers at church

A few weekends ago our church held it's annual Fall Festival.  Lily Grace was so excited about going.  To add to her excitement, she was going with her friend Claire and then, just when she thought things couldn't get any better, her name was drawn to bring home the class mascot for the weekend.  The huge smile and excitement on her face when I picked her up from school was priceless.  

We had a great time at the festival and loved having Cool Cat for the weekend.  Cool Cat went everywhere with us, from the Fall Festival to church and everywhere in between. We even took Cool Cat to Build-A-Bear for some new pajamas.  
What an exciting weekend!

Special Visit

A couple of weekends ago, (yes, I'm a little behind with the blogging.) our cousin Jessica and her boyfriend Cody came to visit.  Lily Grace was beside herself with excitement.  She loves and adores her cousin Jessica.  
Jessica and Cody went out of their way to make Lily Grace feel special during their visit.  They visited her at school where Jessica read to her class and then returned later in the day to have lunch with her.  
After school, Lily Grace was all too excited to take Jessica and Cody to one of her favorite places, a quaint little cupcake shop.  (They have the best chocolate icing!!)
The three of them spent countless hours playing and Cody even taught Lily Grace to draw stars.  

Thank so much Jessica and Cody for visiting and for being so giving of yourselves to Lily Grace during your visit.  You made her feel so special and loved.  And she loves you right back!!