Happy Thanksgiving!

My parents came on Wednesday after Grace counted down the days until their arrival. When they got here, we ate dinner and then got to work! Grace even got to help some this year, which thrilled her little heart. Grace pinching up toast for the dressing... When she got bored with this job, she decided to take some pictures. Here are a few of the choice ones:We woke up ready to get to work on Thanksgiving morning! Eric and I made the dressing again this year. We also made mashed potatoes, squash casserole, and cranberry salsa. Yum. And Grace made a pumpkin pie with very little assistance from her Daddy! It was delicious, by the way...

We enjoyed a great meal with both sets of our parents and Eric's Granny & Pawpaw. I wish we had gotten some pictures!! I got so into the prep work that I failed to take any pictures...I think my in-laws have some on their camera--Grace got a hold of it!!

After the football game, we went out in the front yard and put up some Christmas lights. Grace was so, so happy! After we got ours up, we headed to Eric's parents to look at theirs...

It was a great day! Happy Thanksgiving!!

What Grace is Thankful For...

We did a little project today where we cut pictures out of magazines to represent people of things that we are thankful for. Grace's handiwork cracked me up! Some funny observations:
1) not only am I Taylor Swift, Eric and I are Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Swayze...not too shabby!
2) my niece, Lauren, is Drew Barrymore. Nice!
3) Her Crocs made the list!
4) The library made the list!! Awww...this book nerd mama is so proud!
5) Niecy Nash made the list. When Eric asked who she represented, Grace said, "Niecy Nash!" I think it's hilarious how much Grace loves "Clean House!"

We are absolutely, positively super-duper thankful for that sweet girl!

Thankfulness

As Thanksgiving approaches, our family has been talking more about what we are thankful for. It is refreshing. While your worries and trials are sometimes what get the focus in your life, it is much more productive to count your blessings!

We are always talking about having "an attitude of gratitude." This is a year round conversation! Grace has also been talking about thankfulness at school as Thanksgiving approaches. She made a super cute turkey hat that listed what she was thankful for. It reads:

"I thank God for...Mommy & Daddy, Friends, My Cats, Dog."

We read a precious book this week entitled "A Plump and Perky Turkey" by Teresa Bateman. It is so cute! If you have young kids, it is a must read! The rhymes are hypnotic and the illustrations are delightful. We read it, and about an hour later, Grace came up and said, "Mama, why weren't those people thankful for what they had?" It brought tears to my eyes. I love it when God allows a little glimpse into your child's heart...

Take a few seconds and think about all the things you take for granted...do you have an attitude of gratitude???



"Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." I Thessalonians 5:17-18

Faux Thanksgiving

Saturday started with a bang! I woke up and loaded the car, got us dressed, and rushed to the Shortino's for Ella's birthday party. I prepped Grace ahead of time, letting her know that we would have to leave a little early to drive to Gladewater. She wasn't super happy, but she was such a big girl about it. She made me proud!

From there, we drove furiously to get to Faux Thanksgiving in time for lunch and merriment. We were late due to numerous potty breaks, but we still beat my sister, Nicole!! (Haha...love you sister!)

We ate some fantastic food and then the kids went outside. Grace LOVED playing soccer with Lauren & Dillon. Is it me, or do Grace's soccer moves still look a little like ballet?! All the kids...some are related, some aren't, but they are all family!

After that, it was a little too quiet, so a few of us started a dance party: We got a little loud, and, somehow, it turned into an even bigger dance party: My daddy and my aunt...don't they look mischievious??!By the time we made the drive home, my sweet baby girl was totally spent. We both had so much fun! We have so much to be thankful for!

Adventure Princess

Eric and Grace headed out Thursday night for their very first Adventure Princess meeting at the Fields' house. Grace came home with an apple turkey and a big smile!
Sarah, Grace, Ella, Brooke, Karis, Emily, Kathryn, and Elaina with their dads...

Cinderella

Friday night was fabulous!! Eric picked up his two best girls for a night of magic...well, first we ate Mexican food, then we proceeded on to the magic!

We met the Shortino family at the Methodist Church for their children's theater production of Cinderella. It was absolutely wonderful! We had such a great time and Grace has not stopped talking about it!

Grace and Brooke in the "kid pit." They sat like such ladies and really enjoyed the show!

Girl Day

On Friday morning, Grace and I decided to call Angie and Jessie to join us for breakfast at local diner. We had a great visit, and Jessie even got to come play with us for a while. I love this picture of the girls at Micheal's trying on Halloween headbands! Too cute!