Christmas Party Day

Today was Christmas party day for all the kids. Grant and Graham had their program the same time as Ellyson's party, so Nana came to the rescue and attended Ellyson's party.

I was able to schedule a combined Pre-K party, meaning my class was with G&G's class, so I could be with both classes at once!

Sorry the program is split into two videos. I accidentally clicked "stop" instead of pause. Grant is back row, far left. Graham is back row, center. Both are wearing white shirts with Christmas ties. Graham has his tongue hanging out through at least one song in the first video ... Sigh.

Both Pre-K classes (minus two, out of town).

We had to show the kids how to limbo!

Nana at Ellyson's party.

And then I scooted to Carter's party. Here's his blind-drawn snowman.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I finally have my child labor! Graham said it was like a workshop, and they were all excited to help stuff Christmas cards. Disclaimer: I cannot verify that each envelope received one letter and one card - I *believe* that is the case.

Someone decided the Christmas train coordinates with Imaginext toys.

Jack decided to Christmas-ize the kids' pictures in the living room.

Memphis Marathon Weekend

This man is amazing. Last Saturday, he ran the St. Jude marathon in Memphis. Five years ago, his orthopedist told us that he'd never be able to run long distances (more than a few miles) due to his injuries from his car accident. A year ago, he finished his first post-accident half-marathon. Last week, he finished a full marathon in 4 hours, 27 minutes.

We took the opportunity of being in a new place, to see some things with the kids.

We drove across upstate Mississippi.

We visited the Memphis Zoo, which is ranked as #1 in the U.S.

Reindeer at the zoo!

Sea lion show.

Dire wolf. Just kidding. Arctic wolf.

We stayed at a brand-new resort in Graceland. It was two doors down from Elvis's house.

Have Sharpies; will travel. The kids made signs for Jack's race. Oh, and I made matching shirts for the kids and me.

We saw Elvis's house from the fence.

Here's the Bass Pro Shop pyramid, behind Carter. We drove to it, but didn't go in. Saturday in December, at Bass Pro? Nope!

The kids and I watched the march of the Peabody ducks.

We went walking in Memphis ... On Beale Street. To Carter's delight, it smelled much better than Bourbon Street. To my delight, there was a Starbucks on the adjacent block.

We tracked Jack via e-crumbs, and saw him cross the 26-mile marker. I mean, we were standing there waiting for him the whole time.

We scored some barbecue from Rendezvous Barbecue, which Jack was happy to eat after a 4.5-hour run!

We drove across the Mississippi River to see Arkansas. Grant slept through it. (Side note, it took me 33 years to see the Mississippi in person, and now I've seen it twice in six months, in very different locations.)

We also stopped by the Lorraine Motel, where MLK was assassinated. Grant slept through that, too.

Coloring

You might feel motivated sometimes, but you're probably not Grant-with-49-feet-of-blank-drawing-paper motivated. One day, folks. He colored these in one day (minus one picture, which was colored by Graham, and says "Love Graham To Grant").

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from these little turkeys!

It was beautiful weather to enjoy some outside time! Maybe it will rain again one day soon.

Grant and Graham insisted upon a Charlie Brown style feast alongside their turkey - hence the popcorn, pretzels and jelly beans.

We're enjoying our week off of school. Blogging, sewing and baking have gone by the wayside since the school year ramped up. Lesson plans, newsletters, and dragging children to the grocery store now occupy my afternoons and evenings. So I took advantage of our week off, and took the kids to see Santa.

Top requests this year?
War toys, maps and books
A "Hillary Clinton" Barbie
A life-sized Batman
A "bigger room so Grant doesn't wake me up"