Last day of Fall Break

Elaina's school had 1 day more for fall break than other Knox County schools (Monday). 

So, I took the day off to enjoy with her.  It was an amazing fall day.  I loved it.  We had one of those days that, as a mom, made me wish all days were as beautiful and easy breezy as this one was.  She was very content and happy that day and we just had a great day together doing, well.....not much of anything but being together.  No stress of having to get anything done - just enjoy the day.  Good stuff. 

We visited my Mammaw earlier that day, then, the highlight of the day was a bike ride we took (she rode, I walked - I don't have a bike).  Elaina has not really been into her bike all that much but lately a few friends of hers have learned to ride a "2 wheel" bike so her interest has been peaked a bit more lately.  After mammaw's house, she told me she wanted to go ride her bike.  So, we did.  She rode over a mile or so on her bike - no complaining at all (which is unusual).  This is big for her.  I walked beside/behind her.  The weather was PERFECT, and I do mean PERFECT.  The leaves were GORGEOUS.  Good day.  One that is etched in my memory, for sure.  I just loved watching her ride.  Love that little girl :)

 

She wanted to stop and take a break... just sat down on the this parking curb and watched traffic.  Not for long because soon  she was off again.

Small Group Fall Party

Sunday evening, our small group had a fall party and did fun games and activities with the kids...  Some pics of the action....

 

We decorated pumpkins - these kits you can buy to stick/poke into/onto the pumpkins were perfect for the kids.  The girls did cats.

 

Olivia

Elaina's cat

And, Ms. Caitlyn

Some boys did pirates.  This one is Alek's pumpkin

.... and some did mummies (Jack's mummy)

Then we roasted some dogs over an open flame... delicious!

Next up was games... we did a relay race (girls against boys) where they carried spoon fulls of candy corn from one bucket to a container down the yard.  Very fun and fun to watch.

Elaina being careful not to drop any....

Patrick - look at the concentration on that kid

Jack...

Owen looks like he is about to eat his scoopful

Caitlyn - look at the form.

I love Olivia's face...  It's all in how you hold your mouth :)

The girls bowl... the boys won this particular game.

 

We also did a pumpkin rolling contest - boys against girls... the girls won that contest.  No pics from this event.

 



Next, we played the "grand prize game" - any adults remember this game? Bozo did not make an appearance.  The kids loved this game.  This is them lined up watching Owen toss.

Next up... marshmellow roasting for SMORES, baby!  YUM!  I ALWAYS love a smore - always!

The Bellis family

Then the kids decorated cookies...always a fun time

I am not sure who is more excited- Alek or his dad, Chad...

There was not a contest but if there would have been, Brandi would have won the best cookie.

The final activity of the night was a marshmellow fight....?  Impromptu but totally fun.  I am not sure who started it but it ended up with Brandi whipping out the leftover bag of marshmellows and the kids (and adults) started chucking them at each other.  Totally fun.  It was my first marshmellow fight ever.  Won't be my last.  

Totally and completely LOVE my small group family.  We always have fun no matter what we do...  Can't wait for our next party.

Disney on Ice

These past few days were Elaina's fall break at school.  It's her "first one" being grade schooler so it's a milestone, I guess.  She stayed with my sister, her Aunt Kate, Thursday and Friday - thanks, Kate!  She always loves to stay with her aunt Kate - she is super duper fun!

Thursday night, Erik and I took her Disney on Ice.  Her second time to go.  The first time we sat very close to the ice and Elaina ducked down behind a chair the first 10-15 minutes of the show because the big bright people in costumes scared her.  This time, we sat up higher and she was not scared at all.  I personally did not like this show as much as the last but that is my personal opinion.  But, she still loved it.

Before the show started.... with a tinkerbell spinny light thing...

Daddy and daughter

Cars...

Little Mermaid - did not get pictures of Ariel....oops!

Tinkerbell

Being silly during intermission

A less silly pose

The entire second half was Toy Story... Jessie, her favorite Toy Story character

And, Woody.

It was a great night to spend as a family....  More to come from the weekend of Fall Break. Stay Tuned :)

5 year old pictures

Elaina turned 5 a long time ago... I know, I know.  But I never got these pictures posted of her 5 year pictures.  We had them made back in August.  They turned out very cute and of course, we cherish them.  A big shout out to Brianna Turner of Brianna Leigh Photography for taking these shots.  We used her for our Christmas pics last year and again for this session.  She's awesome!

Here are some.  Enjoy!