Doll House(s)

These two come up with creative ways to play together-

 "This guy is called Uncle Tyler" -Ty:

Same shirt 3(ish) years later:

(I sewed "Toppers" over the "Ecclesia" to make it work!)

 That's 'Sarge' in the kitchen:  :)

 

 

Little {Purple and Pink} Riding Hoods

I made the girls' winter coats again.  Before you call me crazy (okay- go ahead) I tried to buy some.  I really did. 

I got this email from Old Navy one Saturday morning- all fleece coats were $15 for one day only. So I loaded up all 4 kids (our first all-kids-and-me outing) and headed to Tupelo. Every coat was sold out, except two XXLs. I guess everyone got that email, huh?

 

I had this pattern from last year, when I had every intention of sewing their coats (and didn't.)

I picked the fabric (super fine corduroy and fleece) and they picked the colors.

Halle has worn hers to school several times already, and claims to love it.  Cate has only worn hers a few times, but has already ditched the tie- I don't know why I even made it, I knew she hates ties and belts. 



My favorite part, again, are the buttons on Cate's coat:  (Grandma's.)

Warm and cozy.  And less than $15, thankyouverymuch.

A Rough Start

Our Toppers are 0-3 to start the season.  Not fun.

We have been playing good teams.  One of them is picked to finish 1st in the conference we will be in next year, one of them beat the University of Central Arkansas last year, and the other one nearly beat Mississippi State last night (they are picked to finish 7th in our new conference- yikes!) 

On the up side- we haven't been beaten badly, and we haven't played very well yet.  That's good and bad.  Hopefully we can put a good game together and pick up some wins soon. 

Until then, we'll try not to be like Ty: 

There is enough pouting and whining around here as it is.

Jammies-

  Mmm- they all smell like Baby Magic.  My favorite.

Soccer

It maybe wasn't the smartest decision to let Halle play soccer this year.  JD was gone/working during most of the games and taking all 4 kids alone was a task.  But we survived!  (And Halle wanted to play.)

She's right in the middle:

 Our team was better than last year, but that's not saying a whole lot.  :)

Halle had fun and improved, so it was a success!

Music [warning: soapbox]

We are not musical people, really.  But JD and I were both convicted (separately) long ago that the music we put IN our ears comes OUT of our mouths and minds.  Junk in = junk out.  Now, that doesn't mean that we only listen to Christian music, but I promise it makes a huge difference.

 

Sunday mornings we have what the kids call "Family Church."  We sing and pray and do a Bible study in the living room.  They love the singing- we put music videos on the TV and sing and dance along. 

 

Here are our current favorite choices (they are not new songs, just family favorites!)

 

"Like a LION"



"Angel Armies"

 (This is Cate's favorite.  Probably where her desire to dress as Mary came from!):

 

I could add 20 more, but I won't.  You get the picture.

 

 

 

My current obsession is learning the words (beyond the first verse) of some of the old hymns.  I didn't grow up in a hymn-singing church and honestly, I prefer the newer stuff most of the time.  But there is such beauty and truth and solid doctrine in so many of the hymns- and they make great lullabies.  :)

 

 

 

 

PS- It's NOVEMBER!!  I can break out my Christmas music!  (House rules = no Christmas stuff up until after Thanksgiving, but music can start in November.) 

 

PPS- If you're a Pandora fan, my favorite "channel" is Jimmy Needham- you'll get Dave Barnes, Ben Rector, Matt Wertz, Jason Mraz, Parachute, etc.  Good stuff.

Church Harvest Festival

Cate changed her mind again.

(Can you tell what has been recycled from last year into her Red Riding Hood outfit?)

 Ty didn't play the games, he played HIS game. 

(Basketball.)

 Best Buds:

 This costume made me double take, and then laugh:

(Have you seen that show??  Terrible.)

 I didn't get many good pictures because Isaac decided to be a little cranky. 
Oh well.

Here he is, dressed up and happy- at home: