Happy Birthday Jorja & Kiley!

This evening Emma Grace went to a birthday party for her friends Jorja & Kiley Atkins (Jorja is 3 & Kiley is 6). She had a great time, Bailey Byrd and a few other of her pre school buddies were there too. (Just hope we didn't pick up a virus while we were there). - we do not go to those bounce places during the fall and winter months
unless we have a party to attend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jorja & Kiley!!!!!

Secret Garden

This afternoon Rhoni Speed and I went to see one of our 6th grade students, Melita Piercy, acting in the play The Secret Garden. Melita stared in the leading role of the play , as Mary. The play was at the Oak Ridge Playhouse in Oak Ridge. We were SO proud of her, she did an excellent job! She was also in the play Annie back in the fall. I told her she is a fantastic little actress , and we may just see her on Broadway one day! :) The other girl (on the far right) is her friend Victoria, also one of our students!

Andrew & Emma Grace....missing Morgan

We went to Connor's for lunch today after church. Andrew & Emma like to go there because they have a fireplace to sit beside while you're eating. We have missed Morgan this weekend. He has been gone since Friday after school to a youth retreat in Gatlinburg, Ressurection. It's not the same when one of us is gone for a day or two.

Snow day #2

We woke up this morning to an unexpected fresh dusting of snow. It was only about an inch, but still a wonderful surprise! Andrew an Emma Grace bundled back up today and headed back outside. We were happy to see that "Snowy" & "Pinky" had survived the night. Emma decided that

Pinky needed a "makeover". Todays snow is so soft and powdery that we couldn't build anymore snow people. :( But, we will take what ever we can get here in the valley!

Morgan & Emma Grace's HALF Birthdays

Today Emma Grace is 3 and a half years old. Yesterday, Morgan was 14 and a half. Their birthdays are July 18th and July 19th - but 11 years apart. Morgan & Emma have always had a very special and sweet bond. He treats her like she is royalty and watches her like a hawk. He is more

protective of her than I am. And oh how she loves him. Anyone one who knows Emma well, knows that she LOVES the Disney Princesses. When she dresses up in her Princess dresses - she always wants him to be the "handsome Prince". He is so good to play along.
The top picture is them on July 19th -

their Birthdays!!! These last 2 pics were made today after playing out in the snow together.
Just six more months they will be 4 and 15.

a Snow Day..... Finally!

Andrew & Emma Grace have been praying for SNOW for weeks. Even though we only got just

a little more than a "dusting", it thrilled them to death! They were soooo excited! Andrew built a snowman which he named "Snowy". He also built Emma Grace one, which she named "Pinky". (That is what she

names everything!) I am so glad they were out of school today and didn't have to watch the snow fall from a classroom window!

A change for Emma's sunday school...

This Sunday was the last Sunday for "Upagi Village" at our church. That is what they call the "worship service" for the preschoolers, ages 2 - 5 year olds. Emma Grace loves "Monkiki" the star of the puppet show and " Safari Sarah". They will still have their worship time together, it will just be called "Elevate Jr" now, with a different theme.

The top picture is her with one of her favorite Sunday school teachers, Mr. Ed and Ashley Parrish.


**Look at Emma Grace's poor chapped lips. :(

Andrew's awards day

This morning was the 3rd grade Awards day at Karns Elementary for the 1st semester. This was his 1st awards day as an "intermediate grade" student. Beginning in the 3rd grade, their grades are : A, B, C etc. instead of E, S & N. Third grade is a big year academically. He got "Perfect attendance", "Character Counts" and "1st Honors award". We are so proud of him for making straight A's the entire 1st semester, because good grades do not came as "easily" for him as they do for Morgan. yeah Andrew, love you!
PS - I wasn't able to go to the Awards assembly this morning , because I had to be at work - but John made these pictures for me, didn't he do a good job! :)

A girl and her dresses (and shoes)

Emma Grace LOVES, I mean LOVES dresses and shoes. She really doesn't play with any type of toy, doesn't watch TV, or even color (much). ALL she wants to do is change clothes... No, not "normal" clothes - dress up clothes. If you were to show up at our house at any random time, most likely she will be dressed as either a Disney Princess, a fairy or Ballerina. :)

another Star Bucks addict in the family

Morgan got me hooked back in the summer on Frozen mocha cappuccinos. Since it has turned cold weather, we've loved the HOT drinks, and I have never been a coffee drinker in my life. They have the most AMAZING hot chocolate with whipped cream in the world. I am convinced that they "put something in" their drinks to make you become addicted to the place. I can't drive by one with out pulling into the parking lot. Andrew has always been a Hot chocolate "connosuier", and even he says it is the BEST!
Also, If you have never tried their Pumpkin Bread, you need to!

New Ballet studio for Emma Grace

This afternoon, Emma Grace had her 1st ballet class at her new dance Studio, Oak Ridge Academy of Dance. We loved Starz Elite, but they decided to shut down the "dance" studio and focus on cheer. We were sad to leave, but happy to find a new place with room for her in the middle of the year. Her new ballet teacher is Miss Rachel, and Emma seemed to really like her a lot today. Emma Grace "dances" EVERY single day and wears one of her many tutus around the house all the time. It is all she will wear when we are at home. She loves the little white mouse "Angelina Ballerina" - it is on PBS Sprout on demand. For now... this is "her thing"...

Inservice day

Today I attended a wonderful Inservice for several Knox County middle schools at Hardin Valley Academy. The main speaker was a man named Riney Jordan. Mr. Jordan is a nationally well known motivational speaker. He is the former assistant to the superintendent, principal, teacher and public relations director for a large Texas School district. He was so funny and inspirational, it made me love my job even more than I already do! I liked him so much that I bought a copy of his book and had it signed. (I love meeting authors) This will make a nice addition to my "Teacher Book" collection. I love books even though I don't have the time I would like, to actually READ!

Wilderness at the Smokies indoor waterpark

Wilderness at the Smokies indoor waterpark

Andrew's 9th birthday was on New Year's Eve. He decided that he would like to visit the new Wilderness Indoor Water Park in Seveirville. It was so much fun. The boys both enjoyed

body boarding and the Storm chaser slide. (The orange & white funnel).
Emma Grace spent most of her time in the kiddie area and "hot pool" as she called it. The wave pool was also fun. It was like a smaller version of Dollywood Splash Country just indoor. The website for this resort is www.wildernessatthesmokies.com