November Randoms

This month started off with a school science project.  Lawson had to build a machine using items found around our house that would do a "job".  The machine had to link 4 simple machines together and had to be triggered by one motion.  She took a piece of a paper and sketched out what she thought would work to pop a balloon.  We had to make a few modifications to her orignal design to make it actually work....which was to be expected.  The first time that the machine worked...we all busted out in applause and cheering!  It was funny how we were all so pumped about it actually working! She did a great job!

The first Friday in November Walmart toy vendors put on a big christmas event on the Bentonville Square.  They give away lots of new toys, demo new toys that will be on shelves for Christmas and had one of the stars from the Disney Descendant movie put on a concert and sign autographs.  We only had a few hours after school to attend before we had to be somewhere but we made them count.

As soon as we walked up we saw Sofia Carson (Evie on Disney Descendants), being interviewed by the local news. The sun was shining down on her and Lawson and I were like "Wow!"  She is beautiful!

We tried standing in line but they cut it off before we got to her.  The kids really wanted her autograph.  We kept trying to get to her but didn't have much luck...

...until RIGHT before they pulled her back stage for her concert.  I mean La and Hud got her last auto and selfie.  Thank you Sophia!  After watching her...while we waited for several hours...I was impressed with her poise and kindness.

We hit a putt putt course one friday afternoon.  We had a good time.  Some of us played golf and some of us played in the water!

I put out Mr. Turkey! 

This was Lawson's first attempt at straightening her own hair!  Pretty amazing!  She is 11 going on 16!

And one of the best parts of the month was Lawson's first band concert!  Pretty impressive the progress they are able to make after about 2 months of practice!

  She just makes you smile!

Thanksgiving 2015

We had a great Thanksgiving break.  Love that my job allows me the same breaks as my kiddos and all the time we have to spend with our families. We left for Little Rock Sunday after church.  On Monday, Lawson, Judy and I hung out with Lawson and her friend Anna.They had a great time hanging out together that included selfies, bowling, lunch, swinging, singing and shopping.  What more could a girl want?!

(LOVE, LOVE this pic.  Best part is that they couldn't Judy (who took this pic).  They were singing and dancing and totally checking out their refelction in the glass door.


Meanwhile the menz were hunting.

I mean "hunting"! 

We had a great time with our Little Rock crew.

Love the bunk beds at Nonie and Poppas.  (What is nostalgic is that we borrowed this bed from Judy and Turner while we lived for a year in an apartment in Bryant.  The kids shared a room and bunked like this ever night.

Next stop...t-town.What a crew!  And we were missing 5! (Steph's family)

The kids had a great time playing together.  Love how the boys stick together and the girls stick together.  Not much intermingling!  I also love that sometimes Hudson isn't sure who is Griffin and who isPalmer (and he's not the only one!) but that knowing who is who is not necessary for play.  He just calls them "the boys". 

My mom set a beautiful table with flowers and clippings she picked herself.

Of course the kids table was darling as usual.  However, Lawson did point out to me that her legs wouldn't fit under the table anymore.  Don't say that Lawson!

Picture pefect meal!  It was delish!

More girl and boy playtime!  I'm afraid of what is happening in the boy huddle!

Sibling domino play. Great idea!  And they worked hard.  But, it ended badly when one person knocked it down prematurely!

Conversations on top of the monkey bars are just better!  Just are.

And the favorite activity at Mimi's house....hands down is McDonalds play!  Nevermind we have to sit on our knees to play now!  (Mimi purchased this for $20 when Toys R Us was going out of business in Texarkana....best $20 ever spent!)

I saw this cute idea on pinterest to make "Turkey" cinamon rolls for the kids to make.  Of course, they were much more difficult than they appeared and I ended up doing most of it!  And most of them turned out a little scary...not cute!

The "after" thanksgiving dog walking...kind of turned into a tradition!  But, could be confused with the circus!  It's a lot of kids, dogs, leashes and out numbered grown ups!

Halloween 2015

Lawson had a dress up night at church the Wed before Halloween.  She told me that she wanted to dress up as Rosie the Rivitor.  I thought that was a strange request....and I said will anyone know who that is.  She looked at me perplexed and said..."Everyone knows who Rosie the Rivitor is."  Alright then!

They had a catwalk to show off your costume at church that night.  This photo on the churhc instagram the next morning.  Love that self confidence!

Hudson's class had a fun Halloween party.  Lot of fun activities.  I have noticed how class parties are so much less crazy the older kids get.  They are more content to "chill" and not run around the classroom.

On Halloween, we went to a carnival put on by First Tee of NWA that morning and a church pumpkin party that evening. 

Hudson was a storm trooper.

And Lawson was a Dolphin Trainer.

Face paint or faceplant? (cheeks are full of hot dog)

Unfortunately, faceplant.  He fell off of the monkey bars and faceplanted into the pea gravel underneath at the church pumpkin party.  Bright side was the city paramedics were there to clean it up and evaluate him.  Saved us a possible trip to the ER.

Yikes!