Like many moms, visions of a nice family picture and a sweet Santa picture danced in my head this December.  Matt's not into family pictures, but I thought I'd be sneaky and force him into cooperating by including "Take a family picture" as one of our countdown to Christmas activities. Here's what I wound up with... it will not be framed and hung for all to see year after year.

 

And as for that Santa picture I wanted...

Way to go, Santa. My girls (Julia in particular) finally, FINALLY cooperate when a camera is nearby and what do you do? Screw it up with your Grinchy expression. 

 

Merry Christmas, friends and family. May your pictures be better than mine!

School Christmas Parties!

I love joining the girls in their classrooms for special events. Julia, isn't always so thrilled to see me there, but let's all just agree to tell the child to "get over it!"

I keep telling Julia that one of these days she's going to regret not smiling for my pictures, but so far she isn't buying it. 

 

 Audrey, on the other hand, loves me visiting her classroom and taking her picture.

 I tried one more time to get a nice picture of Julia...

...but as you can see it got me nowhere.

...She scares me sometimes.

Julia's Baptism

September 1, 2013 

This was our second attempt.  Julia accepted Christ as her Savior on February 14th. We originally scheduled her baptism for March 10th since Meme and Pop would be in town for the girls' birthdays, but Julia got a little stage fright. She was good to go this time around.  

1st Day of School

Julia

It's hard to see, but Julia proudly sported an Alabama Tide backpack this school year.

Audrey

 

Surprise! It's Award's Day!

A couple of weeks ago, we received a note from Julia's teacher stating that Julia had earned the "Superintendent's Award" for the year (95+ grade average in all subjects). The teacher's note said that we were encouraged to attend Award's Day to see her honored and that it was a secret so we didn't need to tell Julia.

The secret was kept, but I did nonchalantly ask Julia what Awards Day was and whether we should come. She shrugged and said, "I think it's just for Field Day winners, and I'm the slowest one in my class. I'll never win anything." Even though I reminded her that her Field Day had actually been rained out and cancelled, she still insisted that the field day activities that happened during PE time were the Award's being given out at Award's Day.

This morning, as we were leaving Kids Club (before school Bible Club I help out with), I told sweet Julia that we were planning on coming just in case. She responded with a scowl, and the poor child's shoulders slumped when she saw her Daddy and Audrey walking into the building. She also avoided eye contact with us as her class walked into the auditorium. I truly think she was embarrassed that we were coming to see her not get anything.

Part of me regrets not having told her about the award and leaving her to feel bad for a few minutes this morning, but the other part of me gets teary as I think about how surprised she must have been when her name was called.

Heading to the stage and receiving a big smile from her teacher. 

 A handshake from Baldwin County's superintendent, Dr. Lee.

A medal...

 Eating cake and punch at a reception afterwards

 A forced photo with her awards.

 And a forced photo with Audrey. Why the stinker wouldn't smile a real smile, I don't know.

Congratulations, dear Julia! We're so proud of you!

How's Audrey?

Wednesday, April 24th was both great and not great for Audrey.

The great - Audrey mastered a backflip on these bars. She's super proud of herself now. She's also finally mastered the art of swinging herself high on the swings. 

The not so great part of that day? 

Kindergarten shots.

3 of them!

 In case there was any doubt, please know that this child can scream with the best of 'em!

But the next day, we got to go register her for Kindergarten! Yay! 

Here's Audrey's preschool Graduation picture. Graduation is next Friday night.

And, what photo shoot is complete without Audrey (and friend) posing like fashion models?

Speaking of posing...

 *sigh* 

My baby is growing up!

How's Julia?

Julia's great!

In the last month she has petted a skunk.

 She's had substitute teachers write an extra little note on her discipline sheet.

And next Thursday, Matt and I have been invited to Award's Day to watch Julia receive the Superintendent's award (for straight A's). Shhhh! The award is a secret for Julia!