Skip's Birthday

Wishing our favorite the happiest of birthdays. Skip, you are everything to us. 

Sloss Furnace and Vulcan Field Trip

Yesterday Lauren and Grace took their first middle school field trip. Having studied the Industrial Revolution, their teacher topped off the unit with a tour of Sloss Furnace and Vulcan. Because the duo are in separate classes, they were not assigned to the same field trip group, but they both came home with fantastic photos. 

Updated: We were supposed to have a school wide "family night" at Vulcan, but that had to be postponed due to rain. The duo had been excited to give us a tour.  

Accepting Jesus

We are incredibly excited to share that William George has accepted Jesus as his Savior.  

George has been learning about Jesus since he was months old, and he has been studying more and more about Jesus over the past 4-5 years. He attended Discovery Club yesterday, and after completion our nightly devotional, he had some specific questions about Jesus and heaven. After thorough review, we led him through the sinner's prayer, and we couldn't be more proud. 

George, congratulations on making the best and most important decision of your life.  

50th Day of School

We had such a fun week at George's school this week. Book Fair is one of my favorite events at school... after all, I am the Book Fair Chairperson. I look forward to helping to organize the book fair each year, love seeing everyone's excitement about reading, and even take some pride into talking shoppers out of "toys" and other junk and into books. This year a girl came up to my register with $20 worth of trinkets along with a diary and a stationery set. I very kindly asked her to consider purchasing a couple of books (and one junk item with her change), and she was so happy and proud when she returned later in the week and told how much she loved the book she was reading. 

Our personal rule is books first. You can bet the trio have come home with some toys over the years, but we absolutely have a policy of books first. George and his best bud raided the book store each day, and we got to have the "books first" talk many times. His friend's mom is the librarian so those two really had no choice but to purchase books. 

Fortuitously, the girls' middle school book fair was held the same week. Otherwise, I think they would have rebelled against middle school altogether. They were able to do some shopping a couple of mornings before school. 

We also celebrated the 50th day of school today! George and his friends are having so much fun, and I have loved seeing him at school.  

Weekend Update

Y'all. It finally happened. This past Friday we had our first hint of fall. The trio got up early, checked the weather, and declared it "sweatshirt weather". To be honest, we were really excited. So much so that they consented to a bus stop photo. I'm pretty sure this is the ultimate embarrassment. 

By the way, can we talk for a moment about the other golden hour? I have taken photos innumerous times at sundown, and I have heard of this other, mythical golden hour - occurring the hour after sunrise - but had never really experienced it, at least not enough to be up, ready, out and taking photos. But now, although it's a little dark for pics when we leave the house, all of my bus stop photos are golden. 

There's the silver lining.  

The trio had a great day at school. When I picked them up, their day improved because Grammie came over to visit. After a grueling two hours of Friday evening homework, we went to our city's fall carnival. After working for a couple of hours, an outdoor carnival was the perfect way to take a break, and it was great to catch up with some friends.  

Saturday we headed to the park one more time for George's last game. It was a tough game with the other team getting a substantial lead, but the guys hung in there and made up the score. We came up short, but we didn't quit. George had a solid game with 4/4 at bat and some great plays in the field.  

After the game, we had another few hours of homework and class projects. Once that wrapped up, Skip took everyone on a bike ride, and then they threw the football while waiting for kickoff. 

We had some dinner, watched Alabama play and had a great night.  

The trio visited Skip's parents Sunday, where they rode bikes and scooters and got plenty of fresh air. All too soon, it was time for some more studying and the school night routine... and another sunrise. 

Weekend Update + Scouts Camping

This past weekend was a much-needed three day weekend. We went to George's game Saturday morning, and he had another good game. 4/4 at bat, and some good defensive plays. 

We had lunch after the game, and then we helped George and Skip pack for a Cub Scouts camping trip at Cheaha. George had such a good time camping, fishing, hiking and swimming. 

Grace and Lauren served as acolytes again Sunday, and we all regrouped Sunday afternoon.  

Lauren had a dental appointment Monday, but after that we had a lazy day in order to get ready for the week.  

Twelfth Birthdays, Part Two

Yesterday we celebrated Lauren and Grace's official 12th birthdays. They got up bright and early for school and had cake for breakfast, as is every birthday girl's right. 

We waited patiently for them to get home... and then they had homework and needed to study for a huge test the next day. Boo! They persevered, got everything finished and then had a little time later that night for dinner (pizza) and more cake.

Also, PRESENTS!

Lauren, Grace and George are at the sweetest ages. They are old enough to shop for each other with their own money, and watching them carefully select gifts is something else. George came to me last week, asking if we would be able to go shopping so that he could buy them something special. We went to Claire's, where he thoughtfully choose an Eiffel Tower figurine for Lauren, along with a macaroon necklace and a couple of bracelets. For Grace, he chose a really nice pearl necklace and some bracelets. Also, he added a mermaid zipper pouch and a couple of taco truck toy cars. Such perfect gifts! Lauren and Grace LOVED them!

The girls' middle school is very focused on Harry Potter so we had to up our HP gear game.

Or, as Grace said, "This is gonna give me some street cred."

Now we are prepared for the next "House Colors Day". 

We are hoping that fall arrives sometime... eventually...

Is it ever going to happen?

They also  had a special delivery package from Uncle Bill & Aunt Kathy, all the way from Williamsburg, Virginia!

SaWEET!

Much too generous!

Grace is our resident board game expert, and we thought it was time to upgrade our Clue game. 

Naturally, Lauren was sure to include "school supplies" on her birthday wish list. 

More street cred!

George received a surprise or two as well. 

A first "real" ring and a new pendant. 

A last round of birthday cake for these beauties...

Lauren and Grace, happy 12th birthday! We love you beyond words!