January

This morning when I glanced at the calendar I did a quick double take. In the pre-dawn, pre-caffeine fog, I momentarily forgot about that January has 31 days.  

Don't get me wrong, this is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the cold. I don't wish a dangerous Polar Vortex (and its dangers) on any one, but I have really enjoyed this week, with it's "snow day" (no show, as it turns out). From someone who loves everything about winter, I agree with the consensus that January has been lengthy. 

Has January been long for you? 

George

More reasons to love January... cozy snuggles. 

Pixie

We had the coziest of weekends. The girls retired from basketball this year, and we have completely enjoyed our lazy Saturday mornings. The girls served as acolytes yesterday during the traditional service, meaning we had two days to sleep in. The trio definitely needed the rest, and Pixie always enjoys a good snooze.

Hygge

4:06pm

This is why winter is my favorite. 

George's Field Trip

Yesterday George's class (+ 3rd through 5th grades) went to see the UAB Women's Basketball team play. Chaperones were not needed for this trip, but I started receiving texts from teachers telling me to watch the news because George had been interviewed. 

The clip aired while I was waiting for the girls at dance, but I managed to stream a live feed and film the feed with my iPad (a technology miracle, for sure). George and his friends (plus the many other students who were featured) were so excited to be on the news, and they were fired up about cheering the Blazers on for a win. 

See the full clip here.  

Bus Selfies

Grace and Lauren are so awesome. They are ready to embrace the second week of school after Christmas break, and they are even wearing smiles. They are rested and ready to knock out some work.

How is your Monday?

The New Year

Our New Year started January 7th, and the first week back had its highs and lows. 

High: We celebrated Gran's birthday. 

Low: The Alabama Crimson Tide was unable to obtain it's 18th National Championship.  

High: William George showed his support the next day with Bama gear and a big smile.  

High: My mom and I started a new Bible study.

High: A couple of the girls' teachers spared them the usual homework, allowing them to gently ease back into their routines.

High: George finished the week with a much needed pajama day. 

High: We redoubled our efforts to have nutritious home cooked meals and have been having the leftovers for lunch the next day. 

High: Every afternoon the trio report that their lunch was "SOOOOO GOOD!" We love a hot lunch during the winter months.  

High: We are LOVING the cold weather and are embracing all things hygge (pronounced: hooga).  

How did your first week go? 

Christmas Break

The trio had some extra days off after New Year's Day, and we enjoyed some hibernation time while doing some of our favorite things. 

We cautioned Lauren and Grace about this, and the time has arrived. This year they have had no extra time for recreational reading. Their assigned reading, homework and projects have kept them busy, leaving little or no time to read just for fun. They have missed it, and George has been busily reading through the Harry Potter series. 

Santa brought George cowboy boots for Christmas, and he has been wearing them everywhere, even out to lunch.  

William George was my big helper taking the tree down, and he was kind enough to pose with a special ornament he made this year at school.  

We took Skip's advice about "dialing back" on the nightly bedtime and began getting up early. While part of me wanted to fly wildly into that first day back, we were glad to get adjusted, and we enjoyed the upside of having such long days for our last days off. 

George's second grade teachers are so awesome. At their Christmas party, they passed out a ziplock bag filled with various science experiences that students could perform at home over the break. This proved to be fun for the whole family. 

Shown below: does a candy cane dissolve fastest in cold, warm or hot water? What is your hypothesis? 

Fast: Cold water

Faster: Warm water

Fastest: Hot water

We loved enjoying the last few days of freedom but are ready to get back in the swing of things. 

2018 Lindsey Family Slideshow

Although long overdue, I am checking in to wish all of you a Happy New Year!

2018 had its usual high and low points, its successes and challenges. However, 2018 was also a year of accomplishment for Lauren and Grace, and George, as well. The girls wrapped up elementary school with a fantastic year, and they have had a successful semester of middle school. Obviously, there have been some challenges along the way, but we like to say that keeps life interesting. George also had a great year as well, complete with accomplishments at school and a great season of baseball.

While we do not want to rest on our laurels, we are going to look back over 2018, and then ring in 2019 with as much optimism, enthusiasm and energy as possible.

May your 2019 bring health, happiness and love.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!




Music: "Roar" by Katy Perry. This song was the girls' graduation song, and so it seemed fitting to use it here, too.

Photos: All photos by Cathi Lindsey, with the exception of a few by Skip, Grace, Matty Grace Photography, and friendly strangers.  

Equipment/Tools: Nikon D810; Sigma 85mm/1.4; Nikon 50mm/1.4; Sigma 24-70mm/2.8; iPhone 8 Plus; Photoshop Elements 12; iMovie

Final Gifts

William George had one final present... a pellet rifle. He is pretty excited about it and has already had some target practice with Poppa. For the safety of our neighborhood, his firearm will be safely stored at his grandparent's house until he is a little older.  

The trio also received presents from Skip's sister and her family. George received enough Braves gear to join the team.  

And these ladies received a beautiful initial ring. 

Thanks so much for such awesome gifts!

Board Game: Christmas Evolution 12/29

The girls had to create a couple of board games at school -- one for science and one for PE. This is a new trend designed to inject some excitement into the classroom. The unintentional consequence is that I have spent a lot of time at Hobby Lobby getting supplies for four board games. 

I am super pro school, pro teacher and pro anything that facilitates learning, but I will admit to you, friends, that at one point, I may have muttered some exasperation over the board games. 

But then the trio gifted us with their creation, and we loved it.

We finally got to play, and we loved it! Since Lauren created the answer key, she won the game. HA! But everyone else did really well, too, and we had a lot of run with the sack race, the leaping contest and the other challenges.  

Lauren, Grace and George, thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed present. We look forward to playing this game each year at Christmas. 

My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday, and Skip and the trio were determined to make it a fun day. Although I did not give them anything to go on (I don't want/need anything, and I couldn't decide where to eat. :), it was the best day. We relaxed, had a leisurely lunch at Cheesecake Factory, and the girls treated me to a home spa experience.  

Fun fact: Although I politely declined public singing, Skip kept joining in all the singing for other tables, greatly embarrassing Lauren and Grace. 

Although we weren't up for a song, we were definitely up for a piece of celebratory cheesecake.  

Lauren, Grace and George had the spa prepped and ready.  

Lauren checked me in and explained that a relative had planned the whole experience for me. 

There was a snack of fresh berries, sprinkled with sugar. DELICIOUS. 

There were some familiar activities, such as "guess that scenet" (I scored 100) and select your favorite lip balm scent. There was also a foot soak.  

A new feature was Trivia Time, where the trio answered questions about Mom. My favorite was guess mom's "alleged" age. HA! 

I had a wonderful birthday with my family. Thank you for everything! 

Also, thanks to mom and Ralph & Sally for their generous gifts.  

Birthday Spa Visit 2018 from Cathi Lindsey on Vimeo.

Christmas Day

At long last, Christmas morning arrived. George was ready! Grace was excited, too, and they quickly got Lauren on board. 

And then Grammie!

The trio checked out their stockings, and then exchanged sibling gifts. 

Weeks ago, George had carefully picked out rings for his sisters at Santa shop, and they loved them! They gifted George a new pair of tennis shoes and a Snoopy blanket.  

After that they enjoyed some favorites... Legos

Books....

Converse sneakers...

Slime, because one can never have too much slime.  

Gran and Poppa came by with MORE PRESENTS! 

After three days of secret planning and work, the trio gifted the family with their creation: a board game. They created and made a board game called Christmas Evolution. Poppa read over the (very detailed) instructions, and we are all looking forward to when we can play.  

Lots of goodies.  

Lots of hugs...

and snuggles...

More books...

Santa brought monogrammed leotards for dance.

And Harry Potter pajamas. 

Lots of clothing...

A trinket or two...

And a big surprise... Chromebooks. Santa knew how much they were needed for school.  

We also got some fun presents. 

And MORE PRESENTS from Grammie.

While all of those presents were admittedly fun, we are especially thankful for the birth of our Savior and for the gift of family. 

And we hope your Christmas was full of love and wonder.