Halloween 2012

We had a great Halloween night!  The church had a trunk-or-treat and fall festival that was loads of fun for the kids.  Let me just preface these pictures with the fact that the kids picked out their own costumes this year!  This is the only time Cooper wore that mustache and it cracks me up that it's crooked and maybe even upside down.  He just kept hollering that it covered both his lips!

Kamdyn originally wanted to be a genie, but we had a hard time finding that so she settled on this.... At first, I told her it was a flapper but then realized quickly that it wasn't.  By that time, she had fallen in love with it and begged for it.  When we showed it to Mark, he told her she looked like Miss Kitty...or a "saloon girl" as he called her.  She asked what a saloon girl was and I told her nothing that a 7-year old should be associated with...we asked someone in the store what it was and they said a flamenco dancer so that's what we are calling it. 

Cooper loves all the games and now that he is older he's able to run around on his own.  Mark commented how much easier it was last night!

I included this picture just because I thought Lalaloopsy beside him was so cute!

 Playing some golf!

 Kamdyn and her friend, Abby...

Playing a little tic-tac-toe....

I didn't get as many pictures as normal because Mark and I ended up working some games... I love our fall festival and always look forward to it.  Afterwards, we stopped by Mamaw and Papaw's to trick-or-treat before heading home.  Of course, Papaw gave the kids a whole bag of candy bars and sent sodas home with them as well.  My kids are so spoiled.... a great night and time was had by all!

Bucket Fillers

The kids school is focusing on the theme "bucket fillers" this year based on this book about teaching kids to express kindness and love in their actions.  They have t-shirts they wear every week and each class has a notebook that is sent home with a child every weekend to complete a family bucket-filling project. 

Kamdyn was the first one in her class to bring home the notebook so I really felt the pressure to make our project something good.  We decided to take toys and clothes to donate to the women's shelter in town.  Kamdyn has a heart for shelters so I thought it would be a good one for her.  She helped get everything together and load in the car and my job was to deliver it.  I'm embarrassed to say it's still in my car, but I will get it delivered eventually!  I'm a bad mom, I know!

Our other project was to make cards to send to some of the older adults in our church who are undergoing cancer treatments now.  We didn't have many art supplies on hand so I just let Kam do whatever she wanted.  She wrote this note to Ms. Evelyn...it makes me smile every time I read it. 

She sent this note to Mr. Dewey, who is one of the finest men I know....

Both these people told me how much Kam's cards meant to them and I've even heard others mention how sweet it was.   It made me realize that I need to be more intentional in taking time to send notes, cards, etc. to those who need encouragement or just need to know that someone is praying for them.  

Cooper had to get in on the card making too.  He made this card for Braxton and he even included a dollar bill for his best cousin.  Don't ask me why, but he tries to give money to everyone.  We took the card to Brax's mailbox and I think he loved it!

On the flip side, the book also discusses "bucket dippers" and I'm afraid that more often than not, we fall into that category.  It's something we can work on with the kids and help them to recognize now. 

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."     

-1 Thessalonians 5:11

The President

My department has a meeting with our new president on Friday and at dinner last night, I asked Mark to take the kids to school so I wouldn't be late.  Kam's ears perked up and said, "the president is coming to our house?"  I told her I was talking about the president of Henderson, not the United States, and he was coming to my office and not my house.  She told me this morning that I probably needed to get there early to "tidy up" (except she pronounced it "tiddy up").

That conversation, coupled with the fact that we pray for our country, the upcoming election, and Godly leaders, I guess is what prompted Cooper to say this on the way to school this morning.  

"Our president is dumb.  He doesn't president very well.  If I saw him I would say, boo!" (big emphasis on the boo!).

Out of the mouths of babes..... I'm sure his Dad, the closet politician, is so proud!  For the record though, he denies saying the dumb part and dumb is actually a bad word at our house.  However, I'm pretty sure I didn't correct him on this!
 

Spirit Week

Last week was homecoming at school so the kids dressed up each day for spirit week.  As you would expect, Kamdyn was all into it.  Cooper pretty much refused to let me take his picture each day, although he seemed happy to dress up.

Monday was "Hollywood Day"..... Kam told her teacher that she was dressed up as Nicki Minaj, which I totally don't get, but whatever she wants to tell herself is fine with me!  Most of the boys wore spiked hair and sunglasses. 

Tuesday was "Camo Day"....

As I mentioned, Cooper was so not into the picture taking...

But he finally cooperated.  I'm pretty sure I threatened him with no TV, which seems to work these days considering he is obsessed with watching baseball constantly!

 Yes, we live in the country but would you believe that we had to go buy a camouflage shirt?

Thursday was "Western Day".... As you can tell, my little cowgirl doesn't look too happy in this picture.  We tried on the whole outfit the night before to avoid drama and even agreed on the braided hair.  However, Kam seemed to think I was french-braiding her hair instead of the agreed upon pig-tail braids....even though I stopped and restarted three times to prove to her I was keeping my part of the bargain.  I'm not even going to go into the ridiculous fit this girl threw all morning long!  Cooper wore jeans, cowboy boots, and a t-shirt and we decided he was dressed more "redneck" than cowboy!

Thursday was "Favorite Team Day".... Cooper was especially excited about this day because he wanted to wear his St. Louis Cardinals shirt.  It happened to be dirty and we tried to talk him into wearing a Yankees or Razorback shirt and his reply was, "but it's favorite team day!"  So, of course, I let him wear the dirty Cardinals shirt.  Hopefully, no one noticed!

Friday was "Blue/White Day".... Cooper wore his first Bismarck Lions shirt and enjoyed his first pep rally.  He wasn't too thrilled about going when we were telling him about it, but I think he had a great time! 

What's Been Going On!

We have finally settled in to a routine with school and work.  The kids both love school!  The first two weeks; however, Cooper was a holy terror in the evenings!  We attributed it to all the changes he was experiencing and I'm just thankful that he wants to go every morning.  I'm sure the fact that he isn't taking a 2-hour nap every day had something to do with it as well.  He has done well in school, according to his teacher, and has only had to pull a warning ticket twice, for throwing rocks on the playground.  I've been assured that he is not the only child doing this and hopefully, it's under control now.  

A few weeks ago, he was king for the day.....one of the things he got to do was play on the computer while all the kids drew pictures of him.  He then got to bring the pictures home in a book and it was really fun to look at all the kids drawings.  This is a new face he is making for pictures now and mom thinks it makes him look shy...

Kamdyn has become a big time animal lover and I'm wondering if I should be calling her "Ellie Mae" now.  A few weeks ago, I picked her up at Aunt Donna's and had to bring home this turtle that they had found outside. 

She had even decorated the box and named the turtle "Baxter."  I'm not a big animal person so there was no way that turtle was going in my house.  We finally talked her into releasing the turtle in our neighbors yard before we went to the football game that night. 

My friend sent me this picture of Kam catching tadpoles at her pond.  She says she wants to be a vet when she grows up and I'm really starting to believe her!

And, because I'm so behind on blogging, here's a few more pics that are totally unrelated to anything I've been talking about here.  This is Cooper (again with that shy smile), Campbell, and Braxton before the panther game a few weeks ago.  Pretty cute fans, in my opinion!

One of the kids in Cooper's class got glasses and his teacher had a pair of glasses (minus the lenses) for each kid to wear on his first day to wear them.  What a great idea! 

Hoping to catch up on posting some pics from the summer.... hang with me!

I Can See Clearly Now

I took the kids to the eye doctor for their first exam a few weeks ago and was shocked (sorta) when Kam needed glasses.  I didn't think Kam would go for it, but she was sold once she tried on a pair with some "bling" on them!

She's only been wearing them a few days and she says she can see "so clearly now!"  I think she looks adorable in them!  She has since told me that now she needs braces....I told her one thing at a time!

Timber Lodge 2012

I've said it a hundred times I know, but Timber Lodge weekend with the Efird's is one of my most favorite weekends of the year!  My cousins and I all grew up close and even though we don't see each other as much as we would like, we all maintain a close-knit relationship.  Our kids are all close in age and have the best time together.   It's a weekend of fun, food, fellowship,fishing, 4-wheeling, no-fuss, no makeup, no rules.... I could go on and on.
  
Getting ready to zip line across the lake....note to self for next year:  a harness over a swimsuit cover up is neither comfortable nor attractive!

Aidan, Braden, Kylie, Kenzie, Kamdyn, and Kamryn....

Kamdyn and Kylie zip lining....

Cooper's first zip line experience.... he was too nervous to do it last year but couldn't wait to do it this year - until we got to the top of the mountain.  He was fine once we got going and said it "was awesome!"

Sitting on the dock of the lake...

It's always extremely hot when we are there but we always get Mamaw and Papaw out to sit on the dock (in the shade, of course!) and watch all 30-something of us zip line.

Campbell, Kason, and Aidan....

Pop and Coop fishing on the bank.... Coop has developed a new love of fishing and has asked several times to go since... a new fishing pole will be in order soon!

Pop and his boys... 

Mark and the girls fishing across the lake...

The guys always have a poker night at one of the houses while the girls take care of the kids.  There was even a trophy this year and Mark won the first ever Timber Lodge "Chumpionship" trophy... I'm so proud!

This year we decided that the girls would get in on the fun and planned our own activities!  We played "Just Dance" one night and Bunko the next and had a blast!  Both will be annual events now.  Thank goodness there were no cameras around for the dance competition.... let's just say the Chastain girls don't really have it going on!

Finding some shade at the playground...

Playing in the game room...

Cooper's birthday usually falls while we are at Timber Lodge or soon after.... he thinks we go there for his birthday and I'm not going to let him think any differently!

Blowing out the candles....

Annual group picture right before we leave on Sunday.... Papaw always likes to say he and Mamaw "started all this mess!"  Cooper's the only one not looking (just like last year!) but one out of fifteen kids facing forwards is success in my book!

We all agreed that this was one of the best years we've had!!  Timber Lodge 2013 is already on the calendar for next year and I can't wait! 

Cooper's 1st Day of School

As with Kamdyn, we had to read "The Night Before Kindergarten" to Cooper before bedtime.  I forgot to buy Coop his own book so we could write a note to him in it, but luckily he didn't realize we were reading Kam's.  He will have his own soon!

Kamdyn was dying to read to him and he finally consented to her reading "Kindergarten Rocks" to him.

This boy normally pops out of bed but he was a little slower to rise this morning...notice he goes to bed in his bed and wakes up in mine!

Breakfast of champions before the big day....

My big kindergartener!  Where has the time gone?

Backpack ready to go...

Surprisingly cooperative for the pictures.....isn't he a handsome kindergartener?

Silly...

Back to serious... well, sorta.

Cooper and Mark...

Posing with Sissy....notice they aren't too close together.  I had to coax him on over her way.

More silly faces...

 Trying to stay away from her and stay serious...

This little boy is really not so little in size... he's almost as big as me, but he will always be my little boy!

I think from this pose you can tell that Mark's getting a little tired of all the pictures... 

First day pic with both my babies...

Kamdyn's first day of second grade and Cooper's first day of kindergarten...

Pulling up to school...still has that same smile on his face!

Walking in with Daddy... sometimes I think I miss participating in moments because of my camera!

Heading to Ms. Mac's room...

When I asked Cooper to get one last picture, he ran to Mark.  My heart stopped for just a moment thinking that he was going to cling and not want us to leave....but he hugged us both quickly and was ready to head to the playground with Ms. Mac.  His buddy was waiting there for him...but I didn't get my picture!

After visiting with several other parents, Mark and I decided to be playground stalkers and watch for a while as they lined up to go inside.  He looked fine to me which made it much easier to leave.    

He went to Aunt Donna's after school (for some reason they didn't want me to pick them up!) and had a great first day!  He didn't get in trouble and wanted to go back the next day so I call that a  success!

This girl did too, even though you couldn't tell it from looking at her here.

Talking to Pop about his first day of kindergarten...

I love Cooper's teacher who texted me about noon and said, "doing good, Momma!"  I was dying to know how he was making it and I really appreciate her thinking of me.  Later that afternoon, she sent me this picture of him...

Melted my heart!  I'm so grateful to Ms. Mac for making his first day (and mine!) an awesome one!  I think it's going to be a great year!