Thanksgiving Helpers

I have some helpers in the kitchen this morning.  

 Although, they lost interest after making the first thing on the list.

The End of Soccer Season

Today ended Caleb and Amelia's soccer season.  Caleb had 2 games and Amelia had 1.

 Getting his medal from Coach.

 The Hurricanes (minus Ryan).

Assistant Coach Greg, Tory, Theo, Logan, Jasper, Clayton, Caleb, Michael and Shawn

 Amelia loved running around whistling and cheering for her team.

 Getting her medal from Coach.

 The Chipmunks.

Kinsley, Peyton, Amelia, Evita, Sadie, Kinsley and Shawn

 It was a great season and Shawn had a great time coaching both teams!  

Early Birthday Surprise

We bought Amelia a new bike for her birthday, but seeing as how it's typically freezing cold in December, we decided to surprise her early, while the weather's nice.

She had no idea Shawn was getting it out of the truck.  I just told her to stand there so I could take some pictures of her.  

 Still has no idea.

 Still, no idea.

 But, then I told her to turn around and she was super excited!!

 Caleb just keeps saying, Pizzazz, whenever she rides past him.

Needless to say, ever since we gave it to her, she wants to ride her new bike!

 Sunday afternoon, after the surprise birthday gift, Caleb found this guy creeping across the driveway.  I posted it on Facebook and his teacher from last year told us to put it in a container, with some leaves and take it to his science teacher.  So, we did just that.  I was actually more interested in it, than the kids.  I did all kinds of research on it and found that it's a polyphemus moth caterpillar.

 

Well, right before bed, I go and look at it and it has twisted itself up inside all of those leaves.  The next morning I see that it has actually made a cocoon.  (You can kind of see the fuzzy white stuff sticking out of the leaves).  I thought about just keeping it so we could watch it hatch, but I figured it would be in better hands with the science teacher.  So, we put a lid (with lots of holes) over the top and I taped it down and gave explicit instructions to not shake it, don't tip it over, don't let the big kids on the bus do either of these things, etc.  He delivered it to Mrs. York and hopefully we'll get a picture of what it turns into.

 I didn't take a picture of her because she's adorable, but because this is the first time, ever, she's let me just pull her hair up in to a messy ponytail bun for anything.  I'm surprised it made it the whole time at school.    

 It was out as soon as we got home.

Caleb is 7!

Shawn and I both said that time can slow down any minute now.  

Every year we say that it's hard to believe another year has gone by, and this year is no different.  

We can't believe Caleb is 7!!!

 Every time he opened a gift, he was so excited and even said, "This is the best birthday ever!"

 Trying to light his own candle.

 Happy Birthday, Caleb!    

 We love you more than you will ever know and can't wait to see what this next year has in store for you!

Grannie's Visit

Grannie's visit was filled with lots of rainy, grey days, with kids at school…which meant we just went to breakfast and then Target.  And then Walmart.  And then Ollie's.  And the mall.  But, we are so glad she came out for a visit!

Since she was here, Shawn and I were able to go to the Marine Corps Ball.

 Our only beautiful, and hot, day was on Saturday, so she was able to watch both Caleb and Amelia's soccer games.

On Sunday, we headed to Wilmington to see the U.S.S North Carolina Battleship.  It was perfect for a rainy, cold day.

 Another plus for having Grannie out, is that Caleb got early birthday presents.

 A kids Go Pro….awesome!!

And movies and games!

 Thanks Grannie and Papaw!

 Enjoying a serious game of checkers.

 Thank you, Grannie, for coming out and spending time with us!  We realized, it might just be the last time she comes to New Bern, NC.