Jr. Cotillion

About this time last year, 3 other moms and I made a pact.  It was a pact to sign up our then 5th grade boys for Jr. Cotillion classes for the next school year.  So we completed the paperwork, signed the checks and mailed in their applications.  We were determined to make true southern gentlemen out of them!  The original plan was to keep this a secret from the boys until the last minute.  We knew there would be lots of complaining and maybe even a few tears.  But, one of us caved and spilled the beans earlier than we had agreed (it wasn't me!).  So, once one of the victims discovered the secret plan, word got out pretty quickly to the others.  And there was lots of complaining and even a few tears (from more than one victim) before the first class in September and each month following.  Classes were held once a month and focused on basic manners and etiquette.  They even had to learn a few basic ballroom dance steps and practiced them at each class.

This was Hayden and best bud J before their very first class.  You can almost smell the fear.

Same boys with friend C after surviving their first class.  They were all smiles!

Fast forward 5 months to the preparations for the Spring Grand Ball, which is the culmination of all they had learned.  The gentlemen were required to wear tuxedos, so we thought it would be fun for the boys and moms to meet up at a local Mexican restaurant and then head over to the tux rental store.  

Making their selections.

Measurements done.

A little tomfoolery was to be expected.   

A few weeks later, the big night had finally arrived!  While parents weren't able to attend the entire ball, we were invited for the last 30 minutes for a few special dances.

Our handsome young man.

The group

Sweet hubby and me

Love this boy

Our first Mother-Son dance.

The entire group from school.  Only one young lady from their school participated in Jr. Cotillion.  She held her own with these boys.

You can't be dressed to the nines and not give your best 007 pose to end the night.

A wonderful evening was had by all.  A few days later when I asked Hayden if he wanted to take Cotillion classes again next year, you can only imagine his response!

Have a great day!

Angela

The Princess Pirate

Allie and bestie F were invited to a Pirate themed birthday party over the weekend for friend L at an indoor play area.  Of course, neither one of them could go without a little princess glam thrown into the mix.   A big THANK YOU to F's mom for being my chauffeur to and from the party.

A fairy pirate and a princess pirate.

The princess and fairy with the birthday boy.

 This was after cake and ice cream.  All the other kiddos went back to play, while this one savored each and every bite.  Wonder where she gets it from?

The remainder of the weekend was spent resting my bad knee.  The doctor said 8-12 weeks of no driving, but I am determined to will myself back to good health and driving much sooner than that.  Wish me luck!

Angela

Little Things

We have had a lot of little things going on around here since my last post.

Someone had Donuts with Dad at preschool when Dad was out of town.  Mommy was happy to fill in!  Loved her sweet picture for her Daddy.

This guy turned 10!

Hayden survived enjoyed 6 months of Jr. Cotillion classes, which culminated in a Grand Ball.  This is my handsome son in his first tuxedo.

Mother-Son dance at the Ball.

And he celebrated his 12th birthday a few days later! Can't believe we'll have a teenager next year!

We've had lots of snow days!

This view from our back door has been replaced...

with this view as we are having a porch added!

This little girl is getting ready for her first season of soccer!

Elsa and Anna.  Sisters Forever.

And this is how I spent Spring Break.  Broken kneecap.  Ice skating.  Sure am glad I got a mani/pedi 3 days prior to this!

Have a great day!

Angela

Snow Days

We have actually had several snow days this year!  The boys missed 5 days of school, which is about 5 more snow days than they usually get.  The days were filled with sledding, making snow angels, snowball fights and lots of hot chocolate; but, somehow they never got around to building a snowman.

The view in our backyard after a snowfall is so pretty.

These guys had so much fun enjoying this rare treat!

Our little snow angel.

Allie and cat-friend F had tons of fun playing together. 

Now that we've had our fun in the snow and a few days off from school, I am officially ready for spring to get here!

Angela

Hayden's 12th Birthday

It seems like only yesterday that this baby boy was placed into our arms for the first time.

He just celebrated his 12th birthday.  In one year he will be a teenager.  How did this happen?

As always, our traditional birthday breakfast - Krispy Kremes.

Mom and Allie had lunch with the birthday boy at school.  I am so glad that he is still okay with us coming to eat with him.  I know my time that I am welcome to join him in front of his buddies is winding down.

In lieu of birthday parties this year, we took the family on a trip (more to come on that at a later date).  Both Hayden and Kyle got to invite friends for a sleepover on each of their birthdays.  Cakes were low-key this year, too.  I am not a baker, so this was about as good as it gets when mom makes your birthday cake.  He loved it, though, and that is all that matters.  This is one of Hayden's endearing qualities - he is so thankful for everything you do for him and doesn't ask for too much.  I just love this child.

His buds.  They basically had a game-fest all night long...Xbox, Wii and iPads were going until the wee hours of the morning.  

Happy Birthday, Hayden!  We love you!

Angela

MTSU Basketball Game

For the boys' birthdays, Granny (Ty's mom) usually gives the boys some type of experience or outing for their gifts.  I love this idea, and we are definitely trying to incorporate more of this into our gift giving as well.  I would bet that they couldn't name one thing that they got for their birthdays last year, but they sure remember going to the Preds game with Granny last year as their outing.

This year they decided that they would like to go to an MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University) basketball game.  Both Ty and I are MTSU alumni, but we are ashamed to admit that we had never been to a basketball game there before!  We had a great time!  The crowd was really into the game as they took on rival Western Kentucky.  Our Blue Raiders won, which made the afternoon even better.

The birthday boys with Granny.

It was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon together as a family.  We'll definitely be doing that again!

Have a great day!

Angela

Kyle's 10th Birthday

It is hard to believe that our Kyle is a decade old!  He has his own unique personality, and we wouldn't change it for anything.  We are blessed to have him in our lives.

Our traditional birthday breakfast

Lunch with the Birthday Boy

His dinner choice: Burger Up

Ice skating with buddies to celebrate.

Little sis got to join the skating fun, too.

Kyle, we hope this is your best year yet!  We love you!

Angela