A Nursery Rhyme

Does anyone know the story of the woman who had so many children she didn't know what to do? I'm no "octomom" or anything, but seriously, I think the reason she lived in a shoe was because she was driven to an extreme psychotic breakdown and forced her children to live in a shoe. I'm not crazy, but I am tired. And tired can sometimes lead to lunacy. I'm getting close people. Just kidding, or am I? Miss Ava is one busy baby and I am not able to blog much right now. Ava's favorite activities are trying to get into the bathroom, pull trash out of the trashcan and eating everything she finds on the floor. So, sorry if I'm getting behind. I'll try to do a better job!

Mallorie competed in a program called Reflections this year. The theme was "Beauty is...". The kids can choose photography, drawing, dance, music, ect. to compete in this program. Mallorie chose photography. This is the picture she took.

She's a girl after her mommy's heart I tell ya! She loved a picture I had accidentally taken of the backyard. It was of the Christmas lights hanging from the trees. I told her how to recreate it and she went out there and took several and this was her favorite. I don't know when we'll hear any results, but I'll let ya know if she wins or anything. I personally loved the pic. We blew it up to 8.5"x11". It looked beautiful!

Hannah and Mallorie also competed in the jog-a-thon at their school to raise money for feild trips and supplies their teachers may need. The did great. Mallorie jogged and walked 13 laps.

Here's what Ava did.

No. Here's what Ava did. She played and played in the grass. She did manage to eat some of it, but that's okay, she had such fun!

Hannah ran 18 laps. She definitely isn't the fastest, but she loves to jog and seems to do really well and for a long time. I hope it's something she continues to enjoy and do as she grows up.

We get Wednesday out of school for Veteran's Day. I don't know what we are going to do. We were going to go to Disneyland for the day....BUT...our season passes (they are the lowest ones) are blacked out that day. Bummer. When we got the passes, we didn't think we'd go as much as we do and we didn't know if we'd enjoy it as much as we do. I think when we renew, we may go for the bigger pass. Definitely not the biggest one, but for sure get more days. We always have a blast!

I started listening to Christmas music yesterday. It's so wonderful! Last year I downloaded Oprah's Christmas music list (it was free from her "Favorite things show") and pulled out my Steven Curtis Chapman Christmas CD. It's never too early to start ya know!
I haven't officially started shopping yet, but I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! I love to buy presents. Don't get me wrong, I love to get them too, but my favorite thing is really analyzing every person we buy for and getting them something really special that we think they will really love. Then, when they open the present and really love it, I feel so good.
I have been burning my Yankee candle for a few weeks too and it looks like I may have to buy a couple more before Christmas gets here. They smell so good and if I go hit up Marshall's or TJMaxx I can get them for less than $10. Considering they cost over 20 at other places, I don't mind that at all! That's my other favorite part of Christmas too by the way. The smell. I also start working on it as soon as the air starts turning cooler. The smell of my house has to smell like cinamon and spices and anything else I can find that reminds me of Christmas. It's been getting so cold at night that I am thinking we should start a fire in our fire place, but I am so scared of Ava touching it or getting too close. We'll see, but it sure does sound good!

I hope you all have a good week and are getting in the mood for Christmas!