Farm Day

Saturday, our little group of friends headed out to farm day at a farm in Greer. This was a really neat place to visit because it is a completly self-sufficient farm. They grow and supply everything they need for themselves. Pretty cool! The kids were amazed at everything--MariAustin thinks anything old is amazing. I think is so good for them to see how people used to live and to be appreciative of all that they have. They truly have NO IDEA of the conviences they have!Spinning wool into yarn

Pulling the seeds out of cotton

The crew (or most of them--we're missing a few)! This picture makes me laugh! If you look closely, you can see the horse in the background. The kids scared this horse. He had backed himself as far into the trees as his leash would allow him. I don't blame him.....they were having a grand time!

The sack swing. Everyone got a turn swinging on the swing. This was nothing more than a sack filled with sand tied to a tree, but it went really high and they LOVED it!

"A horse of course!!!" Sorry...couldn't resist. Of course, we saw lots of horses!

They had an entire children's area set up for the kids. They were making and handing out these corn stalk dolls. You picked your material and the ladies made it for you as you waited. Something so simple, but they loved it!

Learning to wash clothes the "old fashion" way! Ughhhh...this is one convience I am glad of!

Check out this gigantic bunny! I have never seen one this big or fluffy!!! They had all different kinds...but this one truly looked like a little lap dog!

On our way out, the girls got a chance for the pony and horse rides. This is what they were looking forward to! Ella loves riding horses!

What a fun day!!! Thank you Marji for planning the day! Looking forward to the next outing!

Welcome to Candy Land!!!!

For MariAustin's 6th Birthday, we had a Sweet 6th Pary---Candy Land! Not to be confused with the game candy land....it was just Candy LAND!!! The room was decorated with tons of colors giant pieces of candy hanging from the ceiling and giant lolli-pops that lined the entrance. We played candy-related games and of course had a Candy Buffet!!!

The candy buffet!

After the games, we had a special guest join us....Miss Union County--Hannah Caviness

She gave a little talk explaining that candy is super yummy and fun to eat, but staying healthy is essential---lots of exercise and brushing our teeth. As the kids left, they each of course got to fill bags from the candy buffet and then picked out new tooth brushes, toothpaste and floss! (we added this part just so the moms wouldn't all hate me for giving their kids so much sugar!)

I still can not believe that my baby is not at all a baby anymore. She is 6 and lets EVERYONE know it~ It's funny how right along with the age of 6 comes a super sense of independence and a bit of "sassy"ness--but oh how I love it at the same time. It is simply her expressing who she is and what she wants in life---a good quality for girls to have! (as long as she knows when to turn it off!) I am amazed at what that little brain of her absorbs.....everything! I am so enjoying this year with her and would not trade our special time together for the WORLD!!!! I love you "SWEET" SIX YEAR OLD!

Other Swim Meet Pics

I know you guys are going to get sick of these pics...but I think she's just too cute all fixed up...and I just found this pic.....and look at this pose. She was on the blocks waiting for the start whistle and they got delayed for a second so this is the position she took....how funny!!!!
We have another meet this weekend, so more pics to come....aren't you excited???? lol!

Happy Birthday Day

"I'm SIX!!!"

MariAustin turned six on Wednesday. This was a big one. She has been counting the days down! Erskine took the day off of work and we had a special breakfast for her. She wanted hers served in bed! (lookout!) She and I had a special morning planned. We were going together for hair appointments. She was having a chlorine treatment done and hair-cut. She was super pumped about this...something more special than the usual dry cut she gets at the children's place she normally goes too. Then, we headed out to lunch with some of her friends.

That afternoon, she had a special date with her daddy to go bowling...Yes bowling. This is all the girl has talked about doing for weeks, so we decided...why not, it's her day! Erskine said she had a blast!

Cool Shoes!!!

After each time she bowled and the scores loaded on the screen a special message for her would appear. It changed every time.....how special!

Happy Halloween 2009!

Halloween arrived and brought 2 cute little indians with it!
One with a bow and arrow and one that played a drum!

....what good is an indian without a little horse to ride?

Samuel came to visit for a day and he joined the girls at the fall festival!

The girls always have fun playing all of the games and winning prizes...yum...a twix!

Check out this grip Ella has going on...believe it or not...she hit the ball and it went straight in!! I couldn't believe it!

We headed home for a nap and then back out with daddy this time for some Trunk-or-Treat! Notice Ella still has her little drum! She loved that thing! We were teasing saying she was doing a rain dance...well little did we know.....

She really was....It started POURING about 2 minutes later! (I love this pic...she thinks we are having to leave)

For the girls sake....we decided to stay....I mean Halloween only happens ONCE and we were already wet....so we stayed! And I mean we GOT SOAKED!!!!

We joined up with some other friends that were waiting it out under the shelter...they were a little smarter than we were....?

HALLOWEEN #2

The next night, we headed out to Nanny's church. They always do a little event too....

Cake walks..........

Cousins....

.....and OH, so much candy!!!!

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Edventure

We headed out to Edventure a few weeks ago for another outing. They had a new exhibit...walking across America. It was a huge map and the kids could walk around on it and play. It was cute. Of course they enjoyed more the fact that they could run and slide on it in sock feet---of course that wasn't the point...but you know kids!!!Pretend news broadcasting is always fun!

Little firemen! This was an attempt to get all of the kids--but we were missing a few...

The grocery store is still a favorite! They just LOVE this!!!

Another fun day...Even though we've been many times, we always seem to find something new. We were DONE by the time it was time to go...meltdowns were beginning!

Parent Observation Week

Just now getting these posted...Parent Observation Week at Dance South



It was so nice to go see the girls in their classes. Ella did great in her gymnastic class....this is so right up her ally!

This year since MariAustin is doing so much with the swim team, she decided to stay out of gymnastics this year and try a theatre class. Again...this is sooooo her, so I was really excited she wanted to try it! They are working on a piece from The Little Mermaid...The "I Want More" song. She really gets into it and loves every moment. I hope the video clip with download and work right. (I was sitting behind her so I tried to film some of it in the mirror---so we could see her face.)