Just one Sunday...

Eli got a new suit! Doesn't he look dashing?? I wanted to take some photos of my handsome little man in his new clothes! 

 He is so smart.  I should take a second and brag on him here.  I just had his parent teacher conference.  His teacher said he is a "true gem" and that she adores him.  She showed me a note he had written her saying she was the best teacher ever and she had kept it!  He is just that sort of little kid--so sweet, so caring, so kind.  He is also SO smart.  She said that the first quarter, they won't let them score anyone higher than a 14, which is the goal reading level for all first graders in the fourth quarter.  Eli got a 14 on his report card, but she said his real reading level is a 28, which is 3rd grade level reading.  Woohoo, Eli!  It is also, incidentally, the highest they will allow her to ever score him during his 1st grade year.  She taught third grade last year and said she had to pull out her books from her third graders so he'd have something to read.  We are alternating chapters on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory right now, and he reads from Diary of a Wimpy kid, too.  Cute!!

 Love his little pose here!

 He's so particular about his hair--insists I keep is brushed down all the time.  Goofball.

 Emmy got a new dress, too.  She was happy to show it off.

 These two get along really well almost all the time.

 Love their blue blue eyes!  Eli got Uncle Jesse's squinty eyes, though.

 Dora has a new dress, but she wasn't feeling well--she has an ear infection.  Poor kid wasn't holding it together so well, but she was so sad not to be in the photos!  Love that little angel, too.  She really is my mini-me.  Comes with me everywhere, including riding with me in the car every time I go anywhere--tonight, it was to the pharmacy to pick up her medicine.

 She's got those same gorgeous blue eyes.

 These two are such good friends.  They played all morning together, right up until Dora started feeling awful.

I am such a lucky mom!

Soccer...

Eli and Dora are doing soccer this year... they aren't on the same team, which might be for the best.  Eli is actually trying! 

Dora doesn't understand why she should even be going after the ball! It's cute, really.  She just sort of bops around, but Eli is really into it! 

 Grandma and Grandpa came, too, which Emmy took advantage of...

 Love his energy and cute smile!!

 He was so excited for his new shirts.

 Dora did more posing than playing...

 She was so happy to see Lerdleluh...

 ENERGY!!!

 Ooops! Missed it.

 BIG BLUE EYES!

 They have a cute little relationship!

 Dora picked this little skirt out for herself!

 This is Dora's buddy from preschool!

 They kind of wander around together all the time...

Emerald Dawn Baker

This little girl is such an angel! She's an opinionated little thing but she brings me such joy! She loves clothes as much as I do!!! She picked out these boots and this dress and I was so proud of her!  My little fashionista! 

 I love her big blue eyes and her angel hair!!!

 Her little faces make me smile...

 LOVE THIS BABY!!!

 I LOVE THESE THREE!!!! Daddy bought them each a new outfit and they were happy about it.

Gingerbread Construction

I bought a box with a gingerbread house in it the other day and the kids were desperate to build it.  Whit's done it with them every year, but this time, I thought, I would do one.  I would be cool.  

That frosting defeated me again. I got it all out, I was ready, but it's HARD to squeeze!  "Honey!" I called.  "Come help me out, here!"  He ended up doing it all! 

He did a great job, best one yet! 

Love those kids--love that guy!!! 

They did a nice job, didn't they!?!

Chick Fil A!

We went to Chick Fil A the other day.  The girls had a great time.  

Here's Dora, who spent most of the time playing in the play area.  We are pretty sure this is where we picked up the croup.  Hooray! 

She's healthy (and cute) here, though.

 This baby cracks me up.  SO FUNNY.

 Sisters!

 Awwww, love that they get along.

 This girl makes me so happy!

 Love that daddy... I love him too!!

 This baby!! I LOVE HER FACES!!!

 Look at those big blue eyes!

 Oh, Tessa!