Hannah's First Easter

Hannah woke up to her first Easter basket

She got pajamas, puffs, and gold Sun-San Sandals

The boys each got shoes in their baskets, too

Hannah (almost 10 months) with her Daddy

Little Hannah Doll in her Easter Dress

 

Hannah and her Mimi

Weston, Hannah, Connor, and Mimi

For Hannah's first Easter, she woke up to an Easter basket filled with puffs, a ballerina sleeper, and gold sandals.  We went to church and then to lunch at Mimi and Grandy's.  We took lots of pictures of this sweet baby girl in her yellow smocked Easter dress!

Will Talks to Connor's Class

Two fellas in flight suits

Will talking about the harness

Fly Boy Connor

Demonstrating the Bernoulli Effect

Top Gun with his classmates

Will came to talk to Connor's kindergarten class about being a pilot.  He demonstrated the harness, helmet, G-suit, and the Bernoulli Principle.  Will gave each student a Colonel rank patch after they took a turn flying a ping pong ball with a hairdryer to demonstrate the Bernoulli Effect.

Connor's 100th Day of Kindergarten

Dressed like a handsome 100 year old

Connor's 100 days project

Some of his "old" friends

This class is 100 days smarter

Marley brought 100 worms for her project

Me and my Connor-man

Connor and his class celebrated 100 days of kindergarten.  Connor borrowed a cane that belonged to Grandy's granddaddy and Connor's namesake, Norris Calloway Oakes.  I sprayed Connor's cute curls with gray hairspray and put glasses on him.  When we got to school, his class had a 100 days parade.  I helped them with their 100 days activities and crafts.  Then, they presented their projects.  Will came up with the idea for Connor's project.  Connor hammered 100 nails into a board spelling out the words "nailed it!"  The caption said, "I've hammered through 100 days of kindergarten, and I have nailed it!"  Connor was very proud of his project.  Marley caused quite a stir when she brought 100 worms in some dirt.  Everyone had fun putting their hands in the pile of worms.  It was such a fun day to spend with my Connor-man!

Connor topped the day off when he came home and taught himself to ride his bike without training wheels!  He was zooming around the back patio after just a few tries.  I got a video of him singing this song that he made up: "Hello.  I'm riding around.  I got my training wheels off, training wheels off, off, off, off.  Look down there. No training wheels, wheels, wheels, wheels."  I'm so proud of this little guy!  He is learning so much and getting so big. 

Weston's First Day at TCPS

Weston before starting his first day at TCPS

Mrs. Yates's first grade class (minus Knox)

Will called TCPS one day in December to find out some information and see if we could make a visit.  I went for a visit by myself to check out the school, talk to teachers, and get a tour.  There was an opening for a new student to start in the Spring semester, so Will and I both took Weston right before the school got out for Christmas break.  Weston knew a few friends already in Mrs. Yates's class. The boys all took Weston right in, showing him around the classroom and playground.  While on our tour, Weston told a few people, "I'm coming to school here."  I guess Will and I didn't have a tough decision to make, afterall.  His first day was January 5.  He had a great first day! 

Christmas Memories at Home

Will and me with our "littles"

Weston and Mommy

James so excited about his present

Connor saying, "No way, no way!!!"

Weston excited about his very own Kindle

Two happy boys

Weston's Nativity

Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and a shepherd with a toothpick staff

James and his stocking

Three brothers

Hannah and her big brothers

James, Weston, Hannah, and Connor

Weston, Connor, and "Sweet-Sweet"

Santa came

 

James on his new bike

Boys checking out the Storm Trooper ("Stormy")

Me and Stormy

James in his clubhouse bed tent

Jolly James

     This Christmas has been our best to date!  Besides starting off Christmas break with a trip to Disneyworld and Will having his Master's degree behind him, it was our first Christmas as a family of six.  Our Jesus Tree lit up the sunroom windows, and we read from a new Advent devotional book.  After the readings each night, we made a candlelight processional to the boys' room, singing a hymn as we went to tuck them in. We discovered the old hymn, To Us a Child of Hope is Born, and it was so beautiful.  Another favorite memory from this Christmas was when Weston made a Nativity scene out of paper scraps.  He worked so diligently, and it was absolutely precious.  He even used a toothpick for the shepherd's staff.  I love that his heart was thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. 

     On Christmas Eve, we made a new homemade sugar cookie recipe, and the boys decorated them for Santa.  We went to the Christmas Eve worship service before going to Mimi and Grandy's for dinner and presents.  Weston and Connor were so excited to open their very own Kindle tablets.  James got an awesome clubhouse tent for his bed.

     On Christmas morning, the kids woke up to find that Santa had come.  Connor, of course, was first to sneak out of his bedroom to see.  He came back and reported to Weston, "You got a Storm Trooper!"  I'm pretty sure Weston told Connor to go look and report back to him.  Connor got the Vtech watch that has a camera and games. James's big gift was a Thomas the Train bike.  For Hannah's first Christmas, Santa brought her a baby doll and a princess castle play set. 
Mimi and Grandy came over for Christmas dinner at our house.  We topped the big day off with a homemade chocolate chip skillet cookie for dessert.

Christmas in Georgia

With Nana, Granddaddy, and cousins

James kissing on his baby sister

Connor opening a big present

Weston tearing into one of his

Daddy helping James

Connor's spy video glasses

Connor in spy mode