Christmas, Christmas time is here

 Our family on Christmas Eve

 Our tree

 I love this face!

 And this one too :)

 Taskmaster Dad was quick moving when it was time for take down.  Lila declared, "I'm in charge of the ornaments" and worked hard to empty the trees of their decor.

Leading up to Christmas

 Christmas program at school

 "Away in the Manger"

 Santa visited Central Park

 I've always wanted to rock climb...not as easy as I thought it would be :)

 Cookies and bedtime stories at school

 Decorating cookies to take to the assisted living community

 Sweet Gage gave us a little scare.  So glad to find out he's a healthy 11 year old.

Lila's Christmas performance

Lila began taking a ballet/tap combo class this year.  Her class had a Christmas performance on a big stage and she was thrilled.  They performed to "The Reason Everybody Likes Christmas".

 Our little dancer was excited about all the kisses and flowers she received after the show.

Later that evening Mimi took Lila to see The Nutcracker.  She loved it and couldn't stop talking about the Sugarplum Fairy and even asked for pointe shoes.

November in pictures

 Andrew finished his first season of flag football

 Nana and Papaw came to Texas

 Andrew learned to ride his bike without training wheels

 Andrew was so proud of himself for learning to ride his bike.  I don't ever think 

I'll forget his smile and excitement over his accomplishment.

 Lila turned 4

 Thankful Parties at school followed by a week off

 

Lila enjoyed riding the horse at the farm with Papa

Happy 4th birthday, Lila Grace!

November 16th our sassy Lila Grace turned 4.  Lila is such a joy and a challenge all wrapped in to one.  She makes me laugh; she makes me cry.  She is a negotiator, a performer, an artist, independent, creative, sassy, strong willed.  She sets her mind on something and doesn't let go.  She wants to be the rule maker at home but is a rule follower at school.  Lila goes to preschool 3 times a week, takes a tap/ballet class once a week, hops around in gymnastics once a week.  She is a kind friend and hates to see others hurt.  She loves to go to church and do the weekly memory verse challenge.  Gifts are definitely the way to her heart.  She likes the Disney princesses, boots, anything sweet, and dresses.  She sings with the radio as well as makes up her own songs.  She also loves the Veggie Tale audio books.  She laughs big and cries big.  Recently while shopping in HEB, Lila looked at me and said, "Mom, when you eat a lot of cookies your belly gets big...but the baby never comes out!"  She says "crown" instead of "crayon", "Emmo" instead of "Elmo" and "leaf-es", "shelf-es", etc. instead of "leaves, shelves", etc. and I will be a mess the day she grows out of these cute little Lila-isms.  At her 4 year well visit, she weighed 43 pounds and measured 40 inches tall.

I am so blessed to have the privilege of being Lila's mommy.  My prayer is that as she grows, she will know that we love her and that God created her uniquely to glorify Him in all she is and does.

Birthday manicure with Nana

Dad gave Lila flowers and a Hello Kitty balloon for her birthday

Lila in my high school cheerleader uniform

Birthday celebration!

 I took this video one afternoon when Lila was playing outside.  She wanted to take some sandy "outside" toys inside to which I told her "no".  That prompted this song "when I'm a mommy".  The sound isn't great so turn your volume up high.

1. What is your favorite color? Pink
2. What is your favorite toy? My babydolls
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apple
4. What is your favorite tv show? Peppa Pig
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets
6. What is your favorite outfit? My Hello Kitty outfit
7. What is your favorite game? "To make a pumpkin"
8. What is your favorite snack? Trail Mix
9. What is your favorite animal? Giraffe
10. What is your favorite song? Taylor Swift
11. What is your favorite book? The Bible
12. Who is your best friend? Sophia
13. What is your favorite thing to do with your brother?  "play barbies" to which Andrew answered "I do not agree with that!"
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? play on the swing
15. What is your favorite drink? Orange juice
16. What is your favorite holiday? Mother's Day
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Hello Kitty lovie
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? donuts
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? "Can we buy fruit loops?"
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? teacher