Xander Spends the Night/PG Christmas Parade

Friday, December 5, 2008, I went and picked Xander up so his dad could go to work. He came home with me and helped me deocrate the Christmas tree and put out my Christmas villages. It was so much fun having him help me! When he walked into the house he exclaimed that my tree was definitely one he thought Santa would leave presents under! He loved looking at the ornaments as I pulled them out, but his favorite was, by far, Jared's Incredible Hulk one! He wanted to hang all the ornaments on the same three branches "where we can see them!" Next we pulled out the Christmas villages. I pulled the step ladder up to the entertainment center and handed the villages to him as I pulled them out. He would oooh and ahhh over them! He thought it was all so "wow!" It was really exciting to experience it with him! Xander also added that he thought it would be fun if he could spend the night and of course I had to agree to it! Then we went to eat at The Fish Market with the regular crowd. I think this is when he realized that Hannah is no longer a baby and that she can speak legibly therefore making her cool to play with! They were so cute together!
Saturday morning Jared, Xander, and I went to the Pleasant Grove Christmas parade where we met up with Katie and Hannah. The two were just precious as they both experienced their first parade! While there we saw Meleah (from church) with the band and Landon (Meleah's brother) with the baseball team as well as several of my current and pass students. When Xander saw Santa go by he got so excited and began trying to yell to Santa that he knew he came to good boys and he had been a good boy! He said it so earnestly that it was so sweet and sincere! True believing! With happy hearts and full bags of candy, we said goodbye and headed home. On the way home I learned a life lesson from Xander. We were driving along quietly listening to Inspector Gadget (for the gazillionth time), when Xander announced that he knew where babies came from. We chuckle and Jared asked him where. He said "See...uhhhhh(imagination working)... when I was a baby...I was floating in some seaweed in the ocean...and and and ...some dolphins were swimming around me ...and and and ...my mama was surfing in the ocean...and see lookes over and saw me floating in the ocean in the seaweed...and and she smiled at me and picked me up and I was hers!" So that folks, is where babies come from! So, if you want a baby, go surfing in the ocean and be on the lookout for babies floating in seaweed!
When we got to the house, Xander "helped" Jared put up our outside Christmas decorations. Those two were so cute! Later, we took him home, picked up Casey, and headed to Andy and Jenny's to watch Alabama get beat by FL.


Decorating the Tree





Xander in the King's Chair at The Fish Market


The PG Christmas Parade




Putting up Outside Decorations

Pump It Up

On Wednesday, November 26, 2008, we took the cousins and Xander to Pump It Up. We had a great time!

Nolan



Xander



Brianna



Pam, Xander, Chris, Dillion, Joseph, Brianna



Pam and Nolan







Emily and Nolan



Brianna



After Pump It Up Brianna and Nolan went home. Joseph, Chris, and Xander went to meet Jared and some others to go out to eat and watch The Dark Night again. Church was on Tuesday this week so don't think we skipped! :) Pam, Erica, and I went shopping til 10:30. We had a good time and got a lot done. We ate at Zaxby's per Erica's choice. She loves hot wings!
Thursday was Thanksgiving and we went To my cousin Jeff's for lunch. Andy and Jenny met us there, so it we got to have both our families there, or some of them at least. :) Friday I got up for the Black Friday mess.It was fun, I guess. I ended up going alone which was ok, but I was on a mission for two things and they both ended up not the what I wanted. First, I wanted to get an mp3 player for Erica, but I accidentally got the accessory pack instead of the actual player and when I went back they were all gone. A lady actually got the "player" for me so I could get the portable dvd player. So, secondly, I did get the portable dvd player, but it is junk so it's going back. So I ended up not getting my two big items; however, I still get the silly rush from being up that early to shop. Later that morning mama, Pam, and I started to Ga with Dillion and Erica to take them home and have Thanksgiving with my grandparents and Aunt Kendra and Uncle Eric. Jared and dad came later when they got off of work. We had a good time in Ga. We played games, shopped a little and ate a lot! Fun! Fun!

Cousins

Sunday night (11-23-08)I had four great guests spend the night! My cousins Dillion (13), Erica (9), Brianna (10), and Nolan (7). We stayed up until 1 am. Well, when I say we, I mean they stayed up and I was on the couch coming in and out of sleep! We woke up Monday morning, had breakfast, played checkers, computer games, and Wii. Next we made crafts, those little plastic bead things that you put on a template and then iron to make them fuse together. Then we went over to Pam and Joseph's to play Disney Scene-It, eat popcorn and ride the rope swing Joseph made. Next we went to see Joseph at KB Toys and let the cousins pick out their Christmas gifts. After that we stopped by and picked up Xander and went to eat at Mama's for dinner. At first Xander announced that he would be sleeping with Jared that night. He was SO excited and kept saying it over and over. Jared came in the kitchen and said would someone tell that kid that I am not joking when I tell him that he is NOT sleeping with me. It was funny! Mama told him that he should sleep with Erica because she sleeps wild like he does. He quickly changed his mind and said he would sleep with her. While at Mama's the girls started chasing Xander around the house and treating him as though he were a baby. If you know Xander, then you know he usually thinks girls are pretty gross, but that night he fell in love with Erica! We headed on to my house and I went from 4 to 5 kids (remember we added Xander, he would not be left out of the madness!) We stayed up til 1 am again, playing the computer and Wii and watching movies. Erica had been having fun "taking care of" Xander. Erica had got Xander's pj's out of his bag (he insisted on putting his pj's right before he went to sleep. I guess he thought when he put them on then he would have to go straight to bed!) Anyhow, in his modest ways, he shooed everyone from the room while I changed his clothes. I was finishing up putting his pj's on when he grinned sheepishly at me and said, "Emily, I just can't stop hugging and kissing her (Erica)!" I replied with, "Oh goodness, what does this mean?" He yelled back, but grinning all the while, "Nothing! We're just friends, OK!" And then ran from the room. Well, I finished putting his things away and then started back to the livingroom when I noticed the dining room door closed. I opened the door and found Erica and Xander. Erica said that Xander wanted to tell her a secret. I told them when he was done they were to leave the door open and come in the room with the rest of us. I went and put the movie in. Erica came up to me and whispered, "Do you want to know what Xander just said to me?" "Sure," I said, I mean I was curious and figured it was something silly anyway. She said, " Xander said, 'If you marry me, I'll give you $50 bucks!'" Now we all realize he is in love! Erica said that he was NOT sleeping with her, so he slept on the floor between me and Dillion. Erica slept on the other side of Dillion! Bri slept in the bedroom and Nolan on the couch while Jared snoozed in our bed. We were gonna go to Pump It Up, but I got the free play times mixed-up and besides, Bri and Nolan called to ask their mom if they could stay one more night. She said yes so we decided to play for the day and go to Pump It Up the next day. We made more bead thingys and Pam had sent foam picture frames and foam shapes and paint so they all made one of those. Pam and Joseph stopped by and brought what they called "reinforcements"-in the form of Chris! The guys played Wii (Alex brought some more controllers and stayed for a short bit) while the kids painted plaster of paris figurines.


This is the cat that Xander painted for me!



That night we had church and then the kids spent the night with Pam and Joseph. They had Chris stay, too, for reinforcements! I told them that during the day it was just me with all five and that they are three to five- no fair! They said I was crazy and they were smart enough to out number!

Xander's Birthday Party at the Church

Sunday, November 23, 2008, we had a birthday party for Xander after evening worship. We had so much fun getting it together. If you know Xander, then you know he loves any and all super heroes! Mama cooked spaghetti, corn, and garlic bread. Jared and I did the decorations. We had Batman, Spiderman, and Transformers streamers hanging from the ceiling and running down one of the tables. We had a giant scene of Marvel comic characters on a picture on the wall that said "Happy Birthday" and a Scooby-Doo inflatble that said "Happy Birthday." We had him a Spiderman birthday hero badge and had Spiderman and Optimus Prime masks for the kids. Mama had candy everywhere for the kids as well. Pam and Joseph baked and decorated a conglomerate of super heroes including Transformers, Superman, Spiderman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Batman. It was too cool! Dillion and Erica were here and they helped Jared decorate. Everyone was so generous! He received a ton of fun gifts! Thanks friends!


This is when he first came into the fellowship hall. He was running and jumping and screaming in surprise and excitement! It was worth all the work at that moment!







The cake

Xander's 5th Birthday Party at Chuck E. Cheese

Last Saturday the Little Man had his 5 th birthday party. We all had a great time at Chuck E. Cheese!

Xander playing a game!


Me and Hannah playing Deal or No Deal

Pam playing Deal or No Deal

Hannah playing skee ball

Ian

Joseph playing skee ball

Jared

The Spiderman cake

Addi

Levi

Pimp Yo

The Friday before Thanksgiving, Pam, Jared, and I went out to eat at Olive Garden and run some errands. We stopped by Burlington Coat Factory because Pam needed a new coat. When we were on our way out of the store, Jared spotted this pimp fur coat (for men) and had to try it on. This isn't a great picture (for many reasons :) ) because it was taken on my cell phone.

Sunday's Blessings

Last Sunday we went to Friends and Family Day at Roebuck Church of Christ. My dad's family all go there. My uncle said if we come, then we'll all get to get at the front of the food line at the fellowship meal! lol He's silly! My parents couldn't come so it was Jared, me, Pam, Joseph, and Xander. Xander thought the church and everything about it was "awesome!" He was especially excited to get to see Chandler. As we were walking up the stairwell to find a class for Xander, he was fascinated with his echo and proclaimed that it was the "coolest thing ever!" He went right in to class like the big boy he has become and we were so proud. Chandler was not there yet and Xander didn't know anyone there, yet he was happy to be there. It is our prayer that he will always think the Lord's church and people are awesome and will grow into a christian young man. As Jared told Sister Cagle later that night in reference to bringing Xander to church, "Well, we love him and we want him to go to heaven!" AMEN! Anyhow, after class we sat in the balcony (Jeff sits up there because Chandler is a little loud you might say!) :) When we stood up to sing Xander yelled, "Jojo, I can see my house from here, can you?" lol We were facing towards some windows. He even sang along with the worship songs and it was the most beautiful sound to hear! He had a blast and I was near joyous tears all morning as Jared, Pam, Joseph, and I would give each other looks- we were all proud of the little man!
Wait... as I type Xander is sitting next to me on the couch watching SpiderMan and he says, "Emily...I love you!" It doesn't get any better than this!
Anyhow, Xander wanted to go home with Jared until the youth devotional. We listened to the "Secret Agent Man" theme song, btw, Joseph told Xander that morning on the way to church that the song was about him. Joseph told him his secret agent name was "Secret Agent X." Then he would sing the song to him. I have the theme song on a cd in my car so we listened to it a gazillion times from Roebuck to Adamsville! He thinks the singer is Joseph! Nice compliment, eh?? :) So, if you see Secret Agent X, do not blow his cover! He is out to fight the bad guys of the city! So...shhhhh...his identity is TOP SECRET!
Well, we stopped by to pick up Keri for the youth devotional, (she got to hear Secret Agent Man, the lucky duck!) and Xander accidentally let it slip who he was, but Keri promised not to tell anyone!
Xander got to ride the church bus for the first time and really enjoyed it! He started off sitting in front of me next to Keri. At one point he turned and looked at Keri and said, "Why is this bus going so fast?" lol We had a great time at Logan Martin Church of Christ! John Rice did a fantastic job, as always! Xander did GREAT! The crowd maxed out at 262 people!!! The ladies at Logan Martin C. of C. had prepared sloppy joes for 200! They ended up having to go out and get pizzas as well! There were chairs in the aisle and the singing was BEAUTIFUL! I am so glad we went! While we were there, Jared told Keri that she had to introduce herself to one person she didn't know before we left. He reminded her of this when we were on our way out and told her she could not get on the bus until she met a new person. So Keri walked up to a lady and said, "Hi, I'm Keri, he's (pointing at Jared) is making me meet one person before I can go home." Nice Keri! lol Jared told her that she did not fool him and that next time she had to meet two people and they had to be her age!
Monday, during the faculty meeting at work, I get a call from none other than David C.! He was letting me know that Mark Wylie was gonna baptize Keri that evening at the church! We were so happy for her and the big decision of becoming a christian! Several of us got to witness this important step in Keri's life! I pray that Keri continues to be a great example to others! We love you Keri!

A Blustery Fall Day

I just love this time of year when the air gets cooler, the leaves are changing, and fun times with family. I love my drive to and from work. My drive is mostly lined with trees on both sides of the road. I really enjoy my fall tunnel as I drive! It is so beautiful to see God's handiwork and a great reminder of all He's made. The last couple of days have consisted of a nice wind that stirred the colorful leaves up. As the leaves fell it looked like confetti being thrown up into the air and again, it was so beautiful!
Today Jared and I went over to Pam and Joseph's to visit and have lunch. Pam made a delicious meal of chicken picatta. Then we went outside and played on the rope swing that Joseph made. He would hook us up to his rock climbing harness and then attach it to the rope. Then he and Jared would toss us around as we swung in the air. It was so much fun! They really had fun pushing Pam so that she would slightly hit the bushes and then come flying back. It was funny because she would just laugh and laugh. We had fun goofing off like the big kids we are!
Jared, Andy, and Casey are here now watching the Alabama game. From the sounds of the hooting and hollering I conclude that they must have won...yep I just went to ask Jared and they did indeed win! Roll Tide!

Book Character Day

Yesterday was Book Character Day at school. We were to dress as our favorite book character and bring the book in with us. I went as Harry Potter. I had fun pointing my wand at my students when they walked up to me and yelling, "Expecto Patronous!" at them. They would laugh and give me a look like I was strange weirdo. They had no idea what it meant. I told them it was a force that kept them from coming any closer to me. They would laugh and then go sit down so I guess it worked! FYI, it is the spell that keeps the death eaters from Harry Potter. Ok, so I am a big dork and I know it! Joseph told me I was made to be a teacher because I enjoy doing these kinds of things. lol




Several of the other 2nd grade teachers dressed. We had Harry Potter, Johnny Appleseed, Puss in Boots, Fancy Nancy, and Amelia Bedelia!

My 5th Grade Scholar

Monday night Jared and I went to see my sweet cousin, Brianna, receive an award. The program was called the 5th Grade Scholars Awards. To qualify you must have a certain score on your SAT's as well as have very good grades. I am so proud of Bri and can't wait to see what her future holds!


Here's our scholar!


You may not recognize her without her curly locks!


Nolan annoying his sister!

During the program they honored the veterans in that were there and had them stand. This included my uncle!
Afterwards we had dinner at Pizza Hut with Brianna, Nolan, Stuart, Dawn, Uncle David, and Aunt Edith.