Mark's Melon Patch

On Friday, Chloe's Pre-K class took a Field Trip to Mark's Melon Patch over in Sasser, GA (outside of Albany). I am so thankful that the preschool encourages and allows parents to accompany the kids on field trips, resulting in some fun memories for our family! Kevin was in Atlanta for a conference, so I took Claire out of school so that she could go with me. And then my sweet friend and neighbor, Kaycee, kept Caitlyn so that I didn't have to keep her out of the dirt all day! It was a fun day!

L to R: Abigail, Taylor, Chloe, and Claire

All sweet friends from church!

I thought of my Dad when I saw this old Farmall tractor. It's very similar to one that my Dad has that has been passed down through the generations in my family. So, we snapped some pictures with the tractor, just so we could show Papa!

Sisters

Daily, I am thankful that they love each other so much and play so good together. I pray that when they are almost 30, they will still love to hang out together......like me and my sister.

I'm Here to Get My Teeth Cleaned

This past Thursday, Kevin and I had our regularly scheduled dentist appointments. Last time we were there, Chloe was quite intrigued by the entire process, so we had decided to schedule some time for her to get her teeth cleaned this time as well. I had begun prepping her a couple of weeks ago.....it was going to be a new experience and she operates better when she feels informed and comfortable. Much to my surprise, she got so excited about her trip to the dentist and began asking me on occasion when it would be time for her to go! I should add here, that my prep work and persuasion were heavily influenced (in a positive way) by the fact that our good friend, Lance, is the dentist. Lance's twin daughters are some of Chloe's best friends.

So.....Thursday morning arrived and the plan was for Chloe and I to go ahead to arrive at the dentist for our 8:40 appointment. Kevin was going to wait about a half of an hour and then bring Claire with him when he came for his appointment. Well, Chloe and I got to the office and she was donning her new pink coat and her pink sunglasses. We walked into the office and she pranced right up to the receptionist and announced, "My name is Chloe Kilgore, and I'm here to get my teeth cleaned." The sweet lady at the desk was very gracious and held her laughter. Chloe continued to tell her that "Mr. Lance was going to clean her teeth because she was three now."

Here is our big girl sitting in the chair waiting to have her teeth cleaned.

Being so still and sweet for "Miss" Beth

Part of what makes our dentist's office fun.....The Disney Channel!

All done and all smiles!

Thursday morning, I was so proud of my girl! It took a lot of self control not to burst into laughter at how cute she was. However, I didn't laugh.....because she was so serious and so intent on being a big girl. I never want her to shy away from a situation because she is afraid of someone's (or my) reaction. I want her to feel confident in who she is and in her capabilities as she enters every situation that life throws at her. I know, I know....this was just the dentist....but I am constantly reminded that how I handle myself and how I handle my girls are all building blocks for their self esteem. That's a challenging thought for me.......and yet relieving at the same time. I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity to shape their hearts and teach them that they are perfect just the way that they are, because our world is all too ready to contradict. However, it's also a big responsibility for me...making sure that I shape their self-esteems with the utmost care and love.

There is a Christian artist, Johnny Diaz, who has a song out right now entitled "There Could Never Be a More Beautiful You." There is so much about that song that I like and identify with as we raise our girls. One of the lines of the song says, "You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do, so there could never be a more beautiful you!"

Cinematic Flop (Title by Kevin)

Last night, we took Chloe on a date with Mommy and Daddy.....to her first movie! We had heard that Disney's new princess movie was pretty good so we decided to go to a late afternoon/early evening showing yesterday. Chloe was so excited all day! In fact, she was so excited that she didn't take a nap!



Kevin had promised Chloe that we would order popcorn and coke. It was the first time that Chloe had eaten popcorn. Turns out, our little picky eater is not a fan! However, she did enjoy licking the pieces of popcorn to get the salt off......sigh!

Before we headed in to see our movie......she decided to wear her dress and tights for her date!

All settled in our seats.........it was a good thing, because the movie was 20 minutes late getting started......and was going to last an hour and a half......with our three year old that didn't take her nap........hence her review of the evening......"That movie was too long!"

I think we'll wait a year or two before we head back to the movies with Chloe!

Christmas Part One - Everyone's Taken Care Of

Cookies for Santa...



and food for the reindeer!



Here are a few pictures of Chloe making cookies for Santa...such fun memories!

Stay tuned.....more to come...

Santa Baby

We went to visit Santa this weekend at the Mall of Georgia. We were up that way after having attended part of Jess' graduation for his Master's Degree on Friday. I must admit that I was shocked at how our girls reacted to Santa. I was sure that Chloe would "chicken out" when she got close to Santa.......but she didn't! She walked right up to him and got in his lap. After they took their picture, she proceeded to tell Santa exactly what she wanted for Christmas (a jump rope, a dollhouse, binoculars, and an easel) and then she asked Santa to please wrap it in princess wrapping paper! What a fun memory!

Ring, Ring, Ring the Bells (Preschool Cristmas Party)

"Ring, ring, ring the bells
Ring them loud and clear
To tell the children everywhere
That Christmastime is here!"

This is the little song that Chloe learned at school and has been singing for a couple of weeks now. It is to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." I have to stop right here and tell you a little story......a couple of weeks ago, we were in the van riding to church and Chloe was singing this little Christmas song. All of a sudden, she got quiet for a couple of minutes. And then, I heard her singing, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat".......I about came out of my seat! I could not believe that she had figured out that the two songs were the same tune. My girl has got an ear for music! I'm interested to see what will happen over the next few years.

Back to the party.........Chloe and her classmates sang this sweet little song, along with Happy Birthday to Jesus, to begin their Christmas party at school. Chloe did a great job singing...it's one of her favorite things to do! Oh....in case you are wondering, the kids are holding jingle bells that they "jangled" while they sang.

Then of course, there were cupcakes, cookies, cheese puffs, and juice boxes. Could a preschool party really happen without these four things?

Towards the end, the natives were getting restless and Daddy seemed to be the best entertainment. They read quite a few books in those last few minutes as they hung out on the rug by the bookshelf. This is Caroline, Kevin, and Chloe.

Christmastime is here......are you ready?

While we wait on Christmas.....

We dress up and pretend to be princesses....

We sit around eating and looking oh so cute....

And we load and unload the dishwasher......sigh....

I think the chipmunks said it best....

"Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We've been good, but we can't last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast!"

O Christmas Tree

This afternoon, Chloe and I made Rice Krispie treats in the shape of a Christmas tree. We had so much fun! I melted the butter and marshmellows and then added green food coloring before adding the Rice Krispies. Once we made the tree, she decorated it with red and green M&Ms as the ornaments! Too cute!

Night in Bethlehem

Last night, our church hosted "A Night in Bethlehem." It was an event geared towards families with young children. The auditorium was set up to resemble a marketplace from Bible times. There were different stations, or shops, that the families could visit to make crafts or do quick activities. Also, each family had the opportunity to hear the Christmas story from the shepherds, Mary, and Joseph. I spent a lot of time at the church this week working on the set-up for this event. Since the beginning stages of planning for this night, I felt strongly that this event had the potential to be a huge outreach to young families in our area. In addition, I suspected that it would be much needed reminder of what the true meaning of the season really is.....Jesus! We (Kevin and I) estimate that we had about 400 people come through our event last night......and they all heard the story of Christmas. What a huge blessing!

Below are a few pictures of our girls as they went through the stations. I was able to step away from my duties for a little while to walk around with them. I was very appreciative to have my parents, better known as Reesie and Papa, be here for the evening to bring the girls and take care of them.

I wonder what it was really like that night, long ago, in Bethlehem? Did it smell like hay and burlap? Was it cool outside? Was the star really as bright as we imagine it? Merry Christmas!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

On Saturday after Thanksgiving, we headed up to Bob's Flowers to pick out our Christmas tree. As you can tell, it was a brisk, cool day that really felt like Christmas.........just kidding! Kevin actually had on short sleeves this day! As you can tell, the girls didn't think it was near as exciting as I did......one day they will! Stay tuned for pictures of the fully decorated tree!

Thanksgiving Feast at School

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Chloe had a Thanksgiving Feast at school. The teachers had everyone sign up to bring a finger food, and we all sat in the fellowship hall at tables to eat. The kids enjoyed the food, and it was a fun activity to add to Thanksgiving week!

Claire had fun at sister's party too.......the snacks were her favorite part!

This was the best pictures that I could get of these four......they are quite the group! These four girls have been playing together for so long! It's hard to believe how quickly they grow up! L to R: Chloe, Caroline (I think), Mollie, and Ensley (I think). (I will have to verify with April and I'll come back and change it if I'm wrong!)

Chloe's "Paper"

I must confess......the "papers" that Chloe brings home from Sunday School each week usually make their way to my kitchen trash can rather quickly. I know, I know.......it's just that I'm a purger at heart! However, the occasion does arise in which I grab one of her "papers" and save it in my special place.......a couple of Sundays ago was one of those such occasions. I think that it was the Sunday before Thanksgiving that Chloe brought home this picture that she had drawn. She often shows her "papers" to us as soon as we get in the car. This particular Sunday, she was so excited because she had drawn her family! I was just so proud of her and thought this was so cute. She said that Daddy was in the orange (on the left) and Claire is next to him and then Mommy is on the bottom, with the longer hair. What a sweet girl.......she's growing up so quickly. This "paper" says it quite well.........thank you, God, for my family!

Pumpkin Patch (South Georgia Style)

The Georgia Agrirama did a small pumpkin patch this year, complete with train rides. They did it for three Saturdays. This weekend, we had no plans and decided to take the girls to the pumpkin patch on Saturday afternoon. They had forecasted rain earlier in the week so I wasn't sure it would work out for us to go. It turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day! The girls had so much fun!

This next picture was taken right after we boarded the train. The train took us all around the Agrirama property where we saw people and animals. As soon as the girls got over the loud whistle, they really had fun riding!

Before we left, we went to look at the pumpkins some more. Chloe really wanted to take a pumpkin home "for her back yard," but the pumpkins there were kind of expensive. So.....

....we stopped by Bob's (a local nursery that we love!) on the way home and the girls each picked out a pumpkin for $1! They were thrilled! Claire kept saying, "Ball, ball!" And they both held their pumpkins all the way home!

Now, I know I'm biased, but these are the two cutest pumpkins I've ever seen! Happy Fall!