Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a super beautiful, chill day. We started the day with some sisterly love reading Spiffer's books, and then we had lunch together at Babalu where HG taught Cress how to play tic tac toe. Mid afternoon, we headed to Byhalia for our annual candlelight service (surprise, Cress fell asleep on the way there and was groggy). Then, we went to Grandma's for our gift exchange time, and before we knew it, it was time to leave some reindeer food out for Rudolph and Oreos and boiled custard for Santa!

The girls played outside for the longest time. The weather was beautiful!

Tic tac toe lessons in effect

Despite HG not wanting anything to do with a picture with mama, she is pretty convincing, huh?

Grandma's

Thanks, Cress, for capturing me in my mama element of unboxing toys, surrounded by a sea of wrapping paper.

I spend hours making calendars for Spiffer & GD, Grandma, and Bubba each Christmas with pics from the year, and it warms my heart like nothing else to see each of them sit down immediately and pour over the year's worth of memories. Makes all the work worthwhile!

Aggressive reindeer food dumper

Look at that poser!

We ready!

Gifts at Spiffer & GD's

We kicked off the Christmas celebration with opening presents with Granddaddy and Spiffer on the 21st. Lots of earrings, books, mermaids, and Anna & Elsa made happy girls!

School Christmas Programs

Both girls had their school Christmas program on December 18th. Cressey was up first with the ECC program in the morning, and HG just had to come watch her. Cressey was so excited as her class marched into the gym and waved happily to us. Once the songs started though, she started shrinking. She wouldn't sing and kept her head down. Finally, Ms. Sarah pulled her over to her side, and there she sat for the rest of the show. She just got overwhelmed with all the people and noise.

After a quick break, it was time for HG's lower school program in the theater. Thanks to HG being generous with her cafeteria card, Cressey got to snack on some chips and string cheese during her sissy's performance. HG's class was the best of the bunch as they danced and sang. As usual, our  little star shone brightly on stage!

Mistletoe Mash

As fifth graders, Helen Grace and her friends moved up to the highest/oldest level of the Christmas 'Jingle Bell Ball' dances at the Peabody, the Mistletoe Mash. She begged to get her hair done, and since the best I can do is a wonky french braid, I signed her up for an appointment downtown before the pre-dance get together with her classmates. I've never seen her smile so big- she was such a happy girl and so proud of her fancy braid and eye shadow and blush!

For what feels like the first time, the girls seemed to really focus on actually dancing during the dance- they didn't come out with balloon animals or face paint- and they seemed to have a teeny bit of fun with the boys too, even boys from other schools. (Eek!)

I kept shaking my head looking at her all night. She knew which dress was the one the minute she pulled it out of the bag and found just the right shoes when she saw them with the dress. You know she must have been happy with herself because she didn't give me quite as much opposition to picture taking as she usually does. Some push back but not a total shutdown! Such a beautiful, strong, fun and stylish girl with a heart of gold!

First glimpse of the whole package

Can hardly wait to get there- chomping at the bit!

Love these two

Time for the dance!

All the SAA-SDS 5th graders

Alpine Village

2019 was Cressey's second annual trip to Alpine Village, and Granddaddy and Spiffer came with us. Of course, the girls went STRAIGHT to the snow! (Why do I never think to bring a brush with me??) Cress was a little overwhelmed with all the noise and crowd, so she gave up about 2/3 of the way around the village. HG charged on ahead though, and they both quickly recovered after getting a breather and indulging in the cookie they decorated!