Like Mother, Like Daughter

The past couple days I have been trying to get some photos of Eve looking cute in some of her new fall clothes. At times she is fully cooperative, at times she wants to call the shots and at others she is stubborn and hides from the camera... all three reactions, I might add, you could have gotten when trying to take a picture of me at any given time as a child. (Just ask my parents or my PawPaw!) It really is striking how alike we are... I look forward to watching her grow and to the relationship we will continue to build. Jay, however, may need your prayers in dealing with the two of us!!

Mommy: Eve, let me make a picture of your outfit.

Eve: No!

Mommy: Yes, just look at me and say cheese!

Eve: I get on the slide.

Mommy: Take your picture on the slide?

Eve: Yeah!

Eve: Mommy, take a picture on my swing now!
Mommy: Eve, let me take a picture of you in your dress this morning.

Eve: Noooo! (Turns her head away.)
Mommy: Let me try again.

Eve: I hidin' behind my cup.

Fall on the Farm

The MSU Agriculture Department hosts this yearly fundraiser at the Pullen Farm, right down the street from M.E.S. Every year we walk with all the students from my school to attend. (Well, to be truthful I don't attend anymore now that I teach Title I, but I went when I had a homeroom.) This year Emily and I decided that Eve and Zak would love to go. It was so much fun!! (And... Emily and I will do anything to squeeze in a cousin photo session or to find an excuse to make a photo book!) In fact, we took so many photos I thought it would be easiest to share them in a slide show. Check it out!! Emily and I agree that this is such a fun time with our kids. They are both so smart and loving... we are truly cherishing every moment... especially when we can get them both together!!

A Busy Day

Today was the final day of Fall Break for Jay and me. I must admit, teaching is the best job out there... it is so nice to get these breaks to be able to spend time at home with Eve. It is the next best thing to being able to stay home all the time!

Our busy day began this morning when Cousin Zak came over to play. (Jay and Tim went to play golf.) I was amazed at how the two-year-olds interacted. They talked to each other and semi-organized their play. Gone are the days where they just co-exist or steal each other's pappies... they really are good friends!

After lunch Eve and I went to the Public Library. Eve really loved this! She told everyone to "shh" when we walked in the building. When she saw the children's section she sat right down at the table and began looking at books. I read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to her. Then she sat down at a computer and we played a "Blues Clues" game. She chose a few books off the board book shelf and when we checked them out the librarian gave her a sticker. It just doesn't get much better than that!Tonight we wento the Murray High football game. Eve sat with her good friend, "Boof." She cheered for the Tigers, ate popcorn and a sucker, and put on quite a show for all those sitting around us. She sang rousing verses of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," "Twinkle, Twinkle," "Baa Baa Black Sheep," "Jesus loves me," "Jesus Loves the Little Children," and the Alphabet Song. And, oh yeah, by the way, the tigers won!

Truly a busy and blessed day in our lives!!

Imagination at Work

Eve's imagination has really taken off in the past few weeks. It is fun to watch and listen as she plays and talks to her baby dolls, stuffed animals and imaginary friends. Tonight she came up to me with two plastic golf clubs. She was kind of banging them together and humming. I didn't pay much attention to her and even tried to shoo her away as the clubs came dangerously close to my face. Determined, Eve continued with the strange behavior until I said, "Eve, what are you doing?!?" She proudly answered, "I playin' the violin, Mommy!" How could I not have recognized it? Later, I asked her to show me how she played the violin with her golf clubs so I could get a photo. She gladly obliged, but very quickly threw one of the clubs down and exclaimed, "Wook! I twirlin'!" And just like that the former golf club turned violin had become a baton!

Homecoming Weekend

This weekend was MSU Homecoming. It was a busy time as Mamaw & PawPaw, Philip & Sarah and Micah, Kacey & Finley were all in town! Eve had a great time with all her family. Mamaw and PawPaw brought her prizes that were blue (per Eve's request for a "blue prize") including a flashlight (who's batteries ran down the first night) and a Mickey Mouse Memory game (at which Eve is very good as long as she is the only one who gets to find the matches). Sissy and Pip brought her a Princess sticker book that she loved, too. Yesterday was Pip's birthday so we had a yummy Cake Lady cake. On Saturday Sissy joined the Stark/Puricelli family for the MSU Homecoming Parade. As it turned out, Uncle Micah was more entertaining than the parade! He was full of antics, as usual!! Since I am pointing out his craziness, I should also point out Micah's victories. He was the winner of all golf this weekend. Thankfully, no silly bets were placed this time!! We had a wonderful weekend with everyone... if only it could have been longer. Days go by too fast when you are in the company of family that you just don't get to see often enough. Eve was sad to learn that everyone had gone home this morning when she woke up asking for Mamaw and Sissy. Then, when we had to say goodbye to Finley and Kacey she was disappointed again. I must admit, I shared her sentiments, but we will just have to look forward to our next visits and dwell on the new memories made this time! Love to all!!

Sound Asleep

As a part of Eve's bedtime routine either Jay and I will go in and check on her after she has settled into bed. (I know, Dad, the day will come when she asks us to come back "in one minute.") Tonight when I went in I couldn't see her face very well in the dark so I whispered, "Are you asleep?" To which she whispered back, "Yeah, Mommy. I asleep." I held back my giggle and said, "Okay. Well, sleep tight. I love you!" She hugged me and whispered, "Lub you, too!" Oh, if I could only stop time and bottle these moments!!

More Marching Band!

Murray State had the honor of hosting a Bands of America Regional marching band competition today. Jay, Eve and I (along with Uncle P) had the honor of attending using Racer Band passes courtesy of Mr. Fannin. :) We didn't get to see very many bands (after my Wal-Mart time, Eve's nap time and Jay & P's golf time) as it was an all-day affair and finals did not even begin until almost 8:00 p.m. (In fact, Racer Band is probably preparing to go on in exhibition as I type!) But, we did get to see the band from Collins Hill High School in Georgia. Collins Hill is near where my family and I used to live during my middle school and early high school years. I felt very nostalgic while watching the Screaming Eagles Band. The last time I saw them perform was at my final band competition as a Dacula Falcon at Rockfield High School in Georgia. That was a night in my life I will never forget! We won our class as a band and our guard was third overall! I guess marching band is one of those things that becomes a part of who you are... at least I know it will always be a part of me! I suppose I am proud to be a BAND NERD! :)

The Band from Georgia

A Good Family Shot - Thanks, P!

I bought Eve a miniture flag! She loves it! It is gold... for Murray State and Murray High!

Feeling Artsy

If you know me well, you know I love anything artsy or crafty... well, I have been at a loss as to what to hang over my couch in our new house. I remembered last week that I had a large canvas out in the garage and decided to do something with it. Some painter's tape, acrylic paint, sponge paint brushes and crackle medium later and you have my large art project for the week. It looks really nice in our family room. It adds color to an otherwise neutral room... I am pretty proud of it!