Ellie turns 11 and other September fun!

On Thursday, September 19th, our first baby, Ellie, turned 11. It seems like I can't stop the clock no matter how hard I try. She is a smart, beautiful, creative, funny, active child that we love more than anything. She is currently still into everything that crosses her path. She loves ALL THE THINGS: Dance, Tumbling, Volleyball, Basketball, TV, Anything Disney, Cats, her friends, books (especially graphic novels,) ice cream, bossing her siblings around, being right, acting/playing pretend, stuffed animals of any kind, and sleeping in the same room with her little sister. She doesn't love school, doing homework, cleaning up her stuff, getting up for school in the morning, and math.

We are so proud of her. She does do well in school, 5th grade has just been no joke. We are now entering a stage of parenting that involves teaching serious time management, being organized with your work, doing your best work even when it's hard and you don't want to, and battling her inability to focus when something shiny passes by. Her teacher referred to her as having a version of "senioritis." We are ALL working hard, however, to beat this 5th grade thing and come out shining on the other side. We know she is capable and it can be done. Prayers are appreciated.

Her birthday party was a "grumpy cat" themed sleepover the weekend before her birthday. We had 8 girls and only 1 wanted to go home at midnight (and she was our next door neighbor, so she didn't have to go far.) The girls played, swam, did nails, played pictionary and exploding cats card game, watched Aladdin, danced, dressed up, and eventually went to sleep. I think they all had a good time and had enough sugar to last them for the next month.

On Ellie's actual birthday she had dance until 6:15, so we went to dinner at a restaurant the kids love near the dance studio. It is a pizza buffet and game place. (The Mill) We had our neighbor tag along with us because we normally bring her home from dance. After dinner and games, we headed down the street to the froyo shop. Ellie wanted that instead of coming home for another birthday cake. As we were all deciding which flavor of froyo we wanted in a packed out yogurt shop, I noticed Emma with her hand over her mouth. I know exactly what was happening. I pushed her toward the bathroom, but we didn't make it. She puked ALL over the floor, me, and herself. I got her to the bathroom eventually and cleaned us both up. The poor girl working behind the counter by herself was not only overwhelmed by customers, she now had to mop up vomit. That pretty much finished out our night. Worth got Ellie some froyo and we quietly got back into the car and went home. I think we will probably wait a few months before going back to that froyo place. I felt bad that Ellie's birthday had been cut short, but at least it was at the very end. I think we were all tired from the school week, so she didn't seem to really be affected by it. Emma woke up the next morning perfectly fine, and no one else caught it. We think she may have just eaten something that didn't sit well. She told us at dinner she was having really bad stomach cramps. After she threw up, she looked at me and said, "Man, I feel so much better!"

Other things going on this month included their school boosterthon fun run, a new golf cart, UGA game, Kidzquest, and Winnersville week at school (the week the 2 in town high schools battle it out on the football field,) and Nutcracker preparations. September is almost as crazy as May.

Ellie couldn't wait for her guest to arrive!

Sorry for the side ways picture, but that was about how I felt about following through  with the "grumpy cat" theme. It was tough finding stuff, but I pulled it off to the best of my non-creative ability. 

For dinner we had chick fil a nuggets, chips, and fruit. 

Ofcourse their was a cookie cake involved!

I had snacks all over the house. They devoured all of these by 11:00pm

The gang's all here!

Jane and Julia

I thought these straws were hilarious. 

Taylor and Emma B. 

Emma S. and Allie

The backyard trampoline water park was a hit. 

They spent plenty of time in the pool as well.

Cookie cake time!

Ready to blow out some candles (I actually remembered them this time!) 

Happy 11th Ellie! 

This game went on for a while and I'm still not sure how to play. They were coming up with their own rules if they didn't understand the directions. Not sure Exploding Cats is my favorite game. Pictionary was WAY more fun, but Elle and Emma B. were on separate teams, and the sisterly competition got a little too intense. We had to move on to another activity. 

Only a breakfast of champions for girls that were up giggling MOST of the night. 

This was the morning of her actual birthday on the 19th. It was PJ day at school. She is the only kid that I know of that would be lucky enough to score something like that on her birthday. 

My precious baby who is no longer a baby. She is so beautiful and bright, and I'm not sure just where this family would be without her. 

At the Mill for a birthday dinner. after a long dance class. Both Emmas are in attendance as well as Grandma and Papa. They are all doing the "papa wave" in this picture. 

Grandma and Papa brough gifts. 

Poor Emma (our neighbor) had to be roped into the whole family gathering. Thankfully, her mom was able to swing in and pick her up JUST before my Emma threw up everywhere. 

Other happenings included Boosterthon, our kids school fundraiser! Toothless Emma was in it to win it. She got her 35 laps and then some. 

Mack shooting me a grin before the kindergarten boys took off for their laps. 

The lights were off for most of the time the 5th graders were in the gym. This is the best shot I got of Ellie through the strobe lights. (She's the one running with the bun) We had to have boosterthon in our gym this year because it is south GA and it is still 100 degrees outside. Apparently, last year there were several cases of children throwing up and passing out from the heat. It was performed in the freezing cold gym this year. 

Emma was old enough to attend Kidzquest at Epworth (at SSI) this year. She was thrilled to get to go with Ellie on this weekend church retreat. 

While the girls were at Epworth worshipping, Worth, Mack and I travelled to Athens to cheer the Dawgs on against Notre Dame. Mack got some serious cousin time in. 

Thank goodness we won. It was worth it after sweating it out n the heat all day. 

It was Winnersville week this week and the kids had dress up days every day. I only got pictures of Plowboy day, because, honestly, it was the cutest. The girls didn't have cowgirl boots, but I think they pulled it off with their booties. 

I said, "Mack smile so I can get your plowboy day picture." He immediately struck this pose and thankfully I caught it before he moved again. 

There are many good things about having multiple children. One of my favorites is when the older sibling helps her younger sibling work on his sight words. 

It was a parent observation night at dance, and I got to watch Ellie in her point shoes. 

She looked so grown up. 

She will be a Polichenelle in the Nutcracker this year. She loves her poofy costume tutu this year. 

Ellie at 11 doing what she loves best. She lays almost upside down  (or in any other uncomfortable looking position) and doesn't move until she finishes whatever book she's reading.