Wild Weekend

We had a crazy and fun weekend!

Friday night, we got in my new (to me) car (more about that later) and headed to Jackson.  Jackie boy got to stay up late and go to the Mississippi State Fair with his Bella and Aunt Ansley.

Bech shared some of his cotton candy with Jack.

He was not a fan!

Bella wanted to take him on a ride, but the lines were too long, so she settled for a fair "happy."  He loved it!

We spent the night with my family at the King Ed, picked up Katy and Dave in the morning, then headed to Oxford bright and early for game day.  Of course we needed a stop at Cups first.

Oxford and the Grove were fun, but cold and rainy!  It started raining when we were walking to the Grove and continued to drizzle the rest of the afternoon.  Bech and I had thought about going into the game with Jack, but we ended up heading back to the apartment before kick off.  We hung out with Jack, put him to bed, then headed to bed early!

Jack with Colonel Reb.  Okay, so that's not really Colonel Reb.  It's just some creepy old guy who dresses up like him.  But I think he's hilarious.  We took a picture of Jack with him last year.

Jack wasn't so sure about the Colonel at first, but he warmed up to him.

Jack spent a lot of the afternoon in his Uncle Bubby's arms.  He loves his Bubby!

My good friend from Jr. High and High School, Fran, was there for the game.  She graduated from A&M and was there to cheer on her alma mater.  Elliot is 3 weeks younger than Jack, and they finally got to meet!

Sunday morning, Jack, Bech, my Dad, and I went to Bottletree Bakery for breakfast.  When Bech and I were in college, we had a breakfast date at Bottletree every Friday morning.  It was so special to bring Jack back to one of our favorite places.  

As a side note, Jack was a champ this weekend.  He barely cried or fussed, and he was amazing everywhere we went (and in the car rides--he spent 11 hours in the car this weekend!).

Then we headed over to Tupelo to see my Grandma Jean, Jack's great grandmother.  Jack is blessed to have four great grandparents.  He has met Grandma Jean once before, last year.  He has changed so much. He tried to knock over everything in the room, but I think she enjoyed seeing him.

Jack was sweet and shared some kisses with Grandma Jean.

We headed back to Jackson by way of the Natchez Trace, stopped at Keifers for lunch, then headed to Baton Rouge.  We've unpacked, Jack is asleep, and Bech and I are gearing up for the week ahead!

Life...

Whew...I need life to calm down!  We have had a busy couple of weeks and have a busy week coming up.

Here's what's been going on lately:

* This past week, school was busy!  The term is almost over (next week!) so I had several parents email me for conferences.  I also have tests and study guides I have been making and grading.

I was nervous for a couple of the conferences.  I think the relationship between parents and teachers has really changed in recent years.

Here's a good summary.  And I was definitely worried that the conferences would follow these lines.  But they were great!  The parents are totally on my side in how to deal with their kids, and I loved getting to talk to them!  What a blessing!

* This past weekend was Bech's 10th high school reunion.  We had fun.  I was surprised by how many of his classmates I knew.  I enjoyed meeting new ones, as well.  I don't want to do it every weekend, but it was enjoyable.

* We got to spend lots of time with Bech's family this past weekend.  We have seen his parents recently, but we also got to see his brothers, sister-in-law, and grandmother.  Jack LOVED the attention and did great the whole weekend.

* Speaking of my little man, he is getting his molars!  He has been sort of quiet and calm lately.  I was worried that he was getting sick, but I now know the culprit.

* Sunday, I went to Highlands, my childhood church, with my sister.  I love being back there--so many old friends and good memories.  Plus, it was a missions Sunday.  I always get so emotional at those, but I loved it.  Check out this video they made of some of their missionaries.  

The best part is the missionaries at the end--the Bonhams and Kines!  Nikki Travis Bonham and I grew up in youth group together.  The families left two weeks ago for Bogota, Columbia.  I am so excited for them and for their future work.

* Yesterday felt like fall here!  I LOVED it.  I ran by the store after work and grabbed some ingredients to make chili for dinner.  Bech and I ate chili while I burned an apple pie scented candle.  The perfect end to a fall day!

* This weekend, we are headed to God's country--Oxford, Mississippi.  I plan on seeing friends, spending time in the grove, eating Bottletree Bakery, and hanging out with my dad and sister.  To say I can't wait would be an understatement!  

Plus, it's going to be chilly Saturday night.  I plan on wearing some tights and boots to the grove!

That's what we've been up to.  Right now, I need to get to work on narratives for the end of the term.  Any other teachers have to do narratives for each student?

Weekend Happenings

Please excuse the awful, blurry iphone photos.  It was a busy weekend!

Every Friday at daycare, the babies have worn their team gear.  We had an Auburn cheerleader, two LSU cheerleaders, and a little Ole Miss player this past week.  Jack loves his Rebels!

Friday, right after school, Jack and I jumped in the car and headed to Brookhaven for the weekend.

As soon as we got home, KK gave Jack his first Janie's cookie.  Janie's is this great little bakery in Brookhaven, and their cookies are SO good.  Jack agreed.

As a side note, Jack looks like a total redneck in this picture.  I apologize.  I do not normally let my child go around in sleeveless outfits (unless they are bubbles, smocked, or monogrammed).  This is Jack's extra outfit at daycare.

Also, I'm pretty sure he has sucker rubbed into his hair.  That's what I do to get a 15 month old happy on the car ride home.  Give him suckers, that is, not rub it in his hair.  You can guess who did that!

 Sunday was a great relaxing day.  We started off with a walk downtown so that Jack could have another Janie's first--a doughnut!  He loved this as well.  

Jack took great naps and got lots of cuddle time in with his grandparents and his aunts and uncle.  I think everyone was glad to see him.

After some outside playtime and grilled hamburgers, Jack and I headed back to Baton Rouge Saturday night.

Bech got lots of pottery time while we were gone, but he was glad to see us!

Today was slightly dramatic.  Tonight while making homemade chicken stock, Bech sliced the tip of his finger.  We hurried to an urgent care center near our house and they were able to glue it back together (cheaper, easier, and less painful than stitches).  

The good news is that, while waiting at the pharmacy for his painkiller prescription, I got my highest Temple Run score ever.  Are you impressed?  Or embarrassed for me?  

I am both.

But mostly impressed with myself!  Ha!

Hopefully this week will be a lot less busy and dramatic.  But next weekend we head to Jackson for Bech's 10 year high school reunion!

Trip down south

Tomorrow afternoon Jack and I will set off for the South.  Y'all, please pray--I am flying solo with Jack!  He was amazing on his first set of flights, and I hope he is the same.  And honestly, he is such a sweet and easy baby.  But sometimes, he gets his fussy moods, so lets hope that does not happen on the plane.  I do not want to be hated by all of the other passengers!

My mom is picking us up at the New Orleans airport tomorrow night, and we are headed to Brookhaven.  Friday is Brookhaven High's homecoming, and since the mascot is absolutely wonderful (it's Ansley), I have to see her perform!  And this will be Jack's only chance to see her as the Panther.  After the game on Friday night, we will head to Oxford, also known as the Promised Land.  Actually, it's not known as the Promised Land, but it feels that way to me!

I am hoping to get a breakfast in at Bottletree before hitting the Grove.  We are playing Alabama, and I have no illusions of us winning.  In fact, Mom and I are going to hang out in the Grove with Jack rather than  watch the game.  I think the stadium would be a little overwhelming for him.

Then Jack and I will head back to Btown with the family, and head home on Tuesday.  A whirlwind, but fun trip!

Here are some pictures of the Grove in past years...

My last time in the grove, 2 years ago!

I'll be missing this guy... :(

But Bech will be visiting graduate schools while Jack and I are gone!

This picture is from my senior year...whoa...Blaise and Ansley look so young!  Katy, you look the same, which is a good thing!

Can't wait to be back in Dixie!

There's a feeling in the air...

It's finally here...football season!  Now to be honest, I don't get too into football.  I suppose I do, when compared with people up here.  Mostly I just love the grove and the whole experience.

But both Bech and I graduated from Ole Miss, and my whole family (well except for Katy who is all about her Auburn tigers) loves Ole Miss.  So Jack really has no choice in who he will cheer for!

Dressed up, ready for opening Saturday of football season!

Hotty Toddy, Y'all!