Trim the Tree

 This is probably the last year for footie jammies - sad, but true.  What will Christmas be without my kids in their footie jams?   Almost every dear memory of Christmas time includes this toasty nightwear.  I suppose it gives me a reason to savor this year a bit more.

These two tweenie-weenies won't even wear normal jammies.  It's a hobo array of hoodies and flannel pants.  I will say, they were really helpful when they helped put out the Christmas decorations this year.  We've hit a stage where, when they help, it's actually help.  This is huge here.  Like last night -- I teasingly said, "Why don't you come up with a sidedish for my beautiful dinner?"  Without skipping a beat, Claire said, "I'll make a salad."   "GREAT!"  And so we had a beautiful salad with my "beautiful" tuna melts. 

Happy 12th b-day!

Yeah -- 12 is a big one.  It's the first b-day in junior high.  This also brought on less presents.  I guess the packages get smaller, but the price gets higher as the girls age.  This year was a huge step -- cell phones.  *yuck*  I'm not ready for texting, face timing, and the likes.  Whether I'm ready or not, here it comes.

M & M's

The kids have picked their own costumes for years.  Really -- I don't sway them at all.  This year they picked M&M's.  I was a little floored by the simplicity, but it was a good year to go basic.  Isaak truly wanted a rip off shell for the red M&M (imagain "Sexy, and I know it . ..), but my sewing skills have their limitations.

Pumpkin Carving

 Every year we break into teams to see who can carve the best pumpkin.  Hands down, my team wins every year -- except this year.  Brant really put in some effort for his team this year with a Frankenpumpkin.  My girly team created a pumpkin carriage, complete with princess stuck in there.  Cute, but not the winner.

Crazy Hair Benefit

Ike and Ava's elementary school had a fundraiser -- pay $1 to wear crazy hair to school.  It was a big hit (pay no attention to the pained look on Ike's face).  Pretty sure they raised a ton of money.  It was sort of a in-lieu-of-Halloween thing.  I still miss the halloween fun at school, but I understand why they quit having the school parties -- what is with the bloody costumes and street walker costumes in size 6x.  Really?

Paige's First Heels

 Sorry, my camera has been a little sick lately.  So has Claire.  She had to miss her first middle school choir concert.  Bummer, but Paige got to shine all on her own.  She even wore heels.  Little, baby heels that I agreed on, but still *sigh* heels.

 

 The songs were absolutely lovely, but Paige looked so darn grown-up.  In all her finery, my Paige still didn't want to wear make-up.  It's just not her thing.  She says it feels icky on her face.  Fine by me -- she is growing up far too fast as it is.

Go Raiders

 How cute is this kid!   I know I'm his mom, but this has to be the cutest center ever.  I mean look at him. 

 Brant is helping coach, which has it's ups and downs in the the Hamby house.  It's hard not to take it personal when that cute center is having a bad day.  I have to remind everyone that we are trying to raise well-rounded kids.  We want them to be good at sports, academics, and friendships.  No one thing can be perfect without letting the others drop.  All are equally important in being the growing-up a good, Christian kid.  It's a challenge for us to keep the balance.  I want to go reeling when someone brings home an unsavory grade.  Brant wants to blow his stack when they have a "loaf" day in sports.   We all have to keep each other balanced.  That's why God put the six of us together.

But this . . . this is what it's all about.  Look at that smile. He loves football.  He gets so excited to put on his gear and get rough.  It sets him apart from his sisters, this new step in his journey from boy to man.