Thanksgiving in Charlotte

We had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving.  We celebrated on Wednesday in Charlotte with Jason's family, then we went to Shelby on Thursday to celebrate with my family.  It sounds really busy, but it was actually really laid-back.

While we were in Charlotte, we visited the Charlotte Nature Museum, which was lots of fun.  It is a small museum, but is was perfect for an afternoon visit before our big Thanksgiving dinner.  We started our visit with a puppet show about a bear who decides that he wants to celebrate Christmas, so his friends wake him up from hibernating in time to celebrate.  Santa even visits the animals in the forest, which was a big hit with the kids, as you might imagine.



This was Sims' first puppet show, and he seemed to enjoy it.  When Santa came out, all of the kids exploded with excitement.  Even though Sims can be quite stoic when he encounters new experiences, he definitely showed a little excitement at seeing Santa.  He's finally getting the whole Santa thing, I think.

Looking at the turtles

Pretty much the entire time at the museum, I'm sure that Sims looked up to see me with the camera to my face and Jason with the video camera.  I guess this will be his view of us at every event for many years to come.


Outside the museum, we found what we could only assume was a fairy house with pumpkins all around it.  Sims loved to pretend-eat the pumpkins.


Then we headed back home for Thanksgiving dinner.  We were sad that some of the family couldn't make it, since our nephew wasn't feeling well.  They definitely missed a delicious meal!

Who's Busy Like a Bee?

Me, me me!

It's been a busy couple of weeks, and I am pretty exhausted.  Last week Jason was on a business trip, so Sims and I had some quality time together.  Mom and Smith came up on Thursday to help take care of Sims, while I went to some training for 2 and half days at Duke Chapel.  Work was crazy last week with a big event for prospective students, and to top the whole week off, I led the lesson at Children's Chapel on Sunday for the first time.

Mom and Smith took Sims to the Veterans' Day Parade, which was Sims' first parade.  He loved it, even though it was super cold outside.  Then they took him to Marbles Kids Museum.  I'm jealous that I couldn't go with them because I know that they had so much fun!  I can't wait until Jason and I can take him back to Marbles.

The training at Duke Chapel was for Godly Play, which is what is used in Children's Chapel.  It's Montessori-based, and I'm really excited about it.  The training was pretty intense, but it made me feel much more comfortable on Sunday morning.  I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to do it.  With our Director of Children's Ministries leaving, I think I will be the only one at church with any training in it.  Luckily, there are others who have interest in it, but they were unable to go to the training.  I won't be the only one teaching!

I am so looking forward to things quieting down at work a little because our weekends and evenings will be so filled with activities for the next month and a half.  And it all starts with Isla's big birthday this weekend!  We are so excited to celebrate her first birthday with her.   And can you believe that next week is Thanksgiving!  Where did this year go?

British Royal Guard

Since Sims loved the British Royal Guard (or "Marching Men" as he calls them) so much in London and still talks about them and gets excited to see pictures of them, it was a no-brainer what he should be for Halloween this year.  I think all the effort it took to make the costume was worth it.  He loved being a Marching Man!

Halloween evening was a wash out, literally.  It was cold and rainy, but he did get to trick or treat at 3 houses.  Luckily, Sims had worn his costume to 2 parties over the weekend.  His daycare had a party on Friday, and the church had one of Sunday evening.  The church party was great!  After doing some singing and dancing (well, Sims just watched everyone else do that.), there was a costume parade to the Capitol building and back.  Sims even marched most of the way there.

And a video:

All that marching wore this little Royal Guard out!

We are now all exhausted from our big Halloween weekend!