A great December day

Last night, Chris and I went to the CW Christmas Party, it was very nice. We saw a lot of fun people and then we went to dinner at the Blue Talon. Because we knew party would be tricky we rode the CW bus to the party and then to Merchant Square for dinner and then home, it was fun.
Then we got home and the fire detector was beeping, so Chris was trying to see about replacing the battery and it started to go off, waking Zaven and Esmé, not Nell! So security came and turned it off, but they could not stop the chirping, so we just slept with that. Luckily we were tired.

Then this morning we were up early for Zaven and Chris to go run the Sleighbell 5k. After they left Nell got dressed in sports shorts, so I asked her if she wanted to run the 1mile fun run, a few kids from her class were so she decided to. It ended up being such a fun event. Lots of people, lots of kids. I think Nell was worn out by the run, I don't think she had any frame of reference for the distance, but she did great, finishing in 11minutes.
Then Chris and Zaven ran the 5k, Nell Esmé and I cheered with another family the Feils. Their son is in Nell's class and their daughter is in Zaven's class.
Zaven finished the race in 28:25 with Chris just ahead of him. There was a $100 bet, so Chris needed the win :)
After the race Chris took Zav and Nell to a pancake house for brunch, while Esmé and I came home for her nap. Then Chris took Zaven to see the Hobbit, they had a great time. Nell Esmé and I stayed home and got the Christmas ornaments and decorations out and spent the afternoon in the living room playing and listening to Christmas music, it was really fun.
Then Chris and Zaven came to pick us up and we went to get a Christmas tree, grab some dinner came home ate and decorated the tree.

It is always so fun to get the ornaments out and remember where they came from and what they stand for. Really heart warming. The kids are sleeping in with the tree tonight!

Birthday party and beyond

We had a great time at Paint on Pottery for Nell's party. There were like 6 friends and they had a lot of fun. Most of the girls painted mermaids. Zaven had two friends come they painted frogs. We had fruit kebabs and spinach dip before cake and ice cream. I had pre scooped the ice cream into little cups, it worked well.
Church on Sunday was fun we did crafts after church. Tuesday Isabel came over after school and brought Lilly and Splash, we had a fun visit.
Then last night we had the Brewers over to make gingerbread houses and eat pizza.
Nell got to bring home the class gingerbread girl stuffie. We decorated a paper gingerbread girl and Nell put her doll bunk beds beside her in bed for gingerbread frederika.
Tomorrow is the CW Christmas party and then Saturday Chris and Zaven are running in a 5k and we have plans to get our Christmas tree. Then Chris and Zav may go see the Hobbit. Lots if fun and bustle!

November wrap up

We had a great celebration of Thanksgiving and Nell's birthday. We loved being in Chattanooga with family. The meal was delicious and lively.
Then thanks for the generosity of our families And meg and Chris, we jetted off to Mexico for 4 days. It was so delightful. We had great weather and a wonderful time being with Meg and Chris and celebrating Chris' birthday.
We had good air travel both ways and got home in time to celebrate Armen's birthday with her!
Te 28th we headed home, but made time to stop in Johnson City. We had lunch at Gourmet and drove past 907 Forest Avenue and on the St Johns where to new rector showed us around. It was neat to show the kids the pieces Larry made.

Nell's sixth birthday!

We just woke up and Nell opened a big present from Milla -an easel and painting set. Nell was very excited and said she had always wished for one and asked if she had the hat that goes with a painting set!

Fall

We are enjoying some beautiful fall days. Last weekend Zaven had a birthday party at Yorktown Victory Center and Nell got to come along they had a great time.

Nell had observation at ballet. So we were able to watch the class. It was fun to see. Nell is very graceful and her teacher is very nice.
Esmé even got in on the act a little.

The kids also had the Whaley Walk at school. Nell's class walked through CW and Zaven went to the stadium at William and Mary and ran 3 miles. We were lucky to have a nice weather day for that.

We just had conferences at school. Nell's teachers seem to really enjoy and appreciate Nell. She is doing very well. In October she was given a bench mark test she needed a 28 to pass she got a 72. So I think she will be fine. She is making lots of friends and likes her teachers. She is inviting all the girls from school to her birthday party.
Zaven's conference also went well. Zaven got all A's and B's. This is his first year with letter grades. Though his marks for behavior were not great the comments were encouraging and said that he is a nice boy and well liked by peers. So i think he will continue to improve.
This weekend has been fun so far. Last night the Brewer boys came over and Katie babysat and the adults went out to dinner. We had a nice time. Then today we were up early, Zaven worked on a school project then we went to a tailgating party. Then had some down time at home and then went out to dinner.
Tomorrow we are going to try to take a Christmas card picture. Wish me luck!