Amara's 5 year/ Busy Bees school pics

Amara and I went shopping together for her pic outfit this year and that in itself is a story for another time...but my little fashionista was thrilled to get ready for school pic day.

It wasn't her normal day of the week at school, so we got ready JUST for this special day. She got to pop in and be a 'celebrity' for a second, surprising kids and teachers alike with her drop in for the moment.

She got all prettied up and we headed in--JUST in time for the group shot, then a few quick poses and we were really out in just a few minutes.

I love that she wanted to accessorize with her ring and necklace--and that it's featured in one of her photos.  She makes me smile with the smallest details that only she and I seem to be able to appreciate...and never mind the flip flops--not only was it a fight I was bound to lose, but I convinced myself that it was likely only a waist-up shot and that it wasn't matter, not that it mattered to me :)

She's growing up too fast!!

GCHS band invitational

This year's GCHS band invitational was a special one. Not because it was a landmark number, though I think it might be in the 20th-some year now, but because this was the last one for the very esteemed Mr. George Edge.

I really wanted to go, and the plan was to let Amara go with g'ma and g'pa--since they (and we all) are such big George Edge and family fans, but I just couldn't let the evening go without going.

Knowing GC would be last, as host band, we waited till about 7 to go.  Shortly after we got there, mom and dad came, and then started the runs to the concession stand. Thank goodness for them though, b/c without the hotdogs, nachos and popcorn, I don't think the girls would have lasted!!

Don't get me wrong, they loved watching the bands and the flags, particularly for Amara, but those 15 minute waits in between were killer!!

All in all, Amara went to spend the night with g'ma and g'pa, and Eric carried a very sleepy Cora back to the car for a quick bed at home.  That cool night air and all the stars out here are just mesmerizing.

We had a nice evening and it was fun for E and I to attend a band competition together, see some friends, and support a man who has supported us as much as we him, and who we are proud to call a friend.  Happy retirement Mr. Edge.

Landon's 5th bday party

Landon's 5th birthday party was a great (but busy) day in our house!!  We headed to the party without Cora and daddy--while they rested up for the band invitational later.  Amara played with some friends from school, but especially loved riding Landon's scooter.

Amara didn't have much luck on her own, but Mr. Hinkle (Josh, whom we all love) hopped right on there with her to give her a personal lesson! The two of them went up and back the street several times, laughing all the way.

Landon (of course) was a stud at it! He whizzed along at what seemed like 20 MPH!! Amara never really took to one she has, but this seemed like motivation, lol.

The kids mostly played in the jump house and around the yard, but I did manage to get a quick pic of the birthday kiddo and one of his biggest fans :) Happy birthday, Landon Hinkle!!

JAHS game with Hannah and Haylee

Since Amara liked cheer so much this fall, I asked mom if she would take Amara to a football game to watch Hannah.

We had gone in the winter, but I hoped now that she's had a chance to do it herself, maybe she'd enjoy it more.

Turns out a LOT of the family was all there, Amara loved watching Hannah--who even did some cheers Amara knew--and LOVED that detail, and Haylee was there too with her tiny cousin Kylah.

Amara said she had a lot of fun at the game and with her cousins, and the smile on her face told the rest of the story. SO CUTE!

Amara's first boyfriend, Carlon (he's invisible)...

ah young love...actually, I think they already broke up, I'm not sure, but a few months ago, Amara started talking about Carlon.

Carlon this, Carlon that, Carlon lives far away, but he came and picked her up for lunch today...

(I actually started getting worried about what happened when she was at school!?)  She'd mention him from time to time--the details she gave were comical, but he was a big deal.

When daddy asked about him, he botched his name--I think it was intentional to get her rialed up.

At first, she was very defensive about him, and then, without warning, almost as suddenly as it began, it was over. She told us he "wasn't real, DUH" and hasn't mentioned it. I think it was one of those things were as soon as we paid attention, it was no longer fun for her.  Oh well.

I thought it was cute, and quite imaginative for a 5 yr old...not to have a pretend friend, but a pretend long-distance relationship :) haha.

afternoon at Lynds, apple picking

In our busy fall schedule, we've struggled to find a free afternoon to head East, to Lynds', but we FINALLY did, and it was McIntosh and Suncrisp weekend, so we were thrilled to get picking.

The bag lady gave us a tip about a good picking spot, so we headed all the way around, and she was NOT kidding. The girls got right to work, first--sampling of course, and then a few made it into the bag. 

We took 2 big (20# bags and I didn't know if we'd fill them, but these apples weigh almost a pound each, and I bet we all gained 5# of apple weight each just in the 20 minutes we were picking :) love it.

Cora kept leading Amara around the rows, pointing out the rotting apples that were discarded in the aisles, and then Amara took her turn leading, showing Cora how to jump to get the biggest apples ( I mean SERIOUSLY they are bigger than softballs this year!)

After we'd filled 2 large bags, and our bellies, we grabbed a jug of cider at the checkout, then headed to the market. Amara quickly snagged a bag of Amish cheese curds, we took some whoopie pies, Eric grabbed a pepper cheese, and the girls picked out some cute little pumpkins with faces and feathers for the ride home.

The girls were REALLY good, despite going on no naps and on a day after already tackling a cheerleading game, but you can't help but go when you see how much fun they have out there.  We love Lynd's so very much, and as Eric put it when we got to that intersection at Morse Rd. "something about this place just makes me feel all warm and lovey"--love my romantic guy.

Beanie's princess ballet

We couldn't really get a great shot through the glass, yes THROUGH the glass...the teacher, Mrs. Tammy, has the parents wait outside during the class. The facility is an old school building so rooms aren't huge--and at least it was mostly good weather in Sept and Oct :) But I digress...

Amara really liked the class. So much so, that instead of continuing on with the 6 week parks and rec stuff, we are going to try out a new studio when we get back from Disney!  I think I am seeing a trend where she really enjoys the routine part of dance--the same is true of cheer, though she loses patience and focus, she LOVES to learn and practice the cheers--so I think that is what we'll do.

Her half hour class was great, she enjoyed it, and she loved getting all dolled up and learning with Mrs. Tammy, but I think she needs a bigger challenge :) Stay tuned for the next chapter in Amara's ballet career :)