Celebrating

 We have already done a lot of celebrating this holiday weekend.

We started our Friday with hosting Bacon Club for Tuttle's friends at our house. This group meets monthly for breakfast and devotion. One of our neighbors volunteered to speak to the boys about his personal story overcoming obstacles and being successful in life. The boys really seemed to connect with him. I made over 100 slices of bacon, and almost every piece was gone by the end of the morning. I love getting to know this sweet group of boys, and I am thrilled that Tuttle is going to be surrounded by this group throughout high school. 

After dropping the boys at the middle school, I went to the elementary school for Jacob's Halloween party. The kids shared some of their recent journal writing, and then I planned three centers to celebrate. Luckily we had a ton of parents to help, so the activities ran very smoothly. The class decorated cookies, played Halloween Bingo with candy corn, and made yarn mummies. The only disappointment for Jacob was that I would not take him home after the party like many of his friends' parents. It was 10:30am, and we sugared them up. No, thank you! :)

The excitement continued today with two big events. Jay and I had to divide and conquer. Tuttle's baseball team made it to the CHAMPIONSHIP game, and Maggie was attending the much anticipated Piper Rockelle show at The Strand- her first concert!

As a background of Tuttle's team this season, the regular season was full of fun but not full of victories. They ended the season with eight losses and two very close wins. After the first round of playoffs and securing a win, everyone was just excited to make it to the second round. They played the #1 team and WON which placed them in the championship game. The Royals obviously know when a win really counts because they succeeded with a 20-6 score and the championship trophy! What a way to finish the season! Go Royals!

Maggie and I met up with her gym friend Alma and her mom for the Piper Rockelle concert in Downtown Marietta. The girls had been counting down the days to see their YouTube idol. We had the best time watching the show AND meeting the stars afterwards for pictures and an autograph. I know this will be a lifelong memory for Maggie!

The celebrating is not over with Halloween tomorrow, so we are having a low key afternoon with the Georgia Bulldawgs and Atlanta Braves.

Fall Fun and Homecoming

 Maggie submitted her pumpkin for the annual decorating contest at the gym. It was already given the title of tallest pumpkin ever to enter, and we are awaiting final judging. I am so thankful for a husband that wilingly deals with my crazy ideas!

Jacob had his first school field trip on Friday, and I was able to chaperone. The classes visited the cutest local farm where they were able to explore a corn maze, make butter, listen to Halloween stories, paint pumpkin pictures, and enjoy a hayride. The kids had the best time, and I did not lose anyone. I call that a success!

Tuttle and Jacob both had big games on Saturday morning. Jacob's team concluded the season with their final game and received trophies. Tuttle's team started the playoffs and secured a huge win that allows them to continue on Wednesday. Go Royals!

We hurried home from baseball to get ready for the main event: Tuttle's First Homecoming Dance. I did not realize what a big deal homecoming was at the middle school, but we were able to put it all together in a week. I cannot believe how grown up my first baby is, but I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.

We ate dinner at a local hibachi restaurant with Olivia's family before meeting up with more friends in Downtown Woodstock for pictures before the dance.

I picked up Tuttle at the high school after the dance, and he had the time of his life. I am thrilled that his first dance was such a memorable experience with the sweetest date and friends.

Pumpkins, Playoffs, and a "Proposal"

 I organized a fall event for Maggie's gym team on Sunday at a local pumpkin patch. It was so nice to see the girls outside of practice. We explored a corn maze, took a scenic hayride, petted some goats, and showed off their skills with photos. Maggie is so lucky to be part of such a sweet and fun group.

We headed home in time for the boys to head to Game 2 of the Braves vs. Dodgers playoffs. In a house divided (Thanks, Grandaddy!), it was a nail bitter until the end. Jay and Tuttle did not stay the entire game because it was a school night, but they arrived home in time for Jay to celebrate his victory.

Tuttle also had some more excitement when he asked his sweet girlfriend to be his date to the upcoming homecoming dance. I told both of them to expect many more photos on Saturday.

The weather has turned cool, and we are ready for all the fall experiences coming up!

A Parade, Peonies, Peanuts, and Punching

 The kids had a break from Saturday games and practices for the Annual Roswell Youth Day Parade. Maggie's gymnastics team participated in the event. I was not prepared for what a big deal the parade was, and everyone was very impressed! The boys and I arrived to downtown Roswell early and were able to snag a bench right on Canton Street to setup- as a bonus Gracious Plenty was right across the street, so we could grab breakfast.

The boys completely racked up on candy during the parade. We loved watching all the different group drive or walk by during the parade. It included Roswell cheerleaders, football players, dancers, soccer teams, marching band members, political candidates, karate groups, fire trucks, and even Santa made an appearance. Maggie was able to stop for a quick picture with some of her teammates before continuing down the street.

As soon as the kids arrived home, they dumped all the candy in the middle of a circle and participated in a candy draft to pick their favorites from the pile.

Saturday afternoon and evening was filled with boiled peanuts and amazing football. The Bulldawgs moved up to the #1 spot after Alabama lost to Texas A&M!

Aunt Peach surprised me with peonies to plant for my birthday. Sunday was the perfect day to spend over five hours planting my three roots. I had help from Maggie and Jacob to clear the existing bed to make room for these beauties!

The kids decided to turn the trampoline into a boxing ring this weekend, and I am surprised we did not land in the ER.....

It really felt like fall this weekend, and the kids are counting down until Halloween!

Enjoying Roswell

 After a day full of Roswell baseball for the boys on Saturday, Jay and I were able enjoy a day date with friends at the Roswell Wine Festival on Sunday. We continue to find new things to love about our home all the time. :)