Big News...Well, the big news of the week is we just found out for sure yesterday that the school where Julia will go to kindergarten next year (Jacob's school) is going to have full day kindergarten instead of half day! This is wonderful news because it will open up what kind of work I can pick up without worrying about extensive aftercare programs for her. I am really trying to find a job in the kid's school district so that my schedule lines up with their schedule. Enrollment starts in a few weeks.

Also, the kids will be starting soccer next week so they both got to go to Meet the Coach night to meet their coaches. Julia will be on the Cheetahs and Jacob is a Dragon. They are very excited. This is part of the Upward Soccer Program at one of the local churches.

I substitute taught 2x this week which was nice (once in a English/Spanish class and once in the Art class at Jacob's School). The Art class job was fun but very busy since you have a new class every 30-45 minutes and different projects each time. But since it was at Jacob's school, I also got to have lunch with Jacob since our schedules matched but I was also there at the end of the day so he just walked down to my classroom and we left together. It was great!

The kids and I are going to a playdate this afternoon at my friend Pam's house down the street. It'll be fun to catch up since we really didn't get a chance to visit much at her daughter's birthday party last weekend.

Sidney's Birthday Party...Our friend Sidney had her 7th birthday party at Incredible Pizza yesterday afternoon. The kids had a big time eating pizza, cookie cake and playing video games. It is amazing how much squealing 7 girls can make together...ha! Jacob was the only boy so I think it BLEW his mind...ha!

After the party, John and Julia headed off to the Daddy/Daughter Snowflake Ball here in our neighborhood. Julia got dressed up in her purple velvet dress (that twirls) and headed out to dance the night away with her Daddy. They also enjoyed refreshments (Julia wanted her lemon on the side of her tea cup), pictures, and general fun and dancing with other little girls while they picked up sparkly snowflakes from the dance floor and threw them overhead to watch them float down around them. The daughters loved and had a great time with their Daddys. The Daddys watched with awe and amazement at their beautiful daughters as they delighted in the festivities and got to be princesses for an evening. What a wonderful memory! I will post some pictures when I can.

Daddy/Daughter Day...John and Julia went for a picnic this week down to the park. They played at the playground, ate a packed lunch, and fed the ducks. Needless to say, they had a ball. And sweet Julia managed to find other little children at the playground who didn't have toys, and give away most of her "miniature My Little Ponies". She takes after her brother in that she wants stuff but she also has a giving nature and would share the shirt off her back or her last meal with you. We sometimes have to make sure she understands that once you give something away, it is really gone and you can't have it back. But it sure makes us proud that she is so loving.

Anthony's Birthday Party...I took Jacob and Julia to his friend from school's birthday party. It was at Keller Pointe and was very cool. They have a supercool indoor swimming pool/splash park. I had never been there before and the kids had a great time floating in the lazy river, riding the water slides, splashing in the spray park, and just hanging out with other kids. Jacob even had the added bonus of giving his friend, Logan, a ride home since his dad needed to leave early. Plus, it was very fun to have someplace inside to swim in the middle of winter...yea!

Po-keen-o...I went to Bunco night last night with my friend Pam for the first time. My allergies were driving me crazy so I didn't stay the whole time but it was nice to meet all these gals and visit for a little while. We played pokeeno instead of Bunco. But it was fun since I had never played either one before. This group meets once a month to play bunco or just do something fun to get out of the house and socialize with other women. I'm all for it! Ha! I look forward to getting together with them in the future.

This afternoon Jacob has a birthday party to go to and tonight we are going to a new small bible study group at our next door neighbor's house. They are just starting the 40 Days of Purpose Bible Study. It'll be really great to be able to just walk next and bring the kids so they can play with other kids while I get some devotion and fellowship time once a week. Yea!

Elliott Family Happenings...The most exciting news this week is that my younger brother, Doug, got engaged! He and his girlfriend (now fiancee), Ashley, have been dating several years so we are happy to be adding her to the family and finding out all their plans.

On Wednesday, Julia got her first kiss from a boy. When it was time to leave school, her friend, Myles, just walked up and laid one on her. As affectionate as Julia is, she looked pretty surprised. Up until now there has only been a lot of hugging going on between them. Myles' mother was in a panic. I just thought it was pretty funny. I wouldn't want them kissing every day or anything but I didn't think it was that big of a deal at 5 yrs old. Ha!

John and Julia went on a picnic down at the playground on Thursday. She was so excited to go on a picnic with dad. She had me load them up with their own lunch sack and John grabbed a blanket and off they went! Sweet girl and happy memories for them both. Here is a picture of Julia at the picnic.

Our Weekend...We had a pretty low key weekend since Miss Julia has been under the weather. Luckily, it is sinus/allergy/ear infection related and not something contagious that the rest of us have to dread getting...ha! But we did manage a spur-0-the-moment superbowl get together with our friends, The Pates. Unfortunately, at the last minute, their daughter, Natalie was sick with a fever so Amy had to stay home with her but Lance come on over with his sons, Baylor and Connor. So, the kids had a good time and the grownups enjoyed a great football game and yummy football food.

P.S. John has a new cell phone number so anyone who hasn't gotten it, call me and I will pass it on to you.

Have a great week!