Pumpkin Lumpkin

Jaina had a pumpkin painting contest at school with her medical training team. So she painted her pumpkin last night.

So since Jaina was painting her pumpkin Jolee and Jewell had to paint their pumpkins too

So we had a big ol painting party outside. It was nice weather so it was perfect evening to sit outside and watch them paint.

Here is Jaina's ghostly pumpkin

I hope she wins!

Scary Boo Thang

Last weekend Jolee, Jewell and I hit up some trunk or treats in Temple. 

This year Jewell wanted to be a fairy for Halloween. Her skirt and wings light up!

Our first stop was in Heidenheimer at small church held event. 

They had a couple of games for Jewell to play. 

This game she got a free Bible!

She gave it to Jolee.

Jolee has been reading it at night and was telling me all the stories she has read out of it so far. Jolee is NOT a reader so for her to tell me the stories she's been reading was awesome to hear!

She ended up with a whole bucket of candy by the time we left. 

Then we went to a bigger trunk or treat in Temple. Jolee wanted no part of trunk or treating this year. It made me a little sad. I know she is getting older, it's just bittersweet because she was so into it last year. She said, "Mom this is embarrassing hope I don't see any of my friends". 

Jewell left again with a bucket of candy

 we got free Nothing Bundt Cupcakes and free sno cones. It was a win, win!

Then we headed by HEB before heading home. Jolee "helping" Jewell play the Buddy Buck machine, lol.

Last Football Game for Twirling

We are winding down the football season. Heading into the last three games. This was Jaina last game to twirl at for the season. The last two games she will only participate in the band as one game is senior night and the last football game the senior twirler will have the half time show to herself as Jaina wanted to give her the last game. As ugly as this season was Jaina still had the heart to do that even though she does not have too. She's learning in life sometimes you have to wear the bigger shoes and learn that it's better to give then receive. She's got a BIG heart, and we are proud of her for that!

This was an away game in Gatesville. Jaina stayed at school and rode with the band to the game, and we came up to the game right before half time. Justin found a spot to sit, and I quickly ran over to the other side to watch Jaina's performance. She was warming up with the band when I got there.

Then it was showtime

She did a great job. No drops and a flawless performance. She's come a long way since the beginning of August and have seen her grow as a young lady and as a performer. She had done a phenomenal job.

Then she played in the band

After half time I headed back over to the Salado side to watch the rest of the game. It was a little chilly, so I brought a blanket for the girls, along with snacks and ipads to keep them busy.

Sharing snacks

4th quarter is always reserved for the Funky Town silly dance.

She's really enjoying being able to do her own thing, wear what she wants and fix her hair how she wants too.

Lookin cute!

 I made her several blinged out SHS hair and boot pieces to wear.

It was a fun football night.

Jolee's Last Open House

Last month the school offered the kids to join UIL. Jolee said she wanted to join so she picked out two UIL teams to be on, Art Smart and Chess puzzling. She has been staying after school twice a week to try and get on the team.

Art Smart consists of matching different paintings with the artists who painted the pictures and also some art history. Chess puzzling consists of learning all the rules to chess and learning how to play.

This past week she had try outs and made both teams! She was SO excited! We are very proud of all her hard work. She will get to go to UIL and compete in a few months to try to place and win. 

Tuesday Jolee had her very last open house. We got there early and went to her homeroom class Mrs. Dobbins. Jolee says her teacher is mean this year, lol. I will agree that she isn't the friendliest teacher she's had. 

She showed me her desk and a few things she has been working on

Then we went into the cafeteria where they were playing games and then headed home. 

Jaina's Birthday in Austin

For Jaina's actual birthday celebration she just wanted to spend the day with her best friend Storie in Austin. So I looked up a few things for us to do and found the Museum of Ice Cream. 

This place is not an actual museum, it's basically a big building with about 12 different rooms that you can take selfies in.  

I don't really get the concept but according to Jaina all her friends have been here and say it’s really cool.

As soon as you walk in this place you are already taking selfies, lol

You come into this room where you make a name tag and get to pick out whatever ice cream name you want to be for the day. I was Strawberry Delight and Jaina was Mint Dream.

It was a bunch of swingin fun

Even I had to get in on the action

There was an ice cream palm reader there so Storie got her future read to her, LOL

There was an ice cream parlor with all you can eat ice cream 

And how cool are these pink sprinkle animal cookies

And a fun light up tunnel

The girls were having a blast

Besties!

Of course we are forever!

We went through all the rooms and ended up in a huge sprinkle pool

The girls played in this room for a while. There was a diving board and lots of slides

Haha!

Then before we left we all got ice cream. I had half orange and half vanilla with gummy bears

It was a win for the girls. They loved it. I would say it was fun but waaaaaaaaaaay over priced. Definitely a one time thing.

Then we walked the Domain. The Domain is a shopping village in Austin of high end retail stores. 

I had a surprise waiting for Jaina after her trip to the Ice Cream Museum.

She was getting her ears pierced! She was SOOOO excited!

We went to Studs. It is a high end ear piercing studio. They only pierce ears. They are like between a Claire's and a tattoo shop. They use a real needle not a gun. They were very clean and very professional.

Jaina wanted to get a second piercing on her lower lobes. I was very hesitant and said no at first. Justin on the other hand didn't care at all. I'm the one that's like "wait....are you sure you want to do this"

We as parents want them to be able to express themselves BUT in a way they will understand that sometimes the choices you make will be permanent and don't ever go away so to THINK your choices through. That's all.

And I have three piercings in each lobe of my ear soooo I couldn't really say much, lol. Though at 40 I hardly ever wear more then one pair of earrings at a time. I also once upon a time ago had my cartlidge pierced and my belly button pierced. But those days are far gone. At 40 I hardly have time to decide what I'm going to wear out in public much less picking out 3 pairs of earrings to wear for the day.

With that being said, though the holes most likely will never close up she would have the choice when she got older to just not wear the earrings if she didn't want to. 

We went in and the lady poked a LONG needle in her ear. She was a little nervous but the girl who pierced her was super sweet and walked her through the entire process, even telling her to breathe.

She chose a small pair of lighting bolts. I think it looks cute. 

Then we walked around the Domain so the girls could spend their money. They shopped at Lululemon and Sephora. Then we headed to get a bite of lunch at Kerby Lane Cafe, then to Ulta and back home. Jaina said she enjoyed her day and had lots of fun.

So here's to being 15!