Lions and Gorillas and Slides!

Last weekend we made the trek out to Birmingham for Mr. Hudson's 4th birthday! We had a good time, especially since the weather had a brief warm up that day. Autumn had a bit of a "read too long in the car" tummy ache so to get caught up to the birthday boy (the Memphis crew was slightly delayed by heavy rain on the way), Autumn got a ride.

We arrived in the time catch the train which tours the Birmingham Zoo. The tour guide was cool and I told Mike I thought I could totally be a tour guide, haha!

Autumn got another ride just because.

And then we all got to ride this super fun slide! I seriously need to build one in the backyard because HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE??

I thought this one was funny because of my backback and stuff all scrunched in the tube.

Mike decided to live wildly and only hold on with one hand. Living on the edge!

Lindsay got a couple of really nice shots while Mike and I were in line including this one of Autumn and Lainey being cute. It's funny, I feel like I can see a resemblance between Autumn and just about every member of our families. I guess that's not too weird since half the gym thinks Lindsay is my biological sister and not Mike's!

The zoo's gorilla was only going to be at that location for a few more days before moving to a new zoo so they had this good-bye banner set up. Autumn signed it.

And then she decided it needed a little more work.

Gorilla by Autumn. I LOVE IT.

We got to hear the lion roar. I don't think I've ever heard one in person. We had moved on to the tiger exhibit when we heard this huge rumble. Autumn, Mike and I booked it back to the lion and just watched him roar a few times and then, his point made, the lion wandered off again. I really wish I got it on video!

This one is not a lion. BUT SHE THINKS SHE IS. Sometimes, at least!

We have another round of winter weather rolling in tomorrow afternoon or evening. If you're iced or snowed in or will be, stay warm and stay safe!

Happy Grandparents, Grumpy Cousins, and Autumn the Instructor!

Boppa turned 89 this month!!

One of their friend's from church hosted a massive get together to celebrate. As you can see, Autumn broke out the fancy jewelry for the occasion.

Here's the problem with being a few weeks behind. See my hair? It's already different! I cut it short back in October and I really liked it. I was scared to go full pixie cut but on Friday I took the plunge. And...it's also blackish now. I still have long bangs but my hair is pretty short in the back and on the sides. So far most folks are of the opinion that it looks nice. Autumn feels like Ellie looks here. I told her not to despair because when in her short life can she remember me having the same hair for more than a few months??

Here's Kiri being cozy in Autumn's coat pocket. I love that coat. I fell in love with it at Target but just couldn't pay however much it was. So when I found it on clearance...well, you know.

I've been trying to get Mike to try a new hairstyle but it ain't happenin'! He had fun hanging out with Ellie for a bit. Her tiny little "no" is adorable and she says it all the time. Mike asks her questions she's going to say no to just to hear her. Whenever we're home and we say no, we do it in Ellie Voice!

She's so thrilled to be hugged my her overzealous cousin. SO THRILLED.

Autumn is happy to see Pd, OF COURSE. I never did find Lainey to get a photo of her with Autumn.

Over to the other side of the family, my mom and Autumn had some fun a couple Wednesdays ago. I enjoyed this picture of the two of them coloring. I think they were making cards for our Operation Christmas Child boxes. We went shopping together and had a great time.

Autumn's about to be too big for Lula pony rides. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?

My mom is kind of interested in learning to play the violin so Autumn decided to do some teaching. For some reason I was thinking this was the same night as the pony riding but while reading the preview, I realized Autumn is in a different outfit. Anyway, she was ready to teach my mom how to play, like, Jingle Bells but I suggested starting with a scale.

Fun times all around!

I usually don't advertise when I'm going to be out of town but everyone keep me in your prayers! I am heading to California to train for and then take my black belt test in Aikido. Some of you remember that I did get a black belt earlier this year in combatives. This one is for my foundational art and I've been training 10 years for this! It's a more formal and traditional test and situation in general so I'm nervous but excited. I might not get a chance to post next Monday but I'm going to try to keep Passing Pinwheels and the Aikido Facebook page up to date with my adventures.

If we don't meet in person or online between now and then, have a fantastic Thanksgiving!!

Spring Showcase Time AND MORE

I forgot to post a couple of really cute beach pictures last week. LOOK AT THESE FACES.

We added Mr. Hudson and after many takes, I got one with all four looking sort of at me! Ha! Fun times with cousins.

And, one more, look at how incredibly happy this cat is to see her loving family. SO HAPPY.

Anyway, Autumn had her Spring Showcase and, as always, it was a great production. Autumn was only in the ballet portion and they did the Little Mermaid. Because she's one day a week, she was only in one dance. I really wish I could get her to do lyrical or jazz, though, because that's my favorite part of the Showcase. Tap is out of the question, though, because she hates the noise.

Before her dress rehearsal, Autumn did some dancing for me and I took about a zillion pictures because she's awesome and hilarious with her drama.

My mom and I are also jealous of her muscles. In a few of these she's looking kinda cut!

Gazing into the distance...

This one, I might have to frame. Too bad about the bag in the photo but I took this running into the program. I don't know why we were running behind but this is exactly why I take pictures before the dress rehearsal.

Afterward, we took our now-traditional photos with Lainey and Pd. I have no idea why I didn't get one with my mom, though. I really thought I did.

I don't usually get a photo of myself but this time I remembered! Check out her crazy dilated eyes.

On the way out, one of Autumn's little friends caught her. They used to be in the same class but Autumn is a little older and she ended up moving up and the friend moved to a younger class. Autumn misses her a lot so I'm glad they got to hang out a little.

I'm not sure what I'll be blogging about here next week BUT sometime this week I'm going to post photos from Autumn's very late birthday party at Passing Pinwheels! We had a special guest and some very happy folks:

School Year Wrap Up

Oh, my gosh, the last couple of weeks have been so crazy!! I wanted to wrap up May and then we've got the beach, Autumn's dance recital, AND her first oreos and milk experience!! For now, I finally found the pictures of Autumn blowing out her birthday candle!

Friday after her birthday, Autumn went to the doctor and did a great job. Usually the doctor is a traumatic event but not this time! The finger prick lady was a pro and gave her Frozen stickers. And, for the first time ever, Autumn talked to the doctor! She brought her Doc McStuffin kit. We always try to bring some kind of doctor kit with us. Seems to help some.

Afterward, we went to Sheridan's for ice cream which was a terrible idea. Between that and the cheese dip Friday, poor Autumn had tummy aches on Saturday. But she loved it at the time! Side note: Autumn has spent her entire life in the 3rd percentile for both height and weight. The doctor has never been concerned because Mike and I aren't giants. This time Autumn had a pretty significant growth spurt. 25th percentile! Man. I knew she'd been growing like crazy but I had no idea it was as drastic as all that!

Moving to the next week. before school was out, they had field day! It was supposed to be on Autumn's birthday but they got rained out. It worked out, though, because I think it's better for everything to be spread out a little more. Autumn loves field day. As evidence by some serious cheering. Or yelling. Both.

I got pictures of all the kids running and that was so fun. They ran their little legs and hearts out on this relay race.

Her class also played super hard at guard the castle. Last year, Autumn was a guard. Her team lost but hers was the only tower standing! This year she was an attacker. Her class lost their round but they did a great job! Do you like Autumn's flamingo socks? Her ponytail is pink, too, but it doesn't show up in the pictures very well.

Monday was Field Day. Wednesday I did the Accelerated Reader awards with their class and Friday was the LAST. DAY. WHAT. First day is on the left, last day is on the right. I have no idea why that first day photo is so terrible.

I have to go mope now. I love Autumn at this age just like I've loved every stage but stillllll sooooo saaaaaad she's growing up! Waaaah! Anyway, next week: the beach! recital! oreos! grumpy cat!

Birthday fun day!

It was BIRTHDAY WEEEEEK!!! So much fun!! Autumn turned seven on Wednesday which was CRAZY. She also had career day at school and a doctor appointment but we'll look at that fun stuff next week. I made Autumn put on the birthday hat and pose. She wasn't feeling it but I made her dance around anyway. I can see this scenario playing out when she's, like, 16. Moooooooommmmmm, noooo haaaaat.

Wednesday ended up being way, way colder than I expected so I am glad Autumn wore those long socks! Also, these are the first shorts she's worn to school this year. Autumn hates shorts, khaki pants, and jeans. I think it's the seams that bother her because leggings and soft pants aren't really an issue. I got her these pants because Wednesday would have been field day if it didn't rain all day. It's rescheduled for today so you can guess where I'll be this afternoon! Oh, those socks? FLAMINGO SOCKS. I love it.

Penny and I brought Autumn her favorite lunch: chicken nuggets from McDonald's! It was soooo wet and rainy that we got drenched even with rain jackets and umbrellas. Our food bag broke open in the parking lot, nooooo. But, we had a great time with Autumn. And, I have a funny story about the people we sat near but you'll have to ask me in person. :D

Penny is the best Aunt ever. In addition to picking up some Elsa shoes and a wig for me, she got Autumn presents, an Olaf balloon, and a cookie cake! I set everything up, including the Elsa dress, on the breakfast room table so she saw it as soon as she came in. It's been a rough year so I'm so glad we were able to make Wednesday really special for Autumn!

We told Autumn that we'd cook whatever she wanted or take her to any restaurant. I have no idea why, but I thought her choice of La Hacienda was hilarious. I just didn't expect her to pick Mexican! Autumn had a taco and cheese dip. I think cheese dip was the lure of Mexican food. And her teacher tells me that Autumn's been talking about wanting to go to La Hacienda since Cinco de Mayo. I like how Ellie is patiently tolerating Autumn's affection. Also, note that Autumn wore her Elsa dress out. I am so happy she likes it!

The happy birthday bags gave it away and Autumn got what might be her first restaurant happy birthday song and hat that's been on who knows how many heads!! She enjoyed it, I think, but wasn't so sure about the fried ice cream. I ate it so that's okay. Ha.

Wednesday was just an all around great day!! I thought i had a photo of Autumn blowing out her cookie cake candle but I don't. I have no idea what I was doing instead of taking a picture. So, I guess for now, comfy Autumn says goodbye!