Cate and Bully

Joe took Cate to the MSU vs. South Carolina game. She had a great time and is asking to go to another game. Ava says she's not going to see Billy.

No Boys Allowed

Pop-Pop (my grandaddy) is notorious for aggravating the grand-kids about their boyfriends/girlfriends. From the time I was in kindergarten on, I can remember him asking, "Well tell me one thing, have you been kissing any boys?"

Well, not long after Cate started school this year, we were visiting Granny and Pop-Pop and he lit in on Cate. She repeatedly asserted that she did not like ANY boys and she was NEVER going to have a boyfriend (which makes her Daddy quite happy).

It must have really been on her mind because later that night we were all sitting around the kitchen table eating and Cate said, "Well, if I ever HAVE to have a boyfriend, I'm gonna make him kiss Ava!"

The Barn Dance

Ava and I went to Carver this afternoon for Cate's Barn Dance. She was so excited we got to come and dance. She said her favorite dance was the Bunny Hop. Ava's favorite was the Hokey Pokey.


Thank you Ms. Pat and Ms. Sondra for letting us borrow the cowgirl attire.

The decorated gym.


"Mama, take my picture." (Ava, with her poor little chin- she bit it in a fall at school this week.)
Dancing sisters.





Ms. Turner's class.

Darby Dog

A few weeks ago, an old classmate of mine (who is now a vet) posted a picture of a litter of abandoned puppies on facebook. We had been talking about getting another dog, but were going to wait until after the first of the year. After seeing those puppies, I knew we needed to bring one of them home. I had my big run that weekend, so we asked if we could get her the day after I got home. So, Tuesday, October 11, 2011, we welcomed little Darby into the Babb home. She was supposedly the calmest in the litter. I cannot imagine what the others must be like because she definitely has her wild moments. Cate is crazy about her and Ava is warming up. She likes it when Darby is sleepy so she can cover her up with doll blankets and pat her without being gnawed on by sharp little puppy teeth. As I type this, she is snuggled beside me faintly snoring and we couldn't be any happier with our new fur baby.


Darby playing with our neighbor, Kate the dog.

No Lack of Self Esteem Here

Ava's response to Cate receiving her Carver Champion Award,
"Well, I'm the Preschool Champion. I'm the Preschool QUEEN."


And in an attempt to stall at bedtime a couple of nights ago,
"But I haven't looked in the mirror to see my beautiful self."

By Ava

Ava's recently been making up stories. Here's one from a few days ago:

"Once upon a time, in a land far far away, something was about to dry in fingernail world."

Carver Champion

Cate was chosen to be a Carver Champion at her school in September. She was so proud of her accomplishment and so were we.