Sports & a Spelling Bee

The fun and fast pace of the fall continued this weekend with another full line-up of activities and sporting events. Starting on Friday, Boomer and I headed straight to Charlotte after the workday was done to see the comedian Nate Bargatze at the Spectrum Center. We had purchased the tickets several months ago, and as the date got closer, we coordinated with our friends Matt and Virginia Olson for dinner beforehand. We met them at one of their favorite spots called The Jimmy, and it was fun to catch up, trade parenting stories, and laugh together about this crazy season of life. Once we got to the Spectrum Center, the laughs continued with Nate Bargatze. Boomer and I especially loved the bit about grandparents at youth sports. Let's just say, it was very relatable :) After the show, we made the drive back to Kernersville and arrived home just before midnight. On Saturday, it was up and at 'em for a noon kickoff of the Wake Forest vs. Delaware football game. The weather was perfect, and we were excited for the Deacs to get another win, bringing their record to 8-3. After the game, fans were allowed to go onto the field. The kids loved running around from endzone to endzone. They also got pictures with a few of the players: #50 Ja'Marion Kennedy and #67 Elliot Demaine. (#50 because of his last name...and #67 because of the silly obsession with 6-7 right now!) We headed to the Williamses' afterwards for a weenie roast. On Sunday, we had one more event. Boomer took the kids to the Wake Women's Basketball game vs. Western Carolina. They left after our church's Thanksgiving meal and made it for the 1PM tip-off. While it was hard to not join in with the rest of the fam, I opted to stay home and take a nap - whew November has been a doozy for Mommy!

This morning, Emmy participated in her school's Spelling Bee. She was selected as the winner from her class, and we received the invitation from Mrs. Houston, aka Aunt Megan, several days ago. In preparation, Boomer and I would give Emmy words in the car or at home or at any moment that a word would come to mind. Boomer coached her on asking for the definition and for its use in a sentence. Mostly we were unsure about Emmy's nervousness, but she impressed us with her bravery and courage up on the stage. She was one of 16 competitors from the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades. She successfully spelled 'pirates' and 'courtyard' to advance to Round 3. She hung in there through Round 4, when there were only four other students remaining. Since three out of the five students were eliminated in the 4th Round, with Emmy being one of them, we are saying that she tied for 3rd with a podium finish (haha!) She missed 'tuxedo' and 'democracy,' but she handled the defeat well, and there were no tears. Much like in sports, she showed her usual poise and stoicism. We gathered around her afterwards for some photos. We are so proud of our girl!

In any pockets of free time, the kids have enjoyed playing with their new birthday gifts. Emmy has been a busy bracelet-maker, while Eli has been playing with his new cars and dribbling his new basketball all around the house. 

Here are a few other snapshots from November that didn't make it into the earlier birthday post: sending a photo to Uncle Matt for Veterans Day...

...going to Culver's for the SGES Dine Out Night, where Emmy got to help deliver food to the tables...

...cheering on Zander at his volleyball game at Meadowlark Middle School...

...and then Eli falling asleep on the way to gymnastics afterwards!

...Eli twinning with Daddy for church and with Maddox at school...

...and Eli's friend Cooper riding along with us to their preschool buddy Hudson's birthday party. 

Even though we decorated for Christmas already and there is much anticipation for December, we are not so ready for November to end just yet. It has been a month full of blessings and memories. As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I pray that we will be mindful of these blessings and show gratitude for all that we have in this life.