Exotic Animal Farm

After Breakfast with Santa, we picked up Jon and drove to Dalton, GA. A family their own a farm with all kinds of unusual animals, like zebras, camels, llamas, emus, buffalo, bison, donkeys, mules and the list goes on and on. Here's a sign they have on their fence, which only includes a fraction of their animals.

They also let you bring bread to feed to the animals.

Ty Feeding a Miniature Donkey

This is an albino Miniature Donkey.

I can't remember what these were called, but they kept making funny noises at Maggie!



Breakfast with Santa

When I was a child, it was tradition for my mom and I to go to Breakfast with Santa at Miller's Department Store in Downtown Chattanooga. In the early years, we went with Gerry and Tricia Wallace. Later, it was Kristen, Mom and I. So, I thought it would be fun to start the tradition with Ty and Maggie. Diana, Emma and Ellie went with us.

Here are the children enjoying their breakfast.

After breakfast, a scientist came it to do some cool experiments and demonstrations. This was right up Ty's alley.

I was shocked that Ty went up during this demonstration and even participated!

Santa's Grand Entrance

Ty & Maggie Watching Santa Make his Entrance

Maggie went up with the other children to greet Santa.

Maggi and Ellie joined the children for a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Santa himself.



Stone Soup Feast

St. Mark's Preschool has an annual Stone Soup Feast where the children do a Thanksgiving performance. Maggie was a Native American and had to learn several songs. It was adorable. Afterwards, we ate Stone Soup that was prepared by all of the preschoolers. Maggie had to take potatoes for the soup. Such fun!

Fall Pictures

Sara E. Rose did a fabulous job capturing Ty and Maggie's personalities. I can't even get Maggie to look at the camera. Here are a few.



Overstreet Adoption Fund

My friend Casey Overstreet and her husband are adopting this sweet little boy with Down Syndrome from Eastern Europe.

My oh-so-talented friend Kathleen has graciously set up a fundraiser for them through her new custom children's clothing company. She has chosen to offer two choices for sale, one style for boys and one style for girls, with all of the proceeds going directly to their adoption fund! There is a limited supply, so buy fast!To purchase either style, just go to her Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Hipsters-Apparel/140783905970971,  "like" it, and then follow the instructions below each picture.

The "Girl" Option

long sleeved empire waist dress

 

Premium quality long sleeved red empire waist dress -- Personalized with you little one's monogram. All proceeds from the first 10 dresses ordered will be donated to the Overstreet Adoption Fund!

$30 (Add $5 for shipping, local orders can... be picked up). Available in even sizes (which run big): 12m, 2T & 4T

To place an order, write "SOLD" below and your child's monogram (as it will appear - first initial, last initial, middle initial). Include your email address, then an order confirmation and PayPal invoice will follow.

The "Boy" Option

long sleeved holiday tee

Premium quality long sleeved white tee shirt -- Christmas tree personalized with you little one's name. All proceeds from the first 10 shirts ordered will be donated to the Overstreet Adoption Fund!

$30 (Add $5 for shipping, local orders ...can be picked up). Available in even sizes (they run big): 12m, 18m, 2T, 4T & 6T.

To place an order, write "SOLD" below and your child's name. Include your email address, then an order confirmation and PayPal invoice will follow.

Historic Cannonsburgh Village

Lola and I met with the kids at Historic Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro. Cannonsburgh represents 100 years of Tennessee early life from 1830 to 1930. The kids had so much fun exploring the old buildings and machinery.

Then we headed to the Greenway to play in the creek.

Candyland

We had a lot of Halloween activities leading up to the big night. We went to a costume playdate.

We also went to The Great Pumpkin Festival at the Discovery Center with Luke, Holly and Avery. Ty was really excited to meet Janet from Janet's Planet on PBS Kids.

We went to the 8th Annual Trick-or-Treat on the Square with Owen, Grayson and Catherine.

And we topped the week off with trick-or-treating in the neighborhood with Caroline. Maggie asked me this morning when it was going to be Halloween again. I think we may have enough candy to last us until then!