Throwback

This past week was CrazyBusyChristmasFun. First up was the "Seashells and Jingle Bells" Christmas concert and dinner presented by the Cadet Singers.  I helped Ashley and some others organize the evening, and it was WONDERFUL.

The Cadet Singers did an awesome job, and even sang a Christmas song in Swahili this year. They are A.MA.ZING. for being only in 3rd through 5th grades. Mr. Pierce runs a tight ship, but he does a wonderful job, and the kids work hard for him.

Not only did we get to hear the Cadet Singers perform, but Mr. Pierce invited 7 students to play piano as a prelude to the big concert. BOTH these little maestros played.

Cole was second on stage, and played Deck the Halls. Tate played fourth and was the only pianist who was not also a Cadet Singer. He played a medley of four songs. This is the end of Jolly Ol' St. Nicholas and the beginning of Good King Wencelas. 

He is five. He played four songs. There were almost 300 people in the audience. He stood up and bowed at the end. He stole the show. He melted my mama heart.

Friday night, we got all gussied up for a #blacktie night out on the town. Whitney and Foster invited us to be their guests to the annual Churn dinner, a members-only social club that was started in the 1950's and has a formal Christmas dinner each year.

Old School Fun.

There were over 100 people who attended the dinner this year, held at the historic Landmark, the old post office building in Jacksonville.

Jenna (from Houston), Whitney, Jill, Kelley, me, and Julianna

The Ben Peacocks invited us over for champagne and appetizers before the party, and the Carters had everyone over to their home for the post-party party. We had THE.BEST.TIME.

I lovelovelove these fabulous friends. And I'm posting this silly pic that Kelley snapped because it was the only one I have where I am wearing my coat and Audrey's mink stole, and carrying my great-grandmother Nonnie Groce's pearl clutch from Japan. I also wore Mamaw's diamond and peridot ring on Friday. Throwback to an amazing era, with amazing women, and amazing accessories.

The best throwback, though? Mike sported John's tuxedo (with a new bowtie that I hand-tied!). He looked dapper. I am one lucky lady.

After a night of fancy, we dialed it down and had a relaxing evening eating pizza at the lakehouse, singing Christmas carols, and watching movies.

Oh, and Tate was practicing his spelling. OMGosh, I can hardly get Cole to learn his spelling words on a Thursday before the Friday test. This kid writes on the weekends FOR FUN. 

This paper was full of words that he spelled and wrote on his own by the night's end.

At least it was better than what he wrote in class this week... 

HAHA! Shana sent that to me on Monday. I asked her if he would get extra credit for using two blends.  ;)

We are headed into the last week before Christmas break. Cadet Singers and Art parties on Monday, Fourth Grade Christmas party on Tuesday, Kindergarten Christmas Chapel on Wednesday, Kindergarten Pajama and Pancakes party on Thursday, and dismissal for the holiday break on Thursday at 11:30. It'll be a nice, relaxing, week (HAHAHA)... but I heart the holidays!

xo,

Linds