- 3:43 PM
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It happens every year. In late April I crack open the calendar and I break into a slight sweat. The weeks of May are penciled, penned and highlighted. The end of school is near and the activities are in full swing. Birthdays, class parties, church activities, reunions, weekend trips. The list seems to get longer every year.
I lovingly call it End-of-the-Year Madness. It's a combination of fun, stress and excitement. So we brace ourselves and get through the month.
Here are a few snap shots from the here, there and everywhere over the month.
Libby's school celebrates the end of the school year with their annual field day called Wet Fest. They play all sorts of water games and relays. The kids love it!
I took the day off (because it's fun!) and had a good time playing with Libby and her friends.
Vacation Bible School is next week, but we started working on the stage set several weeks ago. I volunteered to paint. And when I brought it home, guess who wanted to help?
I was smart and called in reinforcement from friends.
Making progress on the panels. I'll post pictures of the entire set once it's set up on stage.
We also participated in our church's AWANA end-of-the-year program.
Libby was recognized for completing her second book and she was named Clubber of the Year out of her class! It's a great honor and we are proud of her for being dedicated to learning bible verses and being such a good AWANA student this year!
We also had several softball games during the last few weeks of May. We normally play twice a week. But we had three games get rained out so we had to make those up. Needless to say we spent lots of time at the ball fields.
I had to pinch hit for the team mom one night. She was out sick and asked me to cover dug out duty. Oh my! The girls are so silly...and loud!
Selfie in the dug out!
We finished the season last week and will celebrate with a team party...at our house! (What's is wrong with me? Why do I keep thinking that's a good idea?)
Happy End of the School Year to you and yours. Three more days until I begin my summer break...
- 10:33 AM
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It's official, folks. Libby has completed first grade. She will be moving on to the exciting world of second grade in the fall. Hard to believe, but I'm proud of her and thankful for her growth and development.
A little taller and a lot less teeth! :)
Special things she did this year:
*Made all A's ALL year!
*Went to Disney World for the first time
*Developed an awesome love of reading (her test scores indicate that she finished the year reading on a fourth grade level. Awesome!)
*Lost four teeth
*Completed another year in our church's AWANA program
*Finished her second season of slow pitch softball
She had an awards program and ice cream party with her class to celebrate a great school year.
Libby with her fun, outgoing, sweet teacher, Mrs. Sawyer
She had an awards program and ice cream party with her class to celebrate a great school year.
Libby with her fun, outgoing, sweet teacher, Mrs. Sawyer
The kids got to enjoy ice cream sundaes and top them any way they liked. Libby was proud of her creation.
Each child was given recognition in an area they excelled. Some awards are funny (most hugable, best dancer) and some were more academically focused. Libby was named the All Star Student. Her teacher explained it was because she excelled in every subject and was an all around good student. I was proud of her and she was excited to hear her teacher's point-of-view.
So long first grade, it was a good year!
It's obvious to me and Drew that's she growing up and becoming a mature young lady. But she'll always be our first born baby.
Here's to a great summer break!
- 9:52 AM
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I had a busy, busy Mother's Day weekend.
Thursday Georgia Kate's school hosted Muffins for Mom. I enjoyed spending time with GK. She enjoyed chomping on a huge, chocolate muffin and giving me kisses. So sweet!
Friday evening Drew and I helped host a wedding shower for our friends, Brett and Hannah. They'll be getting married in June. We enjoyed an evening celebrating their upcoming wedding.
After watching Libby's ball game Saturday morning, we attended the Parkman family reunion. The girls were very social. Hugging cousins, great grandmothers and visiting with family.
Sunday we went to early church. Here's a picture of the girl squad before leaving for church. #girlsrule
After church we enjoyed lunch with our families.
The girls and Mimi. Side story: I bribed Georgia with a gummie so that she would stand still. She did, but asking for a smile was too much. ;)
The same afternoon all the cousins piled into this handmade canoe. They just loved it.
Georgia Kate took a late nap so Libby and I enjoyed the pool while she rested. When she got up she joined us.
This was the first swim of the year. Our pool is officially open for the summer!
GK will start swimming lessons is about two weeks. I have a feeling she is going to love the water as much as her big sister.
Told you it was a busy, event-packed weekend. I was so tired from all the running to and fro that Drew cleaned up the kitchen (he was helping me celebrate Mother's Day) and I went to bed early. Zzzz!
I am thankful not only to be a mother, but to have such wonderful mothers in my life!
- 4:27 PM
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The last week of April I got the chance to travel to Orange Beach, AL for a Career Technical Education conference. It fell during the week leaving me to travel alone. Did you get that? All. By. Myself. To the beach. Yahoo!
I dropped Georgia Kate off at school and I hit the road.
Destination: Alabama's Gulf Coast.
I could only recall having been to this particular beach one other time about 15 years ago. And it did not disappoint. My hotel offered a great view of the sandy, white beaches.
I stayed at Perdido Beach Resort. I give it two thumbs up!
I had classes during the day, but they were gracious enough to let us out early to enjoy our afternoons. As soon as our meeting was dismissed, I changed into my swimsuit and was out by the pool relaxing and reading in record time. All three days were sunny and breezy.
After I got my fill of lounging I went down to the beach for an early evening walk. Even though I was on vacation, I still wanted to get in my steps!
The shore was so pretty. So peaceful. So relaxing.
The first evening I had dinner at the hotel. Just my book and me. Ten years ago it might have bothered me to dine alone. But now, it was a treat. I relished in the quiet. I didn't have to rush to eat and no one called for "mama" at all. You know I love my family dearly, but I really, really enjoyed the down time. It was good for my soul.
Thursday evening after classes and time at the pool I had a dinner date with an old friend, Mandy Haber. Mandy grew up in our hometown and roomed in college with Coop and Heather. We have lots of funny memories from years past. She and her family live in Orange Beach and she is a talented photographer. You can check out her work here.
Mandy and I ate at The Gulf. It's a cool spot that sits right on the beach.
We picked up right where we left off. We exchanged stories about our kids, families and friends. About half way through dinner I talked Mandy into taking me to the world famous (should that be infamous?) Flora-Bama. She didn't need much convincing. Once she heard I'd never been there, she said, "Yes! I'll go with you! You need to see it for yourself!"
After dinner we traveled less than a mile to the Flora-Bama. And friends, it was as great as I'd heard!
It was the Thursday of Mullet Toss (where people toss fish around the beaches) and it was packed with all sorts of people. Every age, every income bracket - some of the best people watching I've enjoyed in a while!
Thanks, Mandy, for helping me check that fun task off my bucket list!
My conference wrapped up Friday afternoon. I drove home just in time to hug and kiss my girls before getting them to bed.
It was great trip. I learned a lot from the conference and so enjoyed my time at the beach. I can't wait to visit Alabama's Gulf Coast again.
- 6:00 AM
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