Birthday Weekend

Andy and Ra's birthdays are only 4 days apart.  That makes it a crazy time for me - plus this year we've moved and we're trying to unpack.  We found time to break away from the craziness and go out for dinner for Andy's birthday.  He loves seafood and we rarely go out to eat a seafood places because I don't like it at all and Ra is picky and Sis will eat some, but not much...We took him out to dinner at The Fish Company which is his favorite here at the beaches.  Friends of his from work joined us for dinner as well.  It was a nice celebration and he got his fill of clams, shrimp, crawfish and gumbo!

Sis and I made him an apple pie for his birthday.  He loved it and Ra got a little jealous that we made dad a pie and not him.  I had to explain that his party is going to be in a few weeks - hopefully we get the house in order before then - and he can have pie or cake.

As a bonus, our sitter called on Saturday to see if she could take our kids to the movies with her little brother and sister.  All we had to do was drop them off at the movie theater.  She got them candy and bought their tickets then her dad drove them home for us afterwards.  What a great treat!  We decided to go out for an impromptu appetizer and drinks.  Such a nice surprise.  The kids are tired because they've been busy.  Friday was a 2 hr. gymnastics practice then dinner with Andy.  On Saturday, Ra played with a friend all day and then they got home late from the movies.  Then both kids went to play Star Wars on Sunday with my friend Leigh's kids for May the 4th...Early to bed for my kiddo tonight - after we go to Moe's to celebrate cinco de mayo in our Mexican hats!  :)

Sis and her friends Taylor and Annah ready to defend the Empire!

First Practice

I'm happy to report that Sissy had her first gymnastics practice last night and she did AWESOME!!!  She had a great time and stayed on task fairly well.  I asked her what was her favorite part of practice once it was over and she said "All of it Mom."  Well, I guess we have a little gymnast on our hands.

Easter Party

As with Boosterthon, the KDG Easter party fell during the week that the movers were at our house.  I was unable to attend, but again, a kind parent sent me some pictures of the events.

Bunny Ears!

 The cutest bunnies in KDG!

Getting ready for the egg hunt!

Collecting her stash

On the move for more...

BFFs checking out their loot

Making trades and seeing which eggs were the favorites

On the hunt for more...

    After any good egg hunt comes CUPCAKES!!! 

At least she used her napkin, right?

She had such a great time and I was so sad to have missed it, but very thankful for the kind parents in Sissy's class.  These pictures made me feel like I was there.  It helped when I asked her about her fun day.

Boosterthon 2014

A couple of events happened at school the week we were moving and I sadly was unable to attend.  Thankfully a parent in Sissy's class was kind enough to snap a few pics of her for me so I could feel like I was there.

Boosterthon is the school's annual fundraiser.  The kids raise $ per lap or a flat donation and then complete up to 35 laps around a short track.

Here are some pics of Sissy's first Boosterthon.  Riley has done 2 Boosterthon's now...This is what I use to have to organize at the kids' school in Utah but here they have an outside program do all the work that I use to do a lot of by myself.

Sis was so excited about her first Boosterthon.  She didn't think she could run all 35 laps, but when she got home, she was so excited that she ran all of them and didn't walk!  She's a better athlete than she gives herself credit for...I know what she's capable of, just wish she did!

Ra was able to run all 35 laps as well.  I didn't get any pictures of him from his event, but he was pleased with the amount of money he raised as well as his individual performance.

I was proud of both my kids.  They sponsored each other and even raised some of their own money for this fundraiser by doing extra chores.

Ten Years Ago...

10 years ago I learned that good things really do come in small packages - a 2 lb. 10 oz. package. My Little Man has faced many challenges in his 10 short years and each challenge has molded him into the person he is becoming. He loves the Lord, loves his family, and is loyal to his close group of buddies. He makes his momma's heart overflow with joy. 

I still can't believe he's 10 already!  I started to think about 10 years from now and I have to stop...He'll be in college.  He'll be a man...I'm not ready to acknowledge that my time with him under my roof is almost half way over...Why does time fly by so quickly?

Here's the Birthday Boy and his best buddy in his class.  I took donuts in to lunch for him and his classmates.  This is him looking "too cool for mom."

Memories

While unpacking I've come across numerous items that trigger memories.  Seeing Penton's water bowl made me catch my breath for sure.  Seeing her crate come off the truck made my eyes sting with tears.  

Opening a box and finding this triggered the same reaction.  Our dear sweet friend Kenna, who loved me and my kids and became a part of our family in Utah wrote this on Riley's travel book before we moved back to Jax.  We left some incredible people behind in Utah and Kenna is one of them who will always have a special place in our hearts.

New Favorite Treat

I have been making the kids some homemade frozen treats.  All I did was slice up fruit and put that and some flavored coconut water into a popsicle mold and put them in the freezer...

My Little Gymnast

Sissy has been asked to move up from Recreational gymnastics classes to Team.  She won't compete except in the Ribbon Club meets that take place at the gym but she will practice for 2 hrs. a week.  Her teacher told me that usually kids are recommended by their teacher, then they have to try out before they can advance to team.  For Sis, she was spotted by the Team instructor and requested Sis move up to Team!  Her teacher said this is quite a compliment since she didn't have to try out.  

I've spoken with her new coach and discussed my concerns of my little 5 year old being able to focus for 2 hrs. after an entire day of school and she assured me that she challenges them, but keeps in mind that they are still young.  I really like her coach and am excited to see how she does.  Her first practice takes place tonight!  I hope to have good things to report.  

Amazing Grace Race

My friend who teaches PE at the kids' school asked for help with field day this year.  I brain stormed a few different ideas - theme based for her.  I told her about the Amazing Grace Race I did as a fundraiser at the kids' school in Utah.  She and the principal fell in love with the idea so we decided to tweak it to fit the needs of Providence.  The kids had a BLAST and did a wonderful job.

Here are some kids trying to spell out names from the bible in a scramble:

3rd graders attempting to complete Noah's Ark:

Miss K's 3rd graders attempting to move the Ark of the Covenant:

Kindergartners getting ready to build the Blocks of Scripture:

Building the Tower of Babel with cups:

Part of the obstacle course for Wandering through the Desert - Israelites escaping from Pharaoh's Army:

More of the obstacle course:

The kids had TWO bouncy house obstacle courses to climb through!

Kindergarteners pretending to be David taking out Goliath:

Miss Rue's class getting on Noah's Ark:

The Plague of Frogs - leapfrogging down the field

Mrs. Hatman's class getting on the Ark:

 Singing Row Row Row Your Boat:

Ra and his buddy trying to find names of Books of the Bible:

Mrs. Popp's class building a tent like they would have Living in the Old Testament:

Mrs. Popp's class struggled to get everyone on the boat and keep them there while singing:

Some 5th graders working together to build their tent:

It was a beautiful day - lots of sun and fun.  I'm just glad it's OVER!  A lot of planning, meetings, etc. but all the smiles, squeals, and laughter make it worthwhile.