Goodbye First Grade!

Field Day!

She can hoola hoop this year!! Can you find her?

 Isaac sharing his snack with Zephaniah for some quick energy.

 Elias finding someone's hat.

Olivia and good friend Addy.

Their class lost tug of war this year, but they gave it a good fight!

It got HOT by afternoon.

Just cuz she's my girl!

Best first grade teacher ever! Mrs. Lancaster.

Hot Beach Ball (like potato) game at party. This was the game I helped with the whole party.

Sticker beach scene. Elias followed Olivia to 2 stations. She said her favorite thing at the party was having Elias with her. Aww...

These girls were also in the same K class.

Olivia was very excited to get the same outfit for her birthday as her best friend.  They planned the matching for the party.

Last day of first grade. Same dress as first day of 1st and K.

She was teaching Isaac some words in the book she got to bring home on the last day of school.

We celebrated with burgers at Wendys.

And free frosties!

SO thankful to have her home for the summer now!!

Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day to me!

So this picture will cover Mother's day too, since I didn't get a pic actually on the day with my mom.  I love you mom! Thanks for being so fun and a pillar for the family!!

This picture was actually at soccer games for the kids on my birthday. Mom brought the huge balloon. Totally made the day!

After Justin and I had a shopping date, we met my parents and kids at Olive Garden for the bday dinner.

Then back to our house for dessert.  I went with the dirt cake again this year, with less presentation. Delish.

Waiting to leave at Olive Garden with leftovers. I just thought it was cute.

Waiting for food to come. Side note from today: I told Elias I loved him and he was growing up so well (he's beginning potty training...ish) and he said, "I know. I'm strong and mighty." I guess that's a combo of other things he's heard: that he's going to be a mighty man of God.  And that God will help him be strong and courageous. :-) 

Olivia's actual birthday was on Mother's Day this year. DONUTS!

This was her face when she realized she got the mini dream light penguin she's been wanting for months.

We hung out at G&G's house for the day. Fishing, of course.

They look exceptionally tall to me.

Dad cut the chicken with great demonstration entertainment. He was so excited he had to get a sweat band!

Justin grilled it for us.

Casting practice.

I am very thankful for Mom and who she is. A great example to aspire to be.  I also REALLY enjoyed not cooking or doing dishes for Mother's Day.  Mom & I got to take the kids on a walk instead. Thanks men!

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Olivia is 7!!!!! We had a painting party (plan b) for a few of her closest friends.  We began with decorating their "smocks" with colored sharpies. Check out the awesome multi-art easel Justin made with his cool tools! THANK YOU!

I drew the same picture for all the girls.  It came from the cake that Olivia designed. (see below)

Here's the final product. I didn't think the boys would want flowers, so Justin made a minion and ninja turtle for them. THANKS again!

This is the amazing picture. And here's why. Olivia originally wanted an outside water party with sprinkler/trampoline and pool set up.  After invitations were sent, the weather report went downhill and it was supposed to rain all weekend.  So we prayed all week about the weather, and yes, I came up with plan b (art) just in case. Always be prepared when it comes to kids. :-)  The day of her party, it was raining and even her soccer game was cancelled that morning. However, during her party it became hot and sunny enough for them to get wet! She loved it! And when the last guest was leaving, we saw the dark clouds roll in and it rained the rest of the evening.  What a wonderful present she got from God!

 It was a little windy to keep the candles lit, but our neighbor was able to get 6 of the 7.  Olivia only blew out one because the wind got the rest. Fun memory.

She designed her own cake! (wish i could do better lady bugs!)

 We even got to eat outside since it was so nice.  

 Isaac got to play with one of the girl's brother that came.  He was in Olivia's class last year.

 Opening presents.  Leyton sure looked relaxed!

We are so thankful for the blessing we have with Olivia.  She is one loving, considerate, creative, intelligent, beautiful little girl. I would choose to be her friend any day!

Random

Eating lunch from the van trunk to watch it rain.

 We were hoping for a bigger rain, but it was still fun.

Finding all the things to push and pull.

Sleeping with his little ninja.

Dad time.

Home made slip-n-slide without the slide part.

They played in little water pockets in the tarp with little army guys, boats, and toys.

Helping to water our next grass patch. We have found the only way to kill the grass we don't like is put the trampoline over it for the summer.  We are growing the spot from last year.  In another couple years, we'll have a whole yard full of nice green grass! 

Love this one. Big brother helps little brother a lot.

Happy Easter!

Before we get going with Easter, here's another Elias funny.

So Isaac has made these things at church. I walked in the kitchen one morning and I said "Oh one of your guys is sleeping!" (He was lying down flat instead of upright on his clothespin.) Elias immediately ran to the window saying "no! no! no!", grabbed the guy, ran to the rug, laid down and .....

...did this. Then Elias says "change diaper. He change my diaper." Hmmmm....??? 

He was the goalie when J, Isaac, and him played soccer in the living room while Olivia and I were gone.  Looks like a tough job.

We took a family hike/dinner picnic the day before Easter.

We were in the Norris Lake area. We hiked down to the water and threw rocks in.

It was fun!

Opening Easter box from Nana and Gramp!  Thanks!!!

Easter morning. The balls are a huge hit for the trampoline!

Grandpa and Grandma came to church with us and hung out for the day.

Of course they jumped!

Colored eggs...

Ta Da!!!! 

The hunt....

He wanted to stop and open each one before moving on to another one.  I had to coax him along so Olivia and Isaac wouldn't get them all first.

Brothers....  they were checking out the goods inside the eggs.

Very appreciative for what Jesus did for each individual person on the cross. We can approach him with confidence!