Cousins at the zoo

Last month we visited the Cameron Park Zoo with cousins Anaiah and Kannon.  What a crew!

Getting a closer look at the beautiful birds

Fun on the tube slide near the river otters:

Lions and tigers and....elephants!  Oh my!

Lita with the kiddos

{Emma-7, Owen-4, Anaiah-3 & Kannon-2}

Goodbye Preschool!

This guy finished Preschool this week!!  He is looking forward to many Pre K adventures!

He had such a fun year!  He genuinely looked forward to "school days", enjoyed learning new things, had the best teacher ever and made lots of new little best friends!  We are so fortunate to have Mrs. Anitra moving up with us to Pre K this Fall :)

The class enjoyed a beach theme lunch party before heading outdoors for splash fun!

One of Owen's favorite splash day activities was the car wash!  Shaving cream + water = endless fun!

Kiddy pools, water sprinklers and toys galore!  The kiddos had a super time!

It's amazing the difference a year makes!!

Last day of First grade

Emma's last day of first grade was a half day.  We had a fun class party!  Jarrod created a slide show of the year and helped organize 'minute to win it' games.  The kids LOVED them!  First they participated in toilet paper mummy races:

Next they tried their best to shake ping pong balls out of these empty tissue boxes.  Hilarious!!

Lastly they tried to balance a cookie on their forehead and then work it down to their mouth without using their hands.  Tricky but funny!

Of course little brother had to participate.  He thinks he is part of the class :)

Fun friends

Emma was blessed with an amazing teacher and lots of sweet friends this year.  She enjoyed school and learned so much!  She especially enjoyed reading and finished in second place in the reading counts system (with 141 points)!  

First grade awards

I'm really beginning to believe that every year is going to pass by faster than the one before.  I can't believe Miss Emma is now on her way to second grade!!  The first grade awards ceremony was held the last week of school.  Each teacher carefully selected two students from her class to receive the citizenship award.  We were so honored that Emma was chosen again this year :)

First grade citizenship award recipients {such a great bunch of kiddos!}

Emma was also one of only eight first graders who made all A's throughout the school year.  We are so proud :)

It has been such a joy to watch the class of 2025 grow and develop over the past couple of years.  Their class consists of so many sweet and spunky personalities and it has been fun for Coach and I to get to know them.

Emma with Rebecca - one of her very best friends on earth :)

We are so thankful God chose us to be this sweet girl's parents!  She is such a delight.  We are proud of the example she sets for others and for the way she makes them feel.  She does her very best at everything she tries and puts forth the effort necessary to excel in life.

Second grade here she comes!!!!..........

Spelling Bee

This week Emma participated in the annual Lansberry Elementary spelling bee.  Contests were done by grade level and three representatives were chosen from each homeroom class.  Each contestant was expected to be familiar with a list of 335+ specific words {some of the most challenging included Wednesday, February, graph, through and subtraction}.  During the weeks leading up to the big day she practiced, practiced and practiced some more!

Our sweet #15 before the bee began

Mrs. Meredith's class was well represented {Savannah, Blaine & Emma}

She performs well under pressure and in front of a crowd!  She was focused, determined and seemed nervously excited.  Her parents, on the other hand, were a ball of nerves!  I'm pretty certain that I stopped breathing each time she stood to spell.

First grade besties Rebecca and Emma

1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners {Benjamin, Emma & Malachi}

Proud parents

Overall her first spelling bee was a wonderful experience!  We celebrated by letting her leave school early to enjoy lunch at Olive Garden {her fav!} :)

According to Owen....

Owen constantly keeps us on our toes with the funny things he says and the well thought out questions he presents.  Here is a collection of the most unforgettable things he has said recently.

"Daddy told me to do this!"  (while hugging me)

"I want to marry they.  I want to kiss they!"  (when eating Ramen noodles)

"You don't make the rules of my whole body!"

"I love you just *this* much" (while showing a tiny space between his fingers)

"I'll go potty like a race car" (quick speed)

"No means no!"

"How much did you pay for her?" (asking Jarrod and pointing to me)

"You've got to try this.  It tastes awesome!" (coming from our picky eater when trying something new!)

He calls the Incredible Hulk "Hunk" every.single.time.

together = "to-gela"

stiff arm {football} = "sniff bomb"

Conversation after he finished a snack:

Me: "Please go put your dish in the kitchen sink."

Owen: "No, you can do it."

Me: "You have legs."

Owen: "You have legs, too!"

Some of the deep  questions he asks (and wants real answers for!)

"Why do we have belly buttons?"

"How do babies get out of mommies' tummies?"

"Why do the Little Einsteins never grow (a favorite tv show)?"

Mother's Day

Jarrod has a tradition of creating a sweet slide show for me every year for Mother's Day.  I've learned to have a Kleenex box close by.  Here is the one he made this year: