A year gone by

Today is the last day of kindergarten for Isabel.  She doesn't seem too sad about it yet.  We'll see how she does next week when she doesn't go back to school.  She had an assembly this morning where she earned another S.O.A.R. award and we got to go and thank her teacher as well.  We are so proud of Isabel and blessed for how her first year of school went.  We loved her teacher and teachers aid.  She can read, she can write, she knows more about butterflies and other insects than I do.  What a year!

The little girl who skipped into school on her first day still does

 

 

Isabel's awesome teacher

Classmates

Also, my dear friend Cydney and I finished up our 1st year of preschool with our two girlies.  They have come along way, especially Ana.  One year down, one to go before these two are headed off to kindergarten.  How quickly it will come I'm sure.  Proud of you Ana & Kate!

 

Now...did somebody say summer!  Awww summer, my favorite season!  Bring on the beach, pool, biking, watermelon, s'mores, friends, family, and other fun summer activities! 

The things Ana says

If you know Ana she just kind of says things.  Maybe like most kids she just says whatever comes to her mind.  Here are a few of the silly things she's said recently. 



Story 1

Ana: What's that mom

Me: Au Jus

Ana: Au Jus.  Yea, it's Au Jus cause it has Ju in it


Story 2

Ana: This is duck sauce.  It's made from ducks.


Story 3 (apparently we eat Chinese a lot)

Ana: If this is the color of duck sauce, what would the color of cow sauce be? 


Story 4 (this is an exchange between Isabel and Ana.  I posted in on fb, but thought I'd post it here too)

Ana: Who's that in front of us
Isabel: It might be Pastor Peter (it wasn't)
Ana: Who's Pastor Peter?
Isabel: He's another bald guy:P

(almost all of the pastors at our church are bald or shave their heads, so indeed she was right)

Track and field day

Last week Isabel had track and field day!  It was a gorgeous day and we had a fun time watching and cheering during all of the festivities.  A fun morning for all!!!  

Our field day star

Ana cheering her big sister on

Fun parachute activity.  Really funny seeing all the kindergartens trying to figure it out

Isabel's tug of war team.  They were SO CLOSE to winning and then...they all pooped out.

The farm

Isabel had a field trip last week to Benton Farms.  It's a family owned farm handed down through several generations.  The kids got to learn about jobs all the farm animals do, feed sheep, milk a cow, collect eggs, shear a sheep, take a hay ride, and learn about how bees make honey.  They got to pet a little lamb that was born just the day before, and let me tell you the mama was not a happy camper.  She wanted her baby back.  I was privileged to be able to go along with her class.  It's always fun to meet the friends I often hear about at home but don't get to see much. 

Isabel shearing a sheep

May???

How is it half way through May?  It seems like these last few weeks have been going at 100 mph.  Isabel has her last few weeks of kindergarten and there seems to be some type of event every week.  Last week it was a kindergarten performance and field trip, this week will be school beautification day and field day.  I know everyone says this, but I can't believe how fast this first year of school for her has gone.   The kindergarten's sang for a PTA meeting one night. 

They have become the best of friends.  They love to match.

Isabel's Dr. Seuss inspired artwork

Isabel is the 2nd row, about 5 people in on the right.

I'm also trying to finish up this year of preschool with Ana, a few more lessons to go and we'll be done.  We also did a field trip with her to a planetarium, as we have been studying about the sun, moon, and stars.

There as been some down time, like a staff retreat to Gatlinburg with Lee.  I always enjoy spending anytime with Lee.  I don't know if other women are like this, but I just really miss him during the day when he's away at work.  Having a short getaway with him was nice and refreshing.  A special thank you to my parents for watching the girls so we were able to go.  It's so beautiful there.  Just another testimony of God's amazing creation, sin cursed and all. 

 

Time to brag

Right before we left for TX we went to an award assembly at Isabel's school.  She received two awards.  One was a S.O.A.R. award, which meant with their behavior system she stayed at good or above the whole period.  The second one was for perfect attendance for the period.  Then, halfway through our 9 hour drive that day to TX, she was like..."wait, oh...I have something exciting to tell you."  This of course came out very randomly.  So she proceeded to tell us how she went to the highest level of their behavior chart, something she had not done yet, but really wanted to.  Needless to say we are pretty proud of our little girl. 

Road Trip

For spring break we decided to take a road trip to visit our dear friends/family in TX...and we drove...18 hours there, 18+ hours back (we got in a traffic jam on the way back).  Was it worth it...YES!  We had such a great time!  Our kids play well together, we love hanging out together, it's a good combo...and they are the kind of friends that aren't afraid of having 7 kids (under the age of 7) in the same house for a week. 

We went to parks (a lot of parks), we had donuts (a lot of donuts), we jumped on the trampoline (ok, the kids did...lots though), we did touristy stuff (a little bit) and just talked and laughed and stayed up way too late.  We were like, okay we have to stop pretending we are still in our 20s and go to bed, because the kids are going to be up at the crack of dawn ready to play...which they were.  However, we still stayed up late every night. 

We got to go out on a double date one night.  We put all the kids to bed and had a sitter come over.  We had a fun evening eating out at Chuy's and then had a friendly game of bowling.  I may be better at ping pong, but Lee's got me beat in bowling. 

I'm now addicted to Mango Tea and tres leches (a delicious Mexican cake), I just might have to learn how to make it.  

I personally wish we didn't live 18+ hours away from each other, because we love their family so very much, but I guess it makes the time with them when we are together that much sweeter.

Just a few highlights...