Topsail, North Carolina

Over Memorial Day weekend we took a trip to North Carolina.  We went to see the Newcomers and we got to go to the beach too. I didn't pull my phone out all day except to text Shad. The kids played all day  in the sand and water,  we collected Shark teeth and pebbles and sea glass. It was such a great day and I hope there are many more like it in the future.

Bubbers

We call this little boy Bubbers.  

He is such a mess.

And a Joy.

And Happy.

And Adorable.

He looks good in pink and every other color we put him in.

He is growing and moving up too fast.

He loves to explore the house.

And to help wherever help is needed.

End of School Year Festivities

 The end of the school year kept this mom very very busy.

  There was Field Day for Dash,

Dash with Daniel and Logan.

Oh yeah.

And Field Day for Amaya.

There was the 2nd Grade play called Wackadoo Zoo.  Amaya was a lion that crowed like a rooster and was one of the dancers.

Most adorable crowing lion EVER!

Then there was the Kindergarten celebration.

 All 5 kindergarten classes sang songs,

And had speaking parts. Dash's line was "caring for others is the best part of all".

Then he received his Kindergarten Diploma from Mrs. Green.

There was an awards day for Amaya and Ella.  Amaya got an award for all A's all year and an AR and a Math award.

Ella was recognized for her participation in Math Club and Science Olympiad.  She received recognition again for her 3rd place finish at the Science Olympiad in the Entomology subject. Then she received Director's Choice for Choir.  She was chosen becuase of her talent in music and the positivite attitude she brought to class throughout the whole year.

 Ella, Ella T. and Adela.

Ella's last day of 6th and quite possibly the last time I can get her to wear a school uniform.

 Amaya's last day as a 2nd grader.

Thank goodness this isn't my last Kindergartner.  I love having a Kindergartner and Dash is now a 1st grader.

 Ella was finished a week early because she got all A's.  So she and I enjoyed the time we had with just the two of us (well and Jack) and we played tennis, and shopped, and went to lunch and ran errands.

 Mrs. Huffman was a great teacher and let Amaya know she is smart and a great student.

Mrs. McDevitt will hold a special place in my heart for forever.  I was terrified Dash wasn't going to enjoy school, because he didn't enjoy preschool.  Mrs. McDevitt didn't let that happen.  She made school fun for Dash and she was encouraging and loving.  She told Dash that she loved him everyday, and he told her. She is a phenomenal teacher who has blessed our lives.

15 years

15 years. 

 It sounds like a lot and that we should be really old now, but we still feel so young.

We are still best friends.

We still love to be together.

Baseball and Softball

WHAT was I thinking? 3 kids in baseball and softball at the same time? At least they all played at the same fields.

Dash's coach was great.  All the decisions he made were good ones, all except one. White pants on 5 and 6 year old boys with red dirt? Really?

Dash made it a goal to slide into a base during every time on base.  He even slid into 1st once until he found out that wasn't allowed.

 

I apparently didn't get any pictures of Amaya playing.  I did get some videos though.  She was by far the smallest on her team and they all cheered and encouraged her just as they did the more well seasoned players.  It was a great experience.

Jack was the best spectator.  Here he is fighting off a nap so he can cheer Amaya on.

Ella enjoyed the playing of softball.  She didn't enjoy the intensity that her coach had for it.  He was very hard on the girls and didn't have any patience for errors.  He knew what he was doing and I think Ella learned a lot.  She did what she always does and learned from her mistakes and tried her hardest.  I don't think she wants to play again anytime soon though.

Ellaville, and Jack

While on our road trip with Grandma and Granddad back in January we came across a cute little town called Ellaville.  Naturally we needed to get a picture of Ella with her township.

Then on the road to the beach on Ella' birthday weekend, we crossed the township of Jack, Alabama.  Well of course you know what had to happen.

Now all we need is an Amaya City and a Dashleburgh.

Little things.

Another month older! Sigh, Stop him from doing that.

A little snack in the tub.

Oh, those blue blue eyes.

I finally get to go on a field trip with Amaya.  We went to the art museum.

Everyday this baby gets the biggest grins when Ella gets into the car after school.  She could've had a horrible day and he will just squeal and giggle and grin at her.  I think her day gets better when she sees him too.

Will not keep socks on.

Easter Egg dying is always a fun mess.

Off to Young Women's

And the Temple.

Well he sucked on this pickle during the whole time at lunch and was perfectly happy about it too.

Twinsies

He loves to eat paper as well as pickles.

Ella's Birthday #12 and a trip to the Beach

Ella's birthday fell on Easter weekend this year.  I wanted to get out of town and down to the beach, so we did.  Since we weren't going to be home to sing her a Happy Birthday, I made her German Pancakes for breakfast and we sang to her then. 

After Shad got off work, we hurried down to the beach.

And didn't waste anytime getting out to the water.  It was beautiful outstide and we played and played until we got hungry.

We wanted to find a restaurant that Ella could order some shrimp. It's one of her favorite foods. After some doing, becuase it was spring break and dinner time we had a hard time finding a place without an hour long wait to get a table.  We found a little diner that was perfect.  We ordered fish and shrimp and cheesecake.

The next day called for rain, so Shad took the kids out swimming nice and early to get in some pool time. I hung out with the bubbers in the hotel room, so he could get a nap in.

For lunch we went to a place called the Back Porch that was right on the water and we listened to the sounds of the waves and soaked in the views while we ate.

After lunch we headed to Ft. Walton Beach's Annual Kite Flying Festival. It was turning out to be pretty rainy and windy and cold.

The girls and I walked back to the hotel.

We stayed one more night and went home the next morning.  I was bummed that the weather wasn't warmer, but I really enjoyed our time at the beach.  I always do. We took one more walk along the beach before the drive back home.