Bowers Blog: May Cray 2019

May was nuts, and I'm finally getting a moment to sit down and post some pictures of the last few weeks. We had dance recitals, end of the school year parties, preschool graduations, volleyball tournaments, baseball tournaments, and a beach trip among many other exciting events. I'll let these pictures tell some of the story of our family's May 2019:

Mack had a Mother's Day tea at school They filled out some pages in a book they made us about us. I'm just honored that he has faith in me on sewing on buttons, since I'm pretty sure I've never sewn one on for him before (Worth does all the button sewing around here if needed.)

Mack's portrait of me.

When Ellie read this, she said, "Mack, Mommy never toots out loud!" Mack said, "yea, I know, but it would be really funny if she did"

Me and my sweet boy at a very special preschool Mother's Day tea.

Next up, we celebrated Emma's birthday again with the grandparents. Grandma brought a money pizza. For the record, Emma hasn't shared any slices.

E.W. and Mia know Emma. Girl LOVES anything UGA.

Ofcourse, Ellie "helped" Emma with all of the gift opening.

They do love each other, sometimes.

Then it was finally time for cake! She didn't get an actual cake on her birthday because we were at iFly and Top Golf eating all kinds of treats and junk all day. She was more than thrilled to FINALLY be getting her cookie cake.

We officially now have an 8 year old!

Unicorn for the win, ALWAYS!

We finally had an afternoon to run Emma to the mall to spend her gift cards that she got for her birthday. Justice was her favorite, I think.

The WES art show is always a fun event. It was such a busy Thursday night that night, but we ALL made it to the art show just before they closed the doors. This piece is Emma's.

Also at the art show, Ellie's science project board was displayed as part of the exhibit.

Art by Ellie, fresh from dance, headed to Volleyball practice. We literally squeezed in the art show

Another masterpiece by Emma.

Emma's boat

A still life (I think that is what you call it) by Ellie

Ice cream by Emma

Ellie was excited about her work.

Ellie's city. Notice how she has an Omni hotel in her piece.

"Love"

"hope'

Emma had to show Mack the chicken coops and butterfly garden at their school. atfter the art show.

My crew and I for Mother's Day. I had to beg to get this picture.

I made Worth pose for a picture with them as well, eyes closed and all.

Ellie cooked a mother's day dinner (mostly) all by herself. On the menu was; spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

This girl had a great volleyball season. They finished 3rd in the league with a heartbreaking loss in the finals. She got better with each game and has now deemed volleyball "my sport."

There have been all sorts of critters in our yard lately. This bunny let me get pretty close before it hopped off.

The cats were playing with this surprise guest last week.

No worries on this one, it was a non-venomous oak snake. It tricked us at first though because it's markings were very close to a copperhead.

The week school was getting out was filled with parties. This was Mack's end of the year pool party at the Y splash pad.

He would never stop long enough for me to get a good picture.

Lots of good food at a pool party...

..and fun gifts.

The boys thought the sprayer was so much fun going up the back of their pants.

Dance recital is an exciting end of the school year even for most of us. (Except for Worth) I caught Emma helping Ellie get dressed and thought it was too sweet not to document.

I really wanted pictures of them in all of their costumes. This was Emma's last year of tap and jazz. She has opted just to take ballet next year.

Never a dull moment with this one.

Ellie will remain in jazz next year as well as ballet and pre pointe, but she will be dropping tap.

Jazz girls ready

Tap was never my favorite when I danced, but I was hopeful one of the girls would fall in love with it. I do love watching tap.

These 2 ballerinas were my favorite!

Cutest tapper ever!

One hot and sweaty dance mom backstage with her babies.

Jazz queen

Emma on stage!

Annual end of performance flowers from the grandparents.

And then there was that time that it was Mack's last day of preschool.

Although I thought my heart might explode I didn't cry. I didn't want him to look at me and see his mama losing it. Once the waterworks are turned on for this woman, they don't easily turn off. I felt Mack would be confused and upset by it, not to mention the other kids. I kept a huge smile the whole time, but apparently I didn't trick him because he told me later, "Mama why were you looking at me so weird?"

Getting ready to perform

PAUMC preschool graduatiing class of 2019

He looks just like Worth in this picture to me.

He took the bell ringing very seriously

"God is bigger than big, stronger than strong, he is mightier than mighty, and LOUDER than this song!"

Quite a performer

He said he wants to be "a scientist" when he grows up.

The prayer is so sweet.

Kindergarten here he comes!

My last precious graduate from PAUMC preschool.

Grandma and Papa made the trip to watch graduation,

and so did Mia and Dubs!

There was a small reception after the graduation. I was glad we got one more picture with Ms. Tish. She has loved (put up with) all 3 Bowers kids and is amazing. My kids are so ready for kindergarten when they have left her class. We just love her and are going to miss her joyful spirit!

Colson Anderson, Mack, and best buddy, Luke Cowart

In case this ever gets lost, I documented it with a picture. It is a note Ms. Tish put in Mack's report card, and it is hilarious.

These 2 finally finished up their year. I don't know 2 that were more excited about school ending than these to girls right here.

Before the last days however, there were parties. Mack and I attended Emma's and Ellie's which were thankfully, on the same day.

Ellie and 2 close friends she made this year, Katherine on the left, Colette on the right. Both are military brats and will be moving this summer. They are sweet and fun little girls that Ellie will miss terribly.

Ellie's ELA and homeroom teacher Ms. Hansen, who was super sweet.

Emma and her teacher, Dr. Haugabrook. This teacher was amazing. I had been praying for Emma to have a teacher that saw her strengths and encouraged her in academics and character, and this wonderful woman was the answer to my prayers.

Ellie was too cool to pose in front of the sidewalk chilk sign in front of her school on school party day.

Summer nights mean more time to be together and do easy stuff, like feed the fish/turtles in the neighborhood pond.

I thought this was a great picture.

Some of our neighbors had an outdoor movie for the last day of school. We watched Ralph breaks the internet and the kids had a blast.

In the midst of the May Cray, Nicole had baby #4, a girl, Willow. She is precious and such a blessing in all the pain. I can't wait to squish on her at the beach in a few weeks.

After MUCH anticipation, we FINALLY made it to the beach. Our favorite Memorial Day spot, SSI.

Emma was thrilled.

Ellie even tested the waters this year.

We found a great newer restaurant that had outdoor games for kids. The food was great and the atmosphere even better.

Mack even found a friend to "teach" how to build stuff.

Had to snap a pic of this moment on our way to get ice cream after dinner.

Sweet Emma

Blue Ice cream, and blue teeth to match

Chocolate is his fav

And of course, Mint chocolate chip for Emma

She can still be silly for a picture when she wants to! Blue teeth and all.

Despite the signs asking people to no longer climb on the whale statue, we still got our annual pictures there.

Ellie read through several books on the beach. Girl loves her chair and a book.

Emma and Mack finally talked Ellie into boogie boarding and she had a blast.It helped that the water was super clear this year and cool and comfortable in the heat.