This blog spot is primarily a photo/memory album for our family. It also serves as a way for us to share what is going on in our lives with our friends and family that don't see us on a regular basis. Ashley, Worth, Ellie, Emma, and Mack
This post is basically a photo dump of May. There is always so much in May. By now I should know better than to try to make 1 post of everything. We've had school projects, art shows, piano and guitar recitals, dance recitals, tons of baseball and golf, graduations, school honors days, beach trips, and of course lots of family time.
We kicked of May with a Children's Sunday at church. This is the culmination of the K-Kids program that the elementary students participate in on Wednesdays throughout the school year.
This was Emma's last year in the Children's program.
Mary Grace, Emma, and Macy are all headed to youth next year!
I couldn't leave out a couple of pictures from Emma's 11th birthday party since that is a big part of our May festivities.
Ellie thoroughly enjoyed the Recoil party.
Mack brought a friend to Emma's party and they pretty much played dodge ball the entire time.
Baseball games were throughout the weeks in May. This game, Mack and Rollins' teacher, Ms. Newton, showed up to support the Junkyard Dawgs.
Mother's Day weekend brought a quick weekend trip to SSI.
Ellie stayed glued to her Kindle app on this trip.
A kindle, boiled peanuts, and fruity drinks helped us get this beach season started.
The Westside Art Show is so fun! I'm so glad they let parents come this year! This is Mack's llama.
Another piece by this proud artist.
The sponge art was my favorite.
Emma's art was great! She couldn't be with us to see it because she was having her last studio dance class before recital week and couldn't miss it. We were able to find her art on the 5th grade hall, however, and get some pictures. This is her guitar.
All the kids buildings were different. Does it say something about how much home improvement we are always doing if Emma chose "Lowe's" to be her main store?
This year, Emma was able to participate in the 5th grade Discovery Class Wax Museum.
Emma was Shirley Temple and did an AWESOME job. She worked so hard researching and planning this.
The spring guitar/music recital didn't disappoint. Mack did a great job!
The spring music recital included Ellie this year. She just picked up piano in January, and I think she's doing so well!
I got to go to Tifton one afternoon for lunch and see Daddy honored with having a scholarship named after him. It was the Tiftarea Board of Realtors that gave the scholarship in his name, "The Chappie Tift" scholarship.
The 3 girls that received the scholarship were incredible recipients. They did way more in high school than I could have even considered doing.
Alzheimer's is a tough disease. It's even tougher to watch a loved one go through the phases. Daddy was so happy this day and even recognized most of the people even if he couldn't recall a name. It made my heart happy to see him happy and socially engaged.
After Daddy's luncheon was finished, I was able to book it back to Valdosta and made it just in time to see Ellie at her 7th grade Honor's Program.
She made honor roll with distinction this year. It had been her goal since last year when she, according to her, "only received honor roll." Either honor makes me proud, but I was especially proud that she set a goal and achieved it.
Emma had MIDDLE SCHOOL orientation. They had to do a scavenger hunt and one of the tasks was to take a selfie with a parent in front of the Viking. We were hot and sweaty but Emma was on a serious mission. In the process of the hunt, we got to tour/hunt the 6th grade hall and teachers and even met a few of the teachers that may be hers next school year. I can't believe she's going to middle school!
This sweet girl was ready for her last recital. Emma decided after this school year that she was done with dance. She's on to middle school sports and has a goal of "being better at golf."
Ellie missed 2 of her dress rehearsals because she was on a trip to Universal with her chorus class from school. She didn't miss a beat on stage though.
Sweet Emma and her final ballet performance.
I have no doubt that ballet has helped make her stronger not only physically, but mentally as well.
Ellie, meanwhile, has dug her toes in the sand with dance. She's sticking it out and loves it.
My sweet dancers.
A mom walked by when I was getting pictures of Emma and very kindly offered to take our picture. I was so thankful for it.
The family dance recital pic is important, as it is an all year all family effort.
Emma's 5th grade graduation was the last week of school.
I snapped this as she walked in and had no idea what was about to happen.
I've always thought Emma was my quiet, fly under the radar little girl, and I still believe that, but I had no idea she would come away with so many awards. Best math and ELA average for her class, PE award, and Principal's Excellence Award. They just kept calling her name and I wasn't ready with my camera each time.
This was her homeroom teacher, Mrs. McPherson. She retired after this year. She also taught Ellie. I guess after 2 Bowers kids, she didn't want to risk having the 3rd! :)
Emma requested several pictures. This is in the main atrium at the entrance to the school.
Emma at the flagpole in front of the school per her request.
I was so thankful that we FINALLY got to go to the end of the year parties. I haven't been able to go to a class party for Mack since Valentine's Day party 2020. It was so fun to be back in the school again helping.
Mrs. Newton is a precious soul that also taught Ellie. She is retiring after this school year as well. I guess the Bowers kids are really running these teachers out of Westside! :) She was awesome for Mack this year. I am so grateful for her.
Ellie decided not to go to school the last day since it was a half day. She's in middle school now, so it's not cool to go the last half day. So this is her at the end of her next to last day as a 7th grader who was DONE.
These 2, on the other hand, were not going to miss their last 1/2 day movie time.
Emma, especially wanted to walk the halls of elementary school 1 last time.
I was THAT mom that was taking pictures of her taking her last walk into elementary school.
She either couldn't hear me or was not interested in looking at the camera.
No worries though, I got pictures of her coming to the car at pick up.
They were getting creamed by the teachers with water guns.
Last day= pool time.
These pictures are in no particular order, but we headed to SSI for Memorial Day and cousin time. This is actually Emma on the beach the day after all the cousins left. She was so tired.
Banks and Ellie are always a sand digging pair.
Ford and Mack bonded this trip. Ford looks strikingly like my Uncle Courtney in this picture.
Even Bo and Banks couldn't get enough of little Ford.
Hardy was up to mischief with Mack as his sidekick.
Hardy really likes to wrestle now. Mack was his target.
There was no lack of beach baseball that weekend.
Emma and Grey made sure the hole got dug.
Ellie worked on her babysitting skills.
Amos and Anna had some time in the shade while Ford napped.
After the cousins left, we had a putt putt night.
I honestly thought baseball was NEVER going to end this season. It finally ended, and with Mack's team bringing home the gold bracket championship title!!
These boys started practicing in November and with their coaches have become a great team!
The night of the Championship was their head coach's 40th birthday. Coach Richard was super pumped to get a win and get pummeled by confetti for his birthday.
