May 2023 - the month of motion

May is always so busy, but it wasn't too bad this year. Everything seemed to be spread out just right for us this year. I got tons of pictures, but the kids seem to be in motion in all of them! We celebrated Emma's birthday, went to Mack's art show,  finished up baseball, Ellie had her end of the year dance recital, the girls had a chorus concert, we finished up another school year, went to the beach, and have kicked up our feet for the end of May finally. Sadly, I got no pictures at the final baseball playoff game. I honestly thought we would win and make it to the championship game, but we lost. The boys were crushed because is was a close game, so no one was asking them to pose up. I got plenty of pics of all of the other things though! I think there are 84 in this post. :) 

Emma turned 12 this May 4th! She was showered with gifts waiting for her that morning. 

Mack was anxiously awaiting her to open the gift from him. 

They fight like cats and dogs most days, but they do love each other ALOT. 

Ellie made an appearance in time to watch Emma's gift opening before we left for school 

Girl loves getting some gifts. 

It's hard to believe that she's 12. I still feel like she's 2. 

More gifts on the night of her birthday. 

She requested chick fil an and a cookies and cream milkshake for her birthday meal. 

We had her party that weekend. She had 2 friends, Mary Allen and Caroline, come over for a sleepover. 

I bought a few flowers from Winn Dixie for Emma, and then found these lavender hydrangeas in the yard to add to the bouquet. They were so perfect for her birthday! 

I send the girls out on a timed scavenger hunt. They were timed and had to find 12 items on the list in the neighborhood. They won prizes for how many they got in the time allowed. 

Despite the water being pretty cold, they still wanted to swim. 

She always has a smile on her face! 

Mack sang in the Children's Sunday service. 

The girls followed Mack's singing up with a chorus performance Ellie was in the school's inaugural show choir, and they had several numbers. 

Emma could barely be seen on the back row of all the 6th graders, but she was so cute! 

Ellie and her friend here, Vanessa, along with one other friend, Nadia, were able to assist with choreography for the full 8th grade chorus performance. 

Cutie pie sisters

Mack got to show off his art at his school's art show. 

He was proud of his work. 

He did such a good job! 

This was a cool mural that was painted inside Westside this year by some VSU art students. Mack wanted his picture taken with it. It is amazing! 

Mack did so well on a MAP test this spring that he was placed into the gifted class. The teachers surprised him with the news and paperwork for him to bring me. His teacher has worked so hard to get him into gifted. She took this picture of the gifted teacher letting him know. He was in complete shock! I'm so thankful for those teachers that love my kids so much. 

We spent Mother's Day in Tifon spending time with Grandma. 

The mom I learned to be a mom from. 

Ellie was acknowledged during Honor's Day

Emma made Honor Roll with distinction this year. 

Recital was up next. I only have one girl dancing this year! It made recital weekend seem really easy. Ellie has shown so much improvement and has worked so hard this year. This is in her Modern/contemporary number. 

She's got the serious/dramatic face down. 

Her flexibility is getting so much better. 

Her pointe dances were breath taking

Ellie was a star in the jazz/finale performance

Such a great performance by this group of girls 

Ellie was in 8 performances. This was by far my favorite. It brought me to tears every single time I watched it. 

EW and Mia were there to support for the Saturday night performance. 

Emma also came Saturday night to watch her favorite sister. 

My sweet, beautiful girls. 

Grandma and Papa made it to the Sunday show. 

Mack even got dropped off after baseball practice to watch the Sunday performance. 

Last Day for 3rd, 6th, and 8th grade. 

The last day I will pick up these 2 together at school. The next time they are at school together, Ellie will be driving. 

We celebrated the last night of school at Fairway tavern where the food was sub par, but the games were 100%

We headed to SSI for Memorial Day weekend with the Tufts. Ford was not spoiled at all that weekend. :)

Cousins

Ofcourse it was unseasonably cold this past weekend. we were bundled up on the beach. 

Somehow, Worth ended up in Hardy's chair. 

Ford is a cutie for sure. 

I don't think Ellie left his side except when he went to sleep at night. 

Back at home, we tried to start the summer off with a pool afternoon. The afternoon was nice, but the pool is still pretty cold to enjoy right now. Hopefully in the next few days, the nights will warm up and make the water warmer.