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
I'm becoming terrible about long picture posts, but it has been so crazy here. We have had so much going on, and I only get about 10 minutes of free time, 2-3 times a week. So bear with me in this post. I have to document all of this because, as I've said before, this is my family album/baby book. Honestly, this post is just brushing the surface of the past month. I wish I had been better about posting to do these events justice!
It actually all started the last weekend in April with Ellie's gymnastics exhibition, then Emma's gymnastics carnival (which is for the preschoolers.) Up next was Emma's birthday, Mack got tubes, we had a big dance recital with both girls performing, Emma's end of the year party, Ellie's kindergarten graduation, an end of the school year swim party, and then Ellie lost her first tooth.
All of this has been going on in the process of our house being completely demolished. Because we don't have enough going on, we decided to remodel a master bath and re-floor our entire downstairs. If I had any advice for anyone, it would be not to EVER try this with 3 small children in the house. I'm hoping we all survive until August.
Here are some pictures to update you on our life for the last month:
This is not a great picture, but I had to add it, because this is Ellie getting announced all by herself. They called out the wrong name in the initial line up, she straightened them out and got her own personal shout out.
On the beam
This is Ellie in the middle of her back hip circle. This is the skill she has worked so hard on. She's asked me several times if we can get a bar at home for her to practice. She nailed it!
These are all the little sisters watching their big sisters at the exhibition
Ellie getting ready for her floor routine
The Level 1 girls
Ellie wouldn't stand still long enough for me to get a good picture, but this was the finale.
The next morning we headed back to the gym for the preschool carnival.
Emma loves this one.
Emma doing her bar routine.
This is typical Emma here. Her jump into the pit is about how she approaches life in general.
Emma got her medal as well and was so proud.
We got a surprise cousin visit later that afternoon:
We never really know what Emma is going to wear these days
I guess the goggles helped her be a better driver for cousin Bo
We got some snuggle time with sweet baby Banks.
Trouble x 2
Ellie loving on Banks, who isn't too happy about it.
The girls set up some shade and chairs for everyone. Mack was entertained for quite a while with the capri sun pack and straw.
Another Emma outfit.
Emma's end of the school year party was at the YMCA splash pad. The water was freezing, but the kids didn't seem to mind.
Emma and one of her sweet teachers Ms. Kerry
Emma and Ms. Rebecca
Recital 2015 was quite an event. Since Emma was in the recital as well this year, I got to run back and forth from the audience to backstage changing costumes, etc. I was a sweaty mess by the time it was all over with, but I honestly loved every minute of it. I miss those recital days and all of the excitement backstage. The girls had a blast and they did so good! I asked Emma what she thought about being onstage and she said: "I was a little scared, but I heard my music and I wasn't scared anymore" (Yes, definitely my kid!) I guess I will have many more of these to come!
Ellie and one of her best friends Anna Clark
Sister ballerinas
Emma and 2 of her friends, Olivia and Esther
Sorry these are out of order - this was after the recital. The grandfathers brought the girls flowers. They were so excited!
Emma in her moment
Ellie in 1st position waiting for her ballet music to start
Tap, however, is Ellie's thing.
Hot stuff
Kindergarten graduation was a short and sweet western themed program that the school put on. Ellie said the pledge - which was a proud parent moment for me. We had a great year, her teacher was so sweet, and Ellie has grown not only with academics but with maturity as well. She has learned SO much this year. I couldn't be more pleased with the elementary school she goes to and the teachers that she had this past year.
Ellie saying the pledge:
Mrs. Taylor, her teacher, calling her up to receive her diploma.
The class assistant Mrs. Simmons handing her her diploma
So happy
Elle and another best friend, Abby
Cutie Pie
The last day of school was only 1/2 day, so I told Ellie she could have an end of the school year party. She invited her 2 best friends from her class, Sammy and Abby and they had a blast.
1st grade, here we come!
A serious conversation while getting some sun
Mack found an older woman to ride him around in the Frozen jeep
And then, that moment when everybody just starts dancing.
Mack couldn't resist the urge to jump in the dance party
And, with 4 girls, a kick line has to appear
After eating pizza and some inside playing, Worth and I got a fashion show/ dance party 2.
Silly girls. They love each other so much!
And to wind up the monthly excitement, Ellie finally lost her first tooth. It has been slightly loose for a week or two. I got home from work Tuesday (5/26/15) and she was screaming at me that it had gotten more loose that morning. She could not keep her hands off of this tooth all afternoon. We were reading library books and all of a sudden she said "Mom, my tooth came out!" So, we crossed another milestone. I almost had to shed a tear, especially when I realized how much the tooth fairy reimburses these days!
Emma turned 4 last Monday, May 4th. She was so excited about her birthday this year. I am finally making a post because we have literally celebrated her birthday for an entire week and 2 days - finishing today with her 4 year appointment and immunizations. On Monday, the day of her birthday, I took cupcakes to her class for snack and we had a small "preschool" birthday celebration. After the girls' dance classes that night, we went as a family to dinner at The Mill, which is a pizza buffet restaurant with games and fun stuff for kids to do. (We don't have a Chuck E Cheese here in Valdosta - this is as close as we could get!) After dinner, we all headed to The Mix for frozen yogurt and toppings. It was a crazy Monday night for this crew, and it wasn't hard to get everyone into bed that night. (Especially mommy and daddy!)
This past Saturday (May 9th) we celebrated Emma's birthday with a few of her friends at our neighborhood's splash pad. It was perfect weather and I think all the kids had an awesome time! We had cake and ice cream as well as popsicles. So, just about time for the sugar highs to reach their peak, we sent all the kids home with their parents. HAHA!
Today, Emma had her 4 year appointment. She was so brave and good at her appointment. The 4 year is the year they get several shots. As you may remember, Ellie's 4 year appointment was a nightmare. I prepared Emma cautiously and was expecting the worst. She was so timid when the nurses were talking to her and the nurse practitioner examined her. She knew what was coming. The NP walked out for the other nurse to come in with the shots and Emma looked at me and had a semi grin on her face and said, "Mommy, Jesus makes me brave." I almost burst into tears. She then asked me if I would say a prayer with her, so we said a little prayer. The nurse soon walked in with the shots, Emma laid back on the table and didn't even make a sound! No crying, screaming or gnashing of teeth. I was holding Mack and had braced myself to lay on top of her to keep her down, but she never even moved! She flinched a little, but no crying at all! I was so proud of my sweet, brave girl.
Her weight was 32 lbs. (24th percentile) and she was 39in. tall (32nd percentile)
Emma never ceases to amaze us. She is so sweet and has such a big, loving heart, but can still have a very hard head sometimes:) She is extremely thoughtful and considerate. She finally loves to wear a dress (all of a sudden, like in the last month!) She has hit a girly kick and is gaining some of her own independence with play and activities, which at times REALLY upsets Ellie! Ellie is still not comprehending that Emma wanted a Minnie Mouse themed birthday party instead of a Frozen party, she tried many forms of manipulation to get Emma to change her mind, but Emma stuck to her guns. So, Minnie Mouse it was! She's so much fun to be around! I love this little angel so much!
Ellie's birthday card for Emma
The birthday girl, who can't figure out how to smile for the camera
Another cheesy grin while eating her birthday pizza at The Mill
Charming Daddy
This is the best group shot I could get.
Riding one of the cars.
Daddy teaching her the ropes to this game. He claimed to be a pro.
Race car driving. Her hair was still in a bun from dance - that is what the pink thing on the back of her head is.
Eating watermelon flavored yogurt with gummy worms, oreos, sprinkles, reese cups, and a few other random toppings. Gross!
This is what she woke up to the morning of her birthday - sorry the pictures are all out of order.
Her sweet preschool class, and Mack
Mack hitting on an older woman.
Her class sang Happy Birthday to her. She was a little overwhelmed by this.
Emma and her teacher, Ms. Rebecca
Singing and dancing at the end of class.
This was Saturday morning just before we left to go to the birthday party. The kids were cutting up and I couldn't resist the photo op.
My precious angels. Sometimes.
The Minnie Mouse birthday cake.
Birthday girl!
Being sweet with papa
Just Emma with Mommy and Daddy. The sun was incredibly bright, obviously.
Bowers Crew
Warming up the water guns before other folks got there.
Emma and her friends.
Emma and her friend Caroline M. The "M" is very important, because there are 2 Carolines she is friends with. This one and Caroline "C"
Such excitement
Waiting in line to get on the slide. Mack was trying to climb up and was obviously causing a traffic jam.
Emma and her other grandfather, E.W.
Of course, Ellie needed to help Emma blow out candles.
