Thankful Thursday

It's been awhile since I've done a Thankful Thursday post so...

Teachers. What a great school year my girls have had! It's amazing to see how much progress they have made and the growth that just one year brings. We have had some wonderful, dedicated, fun-loving teachers who seem to just love being teachers. When I picked Sierra up today her speech therapist commented on her progress and was amazed at what she is doing now in comparison to when she started school. She is answering questions and carrying on conversations. Ms. Ward said there were several times that she had to make sure it was Sierra that was talking to her!

Summer. I can't say enough times how thrilled I am that the school year is almost over and we are approaching the most relaxing time of the year. I love the lazy days ahead! And one of the greatest parts of summer...flip flops!

Mark. He has a new job which will require him to travel some. Nothing that we can't handle, but while he was gone this week I realized just how much he does to help out when he is here and how much the girls (and me too!) just love having him home. Everything just goes better when Dad's in the house!

Field Day 2009

Yesterday was our elementary school's field day. There were a lot of fun activies for the kids and it was a great day to spend outside with friends.

In the morning, I volunteered to help out with the javelin throw. The kindergarten kids were our first group and it was fun to watch my soon-to-be first grader with her friends. They are a very social bunch and have had a great year together.

In the afternoon, I volunteered to help the older kids with the 40-yard dash. Even Sierra ran a few!

Of course, Mackenzie was more interested in the sack race but I did manage to get over to her for the obligatory picture.

It's Coming!

I heard the happiest song today. Now I know that summer is just around the corner!

Winding Down

The school year is coming to a close (How can that be? Where did the year go?!) and I am anxious for summer to begin. We have been so busy with all of the end-of-the-year stuff and I fear that next week will be even worse. We have been plagued with field trips, mindless projects, state testing, field day, water day, and pizza parties. Whew! They need $2 for this and another $5 for that. Teacher appreciation week with gifts every day.

I'm ready for the lazy days of summer. Ready to sit at the pool with nothing else to do for hours on end. Ready to let the girls sleep in and banish the morning routine for awhile. And I'm ready for a trip to the beach! I'm looking forward to reconnecting with the girls instead of trying to carry on a little conversation while we hustle off to the next place. May 21st can't come fast enough! Summer is knocking on my door and I am ready. Bring it!

Through the Eyes of a Child

Sierra loves to take pictures and does a pretty good job. She is always taking my phone and snapping pictures and if my camera is out, watch out! She's got a pretty steady hand. Thought I'd share some of her pictures...

Easter goodies!

Kitchen bar stools....and a Diet Coke!

The downstairs shower....

Don't ask...at least it looks clean! And she didn't drop the camera!

Our sweet dog, Princess. I know what you're thinking. Poor Mark, living with a house full of girls and even the dog is prissy!

Sierra's favorite shoes! I learned to do any shopping for Sierra without her. These are her Easter shoes. She walked into the store and there was no leaving without them. She has worn them every day since!

Breakfast is her favorite! She loves to help Daddy make pancakes on Saturday mornings!

It's always fun going through my pictures and seeing these little surprises!

Still Here...

Have I mentioned how busy our lives have become lately? I have barely had time to breathe, let alone blog about it. Last night I jammed my toe and it hurts to stand on it, so instead of folding the mountains of laundry that cover my bed I'm going to get caught up. And just in case you're wondering, I jammed my toe on Kenzie's little bootie. She put ice down the back of my shirt and ran. I turned to playfully give her a little kick and somehow really hit my toe. I'll laugh about it one day...probably not as much as Kenzie though! Anyway....

Lauren had a great time at Disney World and only got separated from her group once. Of course, it was the first day, after dark. She was tired and nervous and called me in Atlanta. Not much I could do, but I did call her chaperone and it didn't happen again, as far as I know. She came home completely exhausted and penniless. She had a great time and I even relaxed by the last day.

The rest of us took a quick little trip to Atlanta to visit Mark's family. We had a fun visit and got back home in time to clean the house up a bit before picking my parents up from the airport.

We had a great visit with my parents for 2 weeks and took advantage of some free babysitting as well. Mark and I took a dinner cruise on the General Jackson, which I highly recommend and then stayed the night in a hotel. It was great to sleep in and spend some time with my favorite person! The girls made cookies and cinnamon rolls with grandma and introduced her to "Twilight", we went to the movies, and out to dinner and they were able to see all 3 of the older girls play soccer.

Mark was laid off. Luckily, he was pretty unhappy with his job and had already found a new one. We did have a couple of weeks where he was in between the 2 jobs and we loved having him home. He has started work back at Healthways, the company that laid him off last May.

Mackenzie ran the Country Music Marathon...for kids! She has been part of her school's Run Club and has logged more than 30 miles! Friday night we went up to Nashville where she ran the last mile and across the marathon finish line. It was fun for her and great to see that so many kids had participated. She got a medal and we are proud of her accomplishment.

And this morning she got braces! She just called from the school to say that her mouth is pretty sore and would I please bring her some ice cream money. It could be a long couple of days until she gets adjusted to it all! Lots of yogurt and ice cream on the menu!

Sierra's preschool class took a field trip to the zoo last Monday. All weekend she talked about riding the bus to the zoo and was so excited for Monday morning. It was a cool day, which was great for crowd control, and we had a great time walking around looking at all of the animals together. Unfortunately, she didn't get to enjoy the thrill of the bus ride home. She fell asleep before they got to the freeway!

While my parents were in town my dad cleared some space for a garden, which I planted last week. I am really excited to have fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, cantaloupe, and watermelon this summer. I don't have much of a green thumb, but I'm optimisistic...and hopeful!

We had a fun Easter. The older girls hid eggs outside for the little girls in the afternoon, and the little girls couldn't have been happier.

Lauren, Mackenzie, and Ashtyn are well into their spring soccer seasons and having a great time. Ashtyn has scored several goals, which was very exciting for her. There are 2 weekends left of the soccer season and several more of the school year. I think we are all ready for summer vacation and being able to slow down a bit!

Just a quick update...Lauren had a blast at Disney World, took an unplanned trip to Atlanta for a visit, Mark was laid off (again!), but has started a new job already, soccer, track, survived Spring Break, Easter fun, bunny delivered, new Hannah Montana movie, Mark turns 39, overnighter without kids, and my parents are visiting for 2 weeks. My life in a nutshell!

Tomorrow morning at 6:30 Lauren boards a bus with her Middle School Band headed for Disney World. They will have a great time over the next 5 days and she is VERY excited. But right now I'm wondering why in the world I agreed to this! Surely 14 is too young to travel so far without her mom. Thank goodness for cell phones and an unlimited texting plan!