Double Digits

I can't believe that my girl has hit the double digits!

   

 Alexa found a "Beach Party" in a book she had and decided that would be the theme of her 10th birthday party. She decided she just wanted to invite her two best friends and make it a 24 hour day of fun. Before we went to pick up Alexa's friends we set the table. Alexa and I had fun on a shopping date and preparing her table for her friends.

 

We started the day at the local water park to enjoy some fun in the water and the sun!

 

When we got home the girls showered up and started on some of the crafts that Alexa had come up with for her party. The first was beading a "beachy" looking necklace.

 

Alexa has such a special bond with these two girls and it has been so much fun seeing their friendship grow this past year.

 

The also are so sweet to Emma and included her in the fun!

The table was set .....

and dinner was ready! Alexa wanted to have food that was "beachy" too! So we brainstormed some ideas and this what we came up with together! 

After dinner the girls made a "beach in a box." Alexa saw this fun idea in a book she had and this is where her Beach Party idea took off! The girls had fun putting together their own little beaches.

The girls played outside and waited patiently for the sprinklers on the golf course to come on.  They finally decided after waiting and waiting to come in for some cupcakes.  As I told Alexa to wait so I could grab the candle and sing she informed me she didn't really need a candle.  Oh my heart about sank ... is she really too old for a birthday candle :(! My little girl is growing up.  Their faces say it all.  These girls know how to have fun! 

They were in the middle of eating their cupcakes and I heard screaming ... they dropped their cupcakes and headed out the door! 

The long awaited sprinklers were on.  They danced, screamed and giggled their hearts out! 

They came in and showered again and got ready for bed.  I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the birthday girl curled up in bed with her friends.  They slept side by side the long way in a queen bed.  As I was tucking them in and saying prayers they were talking about their classes for the next school year.  They are all hoping to be in the same class. One of Alexa's friends said, "I just don't want to drift apart!"  

We had a chance to talk about how special their friendship was and that God knows and has a plan.  When Alexa and I were out shopping she saw these little frames and wanted to put a verse in them for her friends. We used it as part of a devotion during dinner and so we continued to talk about how God knows their thoughts and knows their worries.  He also has blessed them with a special friendship and even in they aren't in the same classroom their friendship can continue to grow.  We also talked about how he may want them to grow in new ways and meet new friends this year too!  What a special way to end the day with my birthday girl and her friends.  She is growing up way too fast but I am getting glimpses of the sweetness of this new stage we are moving in to! 

            It seems like it was yesterday that we were anxiously anticipating her arrival and when she arrived it was love at first sight. She gave us the gift of being parents for the first time and has paved the way for her siblings. On one hand I am sad that time is flying and my baby is growing up and on the other hand I love seeing her grow into a beautiful girl on the inside and out. I am so proud of the girl she is becoming and the drive she has in life. She is an amazing big sister and embraces being the oldest with every ounce of her. It has been so much fun to sit down and have "big girl" conversations with her and see her heart for Jesus grow this year. I can't wait to see the way she grows and blossoms this next year!

Dance Recital Time

The girls have loved dance again this year.  In the past they have been in different classes so this year they thought it was pretty fun to be in the same class.  The often were practicing their routine and dancing around the house or the yard.

They were very excited for the big Recital.  They always have a few nervous jitters being on stage but love anticipating the big day.  There is always a buzz in the air backstage as everyone is getting ready.  

 

When everyone is ready they all wait patiently for the big event. They play games, watch movies, color, read books or just chat with their dance friends. 

The grammy's snuck backstage for hugs before the girls were on stage.

My brown eyed girl! 

Miss Emma blue eyes! 

Their personalities shine through when they dance.  Alexa is a very serious dancer and Emma just can't wipe that smile off her face!

They had a wonderful teacher this year and learned so much!

I am not sure if dance is something they will continue but they have loved their experience and we will continue to support them and let them grown and blossom in the opportunities they have in front of them. 

I love watching their feet move beneath their skirts.

The joy in their faces say it all ...  sisters .....

 but also best friends! 

School Is Out

It feels like yesterday I was taking a picture of Eric and the kids heading to breakfast before their first day of school. I can't believe how fast the year flew by. It was a year full of fun, growth and 

tremendous blessings. 

As Eric and the kids left for breakfast and I sat down to write their teachers notes I got all teary. I feel so blessed that each of the kids were truly blessed with amazing teachers this year. They were a perfect fit for each of their personalities. If you remember back to the first day of school post

Alexa was in tears and totally stressed out on her way into school her first day. It usually takes her a month or so to settle in and let her nerves calm down. It is hard on this mom's heart to watch and yet I know God is working on both of us and growing us in the process. This year was amazing. Within a day Alexa's little heart, mind and soul was at a very peaceful place. I didn't seeing an anxiety or stress rise up once in her the whole year which is absolutely amazing. I attribute it to her amazing teacher. She has an amazing gift in how she handles her classroom, how she teaches and her sweet, gentle spirit.

 

Alexa grew in so many areas this year and her confidence soared through the roof in so many subjects. She turned into a complete book worm . Her heart and compassion for others struggling her classroom was an area her teacher said she also stepped up to the plate. She was quick to recognize when others were anxious or needed help and found a way to gently come along side of them. I just can't believe she is going to be a 4th grader. This was the first year she really voiced being sad about school being out because she was going to miss her friends. Alexa has been given the gift of a couple very special friends and it was so fun to see their friendship grow and move to a new level this year.

 It wasn't uncommon for them to make things for each other and give each other notes of encouragement. One of her friends often made little bookmarks with verses on them. I pray their friendship and love for the Lord continues to grow in the years to come. 

 Emma went through her 2nd grade year in true Emma style. She loved everything about school and embraced it head on. She had two teachers this year that job shared. They were a perfect fit for her and each of them brought out something different in her. I saw her heart for the Lord grow this year in a new way. The excitement she had for the Bible and new nuggets of information in stories she heard over and over again. Emma felt like it was a great year as she gained confidence in her Math and Reading. Her very favorite part of 2nd grade was studying the human body.Over and over we heard from her teachers that she had a huge heart and just loves life. Emma has always had a large group of girls she plays with but this year she had a couple that became her best friends. It has been fun to see those relationships blossom this year.

 

Shane had a great year too. It started out a little rocky with a few time outs as he was figuring life out as a kindergartner. He had an amazing teacher that was gentle and loving and yet ran a tight ship so Shane knew exactly where the lines were.

 It was amazing to watch him grow and blossom this year. He matured so much in his self control and ability to focus and finish. He is a true boy who loves to wiggle, talk, poke his neighbor ... so watching him work through all that and come to a place where he knew what was expected and see him handle it was fun to see. 

 I think Kindergarten is the most amazing year as they go from hardly knowing their letter to reading. They go from learning numbers to adding and telling time. They go from just figuring how to write all their letters correctly to writing words and complete sentences. They go from looking so little to losing teeth and looking all grown up! I am so proud of Shane and the way he grew socially, emotionally, academically and spiritually this year. It was a big year for him and he is ready for 1st grade. I am just not sure I am.

 

The kids had their final chapel of the year that I got to go to and then when school was out at noon we said our good byes to friends and teachers for the summer. I love summer and was so looking forward to it but as I hugged teachers goodbye and told them thanks for all they did for my kids I got pretty teary! I feel so blessed that God gave them all such amazing teachers. There were precious memories made this year and each of them had an impact on my kids in a very special way. The big kids and I headed out for a special celebratory lunch. Later we got home and I had a fun little idea pop in my head.

 

If you know me you know I love to throw a party so I thought why not have a "School Is Out" party.

 

We made a quick run to Target and I made some sneaky purchases and while the kids played outside I pulled a quick little party together. Thank goodness for people who make darling printables and post them for free on line ... these printables made things pretty easy.

 

We had a fun evening of celebrating a great year and we are looking forward to a fun summer!

Boxes Packed With Love

Alexa's class went to the Union Gospel Mission the week before Easter. We started our visit watching a video about what their mission is and what they do. We then took a tour. The Union Gospel has a heart for those in need. They provide shelter, meals, clothing, medical services, education and support for those in need in our community. They share the need for Christ with the people that walk through their doors. Lives are changed at the Union Gospel Mission.

  

  After our tour we were taken to a large room with boxes and more boxes. Quickly the lady in charge placed each of the kids by boxes that had various food items in them. The parents were instructed to grab a chair with wheels and put a box on them and get ready to roll! 

Alexa was placed by various canned goods and peanut butter. 

As the moms rolled the boxes through by each of the kids they put the various items they were in charge of in the box.  By the end we had one big, very full box of food. 

We were all sweating when we were finally done.  We packed 86 large boxes in less than an hour.  When we were finished packing we all stood around and prayed over the 86 boxes.  These boxes of food with go to families in need in our community so they have food for Easter.  They will also receive a hygiene box and a Bible.  When the boxes are delivered they will ask if they can pray with the family.

There was quite a buzz in the van as we drove back to school.  All the kids were talking about the families that were getting the boxes we just got done packing and how cool it was that people would give them a Bible and pray with them.  They all said that it felt so good in their hearts to do something for others.      

Egyptian Day

Alexa was so excited about her unit on Egypt. She came home many days during this unit with fun new information she was learning about Egypt and the Egyptian culture. 

The culmination of her unit was Egyptian Day.  There was a buzz in the air and a lot of excitement for the big day for the 3rd graders.  

Alexa was excited to get her Egyptian outfit on for the big day! 

She borrowed these cute shoes from her friend who dressed up as an Egyptian for Halloween! 

There was a group of kids that were responsible for answering questions about different aspects of Egypt.  She was in the "Nile River Group!"

The boys in her group were too funny!

Each of the 3rd graders made their own PowerPoint presentation about Egypt.  Alexa couldn't wait to share her masterpiece with us.  Her dad, the computer buff, was pretty impressed with what Alexa had put together. 

Alexa had fun making different things as they learned about the culture! 

Alexa and her best friend Olivia! 

It was a fun day of sharing for the 3rd graders and learning for the parents and other students in the school!