GMST 2012: First Practice

 We had the first swim practice of the summer today for Green Meadow Swim Team. The 2012 season opened this morning with a pancake breakfast and the first practice. The kids were excited and happy that it is getting started again - I think they missed swimming! I'm glad they are happy to be back in the water. We joined Green Meadow for a summer swim membership this year, so I'm sure we're going to be spending a lot of time in the water. Kate was happy to see her little friend Elizabeth, from last season. They were cute to watch together again. Good times ahead. : )

Homemade Sidewalk Paint

 The kids loved painting with homemade sidewalk paint. I had found a quick and simple recipe online and decided to mix some up for the kids while Kate was napping to see if it worked. Work, it did and the kids thought it was pretty cool. It looked just like sidewalk chalk when it dried. I enjoyed seeing their creations when they were all done.

Sidewalk Paint Recipe
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1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
food coloring -- I used gel food coloring that you find in the grocery stores.
Mix well and add happy kids and a nice big driveway : )

Kate's Drawing of Mamaw

Kate has been getting better and better at drawing lately. Her usual works of 'heart' are mostly circles and lines, but lately, as you can see, these circles and lines are gaining personality. She brought me this piece the other night telling me it was picture of her Mamaw. I had to label it, date it, photograph it (for myself) and help a certain sweet three year old deliver it to her Mamaw the next day. Too sweet.

Noah: First Day of Kindergarten --- Last Day of Elementary School

Check out these two photos of our boy! He has grown so much and come so far in four short years! Love you Noah!!!

Noah's Last Day of 3rd Grade & Elementary School!

 Noah had his last full day of 3rd grade and Elementary school yesterday! Today we picked up his report card from Mrs. Rinck -- He had straight A's all year! We are so, so proud of him! He also scored 99% on his math STAR test and it is a national test. His reading was exceptional as well. We couldn't be happier with his grades - I know he tried hard this year. I snapped a few pictures of him today when we were there. Had to get him by the Elementary school sign -- next year it will be Montgomery Ridge Intermediate School.  Noah, we are so, so proud of you, buddy! We love you!

Rachel's Last Day of Kindergarten

Yesterday was Rachel's last full day of Kindergarten. We went today to pick up her grade card and say goodbye to her teachers. I know that she is sad that the school year is over. In fact, her words to me as we walked in -- "I wish today was the first day of Kindergarten, instead of the last.". She loves her teachers so much, as do I. They have been amazing and so loving with all the kids this year. I have never had a worry the entire year about Rachel - not only that she was learning, but that she was happy. She couldn't wait to get to school each morning. I always felt welcome to go and eat lunch or just watch and see what their day was all about. I love that. I don't get a lot of opportunities to go in, so every time I did, it was special. Rachel picked out a miniature rose for each of her teachers - pink for Mrs. Johnson and yellow for Mrs. Simerly. She got big hugs and her report card was perfect. She mastered all categories this year and is reading above her grade level. Yay!!! We are super proud of her! Way to go Rachel - Job well done. I can't believe the school year is over and you are a big first grader now!!

Mother's Day 2012

 Happy Mother's Day! I had a sweet Mother's Day today with some of my most favorite people in the world. I got up to three beautiful smiling faces wishing me a Happy Day and they gave me cards and gifts they had made for me. Noah made me a very cool magazine -- I loved the picture he drew of me and the words that he wrote to me. So, so sweet. He also made me a cute flower magnet with his face in the middle. Rachel made me a home made card and I wore the necklace she had given me for Mother's day at the program at her school. I got a very cute card from the kids and Doug and Mom gave me a beautiful card too. I watched as the kids mixed up and made me waffles with fresh strawberries for breakfast. After breakfast we all got ready to head over to Mom's house to spend Mother's Day with her. On the way there we got into a bit of a accident when a car slid through a stop sign (it was raining) right in front of Mom's house. Every one was fine and I thank God that no one was seriously hurt. The rear wheel of the car took the brunt of the force of the accident. Hopefully the car is okay - we hope to find out more today. After all the excitement of the accident we shared the afternoon with Mom, Chris and her family. We had a bbq and shared a cake that I had made for mom. It was a nice day - minus the accident. I love my babies so much. They are the most precious gifts I have ever been given and I thank God daily for them and for Doug. We missed seeing Darla, who was sharing Mother's Day with her mom in Illinois. Wishing all the MOMS out there a blessed day and hope it was shared with the ones they love.

Sharks Pool Party

After the game on Saturday the kids and their families all got together at Coach David's house for a pool party to celebrate the season. The kids had a great time swimming and hanging out. They all got to push the coach into the pool - which was pretty funny to watch. After some swimming and the cookout, the Coach passed out the trophies. The kids were all really proud of them. I love to see how happy they are when they get those trophies. After that it was time for desert and more swimming. Lots of fun.