Children's Musical and Sparks

Both of the girls sang in the Children's musical this year.  Macy's class sang 4-5 songs before the main musical performance started. 

You can barely see Kayla, but she is behind the display of dinosaur eggs (with her eyes closed). She had such a great time and was still singing some of the songs this evening.

So proud of my sweet Kayla.  She was nominated as one of the 5 kids in her Sparks class for Clubber of the Year.  While she wasn't chosen as the winner, we are so incredibly proud that she is standing out as a light to her teachers. Oh, and Marc would like me to mention that 3 of the 5 kids came out of our Cubbies class (we had them for 2 years when they were 3 and 4 years old). :)

Last Day of School

For the last day of school Kayla's class went to the playground.  I love how her school takes the opportunity for the kids to get out and enjoy spending time with each other to celebrate the close of another school year.  (And I can not believe that I now have a 2nd grader!!) Brooke and Macy joined us for the fun as well. I love this group of kids and I hope that Macy's class next year is just as wonderful.  Kayla has found some sweet friends in this group.

Finishing Soccer 2012

The girls and Marc wrapped up another great soccer season.  They have enjoyed playing and Marc has enjoyed coaching for his 3rd year.

Macy's Dance Recital

Macy did such a great job at the recital.  She remembered her dance, and while there weren't many smiles while she was up on stage, we could tell she was having a great time - just concentrating really hard. :)

Kayla's Dance Recital

Kayla had her last dance recital this year.  She has decided that she wants to take piano lessons instead of dance classes.  As I look back on these pictures I get a little choked up at the thought that she is done dancing.  There is something about seeing her on stage, dressed in a costume, dancing, smiling, and having a great time.  I'm surprised she wants to stop the classes, but then again, maybe it will just be for a year. Whatever she wants is fine with me, but I will treasure these memories.

Sisters

  I love that they still like to dress alike.

Showers

Our tile guy just finished our showers and they look amazing! He's coming back this weekend to continue working on the bathrooms, so we are moving right along. The interior trim should be finished up tomorrow, the exterior paint will be going up tomorrow, and our cabinets are being installed tomorrow and Friday!  Marc will be taking off the next two days to work on the retaining wall and we will start priming and painting trim this weekend.  It's going to be a lot of work for us over the next 4 weeks, but it will definitely be worth it (especially when we won't have to write any checks to have other people paint our house or install electric fixtures). Lord willing we will be moving in 3 1/2 weeks. YIKES!

Worn Out

Phew! It has been a busy two days! Progress is coming along on the house, and I need to take some more pictures.  Yesterday Marc, his mom, and I painted (Marc painted ceilings while his mom and I primed the walls) while my mom kept the girls.  We started at 10:00 (Marc had already been there for a couple of hours) and didn't quit until 4:30.  A quick lunch break was about all we took yesterday.  From there it was straight to get the girls and take them to soccer practice and then come home and wash all of the paint splatters off of me.  Today Marc has been back at the house working and we have been doing school work.  Kayla decided to put school on the back burner yesterday and play.  Normally we'd plan for that, but there was a TON of school work to do and she knew that.  So that left us will a FULL day of schoolwork.  We did break for a couple hours to meet Marc for lunch and to head back to the new house with him.  I did end up priming another 1 1/2 walls in our room even though I wasn't dressed for such an occasion.  He's working so hard I couldn't just sit on the porch dozing off, as much as I wanted to. :) Thankfully Brooke has been taking a great nap so we were able to finish up her work and not have to do any tomorrow.  She learned a lesson, and I can bet it will be a while before she makes that decision again. She pushed on and didn't complain about the amount of work.  I'm proud of her for that, even if we are both worn out!  So here it is, 4:45 and we have just finished for the day.  Now I have to think about dinner.  Leftovers are rarely appetizing for me, but I hate to throw the food out.  What to do, what to do...

Kayla's Birthday

Celebrating another year older (sniff, sniff).

Games and puzzles are always a favorite for this little girl.

She was given a few art activities that we are saving for summer time.  

Don't mess with Nana!

Seven

Seven. My baby is seven. Can anyone tell me how that happened? I mean, wasn't it just yesterday I was bringing home this sweet thing from the hospital?

My sweet Kayla, 

How is it possible that you are seven years old? I can so clearly remember the day you were born, and yet here we are, seven years later. I can not even begin to explain how special you are to us. We have had so much fun watching you grow and learn.

 

You are such a loving and compassionate little girl. I have loved watching you with your sisters.  While I know it's not always easy to be the big sister, you do such a fantastic job.  You are always watching out for your sisters, and if I had to take a guess, I would say that you would choose to play with them over anyone else.  You are such a family girl!

 

 

You are doing such an amazing job in school.  You LOVE to learn and so far I don't think you have found any particular subject that you don't care for.  Unless you count handwriting I guess.  I don't think that's a favorite of yours. :) On homeschool days you work so hard.  I can just give you an assignment to do while I do something else.  When I return it's done, and it's done well.  I am so thankful for that.  It has truly made our first two years of homeschooling such a pleasure.

Your favorite things to do in your spare time are reading, playing with your dolls (especially baby Emma), playing computer games, and watching television. Your favorite show right now is Wild Kratts.  Whenever that show comes on you and Macy do this special dance to the intro music.  If I hear it coming on I always have to stop what I am doing to watch y'all.  Brooke has even started joining in!

 

You have been taking ballet and tap for a few years, but recently you have been less interested in it.  You have decided that next year you want to take piano lessons.  

 You love to read your Bible.  We recently bought you a new devotional book.  While we will still continue do read our nightly devotional with your sister, we thought it was time for you to have your own book that you can do on your own.  I showed you how to highlight something important, or write notes about the Bible verses.  You seem to really be enjoying it, and I love seeing you so excited about reading God's Word.

 

 We are so proud of you, Kayla.  You are growing up into such a sweet young lady.  While seeing you grow up is sometimes bittersweet, I am excited about what the future holds for you.  I love you sweet girl!

Love, 

Mommy