A Second First Day of School

About a month after school started this year, Jason and I made a choice that I never thought that we would.  After about 3 weeks of praying (both of us), crying, and stressing (I own the last two. lol), we decided to transfer Karsyn and Addi to a different school.  Our kiddos have went to the same elementary school for the last 5 years.  Our heart was/is really attached to so many teachers and staff members.  Our girls don't half way like anyone, they love wholeheartedly.  So, there were some tough moments with the change. When they realized that they wouldn't have Payton's 4th grade teacher, they both started crying.  It was hard!!!  

I'm happy to say that they have had a great first couple of weeks at their new school.  The girls both have wonderful teachers with much, much smaller class sizes.  The school services the same grades, but has hundreds of less students.  The school has different hours which have been great for our family.  It's nice to have time to play outside before our evening activities. Yay for no more rushing!  Karsyn went in having quite a few friends from dance and preschool.  That really helped!  Addi's loves that she has not one, but two, class pets. 

We are praying that this continues to be a smooth transition! 

The First Day of School {2016}

The first day of school has come and gone and we are closing in on our second full week of school.  Time is already chugging right along.  This school year brought forth a lot of changes for our little family.  First up, was Miss Payton.  She's a big 6th grader this year.  She's taking on the load of taking all Pre-AP classes.  She's in beginning band and on the 7th grade volleyball team.  She has to be up and at 'em at the gym bright and early each morning ready to play.

We pick up Sarah on the way.  Here are the only two 6th graders on the 7th grade team. =)

About a half hour later, Evan had to be at Junior High.  How can it be that he's in the 8th grade???  He too, is taking all Pre-AP classes.  He's playing the baritone in concert band.  

After we got Evan off to school, it was time to take our littlest ladies off to elementary school.  Miss Addi is now the big sister on campus.  She's in the 2nd grade.  She has the teacher that Evan had and we just love her!

And our Karsyn was off to Kindergarten.

It was so hard for this mama to let her baby girl go, but knowing that she is more than ready really helps.  I couldn't decide which picture that I liked best.  So, here's two. 

Jason and I got the kids off to school and then I had to hustle off to my preschool for open house.  It went great! I'm praying that this school year will be great one.

Payton's 5th Grade Graduation

On the last school night of the year, Payton graduated from elementary school.  She'll be moving onto middle school next year!  Here she is ready for her big night!  She looked stunning!

 Payton received many awards for the evening, including the Presidential Award for Academics!

 Her basketball team was also recognized for receiving 3rd place in the district tournament.

 It was also Miss Sarah's night to shine.  She had a great 5th grade year!

 Then, it was Payton's turn for her individual awards.

I didn't get all teary eyed until the graduating 5th grade class sang "Break Away" by Kelly Clarkson.

Here's our graduating girls.

 Our elementary school graduates with our high school graduate. 

Best friend cousins.

Our very best family picture out of about 1,492 attempts. sigh!

Payton and one of her very best friends. 

It's always hard to see your kids close a chapter in their story of life.  I can't believe Payton is officially finished with her elementary school years.  But, I'm also so excited for her.  She has been looking so forward to middle school and has her two years there mapped out.  I think she's going to love it and really come into her own.  I just know she's going to do great!

Moving Along Through the Month of May

May has been a busy month for our little family.  Aren't they all?  School's out for the summer!  The kiddos and I have been working at my school tying up a few things until the start of next school year.  I think as of today, we are all done! Yay!  Before school was out, we had a few blog worthy events take place.  Addi and her best bud won their class citizenship awards together for the second year!  I'm so proud of these too!  Addi also got a special spelling award for making a 100% on every single spelling test she took this year, along with a few other awards. I wasn't able to go, but Jason took lots of pictures!

Evan and Stephen had their last band concert of the year and of their middle school careers.

 Karsyn and I went to Addi's field day.  We had fun hanging out with Addi's friends.

They played tug-a-war.

Addi had way too much fun with the punching bag. She was cracking me up!

 Evan, Payton, and I got to see Miss Natalie in one of her very last high school jazz concerts.  She did an amazing job singing a solo and a duet.  The little ladies hung out at home with daddy. 

The girls, Sarah, and I went to the annual truck touch held at the high school.  We met Velma from Scooby Doo.  As a kid, I always thought her name was Janet - after my aunt.  ha ha ha!

 I finally got my hair cut and high lighted for the first time since December. Yay!

We also had our last McDonald's dinner at the dance studio....well, for a while any way. =)

I got in some cuddles with my big girl. =)

And that brings you up to the last week of school.

Oh April!

The blog is a little past due for a few updates.  I'm going to dust things off and get all caught up.  I hate the feeling of being behind, but guys, we've been super busy.  I know, I know...who isn't?  Before I get started, I will say, all of these life events truly deserve their own posts.  But, we are just going to roll them all up in one big one and we'll put a bow on top. =)  Let's get started.  Evan and Stephen were two of 40 students chosen from the 7th grade for National Junior Honors Society.  It's a huge honor and I'm so proud of both of these boys.  They were inducted early in April.  Here they are enjoying themselves at the reception.

The following weekend, our little family, sans Jason, went to the University of Oklahoma for Evan and Stephen's state academic team tournament.  Here they are getting ready to dominate!!

 Of course, we had quite the crew with us.  Play dough, stickers, markers, and lots of family made for a fun day for the girls.

I love Addi's green eyes!!!

Evan played captain every round.  One round in particular (get ready for a shameless mom brag,) Evan scored 160 points by himself!!!  The other team's total score was 180.  He was on fire!!!!  They lost their last round, which ranked them at 4th in State.  (Side note - it would have been a tied game, but one question was overturned.  Ugh!  But, we were happy with 4th place!)

Yeah, don't ask me. LOL!!!!

During the month of April, Addi and Karsyn have been working super hard getting ready for their gymnastics showcase. Both girls have nailed their cartwheels and are working hard on their bar and floor routines.  I have them both signed up for summer gymnastics.

Karsyn went on her last field trip as a Pre-schooler.  We headed to the zoo.  They've been learning all about the rain forest, so we checked out the exhibit.  Karsyn and I didn't stay long.  We went back with the other teachers because....

The very next day, we went to the zoo with Addi's first grade class.

We had so much fun hanging out with our friends.  We climbed on elephants.

We rode the train.

 We checked out the flamingos.

And Karsyn squeezed her poor baby boy friend all up.  This girl loves babies. This sweet guy had a sippy cup shoved in his mouth more times than I can count and a crazy lady four year-old stroller driver as much his mommy allowed.  As you can see by their faces, Karsyn was beyond herself happy playing with a real life baby.  Baby boy was more than a little over it.

That evening, the kiddos and I headed to McAlister's Deli for dinner.  We enjoyed a small cookie treat....just a little one. lol

The following weekend, the girlies and I were at the soccer field.  It's a shame that Karsyn doesn't like her coach. ha ha ha.  Actually, she loves him and always gets some cuddles in during the game.  This month, she got her very first goal.  She worked really hard for it and it sure made me proud!

The same day, Jason and Evan headed to OKC for band contest.  The 7th grade band did an amazing job and won not only superior ratings, but they had the overall high score and won the Sweepstakes Award!!!  While they were waiting for the awards ceremony, the band got to hangout at an amusement park.  Jason texted me this picture.  My boys had so much fun!!!  I love my guys!!!

The following week, Evan turned 12!!!! Our little family celebrated his big day by getting pizza and having cookie cake.  He also got a new t.v. =)  We are hoping to find time to celebrate with his friends very soon.

Our irises started to bloom this month.  We have some very pretty purple flowers!

Payton got some wickedly cool culottes to wear to summer camp.  She cannot wait to go.  Her bags would be packed if only we would let her.

Payton, Uncle Terry, Aunt Jenn, Sarah and I headed to band night at the middle school.  All of the kids signed up for beginning band got to try out instruments so that they could choose what they want to play.  The kids were all encouraged to try out three instruments each and got rated on their natural ability.  We headed to the flute line first.  Payton did amazing! The flutist in charge gave her a dexterity test and had her try out the mouth piece.  She told us that Payton has the perfect lips to play the flute.  She got great feedback.  The only problem - Payton got the highest score on all of the instruments she tried ...the flute, trumpet, and trombone.  A heck of a problem to have, I know!  All of the instructors tried VERY hard to get Payton to pick their horns.  For about 20 seconds, she was a little indecisive.  She went with her heart and chose the flute.  Miss Sarah signed on as a percussionist.  This picture was taken by the band director.  Don't ask me why I'm hugging myself. lol!

 Karsyn and I practiced graduation like crazy this month.  I teared up when I turned my head and saw this during practice.

April has been filled with sass.

And lots of after bath time pops.

 We've even let the wind blow through our hair.

 On the last Thursday in April, Karsyn graduated from preschool.  Just as all of the parents had dropped their students off, the church lost power.  A power line in town snapped and caught on fire.  We had the program outside.  It all ended up being nice, but from a teacher's perspective it was a little crazy there for a bit.  Karsyn did an amazing job!!!

Here she is with Natalie...our preschool graduate with our soon to be high school graduate. 

On the last Friday of April, Evan and Stephen had their school awards assembly.  Here are the boys with their principal.  They both received many accolades. 

 We were very proud when Evan's name was announced for the highest honor of the night - Outstanding 7th Grade Boy. 

April has been a busy month, but it sure was a blessed one.