Independence Day

We had the most fun at Neall and Becca's 4th of July party!!!! I don't know what is more precious--seeing these kids be kids or seeing the parents be parents. There is something so special about having known these guys my whole life and then seeing them now with kids of their own. And they are so very good at it. 

But, they are also pretty funny when they get the chance to blow up stuff too.

Dean is exceptionally handsome of course. 

It is such an amazing life for these kids---in the pool watching fireworks. They kept yelling for "more!". 

 The girls after they finally started getting ready for bed.

Sparklers for the masses. 

A good eye doctor told Emmy to protect her eyes. 

Cheerleading camp

Oh sweet girl, you and your cheerleading camp. Emmy has hated t-ball and soccer but I told her she has to have a sport--she has to do something. When she decided she wanted to do cheerleading, I knew I couldn't say no, but oh sweet, sweet girl; I don't ever want your heart broken. I remember high school and it sometimes still hurts. I pray you never know that stuff. But, she was pretty adorable for camp. It was at the church where she attend daycamp during the summer. She had already taken gymnastics with them so Ms. Mary Hannah knows her. Camp was every morning for a week and she just loved it. They had a show the last day and the kids from the daycamp came to watch. When she was doing stunts and the entire class said "ooooh Emmy!" as she was on top of the little pyramid, I cried with joy. When she marched out there as the youngest girl (they ranged in age from 1st to 6th grade) and didn't even flinch, I beamed with pride. When we got home and she watched the videos that she insisted I take, she realized that she didn't quite stay in sync with everyone else and she was pretty disappointed, my heart tore a little.

She has signed up now for Power Tumbling lessons for the rest of the summer and we will see what happens in the fall. Right now, she says that she wants to do the cheerleading and the gymnastic lessons. I didn't get many photos--instead lots of video. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds!!!!

Night time baseball

I can only imagine how much our neighbors enjoyed this evening of baseball in the backyard. I love her outfit and most importantly, I love her tiara with rain boots.

All the Presidents

Last night, I was doing a little work from home and John and Emmy were studying a placemat with all of the US Presidents on it. It was quite interesting to overhear their conversation. First she wanted to know why they were all men so John told her that hasn’t been that long that women were even able to vote for president. She is certain she wants to be a President one day. John told her about the President Burr-Hamilton duel and now she thinks she might be in a gun duel. There were quite a few pieces of history that John was telling her that either I didn’t remember or ever know—I was quite impressed.

 

Then she told him the most handsome president was Clinton and she was delighted to know he was from Arkansas. “Like Sol?”

 

These are a few of her latest drawings that I just can’t stop smiling when I see. There is the Father’s Day card they made at summer camp. I especially love the drawing of her and her daddy. The people kissing and the drawing of Justin Beiber.

Party nights

I love love love party nights with the Jackson's. We rock it whenever they are here. And bake.

Big girl room

Emmy told us she was ready for her big girl room that she designed. She wrote this on the poster on her door so we wouldn't forget that no body can come in her room.

 

She picked out this super cute zebra and leopard print comforter.

 

It was her idea to have a yard sale of all her old toys to riase money for her new bedroom.

She is as bored as I am with yard sales.

The Beach!!!



I am not sure we could have had a better vacation. We finally got to spend some time together without anywhere to be. It was just amazing.

 

I often lost sight of these two in the water. They stayed out there for an eternity!

Sadly, the Grizzlies didn't feel the love we had for them in Destin.

 

We are so thankful for a good traveling buddy.

Kindergarten awards

What a wonderful, wonderful kindergarten year Emmy had. We did not have the best of luck but I am so proud of what a wonderful student Emmy was. She rolled with the punches and really learned a lot. While we struggled for a part of the year and she adjusted to three teachers in one year, she trudged on and she she did her best. We could not be more proud of her and know that the issues she faced will only make her stronger. I knew she would get an award at the year end ceremony but she got two--the only kindergartener to get two!!! Perfect Attendence and Citizenship Excellence.

I am so very very sad that I did not get a picture of Solomon at his preschool graduation. He did so well! Not only did they sing and act like big kids of stage, they each had to recite their own Bible verse and he nailed it. We are so proud of our babies. Who aren't babies anymore.