Kindergarten Ready!

These past few week have been wreaking havoc on me. It seemed like every time I turned around there was another reminder that this little one is rapidly approaching her first day of school. I know that I'll never be truly ready for this, but I'm trying to get a least a little bit ready! She is so excited about going to kindergarten! She's been watching her big brother & sister her whole life (literally -- she was sitting in carpool at just 5 days old!) and now it's her turn.

We got her registered for kindergarten in late April. While I filled out paperwork, Charlotte went back with the teachers and did a short evaluation (numbers, letters, colors, shapes) and they took her picture and she made a picture frame for it. One of the teachers told me that they stopped her when she reached 100 in her counting, so we can already check that off the list for next year! Ha!

Can you see her excitement! And, I can't help but think she looks like a teenage here with that jean jacket!

The next week was her last day of Rainbow School at church. She has loved being there every Tuesday. Rainbow School has been just perfect for both of us this year. I knew that I wanted to soak up as many moments as possible with this sweetie this last year at home, but having 2 hours a week to myself was nice. It turned out to be such a blessing for both of us.

Mrs. Patsy was her teacher this year. She is one of our elder's wives and Charlotte just adores her. She told me on several occasions that she wished she lived with Mrs. Patsy. I know that Charlotte will miss her next year, but she still gets to see her at church 3 times a week!

I didn't think much about this being the last day of preschool until I pulled into the parking lot and it just hit me. This is it. My last time to ever pick up one of my kids from preschool. It's the beginning of the end of possible the best season of my life so far and it just makes my heart ache. We got back into the car and I just couldn't hold back the tears.

The next Sunday was their official "graduation" and of course there were more tears. They sang some songs and they they each received their certificate. When their name was called they got to get their certificate and tell what they wanted to be when they grow up. There were some nurses, vets, fireman and then Charlotte's "gymnast." Of course.

Her best friend Whitney registered that next week and we took the girls on a fun "big girl" day to celebrate both of them being ready for kindergarten! We got pedicures first.

And, had lunch at a "big girl" restaurant aka anywhere that's NOT chick fil a! Ha! Apparently pedicures make you super hungry because they both chowed down on a huge burger! And to top it off, it was a beautiful day and we sat outside. The girls were perfect and acted all grown up in their own little conversation (which happens too often these days).

Girls On The Run 2015

Friday, May 8th was the annual Girls on the Run race in NWA. Madeleine decided she wanted to try and do GOTR back in February. Her school only allows 16 girls to participate each year and she was so excited she got her forms turned in early enough! They started training the first week in March and trained twice a week after school building up their running to do a 5k.

Race day was pretty exciting! The girls dressed up and colored their hair and got ready to run! They ran on grass (which I think has to be harder!) with all the girls from GOTR in NWA. There were tons of girls there. I loved seeing all these girls that have trained from all different schools getting ready to race!

Madeleine had several good friends on their team this year. I am so so thankful that she has made such good friends this year!

Here she is about 1/2 way through. She finished in about 41 minutes which I think is amazing for her first time! The race was 2 huge laps at Shiloh Christian and we could see all the way around the course and walk around. At some points she was far enough away that we couldn't tell which girls was her, but we could see her coming up at 1/2 way and at the finish line.

And at the end! She got a nice medal and a goodie bag. :) There was a big crowd cheering for the girls at the finish line as the crossed the line -- so fun!

These girls have worked hard. They had 2 awesome sponsors that trained with them and encouraged them. Madeleine worked so hard and I am so proud of her determination and hard work!

Level 2

We started Charlotte in gymnastics back at the end of January. She was in a class that met twice a week with girls her age. She got to know the girls in her class really well and loved the class as well as her coach, Ms. Katie.

Back in the middle of April we got a letter inviting Charlotte to join Level 2 team. This is potentially the beginning of competitive gymnastics...we will see. After lots of talking, family meeting, talking to Charlotte, looking at our schedule, we decided to let her give it a try for the next year.

Since her new schedule is 3 days a week for 2 hours and this summer those days are back to back, we needed some new leotards! Charlotte loved getting to chose some new ones.

Level 2 is a one year commitment with a contract that we all had to sign. Charlotte sweet little name written in her 5 year old handwriting is adorable. :)

She had to have a physical. And, don't you love her 80s look with the sweatband and shirt tied on the side? She has some funny love of late 80s/early 90s these days....thus her love of her jean jacket!

May 1st was the last day of her "hot shots" class that she has loved so much! But, several of these girls are moving up with her which is great!

Charlotte and her coach, Ms. Katie. Charlotte is choosy about who she likes, and she loves Ms. Katie. She has been such a blessing to our girl! Thankfully, her coach is moving up to coach Level 2 --- Charlotte's first question when we told her about moving up was "will Ms. Katie still be my coach? If not, NO WAY!" :)

I have no idea if she will stay with this long term or not. But for now she is eat up with it. She is so determined to learn and grow and I love her drive.

Mothers Day 2015

I had a wonderful Mother's Day this year. Saturday was rainy and yucky outside which meant that all of our ball activities were canceled. So we stayed in all day in our jammies and played and cleaned and rested. It was a much needed "down day" for all of us! 

Sunday was a perfect day! We went to church and came home and had lunch. I know that we could have gone out to eat, but I love that at home we can sit in our jammies, and take our time with lunch and to me that's about as good as it gets. Plus the kids love the "big lunch!" I made our favorite roast and carrots, hashbrown casserole, green beans and rolls which is such an easy meal -- all of it is made ahead of time, so Sunday was a breeze. Matt took care of dessert and we were all set. 

I love these 3 so much. I cannot imagine my life without them. I knew from such a young age that I wanted to grow up and be a mom, and these 3 have made that dream come true. Only it's much, much better than I ever imagined.....and harder, more frustrating, more joyful, more challenging, more wonderful too!

After lunch the kids game me their cards. I love the sweet thoughts they've written in them. I always tell Matt that I just want thoughtful, handwritten cards for Mother's day because the gifts will get used up or eventually worn out, but the cards I will keep and treasure forever. I know that one day when they are grown I will love seeing their sweet handwriting and remembering what they thought about their mom at these young ages. 

And, they gave me a gift certificate to my favorite spot for a pedicure and some alone time. :)

Harrison had made a gift at school that he game me as well.....and he totally stole the show! The sweet writing, drawing, and cards were perfect.

After cards we had cake from Ricks for dessert. So yummy!

This boy. He has the sweetest heart.

I got a set of these notecards -- the picture Harrison drew.

April

Oh, goodness. Blogging these past weeks just seems to have taken a backseat to all the activities that we've had going on. Here's what our calendar looked like this past month...

Unfortunately it's not any better this month (probably worse with Charlotte's new gym schedule) but our days are more free even if our nights are busier. :) So, I'm going to start with Mother's Day and work backwards to try and get caught up.