Another Kindergarten Graduate

Today was Abby's big day as she graduated from Kindergarten. She looked so adorable in her white cap and gown. I remember Olivia's graduation like it were yesterday. The program was the same as when Olivia graduated. They sang I Am A Promise and did their high kicks (which really weren't too high) and had a blast doing it. I had been asking Abby for weeks, "are you practicing I Am A Promise in music?" She said no and I was sad thinking they didn't do that anymore. Then last week she came home all excited telling me they were practicing the song and kicking!
Of course like I always seem to have....camera problems. My camera battery went dead right after the I am a promise song...I was hacked to say the least, then my dad suggested to use the video camera to take still, which we did, only to discover when I went to upload them the card was full and the pictures were not taken. So no walking across the stage or family pictures afterwards! Thank goodness a friend snapped one picture for me! Sorry Abby, but I think there was a reason for this....what do you think JeanAnn?
This has been a crazy kindergarten year for my little August baby. Momma has worried and stressed over too many silly things I am sure. I need to take your daddy's laid back approach, he is helping me get there. God knows what is best for you little girl and I am trusting Him to guide me through your future,always choosing what is best for you.
You are a very bright little girl full of talent, with a smile that is sweeter than anything on this earth. You catch on to things when you want to catch on and you always want to do good and make E's! You love drawing and are so creative! I am amazed at all the things you make and how you pay such attention to detail when you make these things. You care for others and think of others and that shows as you are always making cards and letters for those you love. You are a sweet little girl and I am so thankful God allowed me to be your mother. I love you Abigail Victoria.....even though some days you can't remember what your middle name is!

Olivia's Premiere

What started in February with an audition came to a close tonight with Olivia's stage premiere at church in the children's choir spring musical Under God's See in 3-D! It was an exciting night for her and her family. We were blessed to have many family members come see her. Her Nana and Poppy, my Aunt Linda from Washington, PawPaw, Aunt Paula and the boys, Aunt Kim, Jaci and Jenna and Aunt Ruth and Natalie and of course Olivia's bff...Melissa.
Olivia wasn't nervous at all today. And seeing her up on stage in front of all those people, she was her same ole self. David said no one in his family (except maybe Rebecca) would have had enough courage at 8 to get up there and perform. My family either! I do believe she is a natural. We are blessed to be apart of a church that provides opportunities like this to our children.
I was one proud momma tonight sitting out there in the audience.

another busy day......

We celebrated CFBC's 40th anniversary and building dedication this morning at church then this afternoon we went to the carnival at the church. We arrived the last hour of the carnival because Emily had her end of the year program at Trinity. She was so excited about this program. She had been talking about it all week. When we were walking up to the gym she said, "momma I am so excited about singing up there" and I replied I am so excited about getting to hear you sing. Her class sang Archy Archy, and she wore her rain boots and Mickey Mouse raincoat. She was excited that her Nana and Poppy came to hear her sing as well. Then off to the church for the carnival.....lines were long and the heat was extreme but fortunately we only had to endure for one hour! We came home to discover our ac is broken and we had a fairly major leak in the attic. The water was dripping from the ceiling. When David saw it he was getting ready to go upstairs and put the girls to sleep. He said y'all don't come over here this is fixing to fall......well....that is all they needed to hear. They saw the wet ceiling and two of them (try to guess who) started freaking out, crying and having a mini melt down. The two drama princesses were Abby and Olivia. Emily could care less. Of course this totally derailed bed time. Once daddy figured out the problem, we told them he had fixed it and everything was okay so they could go to bed. They all cheered for daddy and finally went to sleep! Isn't it amazing how easily their world can be rocked and over some of the strangest things.
Oh one more story about the day.....this afternoon when I was getting Emily dressed for her program she looked at the dress and said this is not my size. I said yes it is, it says 4, she then said "what is the T for" I told her it was for Toddler, her reply "I am a toddler" Yes you are, I said, to which she responded, "I am a mess too"! Wonder who she heard that from!?

Abby's first swim meet

Abby had her first swim meet today......in the rain! Well it didn't start raining until the end but it was still very cloudy and very cool. Poor thing was shivering the whole time. She did very good though and loved every minute of it. She swam three races and can't wait for the next one! Hopefully the sun will be out next week. No pictures this time....didn't want to drag my camera out in the rainy weather!

Abby's Last Softball game

Today was Abby's last softball game of the season. I finally brought the camera out to the game to take some action shots.....though I am not too sure how much action I actually caught.Softball for 6 and unders can be a bit slow! And most of the girls are out there playing in the dirt, Abby included, though by the end of the season she had gotten much better. Abby had a great game. She did hit the ball both times at bat and got on base. I think she enjoyed softball, especially playing with her cousin and having her uncle coach her and daddy helped as well. Abby was a very cute Ladybug and I think she will want to play again.

That crazy TAKS test

The dreaded week has finally arrived. Olivia will be taking the TAKS test this week. Of course it is all she has been able to think about. I am amazed how stressed out they are able to make these kids regarding this test. No doubt their focus is in the wrong place but the state of Texas says otherwise. Olivia who is a straight A student should not be concerned about this test....but she is.....can someone please tell me why. I finally had to tell her to quit worry about this test, your mom and dad think the test is silly and the only thing we care about is what comes home on your report and we know from what does come home on your report card that you are a smart little girl.
This paper was sent home from school with tips for reducing stress, couldn't believe it. Let's try getting the kids this concerned about all subjects, every test, math test spelling test, social studies test! Don't get me started, I truly to do not have the words to articulate my irritation! Are we not putting our efforts into the wrong place.

Post Script.....she passed with flying colors.....of course!

Abby was a little love bug tonight

Tonight was Abby's school program and open house. The kindergarteners were little lady bugs....so cute. Of course I forgot my zoom lens and halfway through the program my battery in my camera went dead....but hey Abby remembered all the words to the songs and actually sang them. She looked very cute!
Now when it was time for the olders kids to sing.....that program seemed to drag on and just when you thought it was over they started singing another song, and when they did Emily clearly announced she was tired of listening to them sing! I think we all agreed!

Fancy Abby

Today I sent Abby up to her room......can't say why, but I am sure there was good reason. Later on Olivia asked me to come up and see Abby. And this is what I found. She had picked up their Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy book, Found her favorite page and decided imitation was the order of the day. How cute is she......it's no wonder I don't remember why I sent her to her room!

Another fun day.....

Today was daddy's work picnic at Hermann Park.....this year we made it safely across the street to the picnic. Last year Olivia almost lost her life crossing Main Street and I almost wet my pants. It's all I can remember from last year. This year we walked all the way around to cross at the light with are hands loaded up.....so it was a little bit of a hike for little legs thankfully Emily was in a stroller. Once we got there we were greeted by the most adorable clown....Lupe! The girls love the water park and immediately ditched their clothes for their bathing suits. Of course face painting was apart of the festivities, though Emily is the only one that wants it on her face. Olivia and Abby prefer it on their hands. Of course, like last year the girls wanted to go to the zoo. That was all they talked about for days before the picnic. They love the zoo! We didn't have much time as we needed to get home in time to make it to Jaci's 16th birthday celebration. So breezed through the zoo hitting the hot spots like the carousel and the kids section, as always we need to see the lions and tiger and bears and elephants and giraffes. Abby wants to see the alligator. Mommy and Daddy want them to see "the fox". Poppy has talked about the fox at his house since Josh was a baby. So every grand kid thinks there is a fox under the bed at their house! The little fake fox curled up in the cave is very cute....but Emily was not feeling it, of course Abby walks right in and touched it!
We left before we could see it all but we are looking forward to our next trip.
Jaci's party was the perfect end to a great day. Dinner at Kobe's. The girls had never seen anything like it. Dinner hibachi style! I a pretty sure they are hooked. Though when one of the chef's set the table a blaze Abby dashed underneath the table! It was a very entertaining night for all.

Disney On Ice

Tonight Uncle Steven got everyone tickets to Disney On Ice.....and everyone had a great time! Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is just about the girls favorite thing ever, especially Emily and Abby. Olivia still likes it but she probably likes other things more. After I told them we would be going Emily immediately wanted to know if all the characters were going to be there. ( I love the way she says characters.....so cute, and such a big word for a little 4 year old) What she was really asking was if all of Mickey's friends were going to be there, like Donald Duck and Goofy etc. Those are her favorites.
The show was fanstastic and kept them entertained the entire night, almost as fun as going to Disney!
Post Script....I am posting pictures a month later....Emily still talks about going to see this...she loved Goofy as Santa and brings it up all the time.

Already naming her children!

For some reason Olivia is already thinkging about having children. Last night she told me, when I grow up I want four kids and this is going to be their names. Of course she has the sex picked out and the order they are to be born! First is the boy named Blake, then Jennifer and then she will have twins one boy one girl, Tyler and Kyler. Interesting uh! Well I thought I should write this one down so she will know when she was 8 years old she started talking about kids and giving them names. I am sure this will change many times over. I am thankful she sees the benefit of family and how great they are.

Olivia's God Box

Today after Olivia's piano lessons her teacher comes out to the car to tell me how upset Olivia is about the crazy TAKS test. Apparently it was all she could talk about. She shared with me something she had done with her son when he was struggling with an illness. She said they made him a "God Box" and every time he was worried about something he put it in there for God to worry about it instead of him. Olivia was excited about making one and we did just that....

I don't really care to share this story........

When I got home from bunco tonight David informed mw of my middle child's ....... I don't even know what you call it, but after he told me the story and I stood there in disgust, he said, " now that is a story you should blog." I said you have got to be kidding, why does anyone else need to know about this, in my head I am thinking she needs to go to counseling. But after a bit of thought.....I decided why not.....it is soooooooo Abby. Plus later in life she will want to hear about all the crazy things she did. We will see what she thinks about this in a couple more years.
So the story goes......David and the girls had been to the park, they are making their way back home and Abby is out ahead of the pack. By the time David turns the corner to our house and gets close enough to see Abby, she is stripped down with only a shirt on, and straddling the hole in the ground where the person reads your water meter ready to start peeing! I was left speechless for a bit after he told me that. Of course he didn't seem as bothered by it as I was. I asked if any neighbors saw? Let's hope not.
That's all the story I got from David......tomorrow I will ask Abby to tell her side of the story.....if there is anything to report, I will be sure to do so.