Endings and Beginnings

It is hard to believe that in just 2 days I will no longer have a 4th grader and a kindergartner in my home. Instead, they will be in 5th grade and 1st grade. My first born will be on the verge of entering his last year in elementary school. I don't know how it happened especially since I do not feel like he should be that old or that I am that old. And my baby, the Peanut, will be done with her first year of elementary school. It has been a long and at times difficult year but they are both coming out shining and stronger. Both have improved tremendously in their reading skills with my Buddy no longer being afraid to read chapter books and the Peanut being on the verge of beginning to read chapter books by herself. I never would have guessed she would have picked up reading so quickly. My Buddy not only grew this year in reading, receiving a 3 on his EOG test, but he also grew in math and received a 4 on his math EOG test. Guess we know where his strong subject is. I am very proud of them and all they have accomplished. But most of all I am proud of them because of their hearts and the loving, giving, and compassionate people they are! (The photos are of each of them with their teachers last week.)

Easter 2010

The kids and I had a very good Holy Week and Easter. They spent a couple days with their dad which they enjoyed since their Spring break corresponded with Holy Week. To commemorate this holiday, we colored eggs, attended worship and participated in the annual church Easter egg hunt. I see my kids every day but seeing them together in their Easter morning photo I was taken aback by how grown up they look. Each year I take their photo with the Easter flowers. And each year I am amazed by how much they have changed, but this year I was truly amazed. How did I become the mother of a kindergartener and a 4th grader? I am truly blessed that God entrusted me to be the mother of these two children.

I'm Back!

I decided to check my blog tonight knowing I hadn't posted in a very long time. However, I was truly surprised to see it have been 15 months since my last post. 15 MONTHS?! Where has time gone? Actually 2009 was a year I would love to forget many parts of but I am determined to make 2010 a much better year.

So to kick off my return to blogging, I will post a few more recent photos of the kids and our family. Hope you enjoy!

The Peanut's 5 yr portraits

I had The Peanut's 5 yr old portraits done a few years ago. She did a wonderful job! I also got a few photos of the kids taken together. I am going to share a few of them here but am saving one for my Christmas card. Don't want to spoil its arrival for you!

Family Photos

During Thanksgiving, the kids and I traveled over to Nashville, TN, to see my sister, her family, and my parents. During our time there we took family photos. Hope you enjoy seeing them!

Dancer the Reindeer

This past Tuesday night, Buddy made his theatrical debut as Dancer the Reindeer in the school Christmas musical. He did an absolutely wonderful job!! Part of the song he sang included a line about wearing fancy pants, which I made for him. At the end of the show, he was selected as the North Pole Star otherwise known as the winner of this American Idol like competition. He had extra lines because of the win and performed flawlessly! Great Job, Buddy! You will always be my North Pole Star!

Halloween

Thought you might enjoy a few photos from last night. I was a jelly fish, my Buddy was "Bradley Skywalker", and the Peanut was "Ariel, the Little Mermaid." She would not let me take a photo of her so I snapped one as we were out trick or treating.