Thumbs Up for Carli's Fans

It's summer which means a whole lot of softball games and getting to go to Alto to see Grammy & Pa!  Carli had a game in Rusk last night and I also had to work in Alto.  Worked out well!  The kids stay with Grammy and Pa while I work at the office.  Today Ms. Shon and Heaven sent some fancy fruit snacks back with me for Drew.  He thought they were awesome and insisted I take a picture of him to let them know he gave them a "thumbs up," only his is more like a finger up!

And as if making one of my kids happy wasn't enough, Ms. Shon and her crew came to watch Carli play!  Carli pitched an awesome game but we lost in a close game.  She totally ate up having her own fan club there and Vaeh and Heaven cheering her on!

When Can Carli Date?

Summer Hair

It's summer time and we started a new tradition of letting the girls put color in their hair.  This year they wanted unicorn hair and I relented with the knowledge it maybe more subtle than doing all their tips!  I think they turned out really good and Drew even got in on the action again!

Sunday Quick Pics

They were so photogenic looking until I took my camera out. 🤷‍♀️

Meanwhile, check out the pics of Maggie with her sisters. She's got Carli's attitude but she and Ava seriously could be twins...just 7.5 yrs apart.

End of Year Awards

This year the awards ceremonies were combined so we didn't have to go to two different ones...but it was during nap time.  But we survived...somehow!  

This year Ava was awarded for being A Honor Roll all year.

Carli had her first B on her report card in Math.  She has finally accepted it but is still pretty mad at herself for that one B.  :)  Daily learning lessons...ha!

Maggie has Pig Tails!

They are barely there, but we can pull Maggie's hair into mini pig tails!!  Works out well since she has vetoed all handbands now!  ha!

Last Day of School 2019

And that's a wrap! This year was full of new challenges, lots of laughs, new experiences and yes, even a tear or two or tons! But we survived and came out on top! We've grown a lot both in height and knowledge! Thanks Mrs Hultberg, Mrs Cover, Mrs Dyess and Mrs Hamilton-Knighton for an awesome year!

 

 

2019 Teacher Gifts

This year for our end of year teacher gifts, we did our usual Wordle for each teacher.  It was kind of fun this year because the girls each came up with qualities about their teachers on their own.  We also decided to give them one personalized gift.  

Mrs. Cover got keychains for the sports her kids play.

We got Mrs. Hultberg a personalized book stamp, plus a picture of both girls with her.  Mrs. Hultberg played a huge role in us all surviving this year!!  :) 

Mrs. Knighton got a personalized book stamp and a note from Carli.

Mrs. Dyess got one of Carli's favorite games to add to her collection, LCR and her Wordle was in the shape on an emoji.  :) 

Bagged and ready for the last day of school! 

Happy Birthday Momma!

 Happy Birthday Momma! Thank you for your love, your kindness, your patience, your example, your compassion. I would be a lucky girl if I possessed half of the qualities you have!

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my Momma you'll be!

Growing up is Hard

Growing up is hard. Life isn't fair. And she's only 10. Granted her world falls apart when she got her first B on her report card, or she perceives someone's intentions are bad. And sometimes there's lots of tears and frustration bc no one understands...but then, she steps on the softball field and though no one else may see it, I watch her grow up right before me. She takes on the challenge of playing a game, the weight of getting the outs, getting the hit and trying to lead with her head held high and determination set in her eyes. Yes, she may have shed a tear or two as she walked off the field but only bc she wished she could have done better. Growing up is hard. Life isn't fair. And we don't always win the game. 

Tonight after we got home, Carli asked me what she should do tomorrow about a certain situation and I asked her, what would show the other girl a kind compassionate heart of Jesus? And when she answered, let her do what I really want to do. She asked why is doing what is right so hard as she cried again...Growing up is hard. I just pray she does what she knows in her heart she should do tomorrow...

Best Neighbors Ever!

Whose child comes home with a sign up sheet on what to bring to the end of the yr Ice Cream Sundae party and writes in "Cake Balls?" Mine!! And when I said I don't know how nor have the time to figure it out...she just recruited our dear sweet neighbor to teach her! Bless Mrs Bobbie for her patience and willingness to teach and Mr Joe for entertaining my others bc they couldn't be left out of a visit to see their best neighbors ever!

Softball Siblings

One can say my two littles are being raised at the ballfield...it's half true.  We spend a lot of time at the ballfield and b/c of that they tend to find ways to entertain themselves, can snack with the best of them and can find a dirt pile anywhere we go.  They have the motto...if we are going to be here all day, we must see who can get the dirtiest!  And they take it very seriously!  So while keeping the littles entertained and keeping GameChanger while the bigs played pretty much nonstop from 8 to 5 (when the rain stopped us), these are the extent of the pictures for the day!  Sorry Carli and Ava...folks will just have to believe that ya'll were playing ball!

Whipped Cream?

When you are almost 16 mths and you FINALLY sleep all night in your own bed, you can have your own bowl of whipped cream for breakfast. 😁

Ava's Birthday at School

Ava's birthday celebration at school today! She wanted us to make bundt cakes for everyone but settled for cupcakes...but three different kinds. At least she helped cook. Am super grateful for her amazing teacher! And I guess Ava must be growing up bc she picked a white shirt for her bday outfit...and so far it's still white! 🤣

The Hays' Sisters Homeruns

It was a good night at the ball park!  Both Carli and Ava had games.  We got to visit with Mrs. Churchman for a bit...and I forgot to get a picture!  Not to mention, she must have been good luck b/c Carli hit an inside of the park homerun!  YAY!!!  And then not to be outdone...Ava had to hit one too.  :)

Naptime with the Littles

Now that Maggie has started to sleep...somewhat.  And it took a week of me sleeping in Drew's room and her finally getting the picture that she could not nurse ALL NIGHT LONG.  And of coarse, Keith's willingness to have a week of much interrupted sleep, she has started taking decent naps during the day.  They are still short so she wakes up before Drew.  But when Drew wakes up, she calls him and calls him and when we get to his room she lunges at him to give him a huge hug and kiss.  Sweetest thing ever!  Sometimes they snuggle and giggle until they decide it's time for a snack!

Old Man Chuy

My old man Chuy isn't doing so well.  He is on 5 meds, some 2x a day.  He gets homemade food and he eats constantly, yet he is a skeleton.  He has started a dry, hacking cough the last few days and just looks miserable.  I had prepared myself that it was nearing the time to let him go and so before the kids went off to school and Grammy's for the day I took their picture with my 16 year old baby.  I was relieved to know that the vet didn't think Chuy was in pain but instead added another med to his regime, a steroid in hopes it would help increase the blood flow to his heart, put on some weight and relieve the cough.  So for now...my old man is still hanging on!

Happy 9th Birthday Ava Bava Bo!

My sweet precious Ava - how can it be that you are another year older? You amaze me with your generous heart and forgiving & loving spirit. You sweet smile and contagious giggle brighten anyone's day. May the year ahead be full of joy, blessings and lots of learning. What an honor it is to be known as Ava's Mom! 

Happy 9th birthday Ava-Bava-Boo!  You are so loved!