Brady's Kindergarten Graduation

Monday, May 19th was kindergarten graduation for ACA.  Brady was super excited.  He got up early and was dressed and ready to go at least an hour before we needed to leave.  So I took him outside for some pictures.

 Brady with Eli and Major

 Graduation took place at University Church of Christ which is very near the school. Here are a couple of Brady and his friends waiting to go inside.

 Brady, Jordon Smith, Austin Bailey, and Myles Randall

 Brady and Micah Kohring

 Brady was chosen to lead the song, "Blue Skies and Rainbows" during the devotional time of graduation.  He did a terrific job!

 The kindergarten class performed several songs for the parents.  I loved watching little Brady sing.

 Brady with his principal, Mr. Black, receiving his kindergarten diploma.

 Our family with the graduate: Bill with Major, Rachel, Brady, and Eli

 Brady and his diploma

 Brady with his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Kachelman.  She was amazing!  Hopefully, Major will have her in a few years.

 This is Brady's best buddy, Tripp.  They have become best friends this year and are so precious together.

If for nothing else, this move to Alabama was totally worth it for Brady.  Brady has completely shined this year in a way I don't believe he ever would have if we had stayed in Texas.  He is outgoing and energetic, and loves to sing and play with his friends.  He has developed quite the personality and was the only boy chosen for the lead in his kindergarten program in February, and one of 5 boys chosen to lead singing at graduation.  He loves school now, which was not the case in Texas.  Sadly, when he was in pre-k last year, he asked constantly not to have to go to school or if he did go, he asked me to take him home early.  He hasn't done that at all this year.  I love to watch him with his friends.  Whether in the lunch room, the classroom, or outside at recess, he loves everyone and plays with everyone.  He is in the highest reading group and has excellent athletic abilities as well as academic ones.  I am so happy and thankful that he is happy, that his light is shining, and that his spirit is soaring.  I love you, Brady.  Happy graduation day! 

Bible Memory Challenge at Landmark Church of Christ

At Landmark Church of Christ, they have a Bible memory verse challenge that goes throughout the school year.  Every grade has a different set of memory verses and they have one each month from August to April.  A student must recite his or her memory verse correctly each month to his or her Bible class teacher.  In May, trophies are handed out to the students who knew all their memory verses.  Eli and Brady both participated this year, so they were both able to go up on stage and receive an award.  The gentleman handing out the awards is Al Milligren, our children's minister at Landmark.

Good job, boys! We are very proud of you!

Brady's 6th Birthday

Thursday, May 15th, Brady turned 6 years old.  He has been waiting and waiting for this day.  We have had a count down calendar and have been speaking daily of all the fun things we will do on his special day.  Since he has a May birthday, he is the second to last one in his class to turn 6.  Brady is so done with being 5 years old.  Well, he doesn't have to wait anymore.

First things first, the traditional birthday breakfast...doughnuts!

 We decided to have his party on his actual birthday, so we had a kickball party outside at our church.  We had 20 kids there total and they had a great time.  This first party picture is Eli pitching and Brady playing short stop.  Brady was given a crown from his kindergarten teacher and he wore it all day long.

 2nd party picture: Macy Ashurst (in the pink dress), Brady's friend, Sam, and Brady talking strategy on the kickball field.

 5th party picture: Brady, Austin Bailey, and Carlie Bailey (those two are not related) on the playground equipment

 A close up of Major...it is almost impossible to get a good picture of him.  He immediately wants to "see it"...usually before I've even taken the shot.

 Macy Ashurst and Brady who is "king of the playground"

 It is hard to see this group shot, but I'll try to say who they are as best as possible.  On the far left is Levi Summers (but you can only see his hair, it looks like Micah has his hand up where Levi's face should be), Micah Kohring, Sam Standifer, Brady, Austin Bailey, Trey Chamberlain, Carlie Bailey, Macy Ashurst (her sister is next to her, but I don't know her name), Jonah Kohring, Tyson Summers, and Eli.  There were a few kids still playing and a couple showed up late.  It is really hard to get 20 kids in a picture. 

 Pizza time! Starting on the left with the girl in orange (whose name I don't know but who is Macy's sister), then Major, then Levi Summers, then Tyson and Ryder Summers, Eli, Jonah and Micah Kohring, and Macy Ashurst.

 Carlie Bailey, Brady, Sam Standifer, Austin Bailey, Trey and Shelby Chamberlain, and Macy's 3rd sister (whose name I also don't know)

 Carlie, Brady, and Sam

 Kickball party turned into wrestling match...you can see Brady is on top of Eli (Brady is the one wearing the crown...still...)

 Savannah Horn, whom we use as a babysitter and also teaches 5th grade at our school, made the cake for Brady.  Isn't it precious?  He is on the A's baseball team this year, that is why she chose that as the cake.  She did a terrific job!

 The wind was blowing so hard we couldn't get the candles to light, so we had to bring all the kids inside for the lighting and blowing out of the candles.

 Micah Kohring and Brady

 Sam and Brady

 Brady, Austin, and Sam

 Tyson, Brady, and Sam

 Brady with his new Auburn football uniform from his mom and dad.  He has been asking for this for quite a while.

 Time to mark him on the growth chart...

 And give him his birthday spankings...and a pinch to grow an inch. 

Brady went to sleep that night with a bed full of toys and his birthday crown on his head.  I think he had a good, full day.  Happy birthday, little man! We love you!

Mother's Day 2014

Happy Mother's Day! I had a wonderful day with my sweet little boys and my sweet big boy, Bill. :-)  They started the day off right with a Starbucks coffee, allowed me to have a nap in the afternoon, took me out to Cracker Barrel for dinner, and gave me 5 gift cards to go out somewhere everyday for the next work week.  In the card Bill called it "treat week".  So fun!  I am so excited to get to use my gift cards and I am so blessed to have these little guys with me.  This picture was taken outside our church  building after Sunday morning church at Landmark Church of Christ in Montgomery, Alabama.  Eli is almost 8 1/2, Brady is 4 days from being 6, and Major is 2 and 3/4.  I am just so thankful for this family that God has given me.  They were all making me pictures all day long and saying "Happy Mother's Day". My cup overflows.