Memorial Day Fun

We have had a wonderful Memorial Day. We have reflected on the freedoms that we have and the reason we have them. It has been filled with many teachable moments to help the kids understand that freedom is not free. We have also participated in many fun events throughout the day. First, we attended the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade - unfortunately I forgot my camera, so I don't have any pictures from the parade. However, the kids had a great time, especially collecting all the candy that was thrown out to them. When we got home, they played parade and threw their candy all over the driveway - it was very cute.

After the parade we enjoyed the sunshine and went for a swim with our neighbors.

And to cap off a great day, we attended our neighborhood cook out in the culd-e-sac down the street. The kids loved playing with the other kids in the neighborhood and we enjoyed visiting with the neighbors God has blessed us with.

Our Little MVP for the 2nd Year!!

Whew, I can hardly believe another school year is complete. It has flown by all of us!! Rebekah, you had a great year & we are really going to miss Mrs. Taylor. She was a wonderful teacher for you!!!

Every year at West Jackson Primary School, one student is chosen from each class to receive the Principal's award. This student must exhibit academic excellence as well as citizenship in the classroom. Rebekah was chosen last year and again this year.

You always worked hard to treat everyone in your classroom with kindness and respect and you excelled in all subjects. You earned this award and Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud.

(As a side note, you are always telling me you aren't good in math, but Mrs. Taylor informed me you scored higher than any other student in your class on the math section of the CRCT - no excuses anymore!!)

Here are all seven Principal Award winners for first grade. Three of you were in class together last year!!

Here is the video of Rebekah getting the award & the sweet comments her teacher, Mrs. Taylor, wrote about her!

Awana Awards

Rebekah, you are always an over achiever. You work so hard to reach your goals & once you reach them you always want to exceed them. This year in Awana you had your Hiker book competed by March. This is truly amazing considering this consisted of over 45 verses, as well as all the books of the bible & even the 23rd Psalm. Every week you worked hard to memorize verses, pray for missionaries, and help me around the house in order to complete a section. Daddy & I are so proud of you. Memorizing bible verses is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and it always rubs off on others!!

Last Day for McKinney

McKinney, you had a wonderful year. Mrs. Wanda and Mrs. Kim were great teachers & you loved being in their class at school. One day you said to Mrs. Wanda, "I love you so much Mrs. Wanda I want to live here." Not sure what that says about me, but it sure says a lot about Mrs. Wanda.

They were some of the best preschool teachers we have ever had. Mrs. Wanda made you a great scrapbook of your year. One page in your book had some funny things you had said throughout the year. Here are a few of those: "When I grow up, I'm going to be a hunter with a monkey on my hat." "Suzanna won't believe me that Jesus is in charge!" (I am sure this stems from Me and Daddy always telling you that we have to do what Jesus tells us to do because He is in charge - you frequently reply under your breath, "no I am in charge"). "Sydney - did you shoot a cheetah and make a jacket out of it?" You are a funny boy & always keep Mommy laughing!

This was also water day. You had a wonderful time!!

You are always so glad to see your baby brother!

Your favorite place to sit was at the little table by the window with your best buddy, Gretta. Today Micah got to join in on the fun!!

Big boy!

Rebekah's Rainforest Tour

The first graders at Rebekah's school have been learning about the rainforest's of the world. They have decorated the first grade hall to look like a rainforest & today they were giving tours. Rebekah was chosen as a tour guide from her class. McKinney, Micah, and I enjoyed the tour.

Here is Rebekah telling about the three toed sloth. It is a little hard to hear in parts, but you will get the idea!!

Field Day

What a great field day you had, Rebekah. You worked hard at every relay & event you participated in & cheered loud for your friends when you weren't participating. I am so proud of you & your willingness to do things that aren't necessarily your favorite. Regardless, you gave it your all today!!!

Tug-of-war

Mrs. Taylor's First Grade Class

After field day, you had an extended fun day outside. This was a lot of fun for all of your friends & McKinney enjoyed participating also.

McKinney - Rebekah's friends were so proud of you & you did great helping the girls win some of their relays.

I love the look on your face - you enjoyed your ride despite the terrified look on your face.

Rebekah - you took this picture of Mommy going down the hill on the "scooter". This looked like way too much fun for me not to try it!!

I loved this chalk writing & laughed when I thought that in three short months my first grader would be writing "2nd grade is the best"!!

Rebekah is Riding on Two Wheels

After trying for about a week (and after a few failed attemps in the past), Rebekah has learned to ride her bike without her training wheels. She is loving it. She rides all over the yard, driveway, and the neighbors driveway's. Looks like she is going to have a fun summer.

Fun Weekend

We had a wonderful Mother's Day. After my Sunday nap we headed for ice cream at Ben & Jerry's and then went to my parents to wait for my Mom to get back in town. While we were there, the kids enjoyed blowing bubbles & Micah enjoyed trying to catch them.

McKinney loves to catch things. Not a day goes by that he doesn't try to catch something. We have had caterpillars, moths, lizards, and now his latest catch...

We Belong in the Zoo!!!

Friday was Rebekah's birthday. Since we had already had her party, we decided to do something really special for all of the kids to celebrate. Soooo.... we went to the zoo. As a child some of my fondest memories are visiting the zoo with my Dad. I knew the kids would love it, however I was surprised at how much I loved it!!

There is a new exhibit at the zoo - the parakeet house. It is really spectacular. Hundreds of beautiful parakeets flying all around you. You can purchase food sticks, which we didn't do, however McKinney quickly hooked up with another child & enjoyed watching him feed the birds. I personally was a little freaked out. If you have ever seen the Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Birds, you will know why I really don't like birds at all.

The cutest lion cubs I have ever seen!!

Here are the kids and me with the full size statue of Willie B. If you grew up in Atlanta, like I did, you will probably remember Willie B. in his small "room" before they integrated him into the rain forest habitat. I loved that monkey!

Notice the sign - picture was taken before we noticed it!!

These animals have always mesmerized me & they still do.

The baby panda is adorable. When we were there he was sleeping at the top of a tree. It was really cute. Unfortunately, I must have had a brain freeze at that moment because I didn't get a picture.