Naturals Baseball Game

Memorial Day at the National Cemetary

We are so grateful for the many who died to protect our country! 

Third missing tooth!

Yesterday Emelyn pulled a loose tooth. On her own!! She was so proud of herself and exclaimed that it didn't hurt at all. Her bottom middle two have fallen out - one disappeared while eating a sandwich (oops!) and the other was pulled by her dentist at her cleaning appointment (it was barely hanging on but she was so scared to let anyone or anything near it...hence the reason I'm so proud of her for getting this one out!) The bottom two permanent teeth were already in when she lost the baby teeth so this is the first time she has actually looked (and sounded!) like she has missing teeth. The one next to it is quite loose too and will likely be missing soon.  Doesn't she look different?? 

Speedy Skunk Run

Yesterday we ran in the Speedy Skunk 5k and Little Stinker Fun Run. It was a beautiful morning for running and we both finished. One of the best parts of races is looking through the goody bag to see what the sponsors give each runner. Living in Walmart world where vendors are plentiful, it's always unpredictable... One of the most random "goodies" yesterday was a Swiffer sweeper kit. A local church organized the race and all the proceeds went to Compassion House Maternity House and Meals on Wheels. We love the CH girls and Jake got to hold the baby of one of the pregnant teens living there. He is still a baby whisperer as the sweet baby snuggled right in and fell asleep! After the race we went to a local bakery for breakfast, Briar Rose Bakery, (from Sleeping Beauty) and the kids loved going through the "fairy" door instead of Aurora's door. 

Kindergarten Graduation

Today Emelyn graduated from Kindergarten. Her class sang 6 songs and received diplomas making this momma teary eyed. Emelyn got to welcome the audience to the program with a couple of other students before the program began. I'm so amazed at her confidence compared to the shy girl I sent to kindergarten 9 months ago! She was also tested today for her first grade placement and has been moved up another reading level. I am so amazed at how much she has learned and grown this year!

Here she is with her teacher, Mrs. Patrick:

All 100 Tyson Tigers:

Welcoming the audience:

Getting her diploma with Dr. Sherwood and Mrs. Patrick:

Ruth took it upon herself to hold Adelyn's hand during the program; quite the little momma!!

We were so happy and thankful Kelsey and Adelyn came!!

So happy for this girl:

Silver Dollar City

Yesterday morning we decided to chance the rain forecasted and went to Silver Dollar City. On our drive there we had a 30+ minute delay due to a bad accident. We have been seeing way too many fire trucks and ambulances lately. :( At yesterday's accident, there was a helicopter flying overhead trying to find a safe place to land to take the injured to a hospital. In the end, the ambulance took the person to a nearby house/field to meet the helicopter. Here it was circling above us with the ambulance on the ground:

And here are some pictures from our time  at SDC when we arrived:

After enjoying rides for a couple of hours we went indoors to their bluegrass & bbq event for lunch and to enjoy the music:

After lunch we spent the rest of the day at the newly opened "Fireman's Landing:"

The kids literally spent over 2 hours playing in this 3 story "fire station" full of foam balls, buckets, guns etc... Here's an air game that kept this curious guy's attention for a while:

We left around 4 and it started sprinkling as we left the park and ended up raining the entire drive home. I think we timed it just right!

Mother's Day!

I'm incredibly grateful for these three that make me a mom! They each picked out a special, unique gift for me and were up bright and early, excited for me to open the gifts. Isaiah picked out some new earrings that he thought would look "beautiful" on me. Emelyn bought me a new running shirt that matches one I recently bought her for us to "match" in our race next weekend. And Ruth, sweet Ruth, just knew I wanted some hot pink/purple running socks (which I actually am very excited to have this particular brand/style of socks! ) They also bought me a "prize" candle that has a special ring hidden in the wax that can be found after the wax melts. I've never sent them so anxious for me to burn candles!!

I also received a precious phone call from a previous foster child as well as a card in the mail from a foster daughter and her new family. To top it off, three neighbors brought me fresh flowers from their gardens! Oh... And I got to eat two of my favorite meals with no cooking or clean up. :)

Sunshine!

(Just noticed this never posted May 1st when I wrote it.)

 We've had a break from the rain this week and have enjoyed some amazingly beautiful days. Lots of time outside, riding bikes, digging in dirt and playing at the park for these munchkins:

Here's a panoramic view of our favorite park:

Plenty of shade and all kinds of fun contraptions!

Date "knight"

Isaiah and I went to Chickfila last night for their Mother/Son Date "Knight." The restaurant was decorated like a castle, complete with the employees dressed as damsels and Knights. A lot of Isaiah's little friends were also there with their moms and he had a great time. He got to play outside in their play gym, eat his favorite foods (complete with lemonade!) have a Spider-Man tattoo drawn on his arm and even sword fought with the Chickfila cow. To top it off, an ambulance and fire truck showed up shortly before we left, complete with sirens and lights. Sadly, this may have been his favorite part. (Thankfully, the man inside the restaurant that they came to help was talking, smiling and receiving medical care as we left.) Watching these "rescue men" in action was really exciting for the room of little boys! 

At the end, Chickfila gave the little boys roses to give to their moms. Isaiah declined saying he loves me but didn't want to give me a flower to show it. 😡

Go to Bed, Sleepy Head!

This school year, a few kids from Emelyn's kindergarten class joined some of the other kindergarten classes to form the "yellow" reading group. This past month they have been doing a study on animals and their sleep habits. Yesterday their group performed a short program about what they learned.

All the zoo animals (Emelyn's in the back row, second from the right:)

Emelyn sharing about hibernating in the winter and sleeping 20 hours per day as a brown bat:

Daddy brought her flowers:

Little Miss Adelyn

Kelsey and Adelyn came over yesterday morning to visit (and sleep.) Isaiah and Ruth were very excited to hold Adelyn when she woke up!

Safari Time

To finish Emelyn's study on the continents, her class is going to the safari today. I told her I wanted a last picture of her with I and R incase she's eaten by a lion. 😉