Get ready, Middle School, cause here WE come!

Yep, she's that old. I can't believe it. My little baby is going to 6th grade. On one hand I'm a little sad, but on the other I'm so pumped for what is to come. You know, battle of the hormones, me competing for most embarrassing Mother, me staying all up in her business, me letting her know that height doesn't matter(she's 2 inches from me), me having a presence on "her" turf and Ben, well, just trying to hang on for the ride. I can't wait!!!

What a cutie!

Ally is now officially a 3rd grader. She had a really great year and made all A's. I loved her teacher, Mrs. Hulsey and will miss bumping into her in the halls. Our pictures from awards day are a little blurry. We had the boys and Nina with us . . . need I say more???

Strawberry Pickin'

We were hungry for

so we went to

and followed this sign

to this cabin that I feel like I helped pay for.

There were lots of strawberries to choose from.

And a new place to go potty instead of, well, never mind.

Another successful family outing as you can see by our faces!

Mother's Day

I love my girls. They can be super sweet and incredibly thoughtful. This year for Mother's day, Hayden had a plan. She knew what she wanted to do for me, what she wanted to buy and a minute by minute list of how the day would go. Things got a little stressful with "last minute Larry" but the day turned out great. She made a date night for Ben and me. She made spaghetti and meatballs(by herself!), decorated the table with flowers, typed up menus, played my favorite music, served us and took care of her siblings. After supper she helped clean up and put the boys in bed while I watched a movie in my PJ's.

Incredibly awesome.

Botanical Gardens Round 2

I got a great invitation today: let's take the boys to the Botanical Gardens. Sure, we got this. I was so prepared with water, Capri Suns, fruit snacks, a change of clothes and even sun screen. I could have forgotten all of the previously mentioned items and just brought rope.

Some of the things I got to say today:

Don't pick the flowers.

Don't throw the balls.

Nina, you coming?

Sit on the water coming out of that rock.

Don't catch the butterflies.

Way to go turtles.

You're looking for a snake?

Potty, again?

I'm out of fruit snacks.

Pick up that paper.

Just look at the flowers.

Sit down so you don't fall in.

Catch the little ones.

Move your hands so the big ones don't get you.

Guys, wait for Nina.

Smell the pretty flowers without touching.

Stop.

Ok, let's go potty.

Botanical Gardens Round 1

Today I went to the Botanical Gardens with Ally's class. I was in charge . . . of the cooler. And more importantly, I was in charge of the cooler with the boy's lunches. I was late getting there because I had to make a purchase for Mother's Day(my Mother's Day). After making a couple of laps around the place I was finally found by a very sweet mom who was concerned about me. Ally was very excited to see me, Mrs. Hulsey was happy that I made it and the boys, well, they were very relieved to know that the lunches, their lunches, made it to the gardens.

We visited several tree houses and then made our way to the opposite side of the gardens from where I parked for lunch. After lunch, we headed back over close to wear I parked, to the butterfly house for a talk on butterflies and a movie. After the movie, the "lecturer" asked the group questions. Ally was on it. She answered a couple of questions and even got called up front.

I guess all that practice thinking about butterflies and rainbows has finally paid off.