Skeleton Creek

I have to admit that I wasn't thrilled when Katie told me about this book that her teacher was reading to her class at school. After all, it is a ghost/mystery story, which includes video clips that you watch online, and I was worried that it would keep her up at night. But when they started reading the second book (Ghost in the Machine) and she realized that they would not be able to finish it before school got out, she went to the library to check it out, but they didn't have the second book. So she decided that she wanted to go to Books a Million and buy her own copy. With her own money. Yeah. She never even asked if we would buy it for her. So I knew that this could be what I have been waiting for. I have been hoping for a long time that she would find that book that she would read and not want to put down because she was so into it, thereby discovering the wonderful world of reading! So we went to Books a Million and they didn't have a copy either, but they ordered one for her. In the meantime, she checked out the first book from the library and wanted to read it as a family. But this just isn't our "season" for family reading time. We are lucky to make it through family scripture study every night with the age that our little "bedlamite" is. So the girls and I started trying to find time to sneak away from John David each day so we could read together. I was worried about Sarah and how she would do with the spooky story and videos. And I'm kinda glad that she has lost interest. (I think she'll appreciate it more when she's older.) But I have to confess that I am completely hooked. I have finished the first two, and I am trying to patiently wait for Katie to finish the second, so we can go together to get the third. I love being able to discuss this book with her! It has been so much fun! I have a list of books that I want to read with the girls and I am looking forward to a fun summer of reading with them!

More T-ball

Sarah had another game tonight.



Her friend Danni came to watch her play. She was just a little excited.



She is lovin' t-ball.



Warming up.



A smile for the camera.



Waiting for her turn at bat.



What a cutie!



Let's go #10!



Nice hit!



Run, Sarah, run!



Check out that stride!



Waiting at second.



Run Sarah!



Getting instructions from her coach at third. She loves her coaches.



This one is her favorite, even though he isn't really a coach. He just helps out when they need him.



Another run for the Angels!



And another win!



Great job Angels!

A Reason to Celebrate

Today Katie came home from school with the results from her LEAP test. She passed, of course. We knew she would, but apparently she wasn't so sure. She seemed very relieved to know that she would be able to move up to 5th grade next year. I think it is so dumb to decide if a student will pass a grade or not based on one single test, but that's a whole different subject. Anyhow, Katie wanted to go do something to celebrate her passing the LEAP, so Aaron told her we could go to the Mayhaw Festival in Starks. It was our first time going to the Mayhaw Festival. I had never even heard of mayhaw (a fruit that comes from a mayhaw tree, which grows in the wetlands of the southern states) until I moved here, but Aaron has been a huge fan of mayhaw jelly for a long time. When we first got there, we bought arm bands so the kids could ride some rides.



The girls loved the big slide.





Then John David wanted to give it a try.







The look on his face tells me that he didn't like it, but he acted like he wanted to go again.



But we moved on to these cute cars. I love how the car color matches her eyes.



Katie rode the red fire truck with John David. I think she may have felt a little old for these rides, but she humored her little brother anyway. This boy loves him some KK.









Then we checked out the different vendors and found our sweet friend Donna helping her parents sell jelly.



They had all kinds of yummy flavors, and Aaron tried to buy one of each flavor. Of course we got some mayhaw jelly, but we also got blackberry, blackberry/mayhaw, fig, and red plum.



Then we found some yummy festival food. The kids got nachos and a hot dog, but Aaron and I got chicken and pork on a stick. Mmmm.....mmmm.....good.



After eating and visiting with Donna for a bit, the kids were ready for more rides. Sarah wanted to ride the ferris wheel, but Katie didn't want to, so Aaron rode with her.



And Katie rode another ride with John David.



But then she decided that she wanted to give the ferris wheel a try. You can tell she was nervous.



But she was lovin' it before it even made a whole rotation.





We're so proud of her for conquering one of her fears.....and for passing her test!



Love these brave, beautiful girls!

You Must Be An Angel

Sarah is playing t-ball this year. Her team is the Angels. Tonight was her first game.



Here's her cheering section.



This is her first year, and she is so into it. Check her out! Does she look ready or what?!



Here she is at bat.





Running for first base.





And second.



I love this picture of Daddy coaching her to third.



She's really a great runner.



Check out that air!



Great job little Angel!



Her friend Macie is on her team. They are in the same class at school.



John David wanted to be wherever Sarah was. It was kinda a long night with him.



Cheering for Sarah.





Maw Maw was a huge help, as always. She took him on a little walk.



Great job Angels!



Our little Angel was tired after playing so hard.

But still super cute!



Love, love, love our little Angel!