Summer Begins...

Kate received a cookie bouquet from her Aunt Kelly for her birthday. I had to post this picture because it is just tooooo cute!!! There is a tiara, 2 glass slippers, a castle, 2 hearts, and a star. They are decorated with lots of pink, purple, and teal icing. Unfortunately, when the boys asked if they could have one, Kate told them they can't have cookies that are decorated just for girls!!!

This week was filled with many fun activities. Connor's class did a balloon release since they are graduating from Kindergarten. It was really pretty to see all of the different colors.

UP...

UP....

AND AWAY...

You can barely see the tiny dots in the sky...

Tuesday morning Connor had awards in his class.

I love my Daddy!!! (But not enough to put down my cookie to take a picture! The cookie trumps!)

Mrs. Long..

Mason also had awards but they do all of third grade together. He received an award for AR (accelerated reader)...

...one for participating voluntarily in a grant study that involved research and a project...

...one for being the excellent student in music..

...one for PERFECT ATTENDANCE!! One for scoring almost a perfect score on the Math TAAS test (he missed one! ). There were a few others but I honestly don't remember what they were for. This is a picture of Mason with Ms. Cortez - she ROCKS!!!

It is such a relief to have everyone home for the summer! I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE they we are on no one's schedule but our own. Everyone is very HAPPY!

I'm happy too...but my heart is also sad. I found out that my dearest friend, Toi (a.k.a. the momma of baby Tessa that has been posted before) will be moving to Houston. For those of you who don't know, Toi and I were roommates in college. The Collins family is our family. We've been through 2 weddings together, between the two of us we have been through 7 (yes SEVEN) births, our hubbies worked together for apporx. 5 years so we have gone to Paris, Cancun, and Atlantis (just to name of few). Greg's company had a position open in Houston and Toi's parents live there - that's where she grew up - so...she's going home. And even as I type these very words it is truly impossible to imagine not going by her house on my way to Grapevine Mills, or coming over for a massage, or meeting for lunch at Olive Garden, or at Chick.fil.A so the kids can play, and what about SCRAPBOOKING!!! She is the one that got me started and she is AWESOME. I've never seen ANYONE with her talent! It's just too much to digest. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for them....I know she will really enjoy being home. Close to Nana and Papa (her parents). Jack, Micah, and baby Tessa will grow up in the sight of their grandparents and we all know that's priceless! But, I'm jealous....not to see the kids grow up together and not to have my friend 30 minutes up 360.....For now though, I will try to see her often, hold baby Tessa, and let the others play, play, play. Lord, please begin to prepare my heart and her's (and the heart of sweet Mandy). You are in control. You have plans I don't always understand or like, but they trump. I pray you bless them beyond measure. Bring new friends into her life. And help them find a new home, new church, and a new school. And until they move, let our time with them be filled with precious memories to last a lifetime.