The School Year comes to a Close

School is out for summer and that means one thing to me. More time with my kids which equates to making memories intermingled with times of complete madness and mayhem. I've really been anticipating this summer as Little Miss is at such an incredibly fun age. She is old enough to be independent in a lot of areas and is always, always following in her older siblings footsteps which makes for quite the adventure at times. Picture a 2 year old determined to master a razor scooter, dribble a basketball, jump rope, enter any activity and she is making her best attempt to keep up with the older two's antics.

Gabi on her last day of 2nd grade

Noah Eckert and Gabrielle

We are really looking forward to checking things off our summer fun bucket list.

In reality I'm sure a lot of this ^^^^^^ will be happening this summer.

Goofing around in addition to fighting and making up, lots of popsicles and sweet treats, bubbles and sidewalk chalk, playdoh, parks and pool play!

When I look at these pictures of our children I feel incredibly blessed. They can be loud, disobedient, disrespectful, messy, picky eaters, stubborn and strong headed. Yes, they can be all of these things, but they are absolutely beautiful in my eyes and they are mine! 

Sporting Tykes

We finally bit the bullet and signed Dawson up for his 1st organized sports activity - Sporting Tykes Soccer through the Olathe YMCA. Our neighbor facilitated coaching and sent out an inquiry regarding interest in participation from kids within the neighborhood. It was fun for Dawson to team up with Leah Brunner, Madelyn Scott, Cole Burris & AJ Nickel from the n'hood.

I took this picture the night of his first practice. I think it is apparent that he was stoked to say the least! We were hesitant how Dawson would do since his only other exposure to soccer was a two hour clinic he attended last Spring. In short, our fears were very quickly curbed. He owned it! 

He was great at advancing the ball, 

kicking,

playing defense & being goalie. 

When it was game time, Dawson turned it on and went full force until the final whistle was blown. He was action packed and took the game very seriously. 

Where he really shined was running the ball up field and scoring! 

{A shout out to Cecil Carder for the above two images}

A final team shot at the season's close. 

Madelyn and Cole are absent from the photo. 

We're looking forward to future soccer experiences with our little man but for now we've moved on to T-Ball :)

There was a little girl ...

Travis worked a couple of weekends ago and Papa was off on a car run so Mema and I loaded up the kids and spent the morning at the City Market. We purchased the expected goods including honey, salsa, produce, fresh flower bouquets, etc. but also spent an equal amount of time enjoying the artisan booths and products. Gabrielle's dream catcher had become so tattered and in a state of disarray that she decided to replace it with a new vibrant colored one. We concluded our outing with a purchase at a mom and pop sales tent (forgive me, I don't know their company name at this time). They sell hair accessories, marshmallow shooters, larger than life bubble blowers, bow & arrow sets and the likes. The business owner asked Gabi is she cared to model his crown technique in order to help him drive sales. And of note, a large crowd gathered and he made multiple sales from investing the 10 minutes into her hair so it was a win, win.  

Here is view of the top

And side view

The crown upheld a gymnastics birthday party Saturday afternoon, church on Sunday and school on Monday before we removed it for one more day of fabulous hair! 

See pictures below :) 

When I removed the hair accessory the curls were so tight I wasn't sure what to make of it, but when I took a wide tooth comb and brushed it through it I was a little gaga over the results. I'm hopeful that with patience and practice that I might be able to replicate the crown technique and resulting curls. 

Who recalls this nursery rhyme from their childhood? 

There was a little girl 

Who had a little curl 

Right in the middle of her forehead. 

And when she was good 

She was very, very good 

But when she was bad She was horrid! 

{I much prefer this verse} 

Then one day that little girl 

Brushed away that little curl 

Away from the middle of her forehead 

Now she is good 

She is very, very good 

And nobody thinks she is horrid!

Awana Awards Night

The kids completed their 2nd year in the AWANA - Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (taken from 2 Timothy 2:15) - through Life Church. This was Gabrielle's last year as a Sparkie and Dawson's last year as a Cubbie. Their awards program was held on Wednesday, May 1st. We are so proud of them for their dedication to scripture memorization and hiding God's word in their hearts.

Dawson had his second (ever) soccer practice the same night so we were a split family on the occasion. Travis took D to soccer and I took Gabi to the awards ceremony.

The event called for a few quick snapshots. 

She is beautiful! 

I'm a bit sad to think this little red vest will soon be packed away in a keepsake box. It represents lots of hard work, memorizing the books of the Bible and dozens & dozens of scripture verses. 

The two of us being silly in the parking lot before heading out into the crazy Kansas wind. 

Standing proud about to accept her awards. 

The highlight of the night was winning a full tuition for one child for the 2013 - 2014 year in the raffle drawing. Woot!!

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Embrace the Camera: May 16, 2013

Muffins with Mom with our #1

I'm more convinced than ever after seeing this photo that I am in desperate need of a nose job {that will never happen}. The terrible teasing and name calling in school was for good reason.

Embrace the Camera: May 9, 2013

Dawson embracing the camera with me and Ms. Andrea during his preschool Mother's Day Tea. 

Photos taken Tuesday, May 7th

Ernie Miller Nature Park Field Trip

Little Man had his preschool Spring field trip to Ernie Miller Nature Park on Monday, April 1st. I realize that was a month ago but life happens and the days slip by in the blink of an eye, so here I am logging our time together in early May. Better late, then never :)

This was Dawson's expression when he walked into the Nature Center and saw that I was joining him. I know he is mine, but I love this kid! I love his fierce independence, his often times boyish personality & play antics, his willingness to share lots hugs and kisses and the fact that he still remains my baby boy. My Boo. 

The teachers guided them on a walk throughout the center hitting each site and feature allowing the kids to ask questions and take it all in. They then took part in a meet and greet with this wonderful volunteer and several of the rescue animals - a turtle, a bird and the star of the day, Henrietta the beautiful rabbit. They sang songs and played a really cute game. It was very apparent that the kids enjoyed themselves.

This is D's 2nd year Heartland Early Childhood Center class (minus Gloria)

From left to right: Connor, Jonah, Keelan, Kai, Brandon, Molly, Celes, Macy, Dexter, Jeremiah & Dawson

This photo is the icing on the cake for this momma. Dawson has had a little crush on Macy since the beginning of the school year. Her mom has said many times that she is one spunky little girl FULL of sass. It seems she draws several of her boy classmate's attention :) It brings me full circle to when Gabrielle was the same age and had a larger than life crush on her preschool mate, Logan Meyers. Young love. Oye!