Crocodile Dock 2

We finished VBS today. The kids had a great time. Izabell is already applying what she learned about how we don't have to be afraid because God is with us! Hopefully, I can apply it as well.

Crocodile Dock

Izabell and I have been having fun at VBS this week. We have been blessed to have some of our neighbor girls coming with us. Lauralie is also getting to come. Today I was brave enough to try a trip to Wal-Mart with all four of them. We made it, but I was thanking God that we all made it back to the car safely. No, really, it wasn't that bad. I'm just glad that on most days I only have to keep up with one.

Swim Day with Lauralie

Here are some pictures of Lauralie taken yesterday. We had so much fun. Izabell can imitate a dolphin pretty well, and Lauralie can swim just like a real mermaid. Maybe better. It was nice to spend time with Lauralie. We haven't seen her much lately. I had forgotten that she has the most beautifyl eyes.

Izabell's Dancin' with the Stars move.

Yeah, She did it. She had to pray a lot, but she finally got the courage to try going under. She had started doing it at the end of swim season last year, but didn't get to practice much before we had to take the pool down. I think she'll be swimming before too long.

Izabell and Lauralie taking a lunch break.

"Mom, will you feed me a cheese ball?"

We had a great time swimming with Nana and Lauralie yesterday. We swam for about 5 hours. The girls were definately ready for a nap when we got home. But napping came second to eating mountains of squirty cheese.

There's no such thing as too much cheese!

This was Izabell's purchase from our latest trip to Sam's Club. Can you imagine how big that looks to a five year old?

Izabell and Lauralie. We get to go swimming together for the whole day tomorrow!!!

Snaggle Tooth

She finally lost her first tooth. And she tied her own shoes tonight. My baby is growing up.

Berry Picking

Izabell picking berries.

Izabell eating berries.

Tuesday morning we went to Cox's and picked strawberries and blueberries. It was nice. We went with my friend and her kids. I enjoyed the kids more than I had expected to. They were very entertaining.
This morning my mom came over and had breakfast with us. Blueberry waffles with strawberries and whipped cream on top. YUM. Then we went for a ride in her convertable and enjoyed the gorgeous day that God made. We went to eat at the Grapevine in Paris and then hit a few consignment shops. FUN, FUN,FUN.

The End of Our School Year Together

Izabell getting ready to receive her pre-school diploma.

Izabell and her Wonderful Teacher (aka-Mommy)

My grown-up girl

Well, this year has been a challenge to say the least. But it is over. Izabell and I have both learned a few things. Some of those things I would have preferred to learn the easy way, but I guess that probably wouldn't have been as fun. Either way, we both made it through and I get to pass her off to the Kindergarten teacher next year. She'll do great.

Izabell's Apron

Grandma Great made Izabell and the other great-grandchildren aprons. She embroidered a tea pot on Izabell's because Izabell likes to have tea parties. Izabell looks adorable in her apron and it works well. She wore it when she helped with supper tonight.

Puddles

We love mud!!!!!!!!
Check out the mud gear Izabell is sporting?

Like Christ

Izabell went with us to the park for Life Groups last night. It was the most beautiful day and I couldn't bear the thought of going to play while she stayed in the nursery at church. She LOVED hanging with the "big girls".
While we were there some kids started giving Izabell a hard time and making fun of her and calling her a baby. This devastated her. She's such a social kid and doesn't usually run across "mean" kids who make fun of her. She cried A LOT.
Well, I am more than proud to say that she prayed for them last night. I promise I didn't prompt her. In fact, the thought never occurred to me. I did all I could not to call them names for hurting my baby's feelings. She prayed, "God, please forgive those kids that were being mean to me and help them to learn to how to be nice." I guess I should take lessons from my daughter on how to be more like Christ.

Raney Day

Does this picture indicate that the weather may be getting to us? I would just like to point out my daughter's literacy skills. She sounded that out and spelled it on her own. I am very impressed at how close she got. Now, if we could learn to manage her behavior, she could sail right through kindergarten next year.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

This is what we did Sunday at Life Groups. I'm not sure if the girls gained any spiritual knowledge or guidance, but we sure had fun. I love that teenage girls still like to play dress up. I'm also very thankful that God has allowed me to be a part of their lives. I know that some of these girls are destined for great things.

Easter

My favorite station at the cross walk.

Going to school for Easter Egg Hunt.

Making deviled eggs. YUM.

Izabell hunting eggs at church in the rain.
Easter was great. My favorite day of the year. Only regret-forgetting to have family picture made at church. The ones I saw were amazing.

Spring Break-DAY FOUR

Izabell playing at the Park in Dardanelle

Blowing Bubbles in the Wind

My Best Friend Jessica and Me

Izabell and Jessica getting ready to fly a kite.


Here are pictures from Thursday. We met Jessica in Russellville and spent the day with her. We started out at Hobby Lobby, which is always fun. Then, after eating at Dairy Queen, we bought a kite and some bubbles and took Izabell to the field across from Whatta-Burger for some fun. Then we drove out the park at the Lock and Dam and let Izabell play some more. She found new friends and had a great time.

Spring Break- DAY THREE

Yesterday we had a great day helping cook chicken at church. (And cleaning up unexpected messes.) There were no pictures so I didn't bother to blog.
Today we visited with my brother and nephew for a bit and then went to Wal-Mart. When we got home we painted the bird feeders that we had last year. They sat in the weather all winter and were not looking pretty at all. But now they do. We made cookies and visited with the neighbors. Nothing spectacular, but it was a nice day.

Spring Break-DAY ONE

Today is the first day of our Spring Break. We have had quite a wonderful day. First, I woke up early and did some bible study until Izabell woke up. We had breakfast and I did a bit of cleaning. Then Izabell had a "bubble festival" outside in her nightgown and new church shoes. After I cleaned a bit more, we went to the ball field and flew a kite. I haven't done that since I was little. I don't remember liking it so much, but it's a lot more fun with Izabell. Then we came home, ate lunch, shampooed the carpet and took a nap.
What a wonderful day.

Fishin'

Ben took me and Izabell fishing the other day. I was very impressed with her skills. She cast all by herself (much better than I do) and caught six crappie and one bass. The next day we went back and she caught her own minnows and even held a fish by the mouth and released it back into the pond.
I am also impressed with my own ability to bait my hook and take the fish off the hook. I have never been able to do this before, but tried to get over it and show my daughter what a big girl I am. I did well. Can't wait to do it again.

Saturday

Izabell and I had some fun playing in the mud today. I lifted the lid off of her turtle and found that the lid does NOT keep the rain out. It was full of water. So we sat and scooped out sand from the bottom and then made mudpies. Izabell said, "You don't have to help me, Mommy. I can do it myself." I told her that I wanted to help because it was fun. She didn't seem as though she believed me. I'm not sure if she thought I was too old to play in the mud or what, but she kept asking, "Are you sure you're having fun?"
The other picture is of Izabell helping me do laundry. Now that, on the other hand, is not so fun and Izabell is the only person in the house who I can con into helping me with it.
So, throw in a trip to Wal-Mart, and that completes our exciting Saturday. Oh, maybe we'll make playdough. That's way funner than laundry.