May tid-bits

Baby birds again this year under the deck!  But I made myself steer clear and can only assume that they safely flied this year.  

How I think Michael should greet Margaret's first date,

just so that we're ALL clear:)

A few selfies, evidently...

Andrew's questionnaire from Sunday School...apparently my favorite food is steak, but Little Ceasars is my favorite restaurant.  Hmm.  I love to hug and when Daddy takes me out to eat.  But most importantly, if he could give me one thing, he would give me a horse.  The kid has picked up on a dream or two!  

From many years ago...

This precious frog sunhat has only lasted 

as long as it took me to snap the shot.  

Andrew is SO serious about the lacrosse camp that he's planning at our house that personal invitations have been sent via the cubby system at school.  

They insisted I take these.  Sure!

Graduation parties! We will miss Miss Corie...
babysitting and coaching at Fairview!  

Matthew and Miss Hannah in a staring contest...

Flying Lesson

This little airport in Waynesboro that Michael discovered is the cutest thing! Each of the houses in the neighborhood next to it has their own hanger.  So they just "drive" their little planes down the street to the runaway and off they go!

Margaret and Matthew LOVED the plans on the front porch of the "airport".  Andrew was a bit disappointed that he was physically too big to fit in.  

 \

LOVE this shot!

Ready to go!  I gave Michael a flying lesson with Andrew for Father's Day last year.  They had a blast, so he returned this favor this year.  So fun!

Love these two boys!

Listening well to instructor Abe!  

Mr. Scott's castle...as in Scott paper towels and Scott Stadium at UVA.  I didn't get the story on why exactly he built this massive estate in Waynesboro, VA, but it sure is impressive from above.  

The "princess castle" that Abe pointed out for Margaret - made from Italian marble, it's one expensive residence!

Our approach.  Abe said I could have landed the plane if we had planned ahead a few minutes on that. Definitely next time!

AWANA Awards and the Life of "Goldy"

Andrew and Margaret both adored AWANA this year.  They were eager to learn their memory verses for each Sunday night and enjoyed earning their patches, etc. with their friends.  " Cubby songs" were a highlight for Margaret while Andrew always looked forward to basketball during the gym portion of their time.  The clear highlight of the year, though?  Story below.

AWANA Awards ceremony getting ready to begin.

2 of the Cubbies Classes on stage to receive their participation awards and/or verse accomplishment ribbons.

SOOO obedient for others!

"Our God is a GREAT BIG God (and He holds us in His hands)!"

So...what we didn't know before AWANA started is what kinds of awards were available to the elementary school kids in the "AWANA Shop" on the last night.  Parents do not shop with their kids and Andrew (along with most other kids) emerged with this!

Quickly nicknamed Goldy, we were suddenly Goldfish owners.  What happened to my vow that I will only feed 6 mouths at once?!? Despite my obvious annoyance with the unexpected situation, the kids' enthusiasm lead me to go all-in. So I ensured that we did everything right.  Andrew was undeniably responsible for Goldy and made sure the pet (still unclear of gender!) was fed. He asked us to help him change the water when needed and urged us research the 3-day feeder for our Memorial Day trip and the water conditioner necessary.  We did it all.  

And 12 days in, Goldy didn't eat dinner.  The next morning, we explained to the kids what "belly-up" meant.  Michael claims I was the worst of the lot. But I swear I didn't shed a tear until Andrew did! It's never easy to see your children's tears, no matter the cause.  He has always been compassionate and it hadn't taken him long to become attached to his new responsibility.  We assured him that he had done nothing wrong, and that we didn't know how old or healthy Goldy was when we got him/her.  

After lots of talks about Heaven and what happens to bodies, we decided to take Dody's suggestion and bury Goldy in the garden.  Their looks say it all. 

Field Day

The Kindergartens (and a particular rising Pre-K and preschool kid) had a blast at Field Day!  

LOVED the tug-of-war match, with Andrew pulling at the rear!  

The boys vs. girl round was something else, given that this class is weighted 15-5.  The Lord has been by Mrs. Milione and Mrs. Carrott's sides all year, no doubt!

A quick study

He's got it!

Enjoying Field Day from the sidelines.

Enjoying sno-cones on their break.

And then, the Chicken Dance during the "dance" rotation.  

I dare you not to laugh!