First Family Graduate

On May 23, my nephew graduated from high school - the first on both sides of the family, beginning a host of graduations yearly to come.  We drove to Greenbrier, TN to watch this special occasion for Christian.

Katie took a selfie of the family and friends there.  

(Can you tell Uncle Justin hangs around teenagers too much?)

Congratulations Christian!

So glad to see you go to the alma mater of your mom, dad and me!  

We hope you love it as much as we did.

Most Fish Sticks request the "silly" photo - some might be a little tired of the silly photos, but I'm not naming names.

Not the entire Payne family, but very close.

Always missing Aunt Rachel and her crew.

Rebecca's choir sang at graduation as well.

She's up next year!

Looking forward to seeing what God has in store for Christian!

Congrats!

Celebrating a New Decade

Not long ago, I posted when my friend, Suzanne, turned 40 and we had a fun girls night out.

Well, now her husband, Daniel, was turning 40 and she planned a great surprise party for him.  

It was lots of fun hanging out with other school families with whom are all part of our community at school and church.  

Hee Haw

During one of my parents' visits to see Mimi Payne, my mom sent this snapshot to my siblings and me.  Yep, they are sleeping.  Notice the identical profiles?  What goes around, comes around!  Sure made for a good laugh.  If Papa were still here, he would have made the perfect snoring trio!

So as backpacks got emptied and Mama started going through the stacks of papers, I had lots of good laughs!

Not sure if this video will upload, but when the big siblings are away, Jeshua and Jedidiah seem to cut loose a little more when watching their favorite cartoons by standing up, dancing and singing along.

I am proud to see we are raising a good, little Republican!

Wrapping Up 5th Grade

Ruth's 5th grade class having fun on field day.

The 5th grade actually had 2 special days as they head off to middle school.  

They were honored in the last elementary chapel of the year (same day of the Pre-K close out so another moment for this mama to be sprinting down the halls from one class to another).

Receiving a special book and hug from her teacher during chapel.

Then on the last day of school, her 2 teachers gave nice and personal awards and compliments to each individual 5th grader.

They went in ABC order and since AB was out of school having finished her exams, we enjoyed playing with our friends' baby while we waited for the "F's" to come around.

Someone looks flexible.

Giving self-kisses!

Ruth's teachers said that she lights up a room when she enters, she is fun, helpful, active and most likely to brighten the day.

Ruth with Mrs. Hartman

Ruth with Ms. Lala

Side note about Ms. Lala - when I first met her I found out she was from Louisiana so I told her that I grew up in Slidell.  Funny thing is that Ms. Lala taught last year in La. at my elementary school.  My 5th grade teacher is still there and Ms. Lala knows her.  Small world!

Sweet friend, Stella

After the half day was over, I sent the Fish Sticks home and I went with Ruth to her class pool party.

Ruth is our little natural athlete.  She is a ball of energy and not easily intimidated.

This is her friend, Brooke, who is about 5 ft. 7 inches.

Brooke and Ruth were the perfect Chicken Fight partners.  I watched the 2 of them knock down every pair of boys that approached them.

Then I saw 2 sets of boys try to attack at once.  The fight was solid until I saw Brooke and Ruth retreating. I screamed at them to not back down.  Get back and whoop those boys.  Brooke had another scheme up her sleeve.  She wasn't retreating at all.  She merely walked into the deep part of the pool, turned around and motioned for the boys to come.  

Great end to a great year!  Middle school, here we come.

Wrapping Up 2nd Grade

Like I said, I missed this guys award time.  So thankful, once again, for the other mamas who have my back and send me photos when they realize I am not there.

Josiah got the Power of Persistence Award.  

His year started off hard academically but we saw huge progress in his efforts and growth in his responsibility.  He rose to the challenge, worked hard and did super.  So proud of a good year.

So thankful for the great friendships he made with several boys in his class this year.  Those are priceless!

Wrapping Up 1st Grade

On the last day of school, it's like an obstacle race for me.  Each teacher gives little awards to the students with a little speech about them.  I try my best to find out when each Fish Stick will be given their moment with their teacher and try to be there for each one.  It seems that every year, I miss one of them.  Ruth reminded me this year that I had missed hers last year.  This year, it was Josiah.  I thought I had my scheduled timed perfectly, but his teacher started a couple of minutes early.  Win some.  Loss some.  I try.

Lydia having a fun picnic outside with her sweet friends.

This was Lydia's first year at GCA and she did a super job.  We were so blessed to have the same teacher that Josiah had last year.  It was a great year.  

Lydia got the Responsibility Award from her teacher, Mrs. Oaks.

So proud of her.  She sheepishly admitted to me at home that she is very neat at school with her desk and locker - nothing like her messiness at home.  Well maybe one day that neatness will transfer to home.  I have hope for you, Lydia!

Wrapping Up Pre-K

The Pre-K class got out of school on May 18 - a few days earlier than the older kids.

They had a cute program when they same songs, recited poems and Bible verses and were individually recognized by their teacher.

This was our first-ever year to send Fish Sticks to Pre-K and there were no regrets.  We absolutely loved their teachers, the boys were like sponges with all that they were taught and they had a fabulous year!  The boys can't wait for kindergarten!

Kingdom Academy Trip

Josiah's 2nd grade class headed out to Bell Buckle, TN to visit Kingdom Academy for a day.

They learned about farm life, plants, and Native Americans complete with lots of hands-on activities and crafts.

This adorable sheep, Lucy, thought she was a dog and followed us everywhere, wanting to be petted.  I almost tried to bring her home with me.

Made tomahawks, headbands and sling shots

Archery too

This fun field trip was right up my country-boy's alley!

An Honor

I was so excited when I heard that Caleb was nominated for the National Honor Society.  It has been pure joy for me as his mom and former teacher to see him grow as a student.  He has not always been a lover of learning but over the years, he has grown more responsible in his studies and desired to work hard and reap the benefits of that hard work.

Unfortunately, I had signed up to go on Josiah's last field trip in 2nd grade on the exact day that they scheduled the Honor Society inductions.  I didn't even find out when the inductions were until the night before.  I hate so much that I missed this special day but so thankful that other GCA moms had their cameras rolling and sending me photos of the event.

So proud of you, Caleb!