New Hair

The girls and I went to Florence yesterday to see my hairdresser, Sheila. I was desperate for my color to look less like a stringy rainbow of gray, browns and blacks and more normal. While my color was setting I had Sheila cut the girls hair. Anna Grace looks about 5 years older with her precious new cut and Sara Abbett is just so adorable with her cap of curls. Sheila showed me how to fix Rab's hair for the wedding Saturday and even picked some flowers from her yard to decorate Rabbie's hair. It was too cute. The girls feel as beautiful as they look.

Anna Grace before

and after

Sara Abbett before and after (a little fuzzy because we brushed it)

Miss Grace

I have to laugh at myself to keep from crying sometimes. Sunday afternoon I had a Southern Living at HOME party at my house. I rushed home from church, put a pound cake in the oven got to work straightening the house a bit and putting out some of the products. I never took off my church dress because it makes it easier laundry wise if I don't change several times a day like the children. My wonderful guests arrived and began looking through the catalog while we waited for some others to arrive. Someone asked about one of the customer specials so I went to the kitchen to get it off of the table. Here's where the Miss Grace comes into play. I picked up the platter and proceeded to trip over the daggum picnic table that I am still not used to having in the kitchen with its legs sticking out into the room. I fell to my knees and slid across the hardwood floors rockstar style without dropping the tray or spilling the food. I yelled at Tim about the stupid table and scared the bejeebers out of my guests. I was totally shaken after that so it took Meredith pointing out that I was bleeding for me to realize it was more than just a little bruise. I am walking around now with what looks to most people as rugburn on both knees. I must say I did impress myself by not breaking anything.

Last Insane Week of School and other stuff

This is gonna be a long one.

Pshew, we survived this last week of school. It has been one very busy time but loads of fun. On Monday, Miss Rizzo did tie dye with her third graders then had a special awards ceremony for them. Anna Grace got three awards, top Accelerated Reader, excellence in Spelling and cursive handwriting. Yay Gracie! I have a feeling Miss R. had to be kind of creative in finding things to give awards for so that everyone could get more than one. Have I mentioned yet how happy I have been with 3rd grade? It is because Miss Rizzo has been wonderful, patient, nurturing and kind to all of the children. She has a special gift. We are so sad she won't be around to work with Rab and Josh. I had to pick the kids up early from day care so we could get ready for the ball game. Josh had a coaches pitch game at 5:30. I didn't want to go be late so it was yet another early day for me.

Tuesday, Sara Abbett's class had a "Beach Day". They played under the sprinklers and just hung out outside all day. The children love to have days like that. They needed to relax and prepare themselves Wednesday.

Wednesday was an over the top full day. Sara Abbett "graduated" from K-5 in the morning. It was another sweet program in the gym where each K-5 class performed a song demonstrating some of the things they learned this year, then the diplomas and a slide show of the many events of this school year. My baby Rab did the opening prayer. I am always amazed when any child will get in front of a crowd to speak. It is definitely not something I do willingly.

Sara Abbett and Thorn before they did their parts.Listening to the other classes sing

Sara Abbett getting her diploma from Miss Eva

Rab and Zeke after the program

When the program was over Mom, Mere and I loaded up all of the children and took them to the library to see Clifford the Big Red Dog.

ETV spent the day in Bishopville on Wednesday doing their in your town program. The K-5 and 1st grade classes from REL sang one of their songs from the Spring Music Program to open the first segment of the noon show.

K-5 in the opening shots of the program.

Mr. Bob Shuster from ETV talking to the kidsI wonder what he's thinkingsinging on tv

My children had a ball running around down town all day checking out the tv crews and all of their equipment as well as the many vendors. They even took a spin through the lizard museum. Mr. Bob from ETV asked Josh, who he accurately nicknamed bad boy, to hang with him in one of his segments. Josh though that was pretty cool. Me too actually. It was a wonderful and VERY long day but I wouldn't trade these memories for anything.

Last but certainly not least this week Josh played his last coaches pitch game Thursday night. Anna Grace and I missed it because we had a little cookout to celebrate the end of third grade and to say goodbye to Miss Rizzo who is moving away.

Tonight we hung out together, played outside and ate leftovers. Now it's time for a long sleep.

K-4 Graduation

My little man finished K-4 today with a ceremony in the gym and a party afterward in the classroom. During the ceremony the children introduced themselves and said what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Apparently Josh wants to be a cowboy

and Cameron wants to be a farmer.

They also sang a bunch of songs

and received certificates (diplomas)

They ended the program with a slide show of the pictures taken throughout the year. So sweet but I could see the class clown being Josh's future. He made funny faces in almost every picture. Kind of like these that I took when we go to school.

My boy, what in the world am I gonna do with him?

He is so grown up now and moving into the elementary building from the preschool/daycare trailers. Life is passing by waaaaayyyy too fast for me.

Rusty Power Ranger Kirven

Since our big dog Blue died and Honey is getting on up in years, I have been begging Tim to get us another dog but he would not even talk about it. Look what he brought home last night for a one week trial. Think he is gonna take this baby back. I don't think so! We are in love.

Spring Music Program

Yesterday the children performed in the school's Spring Music Program. The theme was back in time to the 4os and 50s so the songs they sang came from that time. So cute to see all of those precious children singing good old tunes. They all did a fabulous job and I am a proud mom and aunt. My Gracie actually stood in front of the crowd and did the prayer. I am extremely proud of her for getting over her fears. It's not easy sometimes.

Anna Grace

Sara Abbett

Josh

Mary Ellen

Zeke

Hampton

Cameron

Lacie

Josh Speaks

Josh put this amazing outfit together to wear to school Monday.





I asked him if he would like to take off one pair of the pants he said, "No this is AWESOME."

This morning he was desperately looking for "long sleeved pants".

Also, Saturday in Lowe's as we were patiently waiting to check out my precious boy said to the checkout lady, "Whats up Toots?". Toots? Toots? Who says Toots? What in the world am I gonna do with a 5 year old that is calling ladies Toots? Who teaches him these things?

God give me strength please!

Sara Abbett Kirven

On August 30, 2008, God blessed us with another precious angel to love. While I was thrilled and excited to have another child I was also concerned if I would be able to love her as much as I already did AG. It absolutely was not a problem. I adored her from the first second I saw her precious little self. There is nothing like the blessing that God gives us in our ability to love all of our children with the same intensity. Though it is different, it is, none the less absolute and perfect.

Our Rabbie was such sweet baby, though not quite as easy going as her sister. She could be a bit more demanding. When she wanted food or changing, she wanted it NOW! No day long shopping extravaganzas for her. She liked to take a break for food. So like her pig of a mom.

She is, today, such a beautiful young lady who makes her Mommy and Daddy proud. She is always quick to smile with a smile that will melt your heart.

Rab is tall and thin with unbelievable curly hair. The baby loves to eat salads and most vegetables and would skip the meats altogether if we would let her. She asks me often if she is a a vegetarian. She gets along so well with others. No matter who comes around she can play with them like they have always been best friends. Quite a special trait in my book.

All of my children have been remarkably healthy. We rarely had any sick check ups until school started and strep throat became a constant companion for some time. Rab however has kept me in specialist offices for various weird things. We have been to see a pediatric orthopedist because she complained of knee pain constantly. Nothing wrong with her. Though if anyone needs to see an orthopedist let me recommend Al Gilpin in Florence. He is wonderful!

She has also had to see a special dentist because she is gonna be my kid with bad teeth. And most recently we saw the ENT followed by a hearing specialist because she couldn't hear out of one ear. All is well now and hopefully we won't have to see anyone else again for a while.

Sara Abbett is my most loving child. She is happiest if she is on top of you. I mean that literally. She is a wallower. I trip over her quite often when I am trying to work in the kitchen or garden. She is also very sensitive and easily gets her feelings hurt. She sings like a beautiful angel and loves everyone. Bless her middle child heart. I love her so.

My life is good!

Picking Strawberries

Josh had a field trip to Stafford Farm to pick strawberries today. I feel sure he ate as many in the field as he put in his container. We looked for the perfect red ripe strawberry. I think maybe Josh really likes the book, The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, And The Big Hungry Bear because all he could say was, "Mama, is this a red ripe strawberry?"