Nine

How could this sweet, slightly sassy angel be nine?  It seems like yesterday, we were listening to Maddie sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to her about 100 times in the hospital.  Lillian is smart, sweet as can be, and oh so tenderhearted.  She loves playing softball, and we will spend the next month or so following her as she plays All Stars. I can't wait to watch her continue grow up.  This one reminds me so much of her mom!

Happy Birthday to you!

She celebrated her birthday at a trampoline park in Prattville with a couple of friends and family.  We all had a great time!

The gang's all here!  I enjoyed 15 minutes in the message chair, and I think that's what I want for Christmas! :)

So much fun!

Lillian chose Cracker Barrel for supper, and we had quite the wait.  She opened her presents while we waited.

Sweet friends! 

After the party, they came home with me and Pop. We had a wonderful time with all 5 grandbabies. (More on that next.) Lillian was here on her actual birthday, so we celebrated with a birthday breakfast, followed by a pool day. 

Happy Birthday sweet girl! (Jack is enjoying his biscuit.)

Josh and Lindsey always  decorate their doors with balloons and streamers on their birthdays.  I just had this balloon, but I think she liked it.

Next up, more weekend fun and then lots and lots of softball!

Maddie's Day

Today I enjoyed Maddie's 6th grade graduation and awards program.  We are so very proud of this young lady!  She is kind hearted, beautiful inside and out, and oh so smart!  Today she received awards for highest average in reading, math and science, recognition for serving on the student council, an award for outstanding academic excellence, all A's for the year, and recognition for being in the Beta Club and the gifted program. I am so proud of all of her success, but mostly I am proud of her caring spirit and gentle nature.  She is such a blessing! It doesn't seem possible that she will be in Junior High. 

You go girl!

Attention, salute, pledge.......She did a great job leading us in the pledge.

Celebrating our girl!

Two of her sweet friends....

Maddie loved her teacher this year.  They were self contained due to covid, and Maddie could not have enjoyed the year more.

Ready to get that certificate!

Next stop, 7th grade!  How is that even possible?

After the program, Maddie headed to Lake Martin for a class party.  Lillian, Reed and I headed to the park and the Mexican restaurant. We squeezed in a little turtle feeding, ice cream and a car wash. It was a win-win for all!

We will have all 5 grandbabies this weekend, and just can't wait. We have no plans other than pool time, and maybe a little fishing.  Lillian's All Star games start next week, so much more to come.

Champs and a Sweet Party

What a fun weekend we had!  We began Saturday with Jack's first birthday party.  Although he had a wonderful party, he actually ended up at Urgent Care later in the day.  He is going to be just fine, but he definitely wasn't feeling his best.

Sunday, Pop, John Sawyer and I loaded up bright and early and headed to Anniston to watch Reed wrap us his All Star soccer season.  They won two games Saturday, and wrapped up with two more wins Sunday becoming champs.  There was a total of 7 teams in the tournament. You just never know how All Stars are going to go, but with this team everything went their way!!  Only one goal was scored on them the entire tournament!  I love that he and Josh can experience this together. The other Alex City team actually came in second place.  The championship game between the two of them was an awesome game! Reed's team won 1-0 in overtime! It was everything a championship game should be.

Champs!

Love this awesome soccer player and his dad!

Number 1!

John Sawyer was a trooper the entire day, and loved cheering Reed to victory!

After warming up with his dad, Reed played great both games!  Super proud of him!

You have to be tough to play all day on these 90 degree days!  It was hot!

We held things down under the pop up!  I love watching my babies together.  It won't be long until Jack can join us. 

After a great tournament, we headed to get a meal for our little champ!!

Just a few pictures from Jack's birthday party.  Everything was just precious!  

I think he was pretty excited about turning one!

This week we will be heading east for Lillian's birthday, and Maddie's Awards Program and 6th grade graduation. Lillian's All Star season will also be starting soon, too. Much more to come!

One and More

 Our beautiful, precious pandemic baby is turning one. What a year it has been and what a joy he is!  He is a walking, talking bundle of joy.  He began the world in such a time of uncertainty filled with gloves, masks and isolation.  While I don't want to ever forget those times, I am thrilled that we can now share him with the world. He has a smile that will melt your heart, and I am quite sure he is eventually going to rule the roost around here!

Happy Birthday Jack!

Just a cute little mess.

Maddie won first place in the County Extension Cooking competition and second place in the bird house competition. So proud of her! She is just growing up so fast.

Lillian is busy with practice for All Stars.  I can't wait to see her play again.

Regular soccer season is over, but Josh and Reed will have their All Star tournament this weekend.  He plays on the same day as Jack's birthday party, but we are praying we will be able to make his game Saturday, or that he's still playing on Sunday.

Love this sweet thing!

Pop was doing some yard work at Papa's.  I had to go to our house and get John Sawyer's little chainsaw, so he could help.

So sweet!  This is a perfect example of how they are always watching and learning from everything we do around them. Pop is the perfect role model!

What a Weekend!

To me there is nothing better than a day spent with my children and grandchildren!  Everyone but Lindsey and Josh spent the day at the zoo, then they joined us later for supper. (Josh had given Lindsey a trip to the spa.) I love how my grandbabies love each other and love spending time together. They were all troopers, and it was just a terrific day.  I was a little confused by the mandatory mask requirement at the zoo, but we sorta, kinda followed the rule! 

All smiles before we head inside the zoo!

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Lots of animals to see!

 

Lots of walking, but everyone was a good sport!  It was close to a perfect day!

This was Maddie's favorite.  The others enjoyed it, too.

Back to the animals.

You just can't imagine how wonderful Maddie is with John Sawyer.  She kept him close all day!

They loved the carousel!

Snack time!  What's better than cotton candy!

We ended the trip with the train ride.  The line was quite long, so Lillian managed to squeeze in a little nap!

This was right before we boarded the train.  

Time to ring the bell and head out!

I'm not sure if there has ever been a cuter or sweeter baby!  He's a doll!

Naptime!

Off to eat!  

This has nothing to do with the zoo, but isn't he precious.  When Lindsey's kids were little, I put toys here.  I didn't have to do that with JS, but I think I may have to with this sweet fellow!

What a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! I can't wait until we can all be together again. We've got a one year old and a nine year old birthday to celebrate soon, plus All Stars for both soccer and softball coming up.  We stay very busy, but love it!