Fun at the Beach

After a couple very stressful weeks, we packed the car and headed down South with some of our favorite people (the Mayers) to our favorite vacation spot: Fort Morgan, AL!

Normally we stop about halfway and spend the night in Montgomery, but this year we decided to try something a little bit different. We got up early Saturday morning and drove all the way into Mobile. We then made our way to Fairhope and ate at one of Guy Fieri's recommended spots: The Gumbo Shack. It did not disappoint!

While we were in Mobile, Harrison asked if we could go see the USS Alabama battleship stationed there.

So, of course, being the good parents and teachers we are, we happily obliged.



 They also have a submarine located at the park which was neat to see.

Harrison and Daddy in front of the battleship.

Annie, Caitlin, and Delaney in front of the submarine.

The next morning we got up and made our way to the beach.

It was a really short drive, and we couldn't wait to hit the sand!

This was our view the first night there.

Look how pretty it was the next day.

Daddy and Harrison relaxing

Our dueling fishermen

We made our customary crabbing trek down the beach one night and found lots of big and little crabs.

Lovin our view!

Had to sneak in a little kiss!

Me and my not-so-little girl

The girls were collecting all the jellyfish that were there one day.

 My two favorite boys



I especially love this sweet little boy!

We made the kids pose for us one night before we went to eat. They stood still and smiled when we told them to which pleased the Mamas. 

Of course they did have to let loose and show off their silly side!

My two sweeties

Our last night at the beach, we got to have an adults-only meal together.

We had sooooo much fun at the beach this year! Too bad we have to wait another whole year to go again.

Next Up...Broadway!

Caitlin had her annual Dance Recital on Saturday, May 26.

Since she is such an accomplished dancer, she was in both the matinee and evening shows. Talk about an exhausting day!! Not to mention that we had spent most of the night at Dress Rehearsal the night before! But before you think I am complaining, I am definitely NOT!!

I absolutely LOVE watching my baby girl do what she does best--dance on the stage. She loves everything about it: the costumes, doing her hair, putting on makeup, and getting to show off in front of all those people on the stage. Plus she has made some great friends along the way. I couldn't have been more proud of her that night.

Caitlin and her best dance friend, Shanna, dressed and ready to go on stage in "Fresh Prince of Bel Air." This was her small-group competition dance that she has performed so many times already. I think I could almost dance for her! For those of you who know me, I know you know I am kidding due to my lack of gracefulness skills!
Since both girls were in both shows that day in the same exact costumes and hair, Shanna's mom and I shared responsibilities. I stayed backstage during the Matinee and did all the costume changes for both girls while Joanna got to sit in the audience with her family and enjoy the show. We switched for the Evening Show so I got to sit with my family in the audience while Joanna was the backstage mom. It worked out so well that I think we have started a new tradition!

It was such a long day that all the moms packed snacks for the girls. Caitlin and her friend, Kayla, thought it was hilarious to be eating beef jerky while all dressed up for "Wizard of Oz" tap routine.
We had a little mishap during the Matinee performance of this dance. Her Big Ol' Hairbow that has stayed in her French braid during every performance up until this point decided to come loose and fall on the stage! I felt like I had the Dance Mom Stamp of Shame on my forehead when it happened. We both got over it, though, and made it just fine the rest of the day.

 Here is my beautiful dancer ready to go on stage for her Modern dance: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." She, along with Delaine and Kaylee, did a fabulous job.

This was Caitlin's least favorite dance of the entire show. It's her "Alcatraz" hip-hop dance. She, Shanna, Kaylee, and Kayla were the prison guards. There were prisoners and bank robbers also. It turned out cute, but she likes all the other ones better.

Two of her best friends who she has been friends with the longest: Annie and Taylor came to see her perform. They are so close and like sisters so it was very special to have them there.
I am super proud of my baby girl and ready to watch and cheer her on again!

Happy Wedding Day Laurel and Philip!

On Saturday, May 12, we were lucky enough to attend the wedding of one of our friends' daughter. She is actually the sister of Caitlin's good dance friend, Shanna.

It was one of the most beautiful weddings that I have ever attended.

Of course Caitlin being the girly-girl that she is loved every single moment!

Shanna and Caitlin at our reception table.

 The part of our family that actually attended the wedding. We knew Harrison would be bored with all the wedding "stuff" plus he was invited to a birthday party--Whew!! My friend, Shannon, was sweet enough to take him to the birthday party and keep him afterwards so that we could go to the wedding without a bored six-year-old.

Me and my handsome hubby all dressed up (which we never get to do!)

This is my absolute favorite picture of the entire night! You can see how much fun Laurel and Philip were having. Plus I love how her beautiful dress is swirling.

Go Stars!

On Tuesday, May 22, we held Harrison's End-of-Season Baseball Party at the Huntsville Stars' game. It was a beautiful night for baseball, and the boys were more than excited!

Harrison posing as Homer the Polecat, the Stars' mascot.

All the Rangers lined up with Homer

The boys loved getting to watch the players warm up before the game.

Daddy and Caitlin were a little more relaxed.

The entire team got to run on the field with the Stars' players as they were introduced. Here they are waiting to go on the field.

Harrison ran out with the catcher and even got to stand at Home Plate during the Star Spangled Banner.

Before the game started, they asked if any of our team would like to be in the Superhero Race at the top of the 4th inning. Of course, my sweet boy shouted, "YES!" So I signed him up. Here he is as Superman at the start of the race.

They were running so fast--I couldn't get a good, clear picture of them!

Superman Harrison, Spiderman Trey, and Batman Jack

Then it was time for cupcakes and trophies.

Here is Harrison with Coach Ben as he receives his baseball trophy for a job well done.

All the Rangers with their trophies and their 3 fabulous coaches!

Coach Ben and his son, Trey and Coach Daddy with Harrison

We had a great season as a Ranger!!

6th Grade Awards Day

I was lucky enough to get to go to Caitlin's 6th Grade Awards Day on Monday, May 21.

Here's my pretty girl waiting patiently for the program to start.

These are the Character Council winners. (Sorry it's blurry!)

Here she is with her good friend, Kendal, after Awards.

Pa-Paw joined me as one of her fans.

This is her homeroom teacher, Mr. Thaxton.
You can see her Awards in her hands: Character Council, Art (that was displayed in Panoply), and Language Arts Excellence--there were only two 6th graders picked and she was one of them!

Caitlin and Mrs. Armstrong, her Language Arts teacher.

Harrison was so proud of his big sister and her awards.

Caitlin and I then went home to change clothes and then out to eat lunch together, just the two of us. She picked Atlanta Bread which is our favorite girls' place to eat. We then did a little shopping, but we just had fun being together. I absolutely love times like these with my baby girl because I know they will not happen too many more times!

Mother's Day

I'm not gonna lie...I was really, really, really dreading Mother's Day this year. I know I have two of the most beautiful children that God blessed me with, and I was looking forward to opening up their presents and hearing them say how much they love me. But I knew that I wouldn't get to celebrate with my own Mama this year.
What I wasn't anticipating was the actual meltdowns I had leading up to the day. I think Friday was the worst. I was okay as I passed by the display of Mother's Day cards in Target on Wednesday--there were only tears in my eyes. And I was even okay as I picked out new flowers on Thursday to place on her grave (well, I did cry a little). But I heard a song on the radio Friday morning on the way to school that just put me over the edge. I cried ALL.DAY.LONG!!! You can ask my first-graders. They thought I had an eye infection because my eyes were so red!
But the crazy thing was...on Sunday...I had a small meltdown at the cemetary, but that was it!! But let me tell you why. My precious, sweet daughter who is wise beyond her years saw me crying and started to tear up also. But then she said the best thing ever.
"Mama, now Ma-Ma is up in Heaven getting to celebrate Mother's Day with her mom."
How did I ever get so lucky to get her?!?

Harrison was super excited to give me his present that he came running into our room and woke me up bright and early. He made a sweet card and decorated a heart-shaped cake from Publix for me.

I was lucky enough to get dressed before Caitlin gave me my present from her. She made a super sweet card in class and gave me a new iphone case in her favorite color: pink!

Randy (and Brady too!) gave me a new beach chair for our annual trip that is coming up on June 2. I can't wait to use it!!

The rest of our day was spent in Birmingham at the McWane Center. We had originally planned on going to the Zoo, but God had other plans. The Heavens opened up and rain came down most of the day. Luckily we had a back-up plan!
We then came home to Madison and got to eat a lovely Chinese dinner with Randy's mom to celebrate Mother's Day with her.

I know my day was much easier than I had expected because I was covered in prayer. I had so many dear friends text me during the day that they were praying for me. I just can't tell you how good that made me feel! God knew that I would need His help throughout the day, and He held me up just like I needed!

Rangers Prep Ball

So I haven't been up to date on updating Harrison's progress as a Prep ballplayer this season.

He has done a great job and has really improved as a ballplayer.

I was so nervous for him to play in this league because it's Coach Pitch.

I just didn't know if he would be able to hit a pitched ball, but he has surprised us!

Pa-Paw came to most of his games to cheer him on.

 Most of the time Harrison played in the outfield and got very good at it.

He loved having his Daddy as Coach again this year.

A few times Harrison played Catcher. That was a real learning experience!!

Here he is hitting a ball pitched to him!

Up to bat

I love being at the ball park watching my baby boy play!