Five on Friday

1.  Fred's sister is graduating from Union this weekend with her Master's Degree in Social Work.  We are so proud of her and her accomplishments over the past two years!  Can't wait to watch her walk the line and begin this new season of her life.
 
2.  Last weekend we went to Nashville to celebrate my precious grandmother's birthday.  She now lives in an assisted living facility, which she refers to as, "the hotel".  She is so happy and well adjusted.  I actually did not cry when we all left.  While we were there I asked her how old she was and she responded with, "I have no idea how old I am.  I'm thinking at least 100."  She is 84. 

 Is this picture not classic?!?  I love these people! 

 I took a cake for her birthday.  She ohhed and ahhed over how beautiful it was and then gasped and said, "I've never had a cake with my name on it.  Look at that."  She is just precious.

 3.  This boy just completed the 3rd grade.  I cannot believe how he's grown in every area of his life.  He continues to amaze me at the way God is working in his life. 

4.  This boy just completed kindergarten.  Kindergarten?!?  I can't believe it!  He is still full of smiles and personality.  Again, I love watching God work in his life.  I know God has big plans for him and I can't wait to see them unfold. 

5.  Andrew lost his night night.  We have looked EVERYWHERE!!!  My mom has offered a $5 reward to the one who finds it.  It has been gone almost a week now.  The precious lady that gave us the blanket brought another one by to help ease his pain.  How sweet, huh?!?  Having said that, we are still looking for, as Andrew calls it, "my old night night". 

Award's Day and Donuts

Tuesday started off with Jack's Award's Day.  He tried his best not to smile.  I think he succeeded.  After the program Ms. Linda gave us a scrapbook that she has compiled throughout the year.  Love that lady!!  We have had the best year!  I told her to hold on and stay at Rhea in kindergarten.  There is one more Shackelford boy coming through!! 

 Wednesday morning was our last full day of school for the boys.  We celebrated with Nene's donuts.  Andrew was a little disappointed because he thought I was saying Mimi, not Nene's.  Then we got donuts and he was satisfied.  Fred met us from the gym.  What a fun tradition! 

 After we dropped off the boys at school we headed to Clayton's Award's Day program.  We were in the back of the auditorium so the picture was dark, but he was precious.  We are so proud of him!  He has had a great year with his precious teacher and new friends. 

We pray each day on the way to school.  It was so encouraging to take them to school on the last day and offer praise to the Lord for bringing us through this year.  I cannot believe I now have a 1st grader and a 4th grader. 

Five on Friday

1.  Fred got our garden planted this week.  Yippee!!  Who has two thumbs and is ready for some fresh tomatoes from our garden?!?   This girl!!
2.  I haven't updated my laundry totals in a while.  January through April has yielded 150 loads.  150 loads of laundry.  I have a new appreciation for my washing machine and dryer.  In fact, each time I pass them I try to speak an encouraging word or two to them.   They are almost 12 years old, after all.
3.  Clayton has a tendency to argue and I try REALLY hard not to engage him, but sometimes, like a moth to a flame, he just sucks me in.  This week he started telling me that the last day of school was Monday.  I knew it was Wednesday and told him so and he would not accept my answer.  He/We continued on for about 10 minutes.  He told me I would owe him a dollar if he was right.  I told him he could me five dollars if I was right.  Guess who won $5?!?  Ahhh, it's feels great to be correct!
4.  Jack was getting ready for school this week and wanted to wear flip flops.  He asked Fred if this was okay and Fred told him to come ask me.  Jack's response was, "Why?  Is mom really the boss here?!?"  bahahaha!!
5.  Andrew and I were singing on day this week while I was working around the house.  In the middle of a song he asked me to hold on and he ran off.  When he came back he had my turkey baster turned upside down and was singing in it as his microphone.  It was precious.  I wanted to take a video, but I knew he would stop as soon as I starting taking the video

Five on Friday

1.  Last weekend sweet Fred stayed home with the boys while I went to a retreat.  As if it was not enough to leave him with all three boys, I got to Linden with both sets of station wagon keys.  Bless him.  He was home with three boys and no car.  He's my hero.  
2.  Several of my friends and I have been working diligently to get a 5K ready for the end of school.  Ahhh, the end of school.  That sounds nice, doesn't it!?!  I digress.  The 5K @ Rhea is May 12th and I am so ready to get it going!  If you would like to participate click here for a registration form.   
3.  Clayton has had TCAP testing this week.  He was pretty pumped about it.  When he got in the car Wednesday he reported to me that he mistakenly bubbled in all of his science answers in the Social Studies section.  I think his teacher about had a stroke.  He got it corrected before the time limit was up.  Clayton thought since his week had been so trying with all the testing we should celebrate with donuts this morning.  I agreed and went to the donut shop around the corner. 
4.  Jack had his kindergarten program this week.  He was a dinosaur.  Actually, he was the big dinosaur on the back row that totally stole my heart.  He had a big audience of people of love him:  Renee, Dale, Tim, Leeta, Mun, Janice and of course all of us.  Thanks to our family who is always supportive.  Mun treated all of us to Jack's favorite meal after the program...Mexican!  See Jack on the back row?  The big, cute dinosaur with the black shirt on?!?

5.  Andrew discovered the water dispenser on our refrigerator this week.  He kept taking his cup to it and filling it up.  He would get a drink and then dump it in the sink.  After about four times, he looked at me and said, "Mom...it's like a water fountain."  Sweet.