Farmers Market Fridays

We are so excited summer is here -- and the Farmer's Market is one of our favorite summer activities!  The girls have gone with Granna on summer Fridays for several years and they looked forward to it all week.  Abby loves visiting all her "Farmer's Market Friends."  She knows them all by name and the precious vendors save little treats for the girls every week!  This summer, I'm off on Fridays so I can join them!  Yay!

This past Friday, we purchased honeycomb, honey, blackberries, blueberries, squash, and farmer's cheese. 

Several weeks ago, we watched the Pioneer Woman make blackberry cobbler so we decided to try it!

Abby liked licking her fingers after buttering the baking dish!

(she did wash her hands before she sprinkled the blackberries in the batter!)

Yummy!!! 
We're looking forward to all the recipes we can prepare this summer with our Farmer's Market finds!

P.S.  -- Look at how I discovered Abby Sunday morning before church. . . ironing!  Cutie pie!!

Four Seasons Ballet Recital

Ellie and Abby were lovely ballerinas last week in their recital!
This year, Mrs. Kathy's ballet school performed The Four Seasons and several praise songs.  The recital was held at Co-Lin's auditorium, which made it really big-time for the girls -- a real stage (and air conditioned -- happy audience!).

Ready to perform! 

Abby was a tiny bit nervous before the program. . .

. . . but when she danced out onto the stage, she was allllll smiles! This happy ballerina is not shy on stage!  She was a delight!  She remembered all her steps and giggled through the entire program!  It was precious!

This is my favorite photo -- Abby and sweet Anna Louise!

Ellie was perfect!  She practiced very hard this spring, talking with Mrs. Kathy about the music cues and even practicing at home with her ipod.  She was lovely twirling and leaping across the stage during her dances!

During the finale, the entire ballet school performed a dance in unison.  Abby said that was her favorite part!

Following the performance, Mrs. Kathy hugged each student and presented them with a pink rose!

Our beautiful ballerinas!!  Beautiful night!  We can't wait to watch the DVD when it arrives.

Lots of pretty flowers!!

Ellie's last day of 2nd grade!

Good morning, Ellie!!  Last day of 2nd Grade!!! 

She celebrated with a breakfast of donuts and chocolate milk!

Off to school!!  Most of the children decided to play hookey on the last day of school, but Ellie wanted to go!!  It was a small class -- Ellie, Kaytlin and Olivia.  They watched movies, did crafts and helped Mrs. Porter clean up her classroom for the summer.  Great way to end the school year!

Ellie's Awesome Awards!

Ellie has amazed us all year with her scholastic accomplishments!!  Last week, she was invited to a very special party for the top readers to receive her award for the highest reading score in the entire school!!  How awesome!!

 She worked extremely hard for this award.  She read at least two library books (twice, as required!) every school night, most of them thick chapter books.  The next morning, she would take a computer test on her books.  She scored over 90% on all of them, and read the most books and had the highest Lexile score in the school. 

We are very proud and in awe of her determination and motivation -- she did it all herself, without us prompting or reminding (or nagging!). 

Mrs. Robinson, the assistant principal, giving Ellie her special award!

Dylan and Ellie -- Dylan had the second highest score in the school. They were inducted into the Panther Reader Club (over 500 Lexile points), just two members in this elite club this year!   Great job, guys!! 

Kaytlin and  Ellie

Our reader!

Ellie, Abby and Ronald Reagan -- her special President's bust from Quest.  They did a whole unit on their selected President.

Yay Ellie!!!!!  We love you, our smart, amazing, kind and loving girl!

On the last official day of school, families were invited to a classroom awards day.  The students read a little paragraph, telling us what they wanted to be when they grew up (Ellie said a teacher and a vet!  oh my!).  Here are Annie, Ellie and  Caroline, getting ready for their speeches.

The students received a folder with samples of their work throughout the year, a special yearbook from Mrs. Porter with photos and fun memories, and their class awards.  Ellie received awards for the Highest Math Score in school, Lexile Points, Honor Roll, All A's, and several others!

This is the cutest group of friends, ever, in the whole wide world!  They love each other so much!!  Kaytlin, Annie, Anna Cate, Ellie and Olivia!

Ellie and precious Mrs. Porter!  Ellie will sure miss her days in Mrs. Porter's 2nd grade class (good thing she lives next door to us!!).
Ellie had a fabulous year in Second Grade!!  She's grown into a kind young lady who is sweet to her friends, works hard in school, and has such a happy, humble attitude all the time.  We love you, Ellie!

Mother's Day!

On Mother's Day morning, Tim and the girls surprised me with lots of lovely gifts and fresh coffee!!  I love these girls!!
We went to church and then had a Mother's Day meal at Granna & Papa's with Uncle Jeff and Aunt Sarah!  It was a gorgeous day so we lunched on the back terrace. 

Sweet Granna Snuggles!!!

We tried to get a Mother/Daughter photo but some silly girls weren't very cooperative!!  (look how Abby is pulling Ellie's hair with glee.  Such a little sister!)

Poor Ellie!

Still silly!

We love Granna!

Yay!  A Mommy & Daughters photo!  Finally!  My precious girls!

After lunch, the girls played with their dolls for a bit.  One of Tim's patients sent them several beautiful handmade outfits for their dolls!  The outfits are gorgeous and were made with such love!

Abby & I took a good nap. . .

While Tim and Ellie made me a delicious Mother's Day supper of steak, baked potatoes and a tasty salad!

All the lovely gifts from Tim and the girls!  I received a gorgeous bracelet from Tim and the girls, a very creative plate & caterpillar and card from Abby, and a flower pen in an adorable flower pot and special sign from Ellie.  I love it all!! They worked so hard on their special Mother's Day gifts.  I'm such a blessed Mommy!!  It was the perfect day!