Garden delights!

Our garden is growing so beautifully! Tonight we enjoyed the most wonderful lettuce in our salad with supper...and it tasted so good just knowing we grew it in our own back yard!

Last 3rd grade field trip

 I headed to Squire Boone Cavern for the last field trip of the year for Riggs! It was pouring rain and so close to closing as the bridge was close to washing out! It was quite the adventure for sure!

 The cave was as random as they come. You go in the gift shop and they open a door...like you are going down stairs to a basement but instead of a pool table and a deep freeze you find a freaking cave down the steps....very cool though! Water was rushing under up and on us and we all go soaked but it was fun!

It was a very cool cavern indeed and I loved being there with Riggs!

BFF love

 It was a hard day...as Sk said goodbye to preschool...and without me even saying anything Jenna knew it. She came over this morning to work on field day t shirts and left some beautiful pink gerber daisies on my counter with a card!

I am so thankful for her friendship and support every day......I love you, Jenna!

Last day of Preschool for SK

I am behind on the blog...way behind...and part of the reason is because I have been putting off this post....like maybe if I don't post her last day of preschool that is didn't happen...and she won't leave me to go to kindergarten.....but it did happen so here goes.....

I pulled up in front of Watkins like I have done so many times before...opened my door...and then opened the door for SK...and there she was smiling ear to ear...ready for school. Ready to go in the door and be greeted by Mrs. Shaw and have a wonderful day!

But this time...the last time she would walk in...I had tears in my eyes....

We met back up later in the class room for her graduation. Lila was so happy to see her...I think Lila knew this day was different too.....

The class sang a song...So long preschool it's been fun.....Kindergarten here we come...here we come!

Then..one at a time...Mrs. Hellige called her class up for hugs...and diplomas...and she cried the whole time.....and I cried the whole time....and all the moms cried the whole time...the emotional release of giving in to the fact that these little ones are growing up overtook us...and it filled our hearts with pride...but a pride etched in pain...and a heart ache that throbs...

There they were all smiles...and my eyes were swollen shut from crying!

After the ceremony...this face was before me.....this beautiful face...and she hugged me...and I whispered between sobs how proud I was of her....

Then is was off to the picnic where we ate and played and visited one last time with friends we have been with for years and who knows when we will see again...

As they played...I was flooded with memories from this year..and how much SK has grown....not only bigger...but also as a learner...and as a friend.....

My heart went back to her very first day of preschool....she was such a baby....

When she made her first walk from my car to the front door with Rollins and Janie....

I went back to her second year at Watkins....

When she walked in by herself....and she did just fine.....

My heart took me back to the first day of school this year...

Sarah Kate took Lila in.....holding her hand and guiding her the whole way....

It was a lot to take in...and as we said our goodbyes and gathered her things I looked around at the smiling kids. I closed my eyes and took in the laughter...the delighted screams of children at play on the playground...and sealed this happy sound in my soul.

We walked to the front door...SK opened it up...and walked out into a whole new world....and saying good bye to her preschool days. She is so ready....I, on the other hand.....I am just not there yet.....but I am working on it....

Off to Target for a celebration prize....she knew right away what she wanted!

The Barbie and Ken wedding set, of course! She thought she was big time...getting a big prize...little did she know on this day I would have bought her the whole store! My heart...so full of love for this beautiful little girl...who is so full of kindness and curiosity....giggles and wonder. Oh I love her so.....how could you not?

 Sarah Kate made this beautiful frame for me in preschool...it was a treasure and something I had planned on keeping it forever. Today I found it on the table...ruined...... with black sharpie all over it...I was so sad...who would do something like that?

 It was then that I noticed Lila's hands.......

 and arms.......and face.....

But she is sure she never had a marker and didn't do it...... ;)

Goodbye Derby and Lilly

After weeks and weeks Derby and Lilly have finally left the Hardy nest! We will miss them!

Happy Birthday Sara Riley!

Sara Riley celebrated her 9th birhtday today with a pool party!

The girls had a ball hanging with their neighborhood girls and having some summer fun!

The birthday icing was hot pink and Lila enjoyed it so very much...from her head to her toes in fact!

It was a fun afternoon! Happy Birthday Sara Riley!

Memorial day Sunday

Red, White and Blue seemed to be everywhere......

 and Sarah Kate's sweet freckles had made their full debut so it was officially Memorial Day weekend!

 Grandpa and Bumpa invited us all over for a cookout and the day was great....looking back it was nostalgic....Grandpa at the grill and the smell of charcoal in the air.....

 I remember sitting on the ground thinking Lila has the prettiest neck in the world

 and thinking there is nothing sweeting than watching little girls play and twirl in bubbles.....

 I sat talking to Mamaw and was so happy to be with her enjoying the kids.....

 The kids lined up for turns on the swing and Reagan was last...and started to cry....Riggs gave up his turn for Reagan and Mamaw said Riggs had such goodness in his heart...and I was so proud of him....

 We got out Water balloons and a water balloon fight began...and it was fun...and the kids were all smiles....I remember thinking this is what summer is all about....

 But somehow between this picture...and the next few minutes the day changed....the kids ran around the house...balloons in hand....and the next thing we know Ryan is on top of Riggs punching him over and over in the face.

Each boy has a side. Each parent has an opinion, but it's hard, you know.  It's just hard.The perfect Memorial Sunday was over and I hope we can all move forward....letting it go because we all know at the core of it all remaind family and love.