Rand Road Awards Ceremony

Yesterday Rand Road Elementary held their end of the year awards ceremony. We had received a letter a couple of weeks ago telling us that Cassidy would receive an award, so Joey got someone to cover his Driver's Ed class and the whole family was in attendance to cheer for Cassidy.

We had to get all dolled up for the occassion!

Lily was SO proud of her big sister!!!

The Monkeys

Cassidy and her teacher, Mrs. Jones

The awards ceremony was REALLY long (we had to remove Finn) and Cassidy's award was the last one they announced, but it was worth the wait! Cassidy won the Outstanding Rand Road Raider award, an award given to one child in each class who has demonstrated excellent character throughout the school year. Seriously, we could not have been more proud if she had won a Nobel Prize. 

She went across the stage so quickly that all my pics are a blur!

Proudly holding her award

Joey said it was the best award she could have won...and he's right! We are so proud of all her abilities and talents and all that she has accomplished this year, but above all we are blessed by her beautiful heart.

Our Sweet Girl

Later that afternoon Cassidy's class held their own awards ceremony and talent show...she was SO excited to see us!!!

Cassidy received two awards, excellent reader and super kindergartener. Finn melted down about 5 minutes into the program, so we missed most of the talent show. Mrs. Jones let Cassidy go first so that we could at least see her perform...and her performance is below! :)

Fun in the Sun

Last Friday, the Kindergarten classes at Rand Road Elementary held their annual "Fun in the Sun" day. My mom is on summer vacation - like many of my family members, she's a teacher - so I was able to volunteer for the morning while Finn and Lily got to play with Mema.

 Thursday, Baby Jordan was with us...Aunt Heather, too. When both grandsons wanted to sit in his lap, Gran wanted to capture the moment! :)

Fun in the Sun Day began with tons of bubbles and sidewalk chalk. Most of the children could have cared less about the chalk. :)

Cassidy had not been herself for the past few days...the low-grade fever that she had with the walking pneumonia had returned. But, with as much spunk as she could muster she chased and popped as many bubbles as she could.

She WAS thrilled when she finally got a turn with a giant bubble wand!

Next it was on to Musical Dots. It was so fun to watch all the kids' personalities while playing the games. Cassidy was very focused...she was serious about winning, while some of her classmates danced wildly around the circle to the music! :)

After Musical Dots it was time to bowl. The kids took turns setting up the pins for each other and returning the ball to the bowler.

LOVE this picture! She must REALLY be concentrating!!! :)

And it paid off! She knocked down most of her pins. :)

The class crowded around Mrs. Jones as they listen to directions before the start the water station.

There were water tables and a teacher spraying the kids with a hose. Most of the kids were in hog heaven!

Normally Cassidy would have been right in the middle of all the fun...trying to get as wet as possible. But on Friday she hung back and tried to stay out of the line of fire.

She kept smiling and trying to have fun...

...and for a moment I thought she was going to join in...

...but then she ran over and asked for her towel. She stood next to me the rest of the time.

She did muster up the energy to join her class for the water balloon fight that ended their outdoor activities. I had a nagging suspicion that she was not well, so I took her to the pediatrician after school where we discovered she had traded pneumonia for strep throat. She and Lily are now both on antibiotics again (Lily has a double ear infection). Hopefully everyone will be well in time for the beach trip! :)

Celebration!

A good portion of our week was devoted to celebrating Lily's 4th birthday. We started early Wednesday morning (her actual birthday) with presents because Joey worked late every night this week and it was his only chance to see her.

Opening a Rapunzel musical brush from Mommy and Daddy...can you tell she's excited???

She is thrilled...this is one of the toys she had picked out at Walmart the week before.

A Rapunzel vanity from PeePaw and Nana

Next, all the kids had a birthday present to open...an early one for Cassidy and Finn.

I made personalized Disney scrapbooks for each of them as mementos of our trip. I had gotten 2 coupons for free books from Snapfish and another coupon for a huge discount on a book from Shutterfly, so I had to jump on the opportunity!

Looking at all their pictures

Finn LOVES his book...he reads it over and over again!

Lily sporting a new hair extension and sitting in front of her new vanity...it is SO cute!

Cassidy's hair extension blends right in, doesn't it? ;)

And he's just too cute not to photograph!

Thursday, after a bout with walking pneumonia, Cassidy finally went back to school. While she was away, Finn and Lily spent the morning playing together in the pool. They enjoy each other's company a little more each day!

Practicing her high wire act

Pretending to be cats and drinking water out of bowls

Friday was spent constructing Lily's Ladybug cake.

I was really pleased...it may be my favorite cake yet!

Lilybug with her Ladybug

On Saturday, each of the girls invited a friend to join us at the pool for swimming and birthday cake. Lily, of course, wanted Hannah! :)

Finn LOVES the pool, especially jumping off the side.

Bennett, Cassidy, and Olivia getting ready for some lunch!

The crowns and princess plates are courtesy of my mom. We stopped by her house on Wednesday...I thought so that Lily could open her birthday present. (My mom was visiting my grandparents in Richmond on Saturday and couldn't make it to the party, but Gran still came to party with us!) However, when we arrived Mema had prepared a mini-party for us...plates, noisemakers, crowns, cupcakes, and presents! It was SO sweet and my only regret is that I didn't have my camera to capture the fun!

After all that swimming, everyone was starving!

Princess Joey

Happy 4th Birthday, Lily Anne!

She had a little trouble blowing out the candle!

A Tinkerbell snow globe (or "snow glow" as Lily calls it) from sweet Hannah

The kids took turns yelling "WATCH ME!!!" and jumping into the pool.

Best Friends

Lily's new favorite thing is going underwater...I could not be more thrilled!

There she goes again!

After the party, Grandma and Grampa arrived for a short visit. Grandpa made the kids a beautiful picnic table. We cannot wait to have our first meal on it!!!

Opening presents from Grandma and Grandpa...3D sidewalk chalk and bubbles.

Dancing with Grandma

He gives the BEST hugs!!!