Meet the teacher & Back to school

Mrs. Williams Pre-K 4

My big girl! You are in Pre-K 4 and your mommy can't believe it! This is your last year home and not in big school! I know you see your other sisters going to their big school and you can't wait but mommy just isn't letting go anytime soon! You are my baby, and in your mommy's heart, will always be!

You stayed at the same pre-school, Presbyterian Day School. Mommy and Daddy had to do a lot of praying because we weren't sure if we wanted you to go to Community like your sister did or stay at First Pres. We were so happy at both places and after lots of praying we decided to stay at First Pres. mommy has told daddy several times how we have made the right choice! Not only are you learning so very much but you just love your teacher and all your friends! You always have peace with a big decision when you go to Christ in prayer asking for his help...please remember that my angels!

Ella Jo, you were very excited to see your new room and see who was going to be in your class! You were also excited that you had a big girl binder just like your big sister...

Mrs. Beatty 1st Grade

Addi Grace, my big first grader, you were so excited when we found out Mrs. Beatty was your teacher! Mommy and Daddy were praying all summer we would be blessed with her all year and He answered our prayers again! You were so excited when we went to the school to drop off all supplies and meet your teacher I think you would have stayed there easily. Such a big girl room too! All the new things you are going to learn and new responsibilities. Mommy can't wait to see what the year brings Addi Grace!! 

First Day Of School 2012

Addi, you were the first one out the door this morning! Daddy was working days this day so mommy got up extra early to make sure all the first day jitters were starting to pass before leaving. Everything went so smooth and I think all of us were so excited to start the new chapter of the year...school and everything that comes with it! I know this year is going to be so amazing with your sweet teacher Addi Grace. Mommy can't wait to get up to your school and do all I can to help! I couldn't help but think about this time last year when I was walking you down the Kindergarten hall for the very first time and all the excitement you had and all the emotions your mommy had! Here we are again but first grade and oh so soon! I can't wait my baby! You've got such beautiful wings and your mommy can't wait to see how far they will fly! 

Next out the door...

Off to pre-k you go Ella Jo! I think you were more excited than both your sisters put together! You will be going to pre-k everyday till 11:30. You are wanting to stay all day till 2:00 so mommy signed you up to stay on Mondays and Fridays...but I don't think I can let go of you all day just yet!

 I'm so amazed at everything you will be learning this year! I can't wait to see you grow my sweet baby! 

Out the door...for the last time

Okay, Alexa Rae, your mom will have to dip her toe in the water and talk about how this was your last first day of school! Since your a big girl and have enough credits to graduate you are allowed to go to school at a later time and can sleep in. The morning went like all the other first days of school, getting ready, texting, make up, texting, hair, texting, and if time a little more texting! You looked so beautiful in your new clothes for your Senior Year! When I dropped you off I was trying so hard not to let my mind wonder but it did...not far though. I thought about the first time I ever dropped you off at the high school and it really felt just like 2 years before...not 4! Four years ago your mom looked around at such a big school so many different buildings and so many big kids (teenagers) walking around and talking to friends. They all looked so big....well, my sweet senior, you fit right in now. As bad as I didn't want it to happen or at least happen so soon..it did happen. You're beautiful and I just can't wait to see what this great big world has for you my angel.....Dive in~

Two Birthdays * Two Sweet Girls

*17*

Your mom doesn't know how that number 1 got in front of the 7? I tried to prepare myself before you were born on how fast you will grow! I tried to cherish every little milestone no matter how small! I'm so glad I did because I blinked my eyes and now I see a beautiful young woman on the inside and out! When you make certain facial expressions or laugh a real deep laugh I still see my sweet seven year old playing with her Barbies! When we are having deep conversations or when your mom is learning a lesson from her sound minded seventeen year old I see the beautiful young woman you have become. You honestly couldn't make us any more proud! We love you so very much and....your mom is still holding on tight.

I know your Birthdays are on the same day...and I know I need to get used to it...still trying. With early planning and celebrating traditions together it all seems to work out every year and we get special time with each birthday girl! 

*6*

This year Addi Grace, while your big sister was celebrating at an Italian resturant with friends, we took you to celebrate turning six at one of your favorite places...Chuck E Cheese! With all the games, pizza, tickets, tokens, prizes, candy...I don't know which one is your favorite? We had tons of fun where a kid can be a kid and then on the way home we stopped for ice cream! Such a fun night my angel. Thank you so much for the past 6 years! I think mommy is going to try to slow everything down as much as she can. I know how soon it will be before adding a 1 in front of that 6 just like Lex! 

Lex and Blaise

Sweet birthdays for two sweet girls! Your mommy and daddy love both of you more than y'all will ever know! Happy Birthday my angels....Looking forward to many many more~

It's Independence Day

This year, we were invited to one of daddy's friends houses that he works with. They have beautiful land and a sweet family to make friends with! We grilled burgers, played outside, ate lots of red, white, and blue sweets, and of course, popped some fire works!

We made strawberry, blueberry, and marshmallow kabobs with chocolate red white and blue strawberries!

I know! Your mommy always says this but...July 4th is my favorite!! I have come to the conclusion that your mommy just loves life and anything we have to celebrate makes it that better! I love our country, I love our family and your mommy thanks God for everything he has blessed us with everyday! What an amazing place to live and I hope my girls grow up knowing how beautiful our country is. Happy Birthday America~

One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, One Nation evermore!

Oliver Wendell Holmes

SKY

Vacation Bible School 2012

Sky was the theme of VBS this year! Every year is so much fun but I have a feeling the "fun" is getting a little more "fun"! This was Addi's first year with the big girls and boys. Addi, you are no longer in the preschool for VBS. You mommy was so excited to know I was your crew leader for your first year and got to watch you make new friends and have so much fun! Alexa, this was your first year to be a crew leader all by yourself! I knew you would be amazing! God blessed you with 5 boys...very active boys, and you handled them with such love and made their week so much fun! It filled your mom's heart with love and made me shine all week just watching you take the role and guide your crew closer to our King! Ella Jo, you were in preschool having so much fun with all of your friends! I couldn't wait everyday to hear all of your stories too! VBS is so special to my heart and I can't wait for every year!! Summer, Church family, crafts, songs, new friends, and growing in our Faith....Thank you for giving us the children every year to guide them and bring them closer to you Lord~

A trip to OZ

Recital 2012

Recital this year was OZ! So many beautiful dances put together to pull the whole thing off! This year for dance Addi & Ella only took ballet and Lex even cut her classes down to ballet, hip hop, and lyrical. This recital was very relaxed since my angels were in less numbers. Mommy sat back and enjoyed it a little more, rather than running back stage. This coming year will be a different story...My little dancers will add more classes, this will be an award year for Addi Grace, and Alexa's very last recital to ever dance at....that's all mommy wants to say about that right now. 

Addi Grace, I think you wore my favorite costume any of my girls have ever worn. It was for ballet and you were trees....oh so beautiful trees! Very elegant my baby...very beautiful! You still shine so bright when you are on stage. I love recital time for you because you are so shy at all times...until recital! You light up and can't wait to tip toe on to that stage and shine! Shine you did....

Alexa Rae, you would think you were born on a stage! It doesn't matter if you are dancing or acting...if it's on a stage you are exactly where you belong! All of your dances were amazing. Momma is soaking all this in because I know me, and I will probably cry my make up off every day of the next recital. Knowing that will be the very last time to see you dance on stage, I will be asking our Savior to calm my heart those few days for sure. That will be such an emotional week that I will think about later. My beautiful ballerina, you have made me so proud for so many years as I watch you grow through life as well on stage. Your momma loves you and will never forget how beautiful you dance.

Ella Jo, my most precious little dancer! You, like the rest of your sisters, love recital time. This year you were a tin man! The most precious tin man I ever saw! You tip toe right on stage and shine your very own star!

I think your favorite part about recital is the make up you get to wear. Dressing up, wearing make up, and watching all the other dances is what gets you excited about this time of year. Mommy can't wait to watch you grow up dancing and see how beautiful you become. All my beautiful dancers make my heart grow every year! Many beautiful memories in this theatre and many more to come~

Kicking it off!

A Bucket Full of Fun

To get Summer Vacation kicked off right I decided to all sit down as a family and write down ideas we wanted to do this summer! We each took turns till we couldn't think of anything else! We have never done this before but I think we will make this a Summer Vacation kick off party for the Russell family! So much fun even though some of our items were left in the bucket. I think I'm going to leave them there for next year! 

We did our Summer Bucket List in the morning and I don't think Lex was too happy about the time we started...I promise to make it later in the day next year so we don't interrupt beauty sleep.

This made us all get so excited about the summer ahead! Water Park, Zoo, Spa, and Swim Lessons to name a few! Mommy got a new sand bucket and printed the printables off Pinterest! (thank you pinterest)

Looking forward to kicking some things off our bucket list~

Kicking it Off with a picnic in the park

One of the things on our bucket list was a family picnic! Since the weather is so hot with temperatures knocking on 100 degrees, mommy decided to make it a fruit picnic! So much fun...We went to the park and played on the playground until we got too hot and then enjoyed our picnic. Lots of sweet memories girls...I think mommy may want to plan a hot chocolate picnic for winter this year! 

Splish Splash at the Water Park

Alexa Rae was at the water park with us but did not want to be photographed and mommy has learned her lesson that when Lex says that....she means it! We went to this water park several times this summer! Not too far from home and so much fun! Can't wait to return for lots of splashin!

Playing at Pop Paw's Pool

We swam at Pop Paw's Pool at least 2 times a week through the summer. I'm surprised no one got an ear ache! We had some friends meet us there one day and had lunch out by the pool! Just relaxing, soaking up the sun, listening to music and mommy listening to precious giggles....splashing around, turning flips, "Mommy! Watch Me!", sweet conversations while laying out on lawn chairs with Lex....

All these things happen at Pop Paw's Pool! Mommy's excited to go through the rest of all the memories through out this next year but looking forward to more of Pop Paw's Pool!

Sandy Toes

Ok girls, your mommy loves this man so much! (he happens to be your daddy) Looking at this picture my heart starts beating a little faster...I know...gross!! 

For mommy's birthday this year before we had our family dinner we decided to spend a day at the beach! Maw Maw and Paw Paw Russell had a beach cabin where your daddy has so many special memories. We were just beginning our summer memories and even winter memories at this cabin but a hurricane named Ike had other plans and decided to wash it away. We still enjoy the beach but are no longer staying at the Russell cabin. 

What a beautiful day and a beautiful birthday! Sandy toes and sandcastles! We brought so many sea shells home mommy has to decide what to do with them! The beach is such a magical place to your mommy....

It's a place of relaxation but so much more than that. It's where the land ends and the rest continues. It's a place where your mommy can just sit back, close her eyes, smell the air, and just...listen! Set your heart free and enjoy this beautiful world our Savior created for us. It's beautiful girls! Your mommy's wish is for all of you to just sit back, slow down, and enjoy everything it has to offer~

Preparing for Summer!

End of Year Parties

Mommy can't believe this year went by so fast! What a fun year it was... 

I think Ella Jo has grabbed a hold of Mrs. Owen's heart! I know that we are going to miss her so much! What a blessing it was to have her in our life and prepare Ms. Ella for next year! We had such a good time at the end of the year luau crafts, face painting and yummy snacks. It's always so exciting to move on to the next step but it brings the tears back in mommy's eyes looking back on our awesome memories from the past year! I'm going to just store them deep in my heart....

Kindergarten is over and hello first grade! Mommy remembers with Lex that once you start Kindergarten that the years seem to pass so much faster! I'm excited about all the fun things we have in store for us but I'm holding on to my little girls as tight as I can!! Alexa Rae has all ready slipped through my fingers and now graduating which I refuse to blog about till May of 2013!! We were so blessed with Ms. Holland as your teacher! She was such an amazing teacher this past year but mommy has also made a new friend! Ms. Holland lives right down the road from us so I know we will see her sometimes! My precious Addi Grace, you were so big in Kindergarten and your mommy and daddy couldn't be any more proud! 

Very big smile this morning ready for the last day of school and give

Ms. Holland her summer preparation gift!

I made a sign for the back of your chair. Each of you had one but I'm posting Alexa's sign because this will be the last time she will have a sign. I don't think it's cool to have one for college..

This was the first time I typed or wrote Seniors 2013! When I do that post I will have tissue in hand!

Bubbles for some Summer Fun! Both of you helped mommy decorate a small tube of bubbles to give to your friends to help kick of summer vacation! My sweet girls, no matter how small the project, both of you love to help mommy with gifts, treats, and crafts! Not so much help with chores...maybe that will come with time....maybe not!!

Summer is so exciting for the whole family! Lots of "together" time and nothing makes your mommy happier! No hustle and bustle! No schedules or due dates! No bedtimes! No alarm clock! No homework! Nothing but fun in the sun! This past summer was Alexa's last summer vacation as a high school student! Mommy can't wait to see what the future brings to my oldest angel! I love scheduling play dates and crafts to keep us going through the hot months of summer and mommy will post a few pictures of some of our favorite summer memories~ 

Welcome Summer 2012! What an amazing summer we had!