Orange Beach 2010

A couple of weeks ago we went on our family vacation to Orange Beach, Alabama. It was such a relaxing time! The boys had fun playing in the pool and in the ocean as well as playing shuffleboard, going to play miniature golf, and riding go-carts. My parents came along with us, and Shane and I were able to get out on the links to play a little golf one day as well. This is the earliest in the year we've ever been on vacation to the beach and it was such a good time to go. The weather wasn't too hot yet and the crowds weren't all that bad yet either.

"Cannonballllll!!!!!"

Colby chillin' in the sand

We went out to eat at Lulu's Restaurant one night which is owned by Jimmy Buffett's sister. There was a long wait to eat, but there was a lot of things to keep the kids busy and active while they waited. Dalton and Colby joined in on a little volleyball game that was going on with other kids then moved on to building sand castles while we waited. Then, we enjoyed a nice dinner by the water.

We were treated to a spectacular lightning show the first night we arrived.

One of the big things on most everyone's mind down at the beach was the oil spill. We never saw any oil while there and the beach was still very beautiful. There were reports that the oil came ashore the day before we left, but it was reported as being a mile or two up the beach and was just cleaned up and the beach was fine again. Here was a picture of a couple of boats laying some boom in front of our condo where we were. Kind of weird though... they didn't leave the boom there so I was wondering if maybe there was some oil out there and they skimmed it up and then left.

End of School

The last two days of school included a fun water day at another student's house where they rented an inflatable water slide and then an awards day at school for the last day of school. It was a beautiful day for having fun in the water, eating pizza, and just enjoying each other before school let out for the summer. The awards day included character awards in which Dalton was given the award for being Respectful. They don't keep actual number grades in first grade so they give out these character awards along with a few other awards. Dalton has had an awesome year in first grade. He has grown and matured so much over the school year as well as learned so many new things. I'm always amazed at the chunks of Bible verses he has learned in first grade. Also, I have been impressed with how he has learned the parts of speech in first grade. I just don't remember learning parts of speech until maybe 2nd or 3rd grade.

Here's Dalton with his teacher, Mrs. Bankson. We'll miss her next year!

Dalton excited about receiving another certificate. I think he's so excited because his teacher is also handing him a Hershey bar along with the certificate.

More May Happenings

The month of May continued with many end of the year activities for Dalton and Colby. There was the end of the year Awana blowout where the kids could enjoy many bouncey inflatables, pony rides, and crazy climbing things. Where were all these cool play things when I was growing up?!?

7

Dalton turned 7 years old a couple of weeks ago. We celebrated by letting him have his birthday party at a nearby skating rink. This was only the 2nd time he had ever been to a skating rink. He went a couple of months earlier to a friend's party and LOVED it and has been wanting to have a skating party ever since. He's still got a lot to learn about skating, but he has made great improvements each time he has been . Dalton had a great time celebrating with friends from school and church. I even busted out my old roller blades for the big day to skate around a few times with Dalton. Colby wasn't having much of the skating. He wasn't feeling very well on this day and I was only able to talk him into going around the rink about 1/4 of the way when he decided he was done. He ended up having a fever for a couple of days so hopefully the little guy will try it again sometime.

Dalton even tried the Limbo

Colby's Graduation Program

Colby finished up with Pre-K and had his graduation program last week. It was kind of bittersweet because for the past 4 years my vehicle has made it's way up to Central Baptist's Sonshine Preschool where both Dalton and Colby first began their academic career. Colby will be going to Covenant next year with Dalton and Shane. I think when school starts back my little Explorer may just drive up to Central just out of habit. We have cherished the time that our boys have spent there making friends, learning academics, and learning more about Jesus. We will seriously miss Central's preschool and all the children, our friends, and teachers.

Colby and Dalton with their sweet teacher, Mrs. Lora. Dalton had Mrs. Lora 2 years ago when he was in Pre-K and then Colby had her this year.

End Of The Year Fun

Last week was Colby's last week of school at his preschool. He enjoyed lots of fun activities last week which included an end of the year bowling party, a water day, and his graduation program. Here is the big man in action:

Colby with his buddy, Josh

Water day was a lot of fun! We were so afraid the water day was going to be a no-go because it had stormed the night before and in the early morning hours, but the skies cleared and ended up being a perfect day for all the fun. There were little pools to play in, sprinklers, bubbles, and other games, but Colby got such a kick out of jumping into the pools. I nervously watched while he flung his body into about 2 inches of water in some of the pools.

Colby pretending to be a seal

Flowers and Worms

I love the springtime with all the flowers blooming, green leaves on the trees, and everything just coming alive again. I always hate being cooped up inside during the cold, winter days, and it seemed like we had a lot more cold days than usual this year. I just love being able to be outside a lot although it's already in the 90's now. These are some pictures from a day when Colby and I were hanging out in the yard.

Colby found a wiggly worm and then the next thing I knew there were 2 smaller wiggly worms

After an afternoon of playing in the yard there's nothing better than a sip of water out of the water hose.