Ellie graduates from The J

Tuesday evening we attended Ellie's Pre-K Celebration as she finished out her year at the JCC and heads to kindergarten. It was bittersweet. The JCC has helped me raise this precious little girl for the last five years. She started there when she was only 8 weeks old with Ms. Anna and Mrs. Annette. She was this sweet, little baby who grew into a little chunk and then on to this long, legged, slim young lady with deep dimples and a smile that brightens a room.

While the JCC is a Jewish Day Care, they laid many of her biblical foundations, taught her how to pray before meals (albeit it is in Hebrew), and fed her with the stories that she still asks to read about in her Bible at night. She learned how to be a friend and how to love her friends well. She even created her own Musketeer group that plans to save the world (at present it leaves no time for college or marriage, per Ellie), but still a noble calling I believe.

We will especially miss Miss Sondra, who has cared for Ellie and Katelyn in aftercare. To meet this woman is to know love and genuine joy. In my five years at the JCC, I have never seen her with anything but a smile on her face, constantly encouraging others, greeting every parent and sibling by name. She is always quick with a kind word, compliment, or just asking how your day is going. She displays such a joy of just being with our children every day, even when we are thinking of pulling our hair out with them she always finds the best. Words cannot express the kind disposition of this woman and how much I would love to have one tenth of her spirit.

So thank you JCC for helping me to raise my girls to be the young ladies they are and starting Owen on the right path as he also heads to CPA this fall.  I've also included some clips from the Pre-K performance. You can't watch the little monkeys without smiling.

Five Little Monkey Video

Ellie's Run for Africa

The Calhoun Clan was out in almost full force on Saturday to run in Ellie's Run for Africa. Unfortunately, I pulled a leg muscle a couple of weeks ago and couldn't participate, but Alan, Katelyn and Ellie all ran (it was Ellie's first race).

The morning began with the 5K. 

 They had three kids divisions and Ellie and Katelyn were in the 8 and under group. 

They did very well.

 Ellie's first run was Ellie's Run for Africa. How fitting. She finished in under 10 minutes. I didn't know she had those kind of legs. Definitely has the Calhoun genes in her.

This is one of the coolest races to participate in. They have many activities for the kids. When they arrived, they received a passport and went around to different booths to learn about Africa. Ellie got to carry jugs of water to learn what it was like to have to walk to get your water and hike back with it. They also rode in a utility vehicle (their version of a car in some places).

I had to also include a picture of my handsome, little man. He is wearing an outfit from a friend, who also has an Owen. Isn't it cute. I am learning what it is like to have a boy as he is into EVERYTHING. But I am loving this age. His vocabulary is expanding daily, and he understands just about everything I say, complete with nod "No" to express his opinions.

Dueteronomy 6

Last week at CPA, the high school kids were able to go into the high school building and write scripture on the floors before the carpets go down. Representatives from elementary also got to go in. I had a semi-authorized visit to the building this weekend and Katelyn was determined to find her classes verse. We finally found it.

"If any of you needs Wisdom, you should ask God for it. God is generous. He will give you Wisdom." 

James 1:5

Here's my office. I am going to get in again in the next few weeks and put a verse in my office. Trying to think of just the right words to lay a foundation under me.

Busy Weekend and a Happy Mother's Day

We had a great weekend at the Calhoun house. Kit and Marilyn were in town, so the kids got lots of grandparent love. Saturday was packed with kid activities. First Ellie had a soccer game and scored two goals. Unfortunately, Alan and I missed it because we were taking Katelyn to her dance recital. She did a great job and seemed to love it. She kept beaming like she was playing it up for the audience.

 

We had to leave right after her performance (and missed some of her friends' performances) to get to her last soccer game on time. I really wish I had a picture of her with her dance costume on and her soccer ball in hand, but she was definitely a modern girl on Saturday. I missed the game as I was at home with a napping Owen, but I heard she did an amazing job on defense. I must admit I did enjoy my little catnap at home with Owen. 

Sunday I was started the day early (too early courtesy of the O man) and took a walk. While out, the little angels were preparing this for me and Marilyn. . . .

Flowers, French toast and Fruit bowls with little Reese's Peanut Butter cups.

It was such a treat and they were so proud of their creation. I also need to thank my hubby for leading them in the great pampering effort. 

In the afternoon, we took a slightly authorized tour of the new high school building. It is sweet and I am so excited for it to open and all the new kids that we will be able to bring in to our community. Then off to Cheekwood.  It was beautiful and the girls had a ball exploring. We did struggle to keep Owen from trying to take a swim in the green algae ponds :)

Finished the evening stuffing ourselves at Five Guys on their patio. Perfect environment for small kiddos. I felt truly blessed today to be able to stop and just enjoy my kids and their enthusiasm for everything that is around them.