H and the Pirates

As Eleanor's soccer season came to an end, so did Hayes's spring season playing baseball with the Pirates. His team showed much improvement throughout the season and Hayes had a ball all along the way. His best buddy, JD (facing Hayes below), was also on the team and that made the season extra fun. The season ended with a bang - Hayes got the last three outs of the final inning of their last game - two plays at third base and then he caught, yes caught, a pop fly! The crowd let out a huge cheer when the final out of the season fell into Hayes's glove.

Dad helped coach the team and that usually meant that Ben, and sometimes Eleanor, would be nearby in the field. Hayes is already talking about fall ball so I think we'll be at the ball fields again once the next season rolls around!

Eleanor & the Tarteals

In early May, Eleanor's soccer season came to an end. This spring, I helped coach her team, the Tarteals. We had a fun team that played very well together. Though we do not keep score, we were competitive in every game and ended up one of the better teams in our age group. Go Tarteals!

H's Graduation

Hayes's school had a grand graduation celebration to honor its kindergarten students. The two kindergarten classes had a wonderful program lined up for all of the family members in attendance.

Each kindergartner dressed up to represent one of the countries the classes studied during the year. As you might remember, we taught the students about Ireland so at graduation, Hayes donned his leprechaun hat and beard one more time! He actually led the kindergarten procession into the chapel as the program began. Here he is with his Ireland buddies to his right and some friends from China on his left.
The representatives from each country recited a poem about their homeland. Hayes and his two friends said the following about Ireland . . .

Ireland, the Emerald Isle
has lots of rainy weather
on Irish scones, butter and cheese
our people dine together!
Top O' the Morning!

Once the official program was complete, it was time to hand out the diplomas. When the preschool director called Hayes's name, and he walked up to her, she asked him, "Are you sure you are Hayes Carroll?" because he looked so serious. He immediately responded with a quick, business-like, "Yes," and then we got a brief glimpse of a smile. After the diplomas were all distributed, it was time to celebrate!I especially love this picture of Hayes and his buds, J.D. and George, giving each other a group hug. We would be remiss if we did not get pictures with Hayes's two wonderful teachers, Miss Annand Miss Barbara.They have been fabulous teachers for Hayes. We are so sad for this school year to end but thrilled with the thought of Hayes and Eleanor being at the same school (though not the same campus) next year.

Perfect Attendance

When Eleanor arrived at school on the last day this week, I felt great relief. She had achieved a milestone that I don't think she'll ever achieve again because it is so difficult - PERFECT ATTENDANCE! She did not miss one day of school the entire year. She was not sick, did not get lice (thank heavens), and we did not pull her out early for a trip. As a reward, her school indulged all of the perfect attendees with a ride in the "fur bus" (a popular party bus here in town) to Chick-fil-A for breakfast. It truly was a treat, and Eleanor loved it all.

End-of-Year Teacher Gifts

After enjoying Eleanor's poetry so much earlier this spring, we decided to write poems to present to Eleanor's and Hayes's teachers as end-of-the-year gifts. Eleanor wrote the following poem in colorful markers for her teacher, Mrs. Dennis . . .Hayes followed suit but he had double the work since he had two teachers. For Miss Ann, he wrote the following . . .Miss Ann Murphy
Funny, happy, nice
Helper of Bumblebee workbook and math
Loves the color pink, good handwriting and kids who do not wrestle
Wants kids to learn their sight words
Best Kindergarten teacher ever!

For Miss Barbara, he wrote this poem:Miss Barbara Curtis
Creative, understanding, giving,
Giver of great parties
Loves the color orange, the beach and nice children
Wants children to not talk or touch in line
Best Kindergarten teacher ever!

I asked him why he crossed out the "e" in the word "great" in Miss Barbara's poem. His response? "Because it is silent."

Strawberry & Blackberry Picking

With strawberry season drawing to an end here in Georgia, I knew this weekend would be our last opportunity to pick strawberries this year. I loaded up the kids and picked up our friends the Evans (our husbands were together playing golf) and ventured down "to the country," aka McDonough, Georgia to Southern Belle Farm.

After looking back at the blog, it appears that we made this same trip almost a year-to-the-day prior to this weekend. The weather was just as hot as last year, if not hotter with the temperatures reading above 90 in the car.

We dove right into the strawberry picking on our arrival, and the kids were eager to fill their own buckets.
Ben preferred running up and down the rows, showing complete strangers all of the strawberries that Mom he had picked. He was a hot mess 10 minutes into our picking!The farm offered us the chance to pick blackberries as well since much of their strawberry crop had been picked over. When the kids had had their fill of strawberries, we headed over to check out the blackberry patch. The farm had thornless blackberry vines which made the picking all the easier. After picking berries for nearly an hour, the kids were shot. Our 6 buckets still had room in them, though, so Mrs. Evans and I kept picking berries while the kids sat and watched in the bright, hot sun. Finally, when all of the buckets were full, I promised Ben I would let him see all of the farm animals. I cannot tell you how excited he was to see them. We saw sheeprabbitsbilly goatsroosterscows, miniature ponies and even a peacock!The kids just propped themselves up on the farm fence and watched the animals roam. The farm even gave the kids the opportunity (via a 25 cent per serving food dispenser) to feed the animals. They each took their turns at offering up the "pricier" food to the willing animals. Hayes cackled with laughter each time an animal's mouth came anywhere near his hand. In the end, he dropped it all on the ground because he could not stop laughing. Later, Hayes declared seeing the farm animals his "favorite part of our trip."

All in all, it was a well-spent couple of hours "in the country," and we have devoured our fresh strawberries and blackberries. Yum!

Scholastic Book Orders

Throughout the school year, we have enjoyed ordering books from Scholastic. Hayes brings the order forms home monthly, and each kid in the house takes their turn at circling the books/games that they desire. By the time all three of them have perused the monthly catalogs, nearly every item has been circled! As you can see from the picture below, it is Ben's turnto make his selections, and Hayes is overseeing the process and making suggestions. We end up ordering just a few books each month, but the catalogs always remind us of all of the reading possibilities!

Ben's Sweet Faces

Ben Carroll always knows how to brighten my day. All he has to do is flash this smile and he knows my mood will lighten. He has figured out when best to show off this smile. Whenever he thinks I'm mad at him or at one (or both) of his siblings, he'll walk right up to me and put his face in mine and say, "Mom, don't be mad at me (or Eleanor or Hayes,)" and then he smiles his huge smile. How can I stay mad with this face looking at me?

I also love this look that he gives me whenever he thinks I'm being way too ridiculous. It is usually accompanied with an, "Aw, Mom! You are so silly!"