Elise moves up to middle school!

 Elise's 5th grade class planned a party before the graduation.  It was SERIOUSLY Over the Top!!!!  I had a picnic at a park when I finished elementary school.  Do you see those giant cardboard animals in the background?  They had circus music, a ring leader, DJ, games, balloon maker, face painting, and sumo wrestling.  Just crazy~

 Here's Elise at the party with her best buddy Abby.  Sadly, she's going to a different school next year.

 Here's Elise at graduation with her friends looking super pretty in turquoise...her favorite color.

 With her teacher Mrs Papiernik.  She was mad at me for taking this picture.  Remind you of someone?

 We were so proud of Elise during graduation. She got awards for Reading, being chosen to compete in the county wide Battle of the Books competition, perfect attendance (insisted on getting that all year), Physical Fitness Award (not many girls got it) and Safety Patrol.  Here she is standing up when her name was called.

Lastly, here's her entire class on the stage.  Congrats Elise!  We're so proud of you!!

Spring Means Softball ~Anabelle & Elise's Team~

 Anabelle &Elise were on the Blue Jays this year.  There was problems with their original coach (not coaching), so the director said, "Adios".  Wouldn't you know it...that very same afternoon the director asked a very nice dad if he would "help" the team.  Well, in a nutshell, that "helper" ended up replacing the head coach with ZERO experience coaching softball.  So, their new head coach was my "I don't like sports" husband :0). 

 As soon as he took over, the Blue Jays because excited about the game and a real team.  Elise's favorite position is 2nd base.  She made some awesome plays and caught quite a few line drives.

 Anabelle's favorite position was short stop which meant LOTS of balls came to her and she had to communicate with her sister without yelling at her.  Anabelle has a fabulous arm and made some great throws to first.  She was also one of the teams biggest cheerleaders as you can see her here in the dugout while taking a rest.

 Here's Elise up to bat. 

 And Anabelle.  Their stances are as different as their personalities are.

 Here's poor Sadie on a 95 degree afternoon watching her sisters play because she was too hot to play with the other teams siblings. 

 After many ups & downs, the girls won their second playoff game!!!!!!!  They were in the runnings for the championship.  This was something no one thought would be possible!  Here's Anabelle w/ her coach :0).

 Elise wanted a home run all year.  She had some powerful hits, but hey, it's hard to hit a 60+ mph ball!!!  After an INCREDIBLE blowout championship game, they WON! 

 Happy sisters with their trophies.

 Happy Coaches!

Happy Team!!  Congrats Blue Jays!

Elise turns 11!!

 Elise wanted another sleep over for her birthday...yay (wish I had a smaller font for that).  Can you feel my enthusiasm?  We are beginning to be sick of sleepovers.  Sorry...I'm just in an honest mood.  Who wants their kids at their grumpiest possible for an entire 12 hours following 6 hours of entertaining a bunch of squealing wild girls?  Okay...that's probably not fair to say for this party because the girls were actually really good :0).  We made the party a Glow in the Dark party which was pretty fun.  I got a few black lights & a TON of glow sticks.  We made masks out of glow in the dark paint & got them glowing goodies to take home. 

 Here they are striking a pose on the trampoline.

 Making the masks.

 Enjoying ice cream sundaes on the deck.

 Pure joy! That's how I love to picture my Elise!

Wearing their glow sticks in crazy ways, but the camera wouldn't pick it up.  At least I got their smiles :0).

Happy Birthday Elise!!  Remember...we said NO sleepovers next year...haha.

Spring Means Softball ~Sadie's Team~

Batter up!

 One cute Indian!

 First base was fun, but playing catcher was the best!  She got really good at it, too.

 Next year, she'll go from machine pitch to child pitch.  She's decided she wants to be a pitcher, so she wants to pitch every morning in the summer so she's ready :0). Taking after her mama I guess!

The Indians came in 3rd which was a disappointment to Sadie because she wanted one of those BIG trophies.  Maybe next year!!!