Softball Tournament Day

I haven't been very good about taking pictures this season.  For one, Mallary is attached to me during the games.  This is her most favorite time to ask for hugs (I think mainly b/c she is bored) and the other reason is that on the rare occasion I get the camera out - Gracie strikes out - UGH!  She has had very few this year, but I think it was a jinx so I just didn't take many.  We finished the season 8-3-1 (League Champs!!!) and went into the tournament #1 seed.

Gracie hit her 1st triple today so I had to capture her on 3rd base so proud of her!  Coach Daddy made her use her bigger bat for the tournament and it made a big difference.  She's had a double, mostly singles this season and just very few strikeouts. 

Now, today was Tournament Day.  Not just a tournament but double elimination tournament and Wow, what a day!!  We started off at 9:00am playing the Stars and won 6-0.   We were in the winners bracket so we didn't have to play again until 1:00. 

We lost our 1:00 game (Game #2) against the Diamond Dolls - it was a good game, just didn't make it happen.  This was the game Gracie got her triple.  Next up 2:15 (Game #3) game against the Sassy Sluggers.  They were the only team we had lost to all season  and all really close games.  We won and really played great and knocked them out of the tournament.  Game at 4:00 (Game #4) Rematch v. Diamond Dolls - we win!  but now we are tied with 1 loss each so we have to play the tie breaker game (Game #5).  We pull it out and WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!  So proud of Alan and all the sweet girls!!!  They did so well and never complained about being hot, tired, hungry, etc.  They earned their trophies for sure this season!

Gracie at shortstop

Break in b/t games - attacking coach Alan

Closing Ceremonies

 Gracie getting her trophies!!  

One for the League Championship

and One for the Tournament!

The girls with their trophies!!! So Proud!

 

 

Arkeology

Gracie the Frog

Sunday Morning was the children's turn to lead our worship service and they did it in musical form with "Arkeology".  The children K-5th grade who go to Sunday Night Choir and programming were in the  musical which included Gracie.  She was the cutest Frog I have ever seen.  They sang lots of songs and did some dances.  It was wonderful. 

Before the musical the precious little Cherubs (including Mallary) sang a song about sheep and had little sheep ears and black noses.  Their song was so cute and they looked adorable.

Mallary is 4th from left

After the animals came in 2x2!

 

Mallary's Last Day of School

It's hard to believe this school year is over!!  Mallary has had so much fun in Mrs. Donna's class this year.  They had a summer fun party and pinata to celebrate their last day of school.  Thanks Mrs. Rose and Mrs. Morgan for a fun celebration!!

 Loving her pink float

 Pulling the string on the pinata.

Her favorite prize - not the candy but the PINK GOGGLES that were in there!

She wears them all the time for our slip and slide - ha!

  

 Saying Bye to Mrs. Donna

 

 and Mrs. Dale

Splish Splash Bash at Mallard Stables

Today we had a final farewell to Kindergarten.  All the kindergartners met at Mallard Stables for a super fun morning of playing, games, picnic, popsicles, slip and sliding - all things that scream SUMMER VACATION!!

We started off rotating in groups so everyone could do the fun stuff in a timely manner.

Playing on the Playground

(with Pigs "Whitt" and "Gibson" in the background -

pretty funny if you are familiar with our local BBQ joints!)

Some Hula Hoopin' Fun

Pretty sure she ate no less than 10 popsicles today!

At one point later in the day when I was trying to get everyone ready to go

I called for her and she said when she finished her popsicle...this went on several more

times and each time I came back to call her there was a different color popsicle in her hand! 

You only finish Kindergarten once!

 Trampoline Time

and some bull riding

Finally - her turn on the Zip line!!! 

I had to cut out at this point and pick up Mallary and visit her class party for her last day.  

When we returned we found they were onto the water fun!!

After several rounds on the slip and slide they could go back and do their favorite things.

Gracie's of course was the Zip Line

 Several of the Kindergartners were afraid, but Mallary wanted a turn.

She yelled Throw me FAST!!!  She loved it too!!

 No Fear!

We wrapped up the day with some tractor riding

 and talking to ponies!

Last Day of Kindergarten

Oh this day was so much harder for me than I thought it could be.  All those precious friends - all going to different school, no more Mrs. Lindsay who was the best Kindergarten teacher EVER!  No more  1/2 day school for Gracie - it will be time for big girl school in August. But of what a wonderful year we had in Kindergarten.  I wouldn't change anything this past year.  Gracie has come out with so much knowledge, reading beyond her grade level, writing, spelling, math, geography, spanish, art all beyond expectations.  I am so proud of my Gracie Girl and all that she accomplished this year. Gracie was proud that she didn't get her card changed 1 time the entire year! (That meant she was on her best behavior and never got in trouble.)

We captured a few last classroom pictures, packed up our belongings and heard Mrs. Bindergarten's Last Day of Kindergarten (this is what finally got to the pregnant mom!)

 Such a sweet group of friends!!

 Had to do the Crazy Picture

 With Claire and Layne

The Last Day of Kindergarten...

 One last picture with Mrs. Lindsay

A little side by side of 1st and Last Day

Face Painting

Mrs. Babette was practicing her face painting skills so the waiting little brothers and sisters lucked out for a special treat during dance class.

Gracie's Finale Rally

Kindergarten end is coming...and tonight was their Finale Rally.  To say these children are brilliant is an understatement.  They learned so much - more than anything I ever expected.  Reading, spelling, math was just the tip of the iceberg...Spanish, Art, Music, Social Studies, 26 Bible verses plus every book in the Bible, the list goes on and on.  The theme was luau and all the kids had on their hawaiian shirts and leis.  They were so cute!!  The night was spent showcasing how much they learned - in a 1 1/2 hour presentation.  There were some fun surprises along the way.