Last Day of School

Maggie's last day of kindergarten was Friday. The class celebrated with a chicken nugget lunch and ice cream sundaes.  They also sang a few songs for the parents and then had their "awards ceremony."  Maggie received the citizenship award (picture left) - one girl and one boy get it in each class.  Mommy and Daddy were VERY proud of her for that one.  Mrs. Cole talked about how helpful Maggie was to everyone and her willingness to be a friend to everyone.

  

Maggie also received the "Smarties" award (picture right).  Mrs. Cole had made up awards to go with candies, and the kids thought they were great.  They had fun trying to guess who got each one.  The "Smarties" award goes to the most observant child - you know the one that notices everything and tells you when you're not doing it right - that's our kid.  When she started describing what the award was for, Maggie raised her hand and said "that's me!"  It was hilarious.  

After the awards ceremony, the kids gathered all their things, and most of the kids went home.  We brought Maggie home and were at the pool by 2PM with most of the neighborhood.  It was a great day and a celebration of an awesome year.  Kindergarten was lots of fun, and we're already looking forward to first grade.  We've got eight weeks to play and then are back at school.  Maggie has lots of fun camps and activities planned so stay tuned for some fun pictures. 

Happy Summer Everyone!!

Kindergarten Performance

Maggie had her Kindergarten Performance tonight.  It was supposed to be last Tuesday, but then the tornadoes came through, and it got postponed.  Maggie was very excited that they were able to reschedule it.  

Maggie wore her pink "field trip" shirt for the performance. Almost her entire class was there with four other kindergarten classes.  They performed in the gym for some very proud mommies and daddies (as well as extended family).  

The kids sang about six songs and did a wonderful job staying together with both the words and hand motions.  The favorite was "Matilda" who was a gorilla and they got to make lots of gorilla noises with that one.  It was very fun and very cute.

After the performance, Maggie posed with two young ladies from her class, Serena and Samantha, whom she is going to miss very much this summer.  She also took a quick pose with Grandma, Gramps, and Nana who were able to make the performance.

Memorial Day Cookout

We had our small group over for a fun Memorial Day cook out. This was the first time our current small group had gotten together with their kids, and what a group of beautiful girls there was.

Maggie was actually one of the oldest girls, which was a fun role for her. She loves to play with younger kids, especially girls. However, when it came time to eat, she wanted to sit next to the 13-year-old. Go figure. :)

The younger girls loved playing with the bubbles while Maggie impressed everyone with her ability to hit the ball. The daddies chased the little ones around, and the mommies sat and relaxed for a few minutes before Daddy Dave served up the burgers and dogs. A fun time was had by all, and it was great to finally meet the little ones we hear about each week.

Kindergarten Field Day

Today was Maggie's field day, and Mommy went to help out and take pictures.  The kids had an awesome time both participating in the events and cheering each other on. Somewhere, somebody was actually keeping score of the events, but Maggie and her friends "won" everything according to them. 

 

The events were extremely well organized with each teacher having a speadsheet (you know Mommy was in heaven) of who was doing what event where.  Each child was able to do four events competing against all of the ten kindergartens.

Maggie participated in the Critter Crawl (photo above left) which is basically a go pick it up and bring it back game. She also did the scooter relay, the water relay (photo right), and the hurdles.  In addition, she was chosen to be on her class's big relay team, and did extremely well on her leg of the lap.

The most important thing is that the kids had SO MUCH fun!!!  They ran and laughed and ate all the yummy snacks that the mommies had sent in. What a great way to finish of the year. Only five days of school left!

We are safe!

Just a quick note to say that the House of Hills survived the storms last night.  We rode them out in the closet under the stairs.  It got a little scary at a few points, but we are so thankful to say that we are fine.  We did sustain some shingle damage, but it has already been repaired, with time to spare before it rains again tomorrow.

Kathy's step-brother, Trett's, neighborhood was hit hard with lots of trees down and many into houses.  Trett, his family, and his house are fine.  Yet, another blessing.

The hardest hit area, what you're seeing on the news, is about a mile from us.  While we are thankful the storm hopped over us, we are saddened to see such devastation.  Please keep those who have lost everything in your prayers.

Many Blessings,

The House of Hills

Braves Game

Maggie and Mommy headed to the Braves game Sunday afternoon with Grandma, Gramps, Uncle Bill, and Cousin Ella and had a blast!

We made it in time for Maggie to see her favorite part - them cleaning the field.  This would be the time when they spray the dirt on the infield to get ready for the game.  She also really 

likes to watch them put the "boxes" on the field and the lines, but we missed that part.

We watched several innings, had fun snacks, and Mags cheered loudly for all the Braves.  

We tried to run the base by the Coke bottle, but it was closed because it was Bark at the Park, and all the dogs were up there.

Grandma had a wonderful time sharing her love of the Braves with her two favorite girls.

The Pool is OPEN!!

The pool opened last week, and today was the first day that we

were able to go.  Maggie was so excited to go even though she was warned that the water was FREEZING!

Maggie's friends, Julie and Grace, were there when when we got there.  They had so much fun playing both in the water and around the pool.  Maggie jumped right in the water and had no trouble "swimming."  

It was crazy for Mommy how independent Maggie was.  The three girls set up a little camp on the opposite side of the pool from the moms where they were playing, talking, and having their snack.  Gone are the days when Mommy had to watch Mags like a hawk, chase her around the pool edge, and be in the water with her every second.  We have definitely moved onto a new phase of life. 

Grace had to leave before we did, but then Maggie's friend Lauren arrived.  Maggie, Lauren, and Julie had a blast jumping in together. Finally, Mommy had to get Maggie out of the pool because her lips were blue!!  I can tell we're going to be spending a lot of time at the pool this summer!  So, if you can't find us at home, guess where we'll be.

Last Soccer Game

Maggie's last soccer game of the season was today. The girls finished the season undefeated (although Upward doesn't keep score).  They all had a great time today, and all the parents were so proud of the entire team.  

It is amazing how much the Lady Pandas learned about soccer over the course of the season. They started the season playing major bunch ball, and today they were spread out and there were even some really good passes.  They learned to run back and protect the goal when the other team had the ball and to break away and run forward when there was a big 

kick forward.

  

Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma cheered Maggie on during this last game and were once again amazed by her defensive awareness.  Maggie was unable to play last week because of her ballet recital, and the entire team said how much her defense had been missed. She had one AMAZING save and several pretty good ones.  I think we have found her sport - she can't wait until the next season!

Mother's Day Celebration

After Maggie's ballet recital, everyone went to the House of Hills for the annual Mother's Day Celebration.  The Hill Family actual got a picture together!!

Uncle Trett brought Ayden and Landry over so all the Atlanta cousins got to hang out together. We feasted on chicken nuggets, strawberries, and lasagna while laughing and having a great family time.  It is never a dull moment when you get all these kids together!

We attempted to get the cousins in a picture.  They are from left to right, Ella, Will, Ayden, Maggie, Landry.

Ballet Recital

Maggie's ballet recital was May 10th.  She did an amazing job and looked so adorable up there on the stage.  She and her friends performed both a ballet and tap number while Mommy, Daddy, Nana, Grandma, Uncle Bill, Aunt Gina, Ella and Baby Will watched.  We were so proud of her!!!!

The Attack of the Pollen!!!

The attack of the pollen has hit Atlanta.  This is now how we spend pretty much every morning and sometimes evening during the spring.  Maggie is very glad that Mommy got the new laptop with her job because now she can go to her favorite "dot coms" while she does her breathing treatment.