Aloha!

On Friday, May 14 the First Grade classes at Brickey McCloud celebrated the end of the school year with a Luau!  My sweet husband took the day off from work so I could spend time with Lily and her friends.  The First Grade teachers worked so hard in preparing for the day and had each classroom set up so the kids could rotate through 8 stations.  Some of the stations included Aloha Bingo:

(Lily gets very serious when playing games!) 

A craft room where the kids made a lei:

A room for Tropical Treats:

YUMMY!!!

Limbo:

Pineapple Pattern Blocks:

A Luau Relay:

Lily really enjoyed this rotation.  She was laughing so hard that her hat fell off and she could barely run with the dolphin!

They even had a cute backdrop for pictures!  Here is Lily's First Grade class with their teacher, Mrs. Cindy Davis:

I'm so thankful that I got the chance to spend time with Lily at her Luau!  I can't believe that the year has come to an end.  It has been an amazing year of learning and growing for all of us.  Thank you Brickey McCloud teachers for all you do for the children.  You are a huge blessing to us!  I know that the Lord is going to once again provide Lily with a wonderful teacher in the Fall.  But until then I am excited to have my Lily home for an extra long summer!

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

James 3:17

Pretty as a Picture

Lily's Dance Studio had Picture Week last week during their dance class.  A professional photographer came and took pictures of all of the dancers in their recital costumes.  Lily has been working so very hard this year, so I thought I would treat her to some "girl" time.  I scheduled her an afternoon of pampering!  One of my sweet friends, Linda Sullivan, offered to do Lily's makeup for her.  This was the first time Lily had a real makeover done.  Here is Lily before her makeup

Lily and I are just alike when it comes to makeup.  We prefer just to wear chapstick!  Linda used to work the Clinque counter, so she does an amazing job.  She was very patient with Lily:

Lily did so well and sat very still as Linda put powder, blush, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, and bright red lipstick on her!

After her makeover, I took Lily to see our friend, Kelly Barger at Bombshells for her first updo.  Kelly did a great job putting Lily's hair up in a "ballet bun."

She looks so grown up!

Here is Lily in her ballet costume!

And her tap costume!

These are two of Lily's friends, Grace and Bailey.  They met in Kindergarten at Brickey McCloud Elementary and took dance class together this year.  Beautiful girls!

Lily's Dance Recital is Saturday, May 29th and we can't wait to see her perform!  

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 

Psalm 27:4

Cutting the Curls

Parker had his very first hair cut on May 12th.  I had my friend, Allyson, do the honors. She has given each one of my children their very first hair cuts.  Before we left for her house, I gave Parker a bath and shampooed and conditioned his hair. 

This is the back of Parker's hair before the hair cut.  It had gotten pretty long!

Allyson had a HUGE tub of Thomas trains out on the table, so when it came time for the hair cut, he was not happy!  He becomes so engrossed in playing with trains that he doesn't want anything or anyone interrupting his play time with choo choos!  She was sweet to let him sit at the table and cut his hair in her Bonus Room so he could be with the trains.  Here is the first cut:

He cried pretty much the whole time!  Allyson was very patient, and kept on cutting the curls!

He finally settled down near the end.

And then he started crying again when it was time to leave.  He is obsessed with Thomas!  So I didn't get any "after" pictures until later on at home.  Parker likes getting his picture taken right now and saying, "Cheese!" for the camera: 

Here is the back of his head, minus some curls: 

Thank you Allyson for giving my boy his first big boy hair cut! 

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Matthew 10:30

Oh, The Places You'll Go!

On Friday, April 30th we went to see our Maddy perform in her Preschool's Spring Musical.  This year the theme was Dr. Seuss. 

Maddy's teachers painted their sweet faces and gave them hats to look like the Cat in the Hat.

Maddy was so happy to see us!

Her class sang two songs, "The Cat Came Back," and "Rain, Rain, Go Away."  It was precious!

We are so proud of you Maddy and have enjoyed watching you grow this school year.  We are praying for you and that you will know that Jesus is with you wherever you go.  Love you sweet girl!

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. 

Deuteronomy 31:8

Thomas the Tank Engine Rolling Along...

Parker's love for trains began last year on his 1st Birthday when our friends, the Dunlap's, gave him his first train, James, from Thomas & Friends.  His love for Thomas has continued to grow immensely, so when we saw that Day Out With Thomas was coming to Chattanooga, TN we decided to get tickets for our family.  On Saturday, April 24th our family took a road trip to Chattanooga to see Parker's favorite cheeky little blue engine, Thomas! 

As you can tell by the dark clouds in the pictures, a huge storm was coming!  But, it was all worth it as we got to see Parker's reaction! 

He was so excited!!!

The girls were excited to be sharing this day with their baby brother.

Parker kept pointing and yelling out the names of all the trains he saw!

Thank you Grooms family for the Day Out with Thomas shirt!  It was perfect! 

The girls got "Thomas & Friends" tattoos.

Parker loved the tent with all of the wooden Thomas tables and tracks.

I think he would stand and watch Thomas pulling in and out all day!

The LORD was so sweet to hold off on the rain until it was time for us to wait in line to board at 12:00.  Then it started to pour!  Parker didn't care, he was beside himself with excitement!

Here are my sweeties riding on Thomas!

Parker loved looking out the window as we rolled along...

I love this picture below.  If you look closely, you can see his reflection in the window!

We had such an amazing time together even though we got completely soaked!  It wouldn't have been a true Buhl Family adventure without a little extra excitement, right Jonathan?!?  I am so thankful for my family and the time we get to spend together enjoying each other's favorite things. 

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.

1John 3:18