Headed to 4th Grade...

On April 5th, Anna Lauren took her 3rd grade reading test.  This is the second year 3rd graders have had to take this test in order to pass 3rd grade and go to 4th grade.  Thankfully, she is good to go and headed to 4th grade!!!

The 3rd grade teachers asked that their parents send an encouraging note for them to read before their test.  Matt and I both wrote her one and then she got one from Ms. Wells and her principal.  She should have felt loved and encouraged that morning.  Of course, when I asked her about it she rolled her eyes...it is the weirdest thing...she is so "tough" on her own.  Likes very little encouragement or praise...

On Wednesday, we got the official letter that she passed!!!

I'll be honest, we were all a little nervous as reading is not her strong point so this came as a big relief!!!

From Soccer to Baseball...

While we were in Destin for Anna Lauren's cheer competition, Nanna and Cooper were at home kicking off Cooper's baseball season and ending his soccer season.  He had his first baseball game that morning and his last soccer game/party that afternoon.

Nanna sent me pictures of the little man all ready for his first game...

And a few pictures of him playing...

He is playing coach pitch this year...if they don't hit the ball after 5 pitches, they hit off the tee.  Nanna said he hit the ball both times without having to use the tee.

All smiles when he got home...pretty sure the smile says it was a super fun time.

The dad of one of his teammates is a photographer so I got this picture he took off of Facebook.  Nothing sweeter than a little boy in a baseball uniform. 

I didn't get any soccer pictures but Nanna said he had a good game and scored two goals.  After soccer, he wanted strawberries and peanuts from the Farmer's Market so of course, Nanna got them for him.  According to Cooper...she is the best!  

Cheer Competition #6...Destin

We spent the first weekend of April in Destin with Anna Lauren for her last "regular season" competition.  A little girl on the Mini 1 squad broke her arm so Anna Lauren actually cross competed in Destin...she filled in on Mini 1 and then did her regular squad.  The Mini 1 squad got 3rd out of 9 teams (I think) and Anna Lauren's squad walked away with 1st.  It was a good weekend of competition and although the weather was a little cool, it was beautiful unlike last year. 

The Mini Bullets...

The Mini Bullets, Indian Queens, and Desperados...

The Desperados just chilling until time for warm ups...

Day 1 of competition with the Mini Bullets...

Day 1 of competition with the Desperados...

Zero Deductions...Sitting in 1st Place Going Into Day 2...

Anna Lauren and Josie...

Ate a late lunch/early dinner after competing and was ready for a little time on the beach.  Wow...she looks SO old in this picture!

Enjoyed a little time on the beach...it was a cool but beautiful day.

Walking to day 2 of competition, and we see this guy.  Now...that is taking "cheer dad" to the extreme!!!  Matt thought it was super cool...Anna Lauren and I quickly told him NO...he was NOT dressing like that!!!



Day 2 of competition with the Mini Bullets...

Day 2 of competition with the Desperados...

Thankful for this group of coaches who push Anna Lauren so hard only to make her better and to be her best!

Waiting on awards and feeling pretty confident they held 1st place...had zero deductions and a higher score on day 2.

And they did it...they won 1st place!!!

Oh how we love this coach...we have spent the last 3 years with her, and we are hoping for more!

Anna Lauren loves her some Maggie...

And Matt and I love us some Mary Addison...she is the funniest kid ever...makes us laugh every single competition!

Riding home I saw this post on Instagram by Anna Lauren's coach...they did it...back to back wins.  And wow...they look like they have grown so much since last year. 

These kids had an amazing season...and now as the owner of the gym says...it is playoff time!!!  We are headed to Orlando the last weekend of April to compete in The One.  They are super excited and practicing hard...hoping to have a great weekend of competition in Orlando!