This picture just took my breath away. It was the one I took on the first day of school.
Abey was just a baby!
Here's an attempt at a pic that was going to be so precious in my mind. This was at the school at the end of the day. Annabeth was too excited about the punching balloon Jackson had been given to care about a picture. He really didn't want her to play with it, but I was trying to avoid a meltdown on the way to the car. Carrying a screaming, kicking child to the car sideways - along with her backpack and nap mat - is not real fun.
What's awesome is that when we got into the parking lot, Annabeth let go of the balloon and it went flying off. We went running after it like fools. When we got to our car I put the balloon in the floor board and tried to get the kids buckled in. Then the wind blew the balloon out of an open door and there I went chasing that darn thing again! Like a fool! I seriously looked like a cartoon.
It's heart-warming to know that the other parents' enduring memory of me will involve me chasing after a $1 punching balloon like my life depended on it. With my daughter's backpack on my back, I might add. I suppose that's better than Jackson's enduring memory of preschool being when Mommy let Sissy play with his brand new thing and she let it fly away with the wind.
After that we all felt a bit like this.
It was time to celebrate the last day of school with a ding dong cake.
Fun dessert to begin and end school is a tradition passed down from my mama. I can't deny my heritage.
Happy summer, everyone!
29 comments:
Okay. How do you make those ding dong cakes?
Also, Jackson looks terrific in turquoise. :)
You will have many more "mom" moments and special days that don't quite live up or turn out as your expectations had thought. But they'll be every bit as cherished. :) This from a mom who will be crying next week that I will no longer have any children in elementary school. :)
Too cute!!! Adorable children and wonderful traditions. Hey, maybe you can make running after a balloon something you do every year at the end of school?!?!?!? hahahaha Just Kidding! Glad you survived and the meltdowns were held at bay.
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
Amanda…. I just love how you capture the real moments with your sweet kids!!!! They are beyond precious!!! :)
Tiggerdaisy, that would be something else, wouldn't it? Ha!
Dionna, the ding dong cakes come from a bakery. Thank God I do not know how to make them!
I sometimes God takes those over-emotional melancholic moments we plan to have and purposely toys with them, just to remind us He knows.
I cannot believe how big AB got this year. She went from being a toddler-baby to being a little girl.
(I will now resist singing "Sunrise Sunset" because if I try, my baby will end up playing in the toilet while I type. Such is the humor of God.)
They are so CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have changed a lot since the start of school!
Any parent watching you chase that balloon would totally understand! A fun dessert to start and end the school year sounds like a yummy tradition to me:-)
Sweet things.
Aww precious!
Amanda, I have to smile. A bakery! And here I thought you had this phenomenal recipe! :) (Well - I guess you do. You know the name and location of the bakery. :))
Too cute! Happy summer to you to!
Awww, I wanted the recipe but you are right, it is for the best that it remains a secret!
That picture of nine months ago to the one from today is shocking. We forget how much they change in such a short amount of time. Bittersweet, indeed.
We have a celebration at the end of each school year, too- nothing better than permission to give your kids sweets and partake, too! :)
Awesome. We do banana splits on the first and last day of school. So much fun!
Such sweet pictures and memories!!! What a great tradition too!!!
Congratulations to Jackson on graduating!!! ♥ Barb
That's wonderful! We don't really have any traditions, other than Jeremiah never doing his homework and Angela always whining about something I'm not doing or getting for her, but I'm really hoping we won't make those traditions for too much longer. Okay, actually we do have a tradition. I always let the kids stay up as late as they want after the last day of school. I'm a night owl, so it works out just fine. And being a night owl, of course, I love staying up late, too:) Actually, only if dad doesn't have to work in the morning. But as soon after school is over as we can. I don't know what it is about them ending school in the middle of the week?
Okay, so Jackson's rolling eyes photo? Had me laughing right out loud!
You are the best mama in the world, running after that balloon, Amanda...
They'll remember that.
May your weekend bob along and soar on the grace of our Jesus, friend...
All's grace,
Ann
AMEN! So glad it's finally here!
the fall to spring comparison pics do me in.
every. single. time.
those and labor stories.
way to capture the moments!
I got tickled at you chasing the balloon ... twice! Has that not happened to all of us??!! I've done the very same thing ... it escapes out the other door just when you think it is safe. Somehow it makes you aggravated at your kids! We rarely let them take balloons home anymore after one got wrapped around a ceiling fan! Hey, wanted to let you know my article is out on that young couple (from David Platt's church) planting a church in Seattle - http://www.mymissionfulfilled.com/article.asp?id=2433
Thanks for getting me to giggle this afternoon ... I needed it! You and your family are precious.
These pictures are just simply adorable.
Found your blog through Wendy's...I love that you capture these special moments too (I'm kinda obsessed with it)!!
Jamie
Darling babies! And u are right. They positively look grown compared to day one pics. Hope yall have a fabulous summer!
i feel the same way looking at laney's pictures from last fall compared to now. they grow up so fast. i love how Annabeth looks just like you and Jackson looks just like Curtis! i thought about you last night... "some kind of wonderful" was on TNT and i loved the amanda jones song!!!
also we are praying for your church plant. we are excited to hear more about it and we would love to come visit.
oh my look at those darling little ones in the first day picture!
Annabeth looks like a baby!
What a difference a year makes!
Amanda- I know you are enjoying these days because they are just precious and priceless. I wish I could have my 2 be that little again :)
Have a great summer
They are just so beautiful!
You have a very sweet blog. Very fun to read. Keep up the great work!
I just started my first blog. It's at www.projectpaperie.blogspot.com.
I would be honored if you would read it and consider becoming a follower. It has art, faith stories, and more. Thank you!
I thought of you this morning with all that is going on with your new church when I read this .... from dayspring - incourage ..."God Sized Dreams" ..
http://www.incourage.me/2011/06/god-sized-dreams-the-disclaimers.html
Hey Amanda,
Thanks for always keeping in touch! I was sad I missed you guys last time you popped in the shop! But maybe next time.
Your kiddos are so so so cute!
Hugs to you & your sweet family too, Elsie
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