The Mackeys: May 2009

David's End of School Celebration

David and his class were precious singing to us for the end-of-year celebration.

Look at how earnest he is

But he still had time to yuk it up with his silly friend Chase

Afterwards, with his adoring fans. David Cook and David Archuleta got NOTHIN' on David Mackey!

Yesss!

Charlie and Sarah at Awards Day

Charlie and Sarah got lots of awards, including Principal's Honor Roll (for all As), Perfect Attendance (Charlie for the full year, Sarah for the second semester because she was sick one day in the fall), Citizen of the Month, and Reading awards (Charlie silver, Sarah bronze). Way to go, Mackadorables!!

We say goodbye (for now) to Mrs. Mach, after 4 years -- she taught both Charlie and Sarah for first and second grade. Now she's staying in second grade, so it will be a while before we may have her again for Allison.

Allison's End of School Celebration

The Pre-K invited us in for a slide show, reception, and Pre-K send-off. We're so proud of Miss Allison! She is all ready for Kindergarten!

With friend Ellie

With teacher -- who also taught Sarah and who is looking forward to having David in her class next year

The gang's all here

Allie and her proud Momma

Field Day

Charlie and Sarah had back-to-back field days as the school year drew to a close. They both did awesome and had a blast!

Charlie with some friends

Running hard in the baton relay

I think 4 legs would work better than 3!

Charlie and Lawrence going neck and neck in cross country. Lawrence ultimately prevailed, with Charlie taking a well-deserved second place.

Sarah horsing around with her friends.

The girls

Sarah gives it her best in the baton relay

Running like the wind

David's Early Birthday Celebration

Since David has a summer birthday, we had an early birthday party for him at school. He loved it! Happy Almost-Birthday, Big Guy!

When the Time Comes

David: Mommy, I want to die with my sleeping animals.

Me: What? I don't want you to die at all.

David: Well I didn't mean today.

Piano Recital

Charlie and Sarah took piano this year and both are off to a great start.
Here they are at their piano recital.

Sarah performs "Feeling Sneaky"

Charlie plays a duet of "Hurdy Gurdy" with his teacher, Ms. Michelle:

A group of students from their music academy:

Kids these days! Who knew you get TROPHIES for piano?!

Spring Sports Come to a Close

Our sports seasons ended a few weeks ago. Here are some shots from the grand finales:

Allison and David played on the same soccer team. Daddy was their coach. They had a great time and got better and better as the season went on. They had lots of fun playing and scored lots of goals. David ended the season with a hat trick -- not bad for the youngest player in the league! (Perhaps the payoff for being dragged to various soccer games and practices for as long as he's been alive.)

The Strikers celebrate the season with a giant cookie cake. And giant smiles.

Sarah also played soccer, and wrapped up her third season with this coach and most of the same teammates. They had a blast.

Coach Steve,

Devon, Annabette, Sarah T, Rachael, Sarah M, Sam, Chloe, Erin

Charlie picks baseball instead of soccer for his spring sport. He played for the Gators. He had a great season. He hit well and played a mean first base and pitcher. Go Charlie!

Maybe We Need to Work on Old Testament

David, admiring Sarah's piggy bank: Daddy said he's going to get ME a piggy bank too.

Me: But you already have a bank.

David: But it's not a PIGGY bank.

Me: No, it's a Noah's Ark bank.

Allison: What's Noah's Lark?

Me: Noah's ARK. It's a boat.

David: Oh! Like Noah in my class. He gave me that bank.

Me: No, like Noah from the Bible.

David: Oh. Noah from the Bible gave me that bank.

Me: No he didn't. Aunt Ginny gave you that bank.

David: Then why'd you say it was NOAH's ark?

Happy Early Birthday, Mr. Precise

Me, at bedtime: Charlie, when you wake up you're going to be ten years old!

C: No, I won't.

Me: You mean because you weren't born until 3:53 in the afternoon?

C: Right. But I set the alarm on my watch to go off at 3:53 so I'll know exactly when I turn 10.

Not-So-Good Housekeeping

Me: Hey, guys, guess what: we're having a cookout for dinner!

Sarah: With a lot of people?

Me: No. Just our family.

Sarah: Then why were you cleaning the house?

Evidence #567 That My Kids Watch Too Much TV

Allison, pretend vacuuming, taking off a hose: Wait a minute David, I have to get in hard-to-reach places.

I Have Loved You

Me, singing in church, with David in my lap, on his knees, facing me: I have loved you/ with an everlasting love/ I have called you/ and you are mine.

David, loudly: Hey! I have called you, too, Mommy, and you are mine! Just like in the song.

Me, smiling, and still singing: I have loved you/ with an everlasting love.

David: ME TOO! I loved you like that too, Mommy!

God Even Makes the Bad Guys

Driving to church ...

David: God didn't make monsters.

Me: No, you're right.

David: Or bad guys either.

Allison: Yes he did! God made everybody, and everyone has the opportunity to be a good guy or a bad guy, and God wants them to choose to be good.

Me: Yes, Allison, that's exactly right.

Mommy Rocks

I received an award at work this week, and I came home wearing a corsage.

Sarah: What are the flowers for?

Me: Because I got an award today, and they gave me this corsage.

S: What award?

Me: 2009 Coca-Cola Corporate Women of Achievement.

S: What does that mean?

Me: It means.... Coca-Cola says I rock!

S: But I thought you already knew that.

Me, hugging her: Sarah, you're so sweet. Thank you.

S, looking blankly: Mommy, I'm serious. I thought you knew that.

Me: Oh. Well, I do. But it's nice when other people know it too.

It Was the 70s, After All

We're renovating the kitchen and den, and the walls and floors are in various states of completion.

Me: Hey Charlie, come look at this. You can see this old wallpaper that used to be up in the kitchen.

C, looking: So?

Me: So! So it's interesting. It tells us about our house's history.

C: What, that some people who lived here before us had bad taste in wallpaper?

But Somehow It Sounds So Civilized

Sarah recently read The Indian in the Cupboard. She enjoyed it, so I picked it up and started reading. A few pages in...

Me: Sarah, did you understand this book? There are a lot of unusual words in here.
S: Yeah, I understood it.
Me: But it's British English. Did you understand all of that?
S, in fake British accent: Yes, and I'd like some tea.
Me: Oh, OK, so you get it?
Charlie: And she did start saying, "I'll bash you in straight!"

Baby Sam's Baptism

We had a wonderful but quick trip to Myrtle Beach to celebrate Baby Sammy Mudge's baptism. Somehow I didn't have my camera at the right times -- how do we have no pictures of Dargan and Matt? We are relying on the kindness of others to fill in our gaps!

The Baby of Honor, Samuel Bryant Mudge