Expo - trying out for Preteam.

Sophie works so hard at gymnastics.  She has practice twice a week and an added private lesson to further teach what class doesn't give enough time to.  This is her second most important expo.  She is trying to move up to Pre-team.
Time to stretch:

Don't have any photos to share as I was filming it - we needed videos.  But this shot tells you :
SHE DID IT.  Watch out pre-team Sophie is on her way.

Even Jack was excited for her.  He did sit through hours of practices so was hoping she'd make it. 

Next goal is - - - TEAM.  She has some work to do.  Way to go Sophie.

Beach time - this time its Topsail Island

We always go to the beach over the 4th of July.  This year was going to be no different even if we are in Texas.  Since we needed to move a bunch of stuff back to NC we figured we'd roll in a vacation too.  We loaded the truck, suburban and two trailers with things we weren't going to need the next year and headed home to NC.

Unloaded the trailers and all the stuff, visited our cool house we miss so much, slept on blow up mattresses then hit the road to Topsail Island. We were excited as our son Jon would be meeting us there.  Unfortunately, Josh couldn't get off work.  A new beach this year as we wanted to take our dog- Boone.

Ahh the beach - this is what life is about and this is why we chose Topsail Island- they allow furry family members to play in the sand also.

The gangs all here (except Joshie) - missed you bud.

The umbrellas are a staple for Hebert Holiday.  I can't be in the sun much because of meds.  But I think we need a bigger tent instead..

Just the girls...

And the dudes...

A tradition- the one who finds the most scallops wins.

This boy- I adore him.  I love his love for life, his energy, his warmth, his caring self.  My Jack...

This boy- well young man is trying but loving, full of life, knows what he wants and is getting it...my Jon.

 

Could sand time be any more fun?  Jack is our sand merman...how he stays in that sand without freaking out is beyond me.  Aren't they too cute?

Sophie's turn to be buried in the sand..she did not last long as she takes after me and started to freak out and needed out NOW.  

Trying to build a castle or a village...

These kids love the water...it is why we go every year. We need a condo or beach house so we can do this all summer.  That would rock by the way- just saying.

This girl is my sunshine, my mini-me, full of sass and attitude, a loving girl one moment and a witch the next.  She is a gymnast and a daredevil... my Sophie.

She seems to be a budding model too...Watch out Sports Illustrated or the remake of Baywatch :)

The beach was amazing.  I love going there.  Even though I don't get in the water too much it is just the way the whole place relaxes things for me.  In my next life or heck in this one I want to live there year round.  That is my dream place.
Till next summer Topsail Island...

Schools out for Summer !!!

Well they did it. They made it through a year of school at Sheppard Elementary. 

Sophie's year was not what she had hoped.  It was an extremely difficult year for her.  She is a friendly, outgoing girl who loves to make friends.  But this school - or more to the point - her class was not any of those.  There was one girl- Leilani - who is the queen of the nasty girls club. She tells the girls in the class who they can be friends with and who to dislike.  It was hard for Sophie.  Then on top of that her teacher was the adult version of Leilani.  Oh well here's to 4th grade being a much better year..
Bye Bye 3rd grade - hello 4th grade.

The photo above shows Sophie on the last day of third grade holding a photo of her from the first day.
Jack had a great year.  He is very shy and usually has a hard time making friends.  He made many friends and had boys to play with all the time.  He also found a love of math through an amazing teacher - Mrs. Hill. Mrs. Rodriguez rocked at Science and got him loving it so much.  All of his teachers were awesome. On to 6th grade next year..the last year at this elementary school -
Bye Bye 5th grade - hello 6th grade.

The above photo shows Jack on the last day of 5th grade holding a photo of himself from the first day of school.

My 4th grade girl and 6th grade boy.  So proud of you both.

My Joshie is 23. Happy Birthday!!!

23 years ago today at exactly 5:29 pm on 5-29-1991 my first true love was given to me. 
Joshua Maximus Hebert.  I am so blessed to have this young man in my life.  He has been with me through thick and thin.  We have weathered so much together and I adore him.
Happy Birthday Joshie- you will always be my little man.

I love these pictures.  My little man was always up for a photo op.  He is the first true bow head in the family.  And like all kids- he loved boxes more than the toys that came in them.  He was always so snuggly and loved his food.

He grew into such a cute young man.  Loved the water but not so much the sand.  Liked to laugh and be outdoors.  And was up for any trip to somewhere new.

His early love of water led to his love of the pool and the swim team. He grew into a wonderful young man. And didn't mind being crazy when it was called for.

His senior pictures were so great- they covered and showed his true personality.

He is now figuring out what he wants to do with his life when he "grows up".  He has found his niche - food industry  - specifically restaurant chef /owner.

 Its been a long road - 23 years - but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I love you so much.  Thanks for letting me be your mom.

I love you- mom

Awards Day at Sheppard Elementary

Usually I hate awards days at schools.  Why?  Because they are basically for the suck ups -teachers pets or the kids who come to school sick all year and make my kids ill just so they can get their perfect attendance award.  Seriously?  Why is there an award for that anyway- get a life kids.  Take a day off and have some fun.  haha

But we figured we'd try it out here at a new school - if it went badly like before we'd just skip it next year.  I was pleasantly surprised it was based on academic achievements not who is the teachers' favorite kids. 
Sophie's class is ready to go...

Here she is getting her Commendation in Reading for the STAAR test.

 Here she is getting her all A's honor roll. 

I am so proud of you my smartie pants Sophie!!!

Next up its Jack's turn.

Yes, Jack got commendation on Reading in the STAAR test.  You rock Jack !!!!

Here he is getting his other awards and a hug from his awesome teacher- Mrs. Atkins.

It was an amazing day.  I can't wait to do it again next year. 
Rock on kiddos--- keep up those grades.