VBS

Ok fine! I'm sorry I've been such a bad blogger! Lately it seems like everyone I talk to has to say, "Anabelle's bday was in May! Get to blogging!"
So I can't start without including VBS, so here goes.

Anabelle is six!

My Anabelle Claire is six. And boy is she six! She says that talking us her talent and she's not lying! She also describes herself as sassy. Couldn't be more right on that one either. She just finished kindergarten and will be a big first grader in the fall. She loves her sweet best friends and her sisters. she is funny and sensitive. She loves to jump on the trampoline, play with her AG dolls and do her "bible study."She is the be all end all to her little sister. They like to call themselves twins. I will cry when her prayers no longer include the phrase, "Thank you Lord for all you have gaven us." our sweet Belle Belle!

Easter

Yes, it is almost a month after Easter and I'm just posting pictures.  Been much too busy living life. 

 We have a tradition for Easter lunch.  All of us who don't have family close, spend it together.  Now that I say that, it doesn't sound like much of a tradition, but it is to us.  We know that we'll have at least one other family to share an Easter Sunday lunch.  It has really become a special thing to us.  This was our gang this year.  Would you believe that this is only five families?  Boy are we a fertile bunch. 

These are my favorite three photos of the girls from Easter weekend.  Can you guess which picture was taken by an actual super talented photographer and not on my iphone?  Ha!

Birthday girl!

My sweet Caroline is three. Although over a month ago she told a childcare worker at church that she was already three. She is my most stubborn girl. She knows what she wants and often times finds a way to get it, even of that means getting into trouble along the way. She may be slow to warm up to you, but she hugs better than anyone once your in her circle. She talks and talks and talks. I never thought it was possible, but maybe as much as Anabelle. Loves her big sisters more than anything. Loves going to church. Most days insists on very eccentric outfits. She's very specific about what she likes and she likes pattern and a lot of it. Loves to talk on the phone to Papaw and Gran and always wants to FaceTime. :) She eats almost anything, but LOVES sweets and never quits asking for them. There is a sneaky little grin she flashes when she knows shes about 10 seconds away from getting into trouble.
She prayed yesterday for her big sisters saying, "dear God, pwease help Taylah and belle belle make good dejiguns today. Love you God, amen. Bye bye. " I just love her heart.
Our family changed three years ago and it will never be the same.

The American Village

Last Friday was field trip Friday for the Rushing girls.  We took a short drive south to the American Village just twenty or so minutes from Birmingham. It is a colonial village recreation that is totally interactive.

The girls got to do so many things that kept even Caroline engaged.  Here they are pretending to be indians getting ready to board the English ship in Boston Harbor where they threw tea overboard.  The kept chanting: "Rally Mohawks! Raise your axes, tell king George we'll pay no taxes on your foreign tea!"

 They learned a few games that kids played in early American times.

 Then they re-enacted the Battle of Lexington and Concord.  Here is Taylor defending  Lexington against the redcoats.

 Anabelle and Caroline defeated the redcoats and chased them out of Concord. 

It was fantastic.  In the first five minutes we were given a message to deliver to George Washington regarding the redcoats plan to attack.  The actor who played the redcoat was a little too real for Anabelle's taste and she stuck pretty close to me for the first few "missions."  But as you can see, she had no trouble at all chasing the little boys from our group who dressed up as Brittish soilders.  :)

Spring Break!!

Our first few days at the beach were with some of our favorite people. It was great!!! The girls had so much fun playing with their friends and so did Shannon and I. Sooooo blessed to have such amazing peeps. :)

Museum of Art

Homeschooling has been so fun for our little family. Today was a super fantastic day. Shannon was off work so he came with us to the bham museum of Art. Our docent was fabulous!!!! The girls (and I) learned so much. Even Caroline was still and quiet.