Comparison Pics - First and Last Day!

Normally these pictures are a lot more fun because I very precisely capture photos - in the same place, same angle, some outfits - on the first and last day of school.  Plus we have these cool signs to mark the first and last day. 

Well, this 2023-2024 school year we didn't make anything precise because we were just trying to get by last August!  School started before we were in our main house and while we were temporary living in our small carriage house.  Things were in boxes or Dublin or who knows where!  So our first day of school picture was simply this:

Thankfully by the time school ended we had finished our house, moved in, emptied the storage units, unpacked all the boxes and - yea - found our school signs!  So I did manage to capture the standard end of year pics:

Gosh these kiddos have grown!  Maryn's dresses always make me laugh, how they go from at-or-below-the-knees to nearly-inappropriate for school, all in a matter of 9 months. And the boys' faces change so much from beginning to end!  

Thankful for such a great school year!

Closing out the 2024 School Year!

It's really had to believe this school year has come to an end! It went by pretty fast!  And I think a sign of a good school year: the kids were hesitant for it to end.  When I would say "are y'all excited about summer?" they would pause and say "but I'll really miss my teachers". Seriously, they had some GREAT ones this year!  

Closing out the school year took approximately 4 weeks.  The end-of-year activities across church, community and school seems to go on the entire month of May!  

First, we closed out at the Ford with the final oyster roast of the season (they'll pick back up again in the Fall).  Already you could feel the heat, humidity and bugs!

Our Wednesday night program at church (J.A.M) came to a close in late April with a big celebration and lots of music.  The kids have loved the program (and I've loved serving in the preschool!)

All sorts of activities took place in May at school, from dress up days to fun days to field days. JB had a field trip to Savannah to take a trolley tour.  So much fun. I didn't capture many pictures (as parents do not attend too much, but every day the kids came home excited about something).

The school hosted events for the last week of school, including games - parents included! - at Carver and parties at the other schools. The kids tearfully said goodbye to some of the BEST teachers we've had yet:  Ms. Layfield (4th), Mrs. Denton (2nd) and Mrs. Taylor and Ms. Kivrak (K).

Kids came home from the last day full of joy and happiness (and so much sweet food!)

We immediately took off to Dublin for some work and celebrated the first day of summer with ICE CREAM (at the new place downtown, Scoops).

Summer is off to a BANG!  And we're excited for it :)

Kentucky Derby Party!

The Ford hosts a lot of great events, and the Kentucky Derby Party is no exception. Not only is there a celebration of horses and the famous horse race itself, but there are LIVE PIG RACES.  You cannot imagine how much fun and excitement a pig race - especially when members are betting and sponsoring the pigs - can bring.

Everyone dressed up in lovely Spring colors and fancy hats.  We had a blast hanging out with our friends.

After the actual Kentucky Derby (which I could tell you nothing about, I don't remember a thing other than a finish so close it required photos at the end), we lined up ready for the pig races. The first few "racers" were super cute little piglets that the kids loved to watch.

Then the real fun began.  Different families could sponsor a pig in the final race, and the Sassers sponsored one we named Sassy P.  After several fast races of little pigs, we were not anticipating the very slow, leisurely race of the big, fat pigs that we had sponsored.  

Wesley got very into the race, yelling and encouraging the pig to "go faster, go FASTER!!" as Sassy P hung out in the #2 spot throughout most of the race.

At the very end of the race it looked like Sassy P would take over the lead spot!  She shouldered the leader out of the way, moved out in front, kept meandering toward the finish line...until she spotted a sandwich cookie in the grass and stopped to eat it. Three other pigs cross the finish line while she enjoyed the cookie. What. In. The. World. I've never screamed so hard at a race in my life.

Wesley was NOT okay with the finish.  He's still upset about it.  BUT, all in good fun (and proceeds raised benefited a good cause).

The kids got to pet the littler pigs and soon got over the loss. They were very cute and snuggly.

Never did I dream our Kentucky Derby watch party would include so much excitement outside of the actual horse race.  But what a fun time!