Play Ball!

Caroline has had the wonderful opportunity to play Ridgeland Challenger League Softball with several of her friends this Spring! In the words of Bill Stone, "[Caroline's softball performance] has been the greatest display of athleticism our family has seen in years!" Case in point:

Caroline's lead-off run to first base!

Now, don't be fooled: Caroline didn't always love softball this way (she has given me permission to share that fact with y'all). But this year, Caroline donned the number "5"- a number shared by fellow slugger Albert Pujols- and has come back with an unprecedented enthusiasm for America's Favorite Pass Time.

Caroline and Pujols not only share the  #5, but similar batting averages!
Photo Source: www.profantasybaseball.com

It has been so much fun to see the enjoyment Caroline gets out of playing softball with good friends from school and Hope Hollow! Softball has even given her the chance to reunite with some old friends from elementary school! I have to admit, I "borrowed" Dad's camera and turned into a member of the paparazzi at Caroline's games. Here is a small portion of the gallery I have accrued. I think I had as much fun capturing the joy in the player's smiles, as they did playing! 

Kayla's walk-out music is Justin Beiber... and she loves to dance along!

Click here to learn more about Ridgeland Challenger League.

Graduation

I'm thinking pictures may be the easiest way to recap the great week(end) known as graduation at The People's University! Between End of the Year parties and Senior dinners, somehow the one-day event turned into a whole week. We could all be here longer than we want to if I tried to write about it all. So- here you go! The week in pictures:

Where's Waldo?

Roommates- thanks for putting up with me for 3 years, Cat!

The Blades :)

Thank you, Mrs. Susan and Coach Rockey for a wonderful Graduation Lunch!

'Drella

As of you have probably heard from this proud sister, Caroline was in the all-school musical at Madison Central! The title of the post is courtesy of Carbear because when she was little, she loved the Disney version of "Cindrella" but (as Caroline is known to do), she gave it a nickname and simply called it, "Drella". Caroline was one of the towns-people and a guest at the Royal Ball, and she did great! Come on over to our house if you want to watch a recording of the production-- Caroline watches it at least once a week!

The star in action (breaking it down).

Sweet friends Alex and Victoria

The Fam!

A few charter members of the fan club...

Party Pic with Dr. Thomas

Mary Helen did great!

Caroline with "Cinderella"

The best stage parents around

Caroline and Libby (Caroline asked me to post this one!)

Jan and Tracy- y'all are the best!

Girl's picture

I'm so glad Mom and Dad encouraged Caroline to try out for Cinderella! It was so much fun to see her be a part of the musical and to see the many friendships she made through it. Caroline could not have been a part of the musical without Mom's dedication to it though. Mom was there for every dress rehearsal (including one that was spent in the orchestra pit with the entire singing cast because of a tornado watch), and was backstage for every performance! So, as much as this post is about Caroline, it's more about Mom. She's amazing!

A Music Must

All I have to say about Sandra McCracken's "Red Balloon" album is that it makes me want to cry when I listen to it. I don't mean that in a super-emotional way (although some of you may be slowly sneaking your mouse to the exit button)... Sandra's voice is just one of those things in life that is so beautiful it can bring tears to your eyes! Her "The Builder and the Architect" album (all hymns, for you Presbyterian readers) is one of the few albums I own that I can listen to on repeat. She's that good! AND she's married to Derek Webb. Very Cool. A "must have" for any acoustic music fan.