Lots of stuff.

(Monday, September 08, 2008) Ok, here ya go. I am sitting at Lynzi’s 2nd Girl Scout meeting with my laptop and camera at hand. I figured while I was sitting here I could get this done. Of course there is no internet here…so we will see how long it will actually take me to post it at home with the pictures! But if you are reading this….I did!!

August 23rd was our recent Angel Food Distribution Day. This is a wonderful food ministry I help with at my church. Go to http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ to find a host site near you. If you do not take part in this ministry…you need to! Here are some pictures from that day.

Here is a picture of Gene, Julie and Taylor waiting for the truck to be unloaded at 6:00am!! This was my first time participating in the early morning ritual since Julie and I went for training in Terre Haute 2 years ago! It was fun!

Here is a picture of Gene’s shirt. When he isn’t at work that weekend he is getting his hands dirty for Jesus!

Here is a picture of us preparing for the morning…with FOOD! I do have to mention…the man on the far right by the big open window is our Mayor and his wife! He does not attend out church but he truly believes in this ministry and he is a joy to have help!

Later that evening Gene and I went to Mount Lawn to see Julie race. Long story, but she was unable to race. We had a fun time though. I have to say, I do not enjoy watching racing TV, but like many sports, I liked it better in person.

The next day, August 24th, we went to Marion to pick up Lynzi and go to SPLASH HOUSE! This was a long awaited trip for Lynzi. There is this huge playground with a huge bucket at the top that fills with water and tips over and splashed everywhere! Lynzi wasn’t fond of the big bucket! Like her mommy…she doesn’t like to get her face wet!!

Here Lynzi is drying off…floaties and all.

Here is a picture of the bucket splashing with no one in the pool. The lifeguards take a 15 min break on every hour and everyone has to get out of the pool.

Here is a toilet bowl like slide. You go round and round and fall in the middle. We did NOT do that! Nor did we do the big slides!!!

Lynzi waiting on the a donut for the lazy river.

Daddy and Lynzi on the lazy river.

Our Splashing Beauty!

Then on Monday Lynzi had her first Girl Scout meeting. It was a bit chaotic, of course, for the first night you have to fill out papers, etc. Lynzi is actually considered a DAISY since she is in Kindergarten but there isn’t a Daisy troop at her school. So she has advanced to the BROWNIE troop! ANYONE NEED GIRL SCOUT COOKIES??? I will be able to hook you up!

Here they are doing their Girl Scout pledge and their friendship circle.

Then they did 2 different science experiments. One was a tornado in a bottle and then they learned how to blow up a balloon without blowing air into it. Pretty neat.

Doesn’t she look very interested!

Then on Tuesday Lynzi had her first dentist appointment. She wasn’t scared at all! It helps that her Sunday School teacher works there! She had no cavities and got a princess tooth brush and tooth paste! The dentist said, “She is so beautiful! How can someone look at something like that and then not believe in God?”

Look at that SMILE!

On Wednesday Grandma E came for a visit. While she was here we went to Bounce About. Lynzi has been anxious to show someone this place!!

On Friday we went to Marion where we stayed at Grandma A’s house (Grandma E’s twin). We stayed there through Sunday. Aunt Tina came to visit too! So we spent lots of time at Grandma and Grandpas house too! Here are some pictures of and Cinderella giving a Piano Recital on Grandma and Grandpa’s organ.

Before heading out to church Lynzi wanted to visit Uncle Dan’s train station! A lot of time and money had to go into this thing!!

Here is an outfit Lynzi got her birthday. There is a matching dress for her Cinderella Doll! Lynzi wore this to church on Sunday. Mommy made her and her doll a matching scrunchy the night before from some of the fabric Grandma E brought with her!

We went to a church Gene’s dad use to pastor at in Montpelier. They had a great time seeing old friends.

After church we went to Chuck E Cheese’s to share the experience with Grandma E. Lynzi had over 60 tokens left from her birthday and had saved her tickets from 3 different visits. Here is what she picked out. She got a Hello Kitty purse and Hello Kitty stones to put on her wall. There is also a little beaded ring on her little finger.

Here is a picture of Lynzi with Aunt Tina, Grandma and Mommy.

Here is a picture of ALL the fabric for scrunchies. Thanks Grandma E!

Just checking in...

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. A lot has happened since the last post. I have taken lots of pictures of lots of events and then they just sit on my camera. Bad Blogger!! I know! I will try to get things caught up tomorrow. I have been sick since Wednesday night and finally went to the Dr last night. I have tonsillitis. Thank God it isn't strep! But it sure does hurt!! Tomorrow Karmen and I were to scrap all day, but things came up on her end...lots of things...but it was meant to be. I can just relax another day! I pretty much slept all day today. I took some liquid pain meds that knocked me out the whole day! I guess if I am asleep I can't feel the pain! lol

Some things that have been happening.
-Lynzi's first dentist appt
-Gene's mom came for a visit
-Tina came for a visit
-Lynzi's first Girl Scout meeting
-Trip to Marion's Splash House
-2 fundraisers

Things coming up...
-ballet starts up again in a couple more week
-first school skating party

More later!

VOTE!

Days #4 and #5

Well, we made another big step on Day #4 and #5...well, ok, a big step for me...not so much for Lynzi. I drove up and DROPPED HER OFF! I didn't get out of the car. Got in the drop off lane and she got out all by herself. She is getting to be such a big girl.

Here is a picture of her after Day #4. She fell asleep watching a video in her room. When I woke her up she said, "Was it over?"

Today, #5...I picked her up and she said, "The teacher has a real caterpillar in the classroom. Well, it isn't a caterpillar now, it is a Chrysalis!"

A WHAT??? I know what it is ....but how does she know already??? She truly does love to learn.

Then she said they got to share what their favorite part of school is and Lynzi said it is the Listening Center where you get to put on headphones and listen to stories. I guess sleeping isn't her favorite anymore!

Tonight is "Back-To-School Night". I hope to have a lot more pictures to show you of her class and school!

Day #2

Ok, I wasn't as strong this morning! Lynzi was, again, so excited. I walked her in and it was a couple minutes too early and they had to go to into the gym to wait. I walked her to the gym, where she had never been, and waiting for time. I stood there thinking, "I don't know if she knows how to get to her class from the gym." So I waited to walk her to her hall. When it was time, we begin to walk. She says, "I don't want you to walk with me." GULP!

I point her into the right direction and head to the door....yes...with tears in my eyes. I know she didn't say it to be mean...she just wanted to do it by herself...which...hurts too! WAAAA!

She had a good day. She said she didn't get in trouble but 2 other girls did and that she had music class today....which she loves music.

Day #2....good day!

More details on First Day of Kindergarten

The day went well, and I did a lot better than I thought! I held a lump in my throat a few times, but I held it back.

Lynzi got up with NO PROBLEM this morning. It was early...but not too early for those excited little "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK"s she lets out when she is excited! She ate a breakfast of fruit, cereal and OJ. Then got dressed....ALL BY HERSELF! She feels like such a big girl when she does that! Then I fixed her hair. We made a scrunchy yesterday to match what she would be wearing.

Gene and I went to Bob Evans for breakfast since he was off and I didn't have to be to work for another hour. I called it..."comfort food!" Well that comfort food was good and I didn't have to eat lunch!

Both Gene and I picked her up at the door where we noticed she forgot her lunch box. So we had to go down the hall to get it. While there she said, "Mommy I want to show you one thing!" I said, "Ok, show me." She said, "See this board? If we are bad we get our name written on the 'choice' box. That means we are in trouble." Well, good. She has that down pat the first day! So, if she didn't learn anything else today, she learned what happens if she gets in trouble. It is a good first lesson!

As we walked down the hall back to the front door, I asked her what her favorite part was. She said, "Sleeping." HA! Wasn't expecting that! They all have these little blue and red nap pads they lay on. How exciting is that?? She then told me she had met a new friend, Sydney. This makes 3 Sydney's she knows now!

As we make our way to the car the principal stops us. "Did her teacher tell you she can't wear flip flops?" OH NO!!! SHE LOVES FLIP FLOPS!! Not too mention she has 532 pairs! (Ok, not really, but it seems like it when she is told to pick them all up throughout the house. I said, "My husband wondered and I searched and searched in the school material and found nothing about flip flops. He said, "I know, it is just our own school's rule. Well POO! But...ok! An excuse to go out buy more shoes!!! HA!

She then told us about going to the Computer Lab and learning what NOT to do to the computers. She said, "We can't bang on the keyboards." A very good lesson #2.

Lynzi and I went over the papers sent home, about rules and such which explained more about the choice box. Everyday (perhaps) they get "choice" time where I assume they get to play, read, sleep (ha), do a puzzle, etc and if your name is on the board 5 min is taken away from that choice time. She said she got to have a choice today. Her choice was playing in the pretend kitchen.

All in all it was a good day for us all. We will see how well we all get up at 6am tomorrow! UGH!

Lynzi's first day of Kindergarten

Twas the night before Kindergarten and all threw the home every creature was stirring with excitement that was shown. With a backpack, a lunch box and supplies everywhere, she was all dolled up with curlers in her hair.

In bed she laid awake 2 hours and a half. She tried counting sheep and even through in a calf. She finally fell asleep and got some needed rest. Then awake she came and ate a good breakfast.
She got dressed up in an outfit all green. Then brushed her teeth to make them good and clean.
Then outside early, in the dawn to take some pictures of how she has grown!

With her backpack on and her lunch in hand. She knew for sure this day would be grand!Looking ahead "what will I learn today?" With a cat on her back she just couldn't wait to go play!

The car is packed up and we are ready to ride with excitement and joy we just cannot hide.

A walk through the parking lot to the school we stroll in hopes to be on the high honor roll.

The sign says, "Students' first day" where all will learn to read, write and obey.
Down the hall she goes with only one look back, as her mommy's heart just begins to crack.

A big girl she is getting to be so far...but not now she get's to go dance with the stars!! Inside the big classroom a teacher so kind to make mommy feel safer about leaving her baby behind.She is starting to feel welcome in this great big school where we hope she will perform the Golden Rule.

Wilbur Wright School-brothers of the first flight. Fly high, sweet Lynzi and learn with all your might!

More to do at the fair.

There was so much to do for a 5 year old at the fair. One building had a place to draw, get some exercise and just have fun. Here is a slide show of her drawing "her perspective" and playing some games. Also in the slide show is her riding rides. She was FEARLESS! Those swings went VERY HIGH!

Learning to be a Farmer

Many times Lynzi has told me..."Mommy, remind me when I get older I want to be a farmer!" At the State Fair they had a nice place where kids got to do just that! It was a great lesson.

State Fair 2008. Band Day

We always like to go to opening day of the State Fair. It is Band Day and although none of our hometown bands compete anymore...we enjoy watching it. Our youth pastor works part time as a band director. One of his bands he works with competed and got 6th place! Lynzi especially enjoyed it this year. She danced in the stands. We bought her a cute little color guard flag to practice and pretend with at home. She was very much interested in the baton twirlers! I told her mommy used to do that when I was little....started at about her age actually. I would love to find someone to give her lessons. If anyone knows of any instructors close to us let me know!

Again this year we went to Indy the night before and stayed in a hotel. This time we stayed DOWNTOWN INDY! Gene got a great deal on a hotel room in the Marriot for $52!! I love good deals! Here are a few pics of Lynzi enjoying the view.

GOOD FIND!

Since Lynzi will be starting Kindergarten in 8 days I was wanting to find her a desk. I want her to start off with a routine of coming home and doing homework and putting her things away. I looked and looked online and at Wal-mart for a not-no-expensive first desk. Just when I stopped looking...we found one at a rummage for $3.00!!!! The chair was included.

The slanted top comes up and she can store her supplies and papers in there. It also has these little pegs you can put up to make it a level surface. (Gizmo is eager to see what the new piece is all about too!)

This we didn't even realize until we got home. This little lid comes up and it is a perfect spot for supplies like glue sticks, scissors, pencils and more. Shortly after this picture Lynzi was filling it up with supplies!
There is a little ledge there...I am not sure what it is for but holds a book up there nice!
I am very proud of this find!

Seeing Eye to Eye

Monday Lynzi and I both had eye doctor appointments. This was Lynzi's first. She enjoyed it and did great! Her eyes are normal! YAY! My eyes...nothing has changed! YAY! Here is the little patient.

On Wednesday we went to Muncie to do some shopping at Toys R Us. Lynzi got a gift card from Dave and Carol for her birthday. She had a rough time deciding but she did well. She got a guitar, a baby bath, a Hello Kitty lapdesk, a pen, an eraser, 2 rulers and a Care Bear marshmallow sucker.

Last night we went to the park for a little bit where we saw friends from church there. Lynzi had fun playing with baby Sydney...who isn't much of a baby any more! She will be 3 in February. Lynzi wanted to show daddy how well she can climb on things now that she is 5 years old!

Today Lynzi and I were to go to Marion to SPLASH HOUSE! However, mommy is sick with cough and a fever. When Daddy gets home he is going to take her to the little splash pad at baker park pool to help make up for the day. Today would be a good day to scrap...if I just felt like it!