Finishing up Kindergarten

Annah is almost done with Kindergarten. Monday morning she'll go to school in the morning to get her report card and then come home after less than an hour of school and be done for the summer. The schoolyear passed so quickly, of course. She has learned so, so much this year, and we've been so thankful she's had an incredibly wonderful teacher. One of those situations where you wish she could follow her through school and teach every grade she's in. Annah is sad to end the school year because she will miss Mrs. Tompkins. She absolutely adores her.

getting off the bus at the end of the school day

She's changed so much this year...

Today Annah's class cleaned the classroom and brought home things out of their desks and lockers. This is Annah's yellow pencil box she carefully picked out before the start of school. Notice the name you see is not hers, but Brendan's. She wrote his name on her box because she likes him...

Annah and some things that have been a part of her kindergarten journey...her daily folder, pink backpack, pencil box & classroom supplies, P.E. shoes, and Barbie lunchbox.

I'm so proud of you my sweet girl. Kindergarten was good to you, and you grew beautifully through it.

Picnic Field Trip

Annah's kindergarten had a field trip today to the big park in Gibson City. Sylvie, Caed, and I met them there!

Caeden jumped right in the middle of all the 40 kindergarteners and played like he knew them all. Annah went to him right away and led him around by his hand playing together with him. Caeden was excited some of the boys even started a game of tag with him, and he ran by to tell me, "Mom! I'm playing tag!" I think the boys probably liked that he didn't know he was supposed to turn around and chase them once he was tagged!

Mr. Olsen, the principal, brought lunch for all the kindergarteners...cheese pizza, potato chips, and water. Annah sat with some friends from both classes...

At the park, there is a VERY tall metal slide (that is probably against many safety codes!!!) that Annah LOVED going up/down!

Annah, Sylvia, & Caeden and a couple others checked out the wooden pick-up truck. Sylvia, for the most part, did not want to play with the kindergarteners because there were too many of them for her comfort! When she did play, she chose spots where there were only a few or no other kids.

Annah and Caeden (across from each other) rode the old merry-go-round with no fear. Looks fun to me!

It was really great to get to go be with Annah's classmates and see her playing with them.

Weekend List

A quick list blog about stuff we did over the holiday weekend:

*Jeremy took Fri. off and had FOUR, count them, FOUR days in a row off work!
*The gift of DIRT. (See previous post.)
*Rented movies:
-The Prestige -- Loved it. Watching it again tonight. Two thumbs up from Mr. & Mrs. Lopshire.
-High School Musical -- So cute. The kids all loved it, watched it twice, and we even thought it was cute.
-Borat -- Highly offensive (which we pretty much knew it would be). There were a couple funny things, but I would NOT recommend wasting part of your life on it.
-Barbie Fairytopia, The Magic of the Rainbow -- The kids love the Fairytopia movies, and they are really pretty to watch, and have decent lessons to them.
-Haven't watched the other ones we rented yet. It was forecasted to rain all weekend so we rented several!
*Singed my hair and totally removed all arm-hair on my right arm when lighting the grill today. Going to have to see my miracle-working hairstylist for a new cut this week. Man, that was scary! I don't care what the grill instructions say, I'm pretty sure I'm going to light it with the lid shut from now on! That was one big cloud of flame that came at me!
*Split up the 2 little kids Friday, and J & C went to town and S & I went to town to run errands. Met up at McD's for lunch. Fun times!
*I scrapped a little. Something crazy made me enter a scrapbooking contest. If I think about being competitive with it I would totally freak out. I honestly can't compete with such artistic people. But that's not what it's about for me. I just like the challenge, the inspiration, and getting some scrapping done.
*Jeremy re-organized the garage, hung siding, moved dirt, and did as much work outside as he could between the rain.
*J went to work for part of the day today...he's writing performance evaluations on his team this week.
*Caeden threw about 1000 fits, Sylvia tattled about 1000 times, and Annah talked back about 1000 times.
*We slept in on Sunday and only went to second service...very rare for us, but a nice change for this week.
*Annah & Sylvia practiced singing a duet they are *hopefully* going to sing at church next week. After they practiced with microphones after church was over on Sunday, and a few people clapped for them, Sylvia vowed she won't do it and never wants to sing again. I may have to sing with them to get them to do it. They're so cute though, when they actually sing together!

Here's a page I did for the contest:

An exciting pile of dirt!!!

We received a huge, totally unexpected blessing today! A BIG pile of dirt! (I know, my mom laughed at me for being so excited about a pile of dirt, but I AM!)

See, our neighbors across the street are putting in a garage behind their house. Earlier this week they'd dug out a big spot in their backyard and piled up all the dirt right in front of their house. So, I've been staring at this huge pile of dirt for a few days, and yesterday it dawned on me to wonder what, if anything, they were going to do with it. I mentioned to Jeremy yesterday that if he saw our neighbors out and about he should ask them if they had plans for it. So today, he did. And, Michelle told him he was welcome to have as much of it as he wanted; they just wanted it out of their front yard! Their friend who worked for the county was going to be here in 1/2 hour to move it down to the end of town to the county's dirt pile, and she figured he'd rather move it the short distance across the street to our yard anyway.

So, the neighbors let us have [what would amount to hundreds of dollars of] their dirt for free, and the super-awesome county guy moved it all into our bare spot in the backyard and leveled it out for free! Talk about an immense blessing!! (And, we do intend on paying them something!!)

The reason I'm so excited is because we have not had a backyard since we moved here, really. And, now we finally have it filled with wonderful dirt and can grow grass and have a place for the kids to PLAY in our own yard!!!

We used the pool only a couple of times, and never wanted it anyway. We were blessed with another neighbor who took a lot of it apart and hauled it away for us just to get the money from the scrap aluminum. We were glad to let him! Last summer a friend from church was kind enough to bring us a load of dirt at a good discount, but it was only a start. Then we ran into all the house issues and the money had to start going towards windows and siding and building supplies. The hole in the backyard wasn't such the priority anymore.

So, I am so incredibly thankful that the Lord has allowed us this blessing, and I can't wait to see that beautiful grass growing there for the kids to play on!!! Thank you Lord today for DIRT!

Aztek

I suppose I should blog about this. I really don't even want to think about it though.

On Sunday after church, our car wouldn't start. When I walked back into the church to tell Jeremy, the man who used to be the head mechanic at the dealership where we bought it happened to be walking through. He took a look at it, but as it was obviously an electrical problem, he couldn't be sure what was wrong. He and his lovely family canceled their lunch plans, piled us into their minivan, and took us home. God bless them. They are awesome.

So, Jeremy stopped by the church on his way in Monday morning. The car started fine, so he drove it to the dealership.

The really aggrivating thing about it all, is that we'd been having indicator lights come on and other funky stuff happening and had taken it in a couple weeks ago. They'd told us nothing was wrong.

We have a loaner for now. It'd be lovely if they'd just let us trade straight up for the Aztek. Ha ha ha.

Here goes another several hundred bucks we don't have... It's hard to be a grown-up sometimes.

But, I will remember to be thankful. The fact that our car and house need repairs means that we HAVE a car and a house to be thankful for!!!!

Potty Training Time

Caeden went tinkle in the toilet at home tonight for the first time! His babysitters have told us he's gone for them, but he's never done it at home, so it was very exciting! We'll see if it becomes a trend. I'm so dragging my feet with potty training him!

Art Fair

Tonight we made it to the last few minutes of the Ridgeview Schools Art Show. We were completely amazed! ALL of the students' (grades K-12 !) projects from the entire year were exhibited throughout the halls of the school! It was incredible!!

Annah has been talking about the art show all schoolyear, and was so happy to show us her projects! Art is the class she was most looking forward to when she started kindergarten, and she says it has been her favorite class all year.

Annah pointed out her first project we came by hanging close to her classroom..

Showing Caeden and Sylvia her ballerina... Annah has described each of these projects in detail to me as she worked on them throughout the year. It was so cool to finally see how they look! It sure makes you appreciate them more when you see them displayed, as opposed to her bringing them home in the heap of papers that gets piled up on the kitchen hutch and tossed affer a while. I know how hard she worked on each one of these!

EVERY hallway of the school looked like this...

Annah's art teacher is amazing. She teaches them about famous artists and how they created their works. Annah came home talking about Van Gogh, and Monet, and Jackson Pollock and what they did and how they did it! In kindergarten! I was blown away! She was super excited about the Jackson Pollock-like painting she did recently...

Annah's target is the top left...

Annah's clown is the green one on the very top right. These were so adorable, all done by the kindergarteners, and displayed in the art room.

One of the most fun displays we came across was the clay food display in the art room, done by the middle schoolers. They were quite realistic and made us hungry! Of course, we loved the McDonald's Happy Meal one!

Jeremy thought the giant Monster energy drink was pretty cool!

HouseWork

These past two weekends, Jeremy has been working like a dog on the house!!! Most of the work has been on the north side of the house. He's replaced 3 windows in the bathroom, kitchen, and guest room, as well as done a lot of siding on that side too. Here's a little peek...(I can't get the photo resolution right so that the siding doesn't look funky, sorry.)

plugged in

This morning I woke Caeden up just before we left home at 7:30 for church. Since Jeremy had to be there early for a ministry and I didn't, I planned to get Caeden dressed and feed the kids breakfast at church before service/classes. Jeremy and the girls went outside to get in the car, but Caeden stayed standing at the door. I told him to come on out and get in the car. He said, "But I can't mommy! I still have my jammies from my sleeping!"


When outside hammering on the house all day, Jeremy wears earplugs. A bit ago, he came in with the cord hanging around the back of his neck. Caeden looked at him and said, "Daddy, why aren't your ears plugged in?"

Birthday Dance for Daddy

Annah and Sylvia planned all day long ways they could make Jeremy's birthday special. (They were hugely disappointed to discover that adult birthdays are different from kids' birthdays and that when you grow up you don't always get presents and a party.) They decided to do a special dance/show for Daddy...

The specifics were:
-ALL lights HAD to be off.
-The spotlight (flashlight) had to be on them while dancing.
-They wore their fanciest costume dresses.
-Annah danced first.
-Sylvia danced second.
-Then they danced together.
-The audience must clap between each part of the dance.
-The dancing was specifically for Daddy and his birthday.

To me, and I'm sure to Daddy, it was the most beautiful gift I've ever seen. It was completely from their hearts, and they wanted to bless their daddy on his birthday.

The girls also made cards (Annah made hers over a month ago and kept it carefully hidden.) for Jeremy, using stamps and writing their own messages to him. He told them that their cards and dances were the best gifts they could give him, because they were from their hearts.

Jeremy's Birthday Cake

Today is Jeremy's 32nd birthday! I made him a Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake from scratch, with Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Icing too. All afternoon and evening Caeden kept saying he was going to eat the cake all gone, and I kept telling him he couldn't have any until Daddy came in and we lit the candles and sang Happy Birthday to him. Well...

While we were waiting for Daddy to finish up outside, the girls were taking a shower, and I was at the computer. Caeden was running back and forth from room to room playing. The girls got out of the shower and Annah suddenly yelled, "MOM, is Caeden supposed to have cake?!" I ran to the kitchen and saw he'd grabbed a huge handful out of the cake!!!

I drug him outside and made him tell Jeremy what he did to his cake. Jeremy tried not to laugh, while I was fuming. The little rascal.

Strangely enough, Caeden didn't have a lot of the evidence on his face/hands, but here's what the cake looked like...


Jeremy still got to make a wish and blow out his candles though.

Daddy Goes To Kindergarten

Jeremy took the day off today. He planned to work on the house all day. But, when he took the day off last week to go to preschool with Sylvia (since he couldn't take off for her picnic), Annah asked if he could go to school with her too. So today Daddy took Annah to kindergarten, and stayed half the day in her classroom. He played with her on 2 recesses, ate lunch with her, and helped listen to half of her class read. And, he enjoyed it a LOT. And, I am sure the kids enjoyed him being there. He would like to do it more often, as he would like to be more involved in the school and community. (I myself wish I could do more, but Caeden's current age and attention-span make it very difficult. As he gets older, I plan to be involved much more with the kids' school activities.)

A couple photos Jeremy took while with Annah's class...

Tonight our family attended the Spring Graduation Program of Enrichment Academy Preschool to watch a very special participant, Sylvia Claire Lopshire!

Last week, on the day Daddy went to school with Sylvia, her class decorated the t-shirts they wore tonight. Each child paint-stamped their hand print on every shirt, then the teacher wrote the kids' names inside the handprints. All the kids loved them, looked adorable, and now have a nifty momento of all the kids in their preschool class!

When Sylvia put on her shirt at home, she came downstairs with one of the biggest grins I've ever seen her have. She was giggling with her tongue sticking out of her mouth, she was so excited!! Once we got to the church, she was equally excited, but trying to hold it in...


Sylvia's teacher: Mrs. DeFries, Sylvia, and Teacher's Helper: Mrs. Morris


Front row is Sylvia's very small class of 7, and back two rows are the 4's class--singing Itsy, Bitsy Spider.


Sylvia knew she would get presents if she smiled big and sang well. She started out doing the motions too, but that kind of wore off once she realized we were all watching her intently. She did sing and smile all the way through though!


Sylvia being promoted to the 4's class...


"The 'Graduate'"

Preschool Par-tay!

Sylvia's class had their end-of-the-year picnic/party this morning! Caeden and I were able to go, and it was such fun!! (Ask Caeden...He did NOT want to leave!!)

1) Sylvie and the other 3 girls in her class (Ella, Haley, Gracie) wanted their picture taken in their dress up clothes.

2) Gracie & Sylvia loved it when I pulled them around the gym on the scooters!!

3) Princess Sylvia says, "Mommy, I am a princess, and the wicked witch trapped me in the castle tower, and one day a handsome prince will come and rescue me and take me away on his horse, and he will marry me!"

4) Sylvia & Haley LOVE playing together! Recently, Sylvia went home with Haley after school to play at her house, and had THE BEST time!!

5) Caeden was beside himself with excitement about being able to stay at Sylvie's school and play!! He took many turns on the little roller coaster, played in the castle, played with the plastic semi and trailer, cooked in the kitchen, did puzzles, played with dinosaurs, and basically tried to play with every toy he could! He said his favorite part of the party was playing at the rice table.

movies

While Jeremy was busy working on the house and after the kids went to bed, I watched two great movies this weekend. (I know, it's a miracle...We hardly ever watch movies.) Saturday night I watched Dreamgirls. I liked all the music in it, and thought Jennifer Hudson really was as fabulous as all that hype.

Last night I watched Facing the Giants. Now, you must know that I have a very strong disliking for football--and most sports in general, actually. However, I thought this movie was fantastic!!!! If you have not seen it, I highly recommend you RUN to your local video store and check it out. I will be buying it sometime. Incredibly inspirational.

life lessons learned

Here's a layout I did for the first album I got in the 13 Conversations Circle Journal. Her book's title is A Semi-Charmed Life and we were to do a layout about a life lesson we've learned. I did mine on one of the most important lessons I've learned--that the little moments in life are to be treasured. The quote I used is one I came across recently on a scrapbooking website, and I just love it.

Happy Mother's Day & Anniversary!

What a gorgeous day we had today! Here's a photo Jeremy took of the kids and me when we got home from church. (Yes, I have gained weight--10 pounds last month because of taking 2 rounds of Prednisone for my allergic reaction. Ugh! But, I am NOT pregnant.) Anyway...

We went to Homecoming service this morning, because I was asked to share a special mother's testimony. I was pleased to do so, but nervous! I told everyone I would rather sing a song, because it's easier when you don't have to use your own words! But, I was glad to share about how, even though I never planned to be a mother and was scared when I learned I would be, I'm so glad the Lord blessed me {through my ignorance!} and changed my heart! I LOVE being a mother, and can't imagine a more honorable privilege! And, on top of that, I'm so thankful I get to do it for my full-time "job!"

Today is also Jeremy's & my 7th wedding anniversary! Yes, the 7 years have flown by, and I feel so blessed that we have a happy, healthy, fun (most of the time!) marriage. We don't feel that "7-year Itch." It has been about 16 years since we met, which means we have known each other about half our lives. I knew I was in love with Jeremy a couple months after we started "going together," and I remember praying to ask the Lord to make him my husband someday. Isn't that a scary prayer for a 15-year-old to be praying?!?! Yikes!! What was I thinking?! But, I consider it a blessing that we practically grew up together, and have been able to share so much of our lives with each other!

Jeremy has been working hard on the house this weekend. Of course, as he works he always discovers unbelievable unexpected situations that turn into more work, but he has replaced the downstairs bathroom window, and at this very moment is sitting in the open space where a new kitchen window will go.

A Little Concert

Annah and Miss Albee (accompanying on piano) gave a little tiny concert for me, Sylvia, and Caeden at the end of Annah's lesson today! Annah played two songs, and did very, very well! Miss Albee commented that Annah did a very nice ritardando at the end of one song, and that she thinks it's pretty impressive for someone so young to understand how to count an eighth rest. Yes, Annah is doing very well with her violin, and I am proud of her. Most of all, I am so happy that she is enjoying the process of learning how to make music.

With All My Heart

This morning at home:

Sylvia: Mommy, do we get to go to church today?!?!?!
Me: Yep! Today is Sunday!
Sylvia: Yaaaaaayyyyyyyy!!!!!!! I love going to church!! We get to learn about God! And I love God with all my heart!!!
Me: Well, Sylvia, that is exactly what I pray for most--for you to love God with all your heart!!

Phew!

Phew! I am sleepy! I need to get to bed so I can get up for church in the morning!

I've scrapped all day, and spent time entering challenges at www.scrapfabulous.com and www.creative scrapshack.com. It was super fun for me! Here are some more layouts I did today.

(*Click on a photo to see it larger.*)

Jeremy worked on the house ALL day! He's started siding the south side and is waiting for more corner posts to come in now.

Sidewalk Shapes

Today the kids played the Lopshire family favorite: the Sidewalk Shapes Game. We've been doing this little game every spring/summer since Annah was one. Run to the diamond! Hop to the heart! Tiptoe to the triangle!