Saturday, May 24, 2008

Long Day at the Zoo...




Today was a beautiful day so we decided to go to the zoo. They opened the new Flamingo exhibit yesterday; so we knew it would be busy, but we just happened to park at the entrance nearest to the Flamingo's so it was one of the first things we saw.


We were surprised that they let the kids touch them!! No, really... they had plastic pink flamingo's showing us the way!


Each time we go to the zoo we all pick our favorite from the day. Syrah picked the flamingo's; they are pretty amazing creatures. Their legs don't really look real!




Sadie's was the Red Panda, which we didn't even realize where there ~ we saw an entire section of the zoo this visit that somehow we seem to miss most times.




Dad's favorite was the Hippo's ~ not only were they out swimming a ton this visit, but they also were blowing water up; the first time it made all the people laugh and then one of the Hippo's did it again, but the second time it almost sounded like he was laughing with everyone - then he sprayed the water way up and the wind caught it just right which means we got some spray - yep, we were sprayed by Hippo's today!


I have to say that I really liked the Hippo's and the Red Panda, but I really believe the Otter has to be the one that I can sit and watch for hours!! I just love their energy, the way they swim in the water and their playful nature.


One of my favorite pictures from our day ~ Daddy with his girls!

Friday, May 23, 2008

School Days and Dresses

Last week (where did this week go?) Sadie's school hosted an Open House so that parents can come and take a look at what the kids are learning. During the Open House Sadie shared about some of the reports she has done, shared some of her math work, books being read in class and some of her art. Sadie also shared with us four of her power point presentations regarding the research she has done on several animals. It was amazing to see her first power point next to her last and see how much progress she made in not only in the presentation, but also the amount of information and how she laid it out. My favorite was the report she did on Owls, I think she could teach her Mom and Dad a few things about the computer!

Here is Sadie pointing out some of the work that she has completed this year.
We got to see all about the project the class has been working on studying the Colonial Boston. This is the business that Sadie and her group have built and researched; they own a Pub, which also serves as the local post office and a place for meetings. Each student created a "character" that is from the Colonial Boston Days, Sadie created "Ryanne Hale". "Ryanne" works in the Pub, she gets supplies and waits tables. Sadie has really enjoyed History and this was a fun interactive way for the kids to "get into the time".
After the classroom tour they had an ice cream social and book fair. Syrah enjoyed the ice cream very much!

The rest of last weekend we had the pleasure of spending some good time with friends over great meals. We went to a wonderful church service on Sunday and got some much needed rest in order to get our house healthy.

In other items... the girls are getting excited to be the flower girls in the upcoming wedding of their Grandpa Duane and Kelly. Today they picked out dresses for the wedding with Kelly.

The girls together, both are very much in love with their new dresses.

Syrah looks like a little Princess!

Sadie looks like a beautiful young lady (growing up too fast!!)

Thursday, May 22, 2008

A penny for your thoughts


It has been a while since I have found a day worthy of mentioning here… I will say it is quite entertaining however to read about the days that there are!! Tomorrow (May 23rd) is Lucky Penny Day…why did I think this was a fun one to pick? Well, I thought I could share a little story with you about Pennies. Oh and my wish for each of you... that you find MANY pennies along your path!


You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?
"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says."

She read the words " United States of America "
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?"
"No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient.
(This story is not in regards to one of my friends; this story was passed along)

Monday, May 12, 2008

Mother's Day Brunch

On Sunday I hosted a brunch for my Mom and Grandma... I had so much fun preparing the meal and having some time with my family.


Sadie & Syrah made a sign to Welcome everyone to the Brunch

Syrah made a coffee mug for her Great-Grandma Connie for Mother's Day
Sadie made a mug for her Grandma Valerie



Syrah made her Grandma Valerie a little kitty, Grandma Valerie loves Cats!

Sadie made her Great-Grandma Connie a bowl.
Syrah made me a very special flower for Mother's Day


Sadie made me a special book of some of her favorite poems, jokes and quotes from some of her most favorite books. I loved it and will share a page soon!
The Moms: Grandma Connie, Mom Valerie and Me.
We had a great time spending the morning and afternoon together.


Sunday, May 11, 2008

Friday, May 9, 2008

Painting at Color Me Mine

Tuesday we all went to Color Me Mine to make gifts for Mother's Day. Syrah has gone once before with her aunt and she made me a very cute snake for my birthday. I have been once with a group of ladies and made myself a coffee mug. Neither Billy or Sadie have ever gone and they were both excited. Billy wasn't planning to make anything, but couldn't resist once he saw how much fun it was going to be!

Billy prepping to start his masterpiece.
Syrah painting (can't reveal what she made yet!)
Billy decided to make a bug ~ here he is working hard.
Sadie working on one of her two projects ~ both girls did an amazing job and I loved watching them be so creative!

Billy with his "love bug" - I am excited to get this very personalized gift for Mother's Day!!
I will post more pictures after the gifts are given (don't want to reveal any surprises too soon!)

Monday, May 5, 2008

One after another...

This house has had one strange sickness after another for several weeks. It started with pink eye a few months ago. That went through us girls in the house and then we were all well. As soon as we blinked it was something else; Syrah.. she had some crazy skin rash. Three docs in four days and no real answers (have pics, but will spare the site). Once that cleared up, Syrah got pink eye again!! Now Sadie has come down with pink eye again. In the midst of all that Sadie is still having some problems with her ankle. In that there have been days here and there where we think that everyone is okay, so we have taken those moments to spend time with family and friends over dinner and some days to play outside. I wish I had more pictures, but I really haven't documented much of the fun as we have just been doing our best to enjoy the times we have had out!!