We're Done

{Huge exhale from Mom}.

Our school year is officially done today. In our state, the law requires that we record having had school for 180 days....

Welcome Day 180, you're finally here!

Shouldn't there be a special gift for the teacher? :o)


over the next few weeks, we'll review some of the highlights besides the ones we've posted about and also share what's in store for next yr as far as curriculum plans & such. for now, we're off this weekend to visit extended family at our huge family reunion! have a great weekend.

But, why not?

Yeah! I can run around outside in my pajamas! So what if the footsies are getting muddy because it's wet outside? This is the life...adventure all the way! Now that I can open the back door, everyone watch out.

Awww, bummer. Mommy caught me. Gotta go inside.

Sugar & Spice

Our church has a girls' club entitled GEMS where part of the purpose is for women in the congregation to interact and teach girls 4th-6th grade. Once a month everyone comes together and a few women share practical skills. There is also time for devotionals, games, creative movement & worship and lots of laughter!

The end of the year activity was a tea party! Very special as the girls learned etiquette and table manners appropriate for such an event.

After a summer break, it will all begin again in September! Janelle really enjoyed this new ministry focused on younger girls. Jackie assisted each month with teaching the creative movement dance to a smaller group of the girls, who presented the song "Come, Now is the Time to Worship" in church on Mother's Day. Worshipful and Beautiful!

I'm a BIG BOY!

So, I've been trying to tell everyone that I'm growing up. Josiah is no longer a baby. Hmmmm, not too sure that they have been listening, so I felt the need to demonstrate my maturity.

I climbed out of the crib.

I can't fully describe the exhilarating feeling of escape! The look on Mommy's face after she heard little feet running around and finding me sitting at the top of the stairs was....as Mastercard would say....priceless. I kinda was aiming for the shock effect.

I simply said "Hi Mommy!! I'm a big boy!!"

So off went the crib. At 2.5 yrs old, I think Mommy needs to let go and release me into full-blown toddlerhood. I got to help Daddy take the crib down:

And now, my big boy bed is on the floor. I am SO happy!!

the red, white & blue blanket is one Janelle made for me before I was born. Thank you Janelle.

A Do-Again Field Trip

Yes! We would do this field trip all over again. I'm (Janelle) going to report since I probably have the most to say {don't laugh those who know me!}.

The trip to the White House complex was a great experience! I felt so important and honored to be walking around where the offices of some very prestigious people are. Security is a really big deal! Here we are getting our badges to enter:

Well, yes. The whole briefing was a bit over my head, but I caught on to one major thing: not everyone finishes high school and there are more dropouts than ever!! I was really so shocked! I guess at nine-years old you don't know everything. Typical to my nature Mom says, I told my Dad that we needed to do something. Of course, that was the reason for him being there.

We had the opportunity to hear Alma Powell speak, wife of Colin Powell. She spoke on the fact that even though some kids are graduating, they may not be ready for college. I thought she was a great speaker & seemed to know what she was talking about. Yeah! Got to grab a picture with her:

And, we really were SO close to the White House, right on the same grounds. Here is a peek outside of the window on the floor where we were:

Overall, it was good to be there. I need to think a bit more about what I can do because I feel the need to DO something. My parents said I can start by graduating from high school. Ha! Ha!

I came home and wrote a mini report on all I saw and experienced and some of my ideas. Maybe I'll share them at some point!

It Wasn't Too Bad

The days in the hospital weren't too bad. I got lots of attention and really enjoyed talking to ALL of the nurses, doctors and other staff! I'm pretty sure I left my mark on the place.

I'm feeling better, breathing better and home on meds. Thanks for praying everyone!!