Christmas vacation

I feel the end of the year approaching and wonder what is in store for the year 2012. Will this be the year that Faith loses her first tooth? Possibly. Although I can sit here and wonder what the next year will bring I am quick to remember the blessings of this eyar. The year 2011 has much to be thankful for. This year has brought us many things in which we are thankful for including new friends and a new house in a new state closer to family. Christmas vacation is a time for relaxing and not feeling the rush of getting ready for school each day. I like Christmas vacation. We recently got back from visiting the midwest for the holiday. Faith had not been home with her cousins and grandparents since she was 9 months old. This year brought many joys at Christmas time. She received her lamb from Santa as she asked for. She also got lots of art supplies due to her lack of interest in toys. We spent much time relaxing with family including great grandpa in the nursing home. She is always so excited to visit him and play BINGO. I hope she remembers these times when she gets older. I sure remember the days of playing games with him when I was younger. We would play Chinese Checkers and Crazy Eights with Looney toon cards. I love to see him but wish I could see him more often. Faith is enjoying her vacation from school and doing very well getting along with her brother. Three weeks off from school had been nervous at how I was going to maintain my sanity. However she has made me proud. So still one more week to go on vacation. Next week should bring Faith to her first ice skating experience. Should be loads of fun.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,
In case you didn't get my letter in the mail that I sent to North Pole, Alaska I am sending an email your way. Faith was so cute this year as she wrote her first letter to Santa. Although I helped her a little bit along the way she did a great job spelling.
Dear Santa,
I've been very good this year. I help my mom around the house and I am very nice to my little brother. Sometimes it is hard to be nice to him since he is so little but I try. This year I would like a set of grips, a new gymnastics bar and a new lamb. I would also like a small Raggedy Ann doll to go with my big one. Thank you very much.
love,
Faith

She deserves whatever present is delivered to her. I have a feeling Santa will bring a lamb for her. The bars just seem to be to big to fit in his sleigh and her mommy has told her her hands are too little for grips. Faith's love of lambs makes her bed filled to the top. However there can never be too many lambs. I'm sure she used to be a lamb before she was born; a spirit child who cared for the lambs of heaven. Anyways, Santa if you get this before Christmas please send Faith her Lamb that she so loves.

Homemade Christmas cards

Faith was a great helper tonight. Since we are going home to our family for Christmas we must bring some good cheer and Christmas cards. Since Faith was grounded from art for one week for kicking in the closet door during a fit, she was happy to get it back last Friday. She has been looking forward to drawing and crafts. Faith was a great card maker as she can use the glue much more conservatively than her brother. Santa and snowmen stickers were placed and glued and I will follow them up with a nice message inside. I love my little Faith. Whenever I think that she is too busy for me, she arrives at my side at just the right time to give me a hug or cuddle with me. How have I been so blessed to have such a special little daughter?

Red, White and Blue

Faith competed in her first gymnastics competition. She had so much fun. Despite her falls, she made it through all her routines not forgetting to do anything. The nice thing about her first competition season as a level 3 is that no scores are posted. Although the girls eventually learn that they want all blues for no falls and no help from their coaches, this weekend's meet was the perfect start to learning what competition is all about. It was a mother's dream come true to see her little girl doing what she did when she was a little girl. Faith will get better as the year goes on but when it is all said and done she is thankful for whatever color ribbon she gets and whatever trophy or medal is given to her. Tonight her medal hangs above her bed. I'm not sure where the others will be hung but we will find a spot. Having a little gymnast in the house is hard work with her flipping every where but I hear that what you did to your parents will come back to you. I was the flipper in the house and wherever I went.

Caroling at the Commons

Faith joined the Daisy scouts for a fun caroling activity. Despite not getting to sing in front of the crowd present, she enjoyed listening to Christmas carols and playing around with her friends. Daisy scouts brings such an opportunity for her to be with girls her age and have fun. The brass band played along with the children's choir and marching band. It is cold but a very good way to bring in the holiday season. Santa made his big arrival on the firetruck. "Mommy is that the real Santa Claus?" she asked. See we both know that some of the Santa's are specially picked Santa helpers. Without the help from the Santa helpers, Santa would spend all him time visiting the children and not getting ready for Christmas Eve. So I think that she believed this was the real one. He did have the real white beard. She hugged him five times and was just filled with so much joy. The Christmas season brings out the innocence of childhood. The belief of magic and presents and flying reindeer is enough to make any little girl want to be on his good list. To finish off the evening we walked down the main street and Santa magically turned the town tree bright with white lights. After that it was time to go. I heard a mother say, "I have no idea where my children are." I didn't want to be the next mother to say that as the children began to swarm Santa.

The gymnast in me

Faith is showing off her gymnastics skills more and more each day. With her first fun meet coming up in three short weeks she has got her routines put together. Although some skills are still missing she is happy to know all the dance and skills needed to compete. She is quite the little gymnast. I'm sure that when I was little I wasn't nearly as mobile as she is. She is now being sent to her room to do gymnastics as a form of time out for doing gymnastics in the family room. I have to control her somehow. She goes crazy with her cartwheeling, jumping, twirling and handstanding. She when she is caught she has to go to her room and do 10 cartwheels. Mainly this is a way for her to go get her energy out in a way she is not going to her brother or herself. Competition season is exciting for her. She is most excited about earning a ribbon or medal. I continue to encourage her to just be happy she gets to compete and learn how to be a good sport. I hope she sticks with gymnastics through another year however she seems to want to do other things.

A stitch in time

Faith volunteered her time to make scarves for the homeless shelter a few days ago during a Daisy Scout activity. She learned to use the sewing machine. That got me thinking...she might be old enough to actually hand sew. I remember doing that and sewing little quilts when I was young. I told Faith she could pick out an art project to do from our favorite store, Michael's. She decided to sew together a Build a Bear Panda Bear. It had the holes already punched through the fabric.
Faith used a plastic needle to thread embroidery floss through. Although it was hard she did a super job keeping the holes lined up. She stuffed it, I sewed it shut, and lastly she dressed it. It turned out so cute. This was definitely an art project geared towards her level of creativity. Plus what makes it even better is now she can sleep with it.

The new library

I love children's books and decided I needed a way to organize all these books. So using some free wood pallets my dad made a hanging book shelf to display the books. He simply cut the pallet in half, sanded it down and rubbed it down with candle wax. The bookshelf was reused wood from another upright shelf. Dad turned it on it's side, cut off the bottom shelf and added some marilight to the top, bottom and back. After painting the ends yellow to match the curbside windows now used for displaying art, the area all came together. The last piece still to be added is a nice comfortable rug to sit on. I love this litte area and could spend many hours looking at books and sitting with my two children.

The Daisy

Faith loves being a Daisy Scout. She looks forward to the activities with an eagerness not seen in quite some time with her. She is willing to take another evening away from being at home to attend a special activity. This last week she learned to sew on the sewing machine and made two scarves for the homeless. It was an opportunity to teach and talk about how others can be less fortunate than us and we should help them, even if you are little. She loved the not so scarey hay ride at a local garden facility here on the island. When other girls were screaming on the hay ride she was smiling because she new it was all make believe. In this picture here the girls were raking leaves up into a pile with an evergreen branch. Despite their efforts to get a big enough pile, little Champ came running and jumping right in. The girls learned a lesson what it is like to be little and Champ learned that jumping in the leaves is fun when you don't know how to rake them up. Every other Monday is Daisy meeting and Faith looks forward to the snack, craft time, singing and friendship that comes with this great organization. So thankful for the Daisies.

Happy Halloween

Although it is about a week late, things are just crazy here. Halloween was so much fun for Faith. Although her original plans for a costume was a fuzzy lamb hat and fuzzy warm cream coat, I changed her mind when I brought home a peachy pirate dress, head scarf, and eye patch. When she geared it up with her tall black boots, she rocked that outfit. Faith had fun eating lots and lots of treats at her class halloween party and more importantly, having a mom who let her eat what she wanted. Halloween night she transformed into a blushing bride complete with my wedding vail and bouquet. We visited the neighbors and each one of them said it had been years since children visited on Halloween night. There are so many activities leading up to that night that Halloween night is deemed not necessary anymore. Our neighbors are nice here in on the island. We couldn't ask for a better place to live.

The loft

Faith has what she has always wanted since she was 3 years old and her baby brother was born; a loft bed. After looking and looking, I found a great deal. A loft bed complete with computer desk, shelves and pull out art table. She loves it and managed to only fall down three steps last night as she headed to the bathroom. When the lights turned on she was so happy knowing that she was once scared and nervous to go sleep only to wake up proud knowing that she did it.

Yuck! Mondays

Faith has offered her services around the house and I have delightfully accepted. Each day of the school week she is asked to do one chore. Wrote on the fridge for easy viewal makes chore time seem like a big "duh" why didn't we do this earlier in life. After realizing she has it pretty easy in life and around the house she if now forced to see what others do that she may take for granted. Monday was her first show of responsibility. Journal entry for her that night read, "I hate Mondays. I do not like doing the dishes." I didn't even make her scrub them. She simply rinsed them and loaded them in the dishwasher followed by washing the table off. Tuesday led to an almost no snack for gymnastics class and Wednesday was followed with another journal entry similar to Monday. Wednesday was laundry. She likes feeding her cat on Thursday and make your own bed Friday isn't too bad either however that Monday chore is just no fun. I like it. I get to make something yummy on Mondays so she can get the full feel of cleanup that I do each night. I love Mondays.

Slowing down

With the start of school, moving into a new house, Daisy scouts and preteam gymnastics team, our lift has been moving at a fast speed. I am exhausted yet seem to enjoy the fresh start of our lives. Times have turned my little one into a lamb you see. Faith wants nothing more than to have all the lamb toys in the world yet to become one some how is a little far fetched. I'm beginning to think that in a former life she could have been a lamb. We recently visited the midwest where she found a fuzzy lamb hat. Knowing how silly it looked I tried to convince her not to get it. "Are you really going to wear that Faith." She convinced me so and I bought the silly thing. What is meant to be an outside hat is a sleep hat for her. I just want cuddle up with her on those nights I see her with it on. With a total of five lambs sleeping in her bed now, she is beginning to wonder if she should start kicking the other animals out.

Closing day!

It's finally here. We are closing on our house today and move in tomorrow. We are so excited. Faith is super excited to have her own room to lock her brother out of and even more excited to have Pa Pa build her a loft bed complete with slide. Her gymnastics mat will make a return along with her beam and she is already asking for a kip bar. If I was smart, I'd get it for her however not sure where we'd put it. Our house is so beautiful and the yard is huge complete with landscaping all ready complete. Faith has asked for her room to be decorated in fairies, elves, and unicorns. This surprises me because she isn't into these any more. I would think that gymnastics would rule the room however that is not the choice right now. A house to call home is what we've been waiting on and today we get it.

Excited to read

Downriver has so many libraries to enjoy. Faith is getting introduced to the library as a class at school so she was excited to hear the Champ and I discovered a new one with a castle reading knook. She ran in as excited as she could be and when I directed her to the Junie B Jones collection she found all the ones she hadn't read yet and brought them to me. Faith, we can't check out all of these books. You have to read what you have at home, bring them back and then check out a few more. When she gets on a reading frenzy like this it is a real letdown once she has read all the collection. This same letdown occured with Fairy Realm and Fairy Chronicles. There's always Little House on the Prairie I suppose. They made them into cute little chapter books. I asked Faith to pick out one to read on her own and she picked a level two reading about camping out. She is excited to read the title on television shows also. Maybe I shouldn't give up yet on having a reader. She will probably be like her Andma, reading all the time once she realizes that reading opens the door to anything she could ever imagine wanting to learn about. We read non stop every night for five and a half years in the hopes that she would be a great reader and it is just about to pay off.

Growing up...a poem

You're growing up
I know, I see
No longer do you say, just cuddle me.

What's a mom to do
When her daughter says "just shoo"

Your pants are short
Your shirts too tight
Did you grow up just over night?

I saw it
I know I did
But sometimes wish we could just sit
Sit together and spend some time

When did hand holding become a chore
When did Dora become a bore
Where's my ballerina in her room?
Why can't thumb sucking just be cool.

Can we cuddle just one more time?
Can we have some mommy time?

Can the time just slowly pass?
I promise just to make it last.

Slow it down
I can't keep up
Hold my hand along the way
Love me always, I must pray.

Moving day no more

Today was supposed to be moving day. We were set to have everything ready to close on our new house however stuff is still waiting on completion. We find ourselves asking, will we get in early to our new house or will it still be October 1st like originally planned? Faith is ecstatic about her new weeping willow in the backyard and I am excited about all the opportunities for flowers. Our time will come, just not as fast as everyone would like. Patience makes us all better people.

Daisies

Faith is on her way to be a Daisy within the Girl Scout Council of Michigan. I remember the days of girl scouting. It was filled with fun after school activities, treats, field trips, special visitors to speak with us, campouts, parades, cookie sales, badge earning, and so much other fun things. Last night at parent night Faith officially registered for Daisies. She is so excited. I read the activities for the month of September and October and a special field was planned for October in which the girls will visit a farm and have fun on a Harvest hay ride and bon fire. Out of all the activities Faith can be involved in I think that Daisies will be the most fun and informal to make friends. I can't wait myself for opportunities to be involved in what she does. I already volunteered in her classroom and will plan on helping at Daisies.

Here it comes

At one point in time Faith was shy and reserved at church. Now she is a wrestler in disguise complete with leg take down and arm bar. When Faith loves some one she displays her affection by hanging on her new love and playing with them. When Faith walked down the hall the other morning after church, I thought that she'd be ready to go however she was attached to her new love; her teacher from Primary. At school it's hard to be playful with 20 other students demanding a teacher's attention. At church she has 6 friends in her class so a small group equals time for play and fun. I'm so excited to see a relationship start to build. She misses her kindergarten teacher still. I often hear her speak of her however time is slowly moving forward and opportunities are presenting themselves so she can get to know more people. Primary program is in two weeks. She is excited somewhat and trying to learn her songs. I still have to teach her her part to speak about the prophet but it is an easy line to memorize.

Faith, 1st grader

Much like Faith's new friend Junie B Jones from book world, she has completed her first day of 1st grade. It went smoothly I suppose. Faith mentioned she made two new friends. One was 6 and the other 6 1/2. I wonder what her friends say to her when she says she is 5. But much to my surprise, she didn't cry when I left her at school yesterday morning. She gave me a hug, a kiss on the cheek and I told her to have a great day. That was it. Really?? Where is the don't go mommy. I love you. I'm scared. What if they don't like me? Could she have atleast held onto my leg for just a moment the way she does when she is nervous? No, not today. She was ready. A summer vacation that lasted too long in her eyes. Faith is one to enjoy the structure of school and organized learning. It makes her day go fast. I'm not sure if I'll ever meet her friends because I'm not with her this year. I might hear about them each day but will I ever put a face with them. A day that filled with 4 outside times (short play times), a lunch room filled with 100 1st graders, and a music teacher who didn't bring her music the first day of school, and some fun getting to know you activities. She is growing up. I remenise about her younger days of twirling in the front room in her tu tu that was as short as her underwear or always wanting to hold my hand no matter where we went. Enjoy the quiet times and savor the moments. For if you don't watch it our children grow up without us knowing.

The Great Wolf Lodge

This last weekend brought a new experience for all of us. We traveled a few hours away to the Great Wolf Lodge in northern Ohio. This place is packed full of fun for a whole family. At first I thought that the longer we were there the more I would have to entertain my family but I was wrong. This lodge is the most family friendly place I know of. The entire inside is packed full of a huge water park complete with slides big and small, splash pools, raft slides and lazy river, buckets of dumping water, and so much more. What was even better was that Faith was tall enough (44 inches) now to have full access to all slides by her self. She had so much fun and didn't even cry when we left. She simply said thank you mommy. The fun didn't stop at the water park, it continued until 9pm when the talking clock tower show and story time was over. The Great Wolf Lodge wolf came out in costume to read with the storyteller and Faith was able to be downstairs in her pajamas and all 4 stuffed animals. Lamby even came, Faith was so excited that she was invited to attend. After a total of 6 hours of water time in a 24 hour period, we were exhausted and ready to head home. We all loved this place and will surely go back some other time.

Playground party

Every morning is playground time here on the island. Michigan literally has a different park to visit each day. So far within a 10 minute driving distance, we have encountered 5. Last night Faith enjoyed a 1/4 mile pony ride at one of the parks close by. What was even better was that the ride was only $5. Cheap and fun! Faith has climbed on a human size spider web, rock climbed across a playground, climbed trees, jumped from rock to rock in a game of don't fall on the grass, bicycle paths as far as the eye can see, monkey bars good for flipping over on, suspension bridge to pretend to be the grumpy old troll, horses, animal shelter, slides, tire swings, and so much more. Of course we all need time for fresh air and lately the mornings have been in the upper 60's for a temperature. Fall is just around the corner and I look forward to the cool days of wearing jeans, t-shirt and jean jacket.

Detroit Zoo

This zoo in Detroit is well worth the $45 to get in. Despite the fact that we went into debt in order to see the animals, atleast the animals were out and not hiding like at the National Zoo in D.C. One of Faith's favorite sites was a male lion that just woke up and exited from his cave into the yard with his girlfriend. This lion roared for atleast 5 minutes. He started on one side of the yard and roared all the way to the other until he reached his girlfriend. It was then that he layed down, rolled over on his back, and stretched out. It was like he was letting us know he was awake and hungry. Another favorite was the baby zebra born in April and the white rhinos that began to run towards us in their outside yard. The weather was cool and pleasant and we arrived early enough that the animals weren't tired. They were refreshed and ready for their day; everything except the aardvark. He was upset because they shut him outside for the day. Faith had little complaint about walking because she was given a shoulder ride for most of the time. The fences were tall to look over for little kids so of course the parents had to do lifting up most of the time. Made us a little tired by the end of the morning. But it made it fun for her. What better way to end the morning than to ride the Chrysler locomotive train back to the front of the zoo. The train went through a tunnel and complete darkness was there. She didn't get scared because Bud decided he was going to tickle her like a spider crawling on her. A wonderful zoo but I think that being a member of the zoo would be a better option; no entrance fee and no parking fee. This would leave money for the polar bear exhibit and dinosaur trail. A fun day though. Would definitely go back.

Cheater pants

As the summer dwindles down and Faith prepares herself for first grade, we found the perfect book yesterday at the library. The famous Junie B. Jones strikes again. This time in a cheater book in which Junie B learns what cheating is, even if it is taking a friends answer without asking them for it. Junie B. Jones is in first grade and her journal entries just crack me up. Although she often uses such words as stupid, and talks about clunking friends on their head, and disappearing into thin hair because of embarrasment, she makes for good conversation between us at nighttime. Things that are ok to say and not to say, things that are ok to do and not to do, etc. Junie B. Jones makes Faith excited to read and she looks forward to sitting down and listening to her adventures at school.

Boats at Bay

The sailboats were sailing today. Faith and I found that when looking out from our upstairs window, we not only see the airport and airplanes we also see the boats on Lake Erie. So we hurried downstairs to grab the binoculars and rushed back upstairs to see not only the sailboats, but a huge carrier boat and lighthouse in the distance. The lake is so clear and beautiful. I wish we had a boat to go out on. Maybe we'll make a friend and go out one day with them. Until then, our binoculars will have to do and our imagination as to what it would be like sailing on the water.

Keeping up with dad

So Bud is running a half marathon in California with his best friend this Fall. The island here has miles and miles of bike and running paths. Bud took Faith on a bike ride today; a three mile bike ride to be exact. When she got back she said that she left him three times and got in trouble however his story didn't quite match hers. Whether or not she went too fast for him we'll never know but they had lots of fun together. Faith had no problems on the bike ride. I think because the island is flat it creates a perfect path for her. She has become quite the bike rider. It is hard to believe that just a few months ago she just got her bike and learned to ride on her own. We couldn't ask for a better place to be active than our new island.

The children's garden

Here on the island there is a community owned farm where we discovered horses, playground, animal shelter, pond, butterfly garden, dog park, and best of all a children's garden. I didn't realize what exactly a children's garden was but after experiencing it I want to spend time next Spring building one. As we entered we immediately went to the wrought iron white table that was set for tea. It was complete with tea pot, cups, and chairs. As I looked around the garden and really got down on my knees to examine everything, I found that the areas were named. There was Pooh Corner with a Pooh statue lying in the flowers. My favorite was the fairy corner where the space was designed for fairies to live there (little chairs, thimbles for cups and fairies hiding amongst the flowers. Faith's favorite was an old sailboat filled with sand and toys. She spent most of her time here. There was also a ladybug area, kitchen area, rainbow of colors found in marigolds, periwinkles and other flowers to represent the colors of the rainbow, and lastly an area with stepping stones and wooden painted X and O to play tic tac toe. I am happy to say this is an inspiration to me to get back in to what I love, gardening, when I am home during the day.

We made it!

We have made it; and with much success. With only being here on our new island home for three days we have already purchased our house. I can't believe that we are now going to be home owners again. Faith hasn't lived in a "home" since she was six months old. This island community is by far the best place one could imagine to live in the Motown area. Everyone is so nice. There are bike paths everywhere you turn, two river roads to watch the water, an air strip to watch the airplanes come in, five golf courses, nice people everywhere, and beauty that is comparable to our last home, the mountains of northern Virginia. Faith spent the day with two other girls yesterday while Bud and I went to look at houses. She had so much fun playing outside in their fenced yard. Little Melody had a tree fort complete with slide to slide down, rope swing in the tree, basement filled with toys, and lots of fun to be had. I'm trying to get her to make some friends through church right now and soon school. I can't believe school begins in a little over two weeks. Gymnastics starts also. She tried out for the pre team and they accepted her so she is all excited about learning new tricks in class. Like I said before, there is much to do here and at a cheaper price than where we came from. We look forward to many years to come here on this little island on the river.

All packed. Ready to go.

The packers came yesterday and our house is filled with boxes. It is bittersweet; our move. We are excited about change and the hopes of a new life in Motown. Opportunities arise with a lower cost of living. I am most excited about being able to be a stay at home mom. To able to walk with Faith to school each morning, take her to Girl Scouts, gymnastics, and walk home on those snowy days has me looking forward to the coming year. Today we are spending the day in the city. We are going to take Faith to one of her favorite spots, the old carosel and National Mall. We plan on riding around and around for a while and then just running on the lawn. No place to go. No place to get back to. No hurry. Just time to spend together for our last morning here. This afternoon we head north leaving Bud behind for the movers and cleaners. It has been a great 3 years here. Goodbye.

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. ~Theodor Seuss Geisel, attributed

Let it not be goodbye

Goodbye means that we won't see you again. Let us go our separate ways and may God cross our paths again. I hope that is true for this goodbye. Although last night was a night of good food, running, wrestling, and just hanging out, I knew the time would come to walk our friends to their car. I just wasn't ready for it and how it would affect Faith. Faith loves Mrs. K; really loves her. I think that she could care less about her friends here as we move on our way but this is really a heart felt "goodbye." As Faith made one last run out to her car to show her her unicorn and fairy, they blew each other a kiss and so it was done. She cried in my arms. All I could do was let her know that we'll cross paths again someday and we won't forget how special Mrs. K. is. Kindergarten made Faith grow. It prepared her for 1st grade. It made her love school. I am so thankful for these friends. Once again, God made sure that we had lots of people who loved us here. Until we meet again, so long friends.

Smithsonian gems

Faith loves this plaster of paris activity. Little gems are hid within the mold and she uses a pick and hammer to chip away at the limestone. She loves looking for them and I love her looking for them because it occupies her time for hours at a time. So far she has found 6 gems and a few rocks from the sand. She uses her brush to brush the limestone away when she thinks she has found one. Earlier this year Pa Pa showed her how to chip away and find them. Faith isn't quite sticking to her teachings. I often see her throwing the mold down to break it down further. I just hope she doesn't lose any gems with this technique. Her safety goggles top it off as she decided to wear them into town yesterday also to pick up the van. I'd probably buy her another one. She'll end up with a whole treasure chest full.

Time to go!

Bud's new job position is cleared along with our moving package and on Friday the movers come to pack the rest of our belongings. We've been waiting 8 months for this and it has come down to the final days of saying goodbye. First was church on Sunday. What a lovely little church that we have been blessed with the last three years. A church that started as a hospital during the civil war and continued to grow and flourish in Jesus Christ through the many years to follow. We have made friends and Faith and Champ have loved going to church. Whenever we couldn't go Faith would be upset and ask "why?" She has grown alot in church. Next was goodbye to our school. Rainbow Station is the best private school that I could ever imagine. Not a day went by when I didn't want to be there. Both Faith and Champ loved their teachers and never wanted to come home in the evenings. We would play on Station Square for a few minutes and then shed tears because we had to go. Tomorrow night is goodbye to Faith's favorite teacher. She's going to miss her. I'm not sure what I'm going to do besides let her know I feel the same way about leaving my friends. It is sad however I believe God sent us here for a reason and he is about to send us back to Motown for another reason. Virginia has been the best place to live. A home filled with 8 horses, 14 chickens, 2 alpaca, 2 pigmy goats, three barn cats, a rabbit, a tractor and lawn mower, sandbox, large tree filled back yard, and wonderful landlords who love my children probably as much I we do. The kids and I leave on Sunday while Bud stays back for the movers to load the truck and cleaning crew to come. It is a prayer of mine that we will continue to be blessed in all we do wherever that may be. May Faith make friends, enjoy school, love gymnastics, and be an leader to her friends. Goodbye Virginia. We will miss you.

Lean on Me

Tears fell this afternoon as the week at VBS came to a conclusion. Faith loved spending time with her good friend Ryleigh all week. She misses school but it is just something that we must do. Faith is a very loving individual. She knows that we are on the verge of moving however she is not quite sure what is to come with her relationships from here. Will she write to them, send them pictures, make them things, send holiday cards? I'm not sure. Will the relationships end when we leave? I'm not sure of that either. What I do know is that she needs someone to lean on. We are all going through this together. I'm leaving my friends too.

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Son Surf VBS

Faith has been in vacation bible school all week. We both look forward to this week all summer. Our reasons are different of course. This year has been quite special for Faith. Knowing it is our last year for VBS at this church, she has brought along a friend, Ryleigh. Now Ryleigh is a good little girl with a mom who knows the benefits of a week long church program. I'm so grateful that she is able to enjoy it with Faith. So far this week they have learned some fun new songs, made some sand art, made a surfer girl, watched Veggie Tales, and ran some fun water relay races. I know she is learning about Jesus. I hear her songs she sings softly in the van. On Sunday church typically puts out a copy of the CD for all to purchase. We wouldn't miss it. We have donated canned goods for SERVE and placed them in a large canoe. Will it get filled by weeks end? I hope so. They work so hard. Friday is the end of the VBS picnic. Champ and I will staying in the nursery for a little bit so we can sit with both girls and eat. It is my prayer that Champ will be in good spirits and not too cranky.

May I borrow that

Since Faith has excelled at her first grade adding and subtracting, I introduced borrowing with her. She has picked it up; not surprisingly and is now doing it on her own. She can identify and explain the type of math equation needed to use borrowing. After borrowing we are going to start some words problems that she will have to read and figure out. Borrowing in math is skill not taught in first grade but she is not going to be a typical first grader. I have high hopes for her. She is ready to start school. Faith loves the challenge of school. This is the longest she has been away from it since she was two. We have always been in school throughout the summer. I stand firm on my decision to disenroll for the summer. It has brought us much needed family time to learn to play together and respect one another.

2nd grade reader

So I can't believe that Faith is about 4 weeks away from starting 1st grade. We have decided we ought to get back into the swing of reader as we tend to slack on it. Starfall has been an excellent source of learning for her but we continue to learn to new words each day. I decided to give Faith a reading quiz from a list of second grade words today. These words included words like brother, second, when, short, large, who, please, sleep, there, children, goodbye, pretty and about thirty other words. Sometimes I think that I don't really know what she is capable of reading but her old kindergarten teacher gives me confidence that she will continue to be in the top reading group upon entering the 1st grade. Faith read all 42 words correctly. I offered her a sweettart for each row she read correctly. She works for candy. It is a secret of mine. She read six rows correctly. I honestly feel that these words were too easy for her and we will challenge ourselves to a third grade list next time.

Daddy's home

Faith spent all day yesterday with Bud. He is home from his schooling in South Carolina and was welcomed home with a party complete with balloons and ice cream cake; our favorite. Faith must have exhausted Bud but I couldn't tell; only a nap in the middle of the day and early to bed for a 440am rise. Faith and Bud hit the golf balls in the back yard, played at the playground, walked at the creek and enjoyed some daddy horsebackriding and wrestling. She had so much fun. Our cable has been turned off since the move is coming up in as little as two weeks. The lack of t.v. has forced us to play together and sit with each other. Having Faith's daddy home is good news for all of us.

Backpack, backpack

Faith is full swing of getting excited for first grade. With just a few weeks remaining she is preparing herself for school. What she couldn't stop talking about was her new backpack. She continuously asked and asked until I finally decided she did not need to wait until we move to have one. We visited a girls only store called Justice and there she found it. Just happened to be my favorite color of purple. It also has some blue in it to make it a swirling tie dye look complete with a silver B on the front, heart and peace sign. Not only did we find her a backpack she found a matching water bottle and magnetic frog to hang on top. She messed with her backpack until 8pm and kept asking if she would have to carry it each day to school. It is exciting for her to go to the big school. I hope it is everything we are looking for.

Hello time out

Faith stomps the ground immediately after hearing the words "go sit in the chair" This is the third time out of the day and Faith now sits even more than her usual five minutes. Evidently she needs more time to focus on how to cool down and keep her composure rather than screaming that Champ is bad or she wants to punch me. Faith remains frustrated with her brother. Champ is wanting to play with her alot more now and sometimes Faith doesn't want the company. He doesn't understand her reasoning behind not wanting to play and she doesn't understand why he continues to want to play with her. I took some time to play one on one with her this afternoon and continued to clean and pack for our move. She seemed to be better as I noticed that the time out chair was not needed that night. I can't stand Faith's loud screaming at anyone. It is uncalled for. She needs to learn to feel that anger rising and move away from the situation. Maybe she'll get better soon.

Life with a little brother

I never had a little brother, being the youngest in my family. Faith is learning to deal with her little brother. We have decided to leave Andma's house a few days early after having a swinging match between Champ and Faith. The argument goes like this.
Faith- LEAVE ME ALONE!
Champ- NO!
Faith- LEAVE ME ALONE!
Champ- NO!
Faith- LEAVE ME ALONE!
Champ- NO!
Faith- I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE! (arms swing, arms swing, contact made)
Mom- Come on Champ, leave your sister alone she's not playing nicely.
Faith- I am too nice. Punch Punch Punch.

The decision to leave early was announced after about 5 minutes of swinging and punching without cooling down. We are back to our home Thursday for a few more weeks. Champ and Faith are going to learn to play together. But Faith especially is going to learn to cool her jets or the time out chair is going to become a good friend.

Cousins....beautiful cousins

Faith has been taking the time to play with her cousins the last few days. She seems to be having loads of fun. We have visited the swimming pool the last two afternoons and played. One of the many things that she enjoys about her cousins are the popsicles that she gets to eat. So far this week Faith has had a girls night party complete with nail painting, pool jumping and splashing, sand digging, corn field walking and tree climbing. Faith is at a good age to play with her cousins. They are quite a bit older which is what makes it fun for her. Her cousins are caring and fun. They include her in everything they do. Since their mom lives out in the country the freedom is also great for her to just go outside and run. I don't worry about her getting hit by a car or anything. She is safe and here to have lots of fun. Mission complete!

Tree hugger

Faith is turning into a tree hugger, literally. She has learned how to get up into trees and make her way up to the higher branches. We visited her great grandfather again today at the nursing home to play BINGO. After playing for about an hour Faith and I took him outside in his wheelchair for some fresh air. It was such a nice day today as the hot summer heat had taken a break from its usual position. Faith wanted to climb a tree that she had climbed last time and boy oh boy did she climb. She went up, over, down and up some more until I told her it was time to head home. Upon arrival at her Andma's house she discovered that Pa Pa had trimmed a tree of Sharon. It turned out to be the perfect height for climbing with branches spreading out perfectly. She climbed all the way to the top peaking her head out and yelling at me that she had reached the top. She wants to be just like me in all she does. Makes me think about what I am doing sometimes however I'm sure that I am a good role model 90% of the time.

Look ma' no hands!!

Since Faith has become comfortable with her bicycle I catch her trying to be daring like riding with one hand. Despite my efforts to keep her safe she is bound and determined to be adventurous. Faith went on her first bike ride last night. It wasn't just any bike ride it was her first trip through town using stop signs, watching for traffic, turning onto roads and slowing down at intersections. This girl is so awesome and has no fear when it comes to this bicycle. I can't believe how fast she has taken to her bike. It's like she was born to ride a bike. What is even better is that my old bicycle was found, cleaned up and gears greased. So we rode together before bed and she LOVED it.

Practice, practice, practice

When you want something really bad, practice is the key. Determination must be present. Faith so wants to do her new gymnastics tricks on her own. She has a drive to want to learn more in the hopes of being able to learn a backhandspring. After just one gym class here in the Midwest, she has learned how to do her back limber. We are working on pulling up from a bridge and then we will move onto a backwalkover and front limber. I see myself in her in many things she does. Maybe this is because I am around her all the time and I rub off on her. She wants to have her new tricks by then end of summer. I'll help her.

Out on the boat

We went some our family's lake house last night for a picnic and swimming. Faith had such a good time. Neither one of us realized she was going to get to jump in the lake but when her cousins said they were going to we quickly changed our clothes. Faith crossed the lake on her raft, splashed, floated and cruised on the pontoon boat. She said it was her best 4th of July ever. Although the fireworks were loud she got used to the booms and enjoyed herself while lying on the hill. Our trip here to the midwest is turning out to be a trip to remember.

Beating the heat

The summer heat has arrived and Faith and I are trying to stay cool. Despite our efforts to make it to the big swimming pool we have found a peanut shaped pool from Walmart that has succeeded in cooling us off. It is big enough for me to jump in. Faith and I chased each other around the sprinkler yesterday playing tag. Whoever makes it into the pool is on base. While Champ ventured out on the scooter with Andma, Faith and I were left to enjoy the warm pool and hot weather. We must of ran 30 minutes before deciding it was time to clean up and ride our bikes. Faith rode all around a nearby bowling alley all by herself. I tried to keep up on the scooter but she is fast. Midwest heat can be hot but the kiddie pool continues to be our friend.

Firecracker, firecracker

Faith has learned this cheer "Firecracker, firecracker" from Champ's classroom however I have not been able to get her to do the chant while in her new cheerleader outfit from Pa Pa. Complete with pom poms and skirt she is quite a cute little cheerleader. As if she couldn't get any cuter tonight I found a University of Illinois cheerleader outfit that was to small. Instead of it being a dress we turned it into a cute tank top. Having brotherly ties to the Fighting Illini, I was proud to see these blue and orange colors worn so well. Now if only I can get her to perform like a cheerleader, life will be great.

Great grandpa

Faith visited her great grandfather today. It had been a year since they had seen each other. He is 89 and doing well but a forgetful memory has got the best of him. Faith and I are going to play BINGO with him this afternoon. I am realizing how important great grandparents are. They have stories to tell that one may never know and the more time we can spend with them the more we learn about their lives. It is my hope that Faith remembers this trip back home especially her great grandfather. He is her only surviving great grandparent. Faith is such a loving spirit she went right to him to hug him after she was asked if she wanted to. So watch out nursing home, BINGO player Faith is on her way to win her great grandfather some tickets for chocolate.

Memories

What is going to be the best memory of this place when we leave in a month and a half? It is going to be the beautiful nature that surrounds our house. The mountain in our backyard with the sun setting over the horizon, the rollercoaster hills as we approach our driveway, the sunrise over the sod field each morning, the toads mating calls, the sense of peacefulness that I have when I let each of my children outside to play, the long rocky driveway, the horses following us along the fence, my children climbing the fences to just get a skim of the horses' fur, and the barn cats that have become like our own without having to feed them. This place is undescribeable. I have a billion and one memories of this place and more still to come. I believe God put us here to find peace. Peace from the city for Bud, peace from traffic for me, peace and quiet for my children to learn what it is like to entertain themselves. As our house begins to empty with material things and return to the boxed state that it was three years ago, I am flooded with emotions. Excitement brews but sadness remains.

All by myself

Today Faith did her first and probably only horse riding lesson. The little girl across the street rides a pony and today she taught Faith all about her. They began with grooming. Loralei was so sweet as she would show Faith the correct way to brush Penny's main, tail, and coat. Afterwards Loralei got on Penny to get her warmed up. Penny is 23 years old so she was not too excited to be rode but safe for all parties involved. Next up was Faith and she practiced holding the reigns, sitting up straight, and keeping her balance. She liked it until Loralei decided it was time for Penny to trot. The anxiousness showed in Faith's face as she felt herself off balance. She had a wonderful time.

She has also been practicing riding her new bike without training wheels. We bought this bike Memorial Day weekend after her seat broke off the other one. After practicing maybe four times, last night she took off on her own; perfect balance and all. She was amazing. "Let go" she called. My hands came off and my heart beat faster as she rode away. We turned around, peddled back to the van and headed out one more time. This time she veered to the left and headed down the hill towards the woods. I yelled for her to stop but she continued to coast down the hill through the tall grass only to crash at the bottom. She laughed it off and got right back up.
I'm so proud to see her accomplish new things and try new things without being scared. She is going to be going everywhere on her bike when we travel to the Midwest next week

We're back!!

Being without internet is rough. I never realized how dependant I am on it for everyday life. For one thing, I journal write on both of my children. When I looked today and realized I hadn't wrote anything in the last month about Faith I felt sad. She is a rising first grader now. Graduation was last Thursday. She did a reading during graduation. She has come a long way and has gained much confidence. As she prepares for summer vacation in the midwest she is excited yet sad to not see her friends and her favorite teacher who has become like an adopted mom to her. I will miss them all too. Teaching has become part of me and I'm not sure what I will do without it.
To sum up the last month's activities would take a long paragraph to complete so I will write a few of her favorites. A visit from Bud came at the end of May and she was excited. He stayed for Memorial Day weekend and we visited the creek.
She earned a trip to Chuck E Cheese after being a consistent good listener. She was excited upon arrival as we were the first in the door and the first to grab 176 free tickets from the previous night's games. She said they knew that she was coming and saved them for her. Too cute! Field day happened last Friday at school and she did the slip and slide for the first time ever. She loved it and even asked for one. The dish soap did help her slide really fast. Last but not least she is enjoying our new sandbox filled with tractors and sea shells. This was a gift for Champ for his birthday but she does great playing nicely.
I am still in awe over the fact that I have a rising first grader. She is going to do so great in her new school. Our move back to Motown occurs the end of summer. I am excited over this new venture and opportunities for growth. Faith has always had me in her school. She has always been able to get a hug whenever she needed one. A time for growth for both us is heading our way.

Ming Ming

My new name for Faith is Ming Ming. How it came up is a funny story. One day she was playing with her teacher outside. She said a similar phrase and he repeated it. She changed it to a different phrase ever so slightly and then he tried to say it again. She cried that day she had to come back inside for math. It is times like this that I am glad I am able to see her and hug her to make her feel better. After she explained how to play the game with me I told her we could play it when we leave school. We played it and after that I decided on a new name for her. So she became Ming Ming; my little Ming Ming. Now even when I ask her friends where Ming Ming is they know who I am refering to. My little Ming Ming runs up behind me and knocks me over with a behind the back hug. I wipe Ming Ming's eyes from the tears of sadness. I backpack Ming Ming to and from center while at school. What am I going to do in the Fall? I'm going to be lost without my Ming Ming during the day. How do parents do it? How are they away from their kids each day and not completely crazy from it? Maybe I love her so much and can't imagine my day without her. She is just so loveable and makes my gloomy days happy just being around.

Friendly neighbor

Our landlord has become our newest neighbor. It is so nice to have her around. My children love her. Tonight we invited her over for a spaghetti supper. Faith was so excited. I think that she started asking for her to come back over around 4pm. She still had another hour and a half to go. Could I send her back to the t.v. any more? So I told her to go over and ask her if she was ready to come eat. Gladly, Faith ran over to her house and walked her back to our side. She arrived just in time to have some pink lemonade, green beans, curried potatoes, spaghetti and garlic toast. I so enjoy this house we live in. I couldn't ask for a nicer or quieter spot to live. After supper we wrestled for a little bit and then went on a walk to the barn. Katie has recently become the owner of two pigmy goats and the children love to see them. We enjoyed going into their fence followed by petting the horses and barn cats. What am I going to do with myself when I have to leave here?

"Tea" party

Today is Faith's mommy and me "tea" party at school. We are to have yummy strawberry cream cheese sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, decadent desserts and of course some tea. Faith and I are bringing lemonade, our favorite, sing we don't drink tea. We are excited to wear our new dresses and even more excited to be together during school. Last Thursday was bring your daughter to work with you so she hung out and helped then. We see each other all the time at school but this morning it is just us. Faith has decorated two plastic tea cups with stickers. One is for me and the other is for her. I am loving this already.

Goat walking???

Ummm?? I think that Faith was helping to walk our landlord's pigmy goats this evening. I pulled in thinking that they were walking some small dogs. The closer I pulled into the driveway the harder I laughed. Yes our landlord who now has 2 alpacas and two pigmy goats was out walking the goats on a leash. They both had a color on and a harness on. Faith couldn't have jumped out of the van any faster to chase after them. I heard some yelling in the distance. It sounded like a kid screaming. I soon realized that it wasn't Faith screaming and it wasn't Champ, it was the goat kids. It was a sight to see and was quite the evening laugh.

The tadpole ditch

Faith and I have been going across the street to a dead end road the last few weeks to just ride her bike and let her brother run without worrying about cars. We always do to the end of the road, she gets off her bike and throws rocks into a nearby ditch filled with water. Since we had severe thunderstorms move across our area last night and this morning, the ditch was filled with lots of water. What we seen next we did not expect at all nor did we know it was common. As Faith examined the water closer she discovered the entire ditch was filled with what we believe to be tadpoles. Since the water will not remain much longer due to the high heat and water evaporating we decided to rescue a few of them. We filled a pail with the ditch water, dug up a plant growing in and we are going to transfer it to a small aquarium. We are hoping to see the stages of a frog right before our very eyes. I am totally excited about this find and I think that her friends will be too.

April showers

Showers bring the flowers but they also bring out the little children who have been waiting patiently all winter for some warm weather. We wait and wait for a warm Spring rain and tonight it finally arrived. Faith and Champ ran outside for a good 15 minutes of jumping, splashing, yelling and singing in the rain. Standing outside with my mouth open wide. Ahhh Ahhh Ahhhh Ahhh Ahhh. If all the raindrops were lemondrops and gumdrops. Oh what a rain that would be. The rain poured down and the kids played. I sat back and smiled. I enjoyed those moments of freedom to just see how much fun something like rain could be. I wonder if God planned Spring time that way. A welcome back preview of summer and water play. A welcome back of warmer weather. A welcome back to rainbows and puddles. A welcome back to children smiling for all the beauty that surrounds them now. April showers are such a joy to share with my kids.

The day in the city

Faith has had so much fun with her daddy this weekend. I'm sad he is leaving for school tomorrow however it is one step that we must overcome in order for our life to become easier. The butterfly exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in DC was beautiful. Faith was a little concerned that a butterfly got stepped on and killed but she got over it. There were more to look at. Beautiful butterflies fly everywhere in this exhibit. I was a little sad to hear that not a single one landed on her however maybe she was not still enough for long enough. Dinosaur bones were a favorite also at the museum along with the snake exhibit. Faith knows that Bud hates snakes but continues to get excited at the sight of one, but not a real one. Fake ones and pictures of ones are ok. Bud agrees. A dead snake is a good one.

Daddy outting

Today, is one of the last few day before Bud leaves for school in South Carolina for the summer. So he has the day off and is taking Faith into D.C. to the Smithsonian's Musuem of Natural History. Not only are they visiting the dinosaurs they get to go to the butterfly exhibit. I'm so jealous. Maybe I can go later this summer. I hope that they have fun. It is a surprise. Faith is not sure where she is going. Just knows that her and daddy have the day together. What makes this day even nicer is that I left early yesterday and I am leaving even earlier today from school. Hoping to hear about a fun time this evening.

The animal park

Faith went with her friends to a local animal park yesterday. Spring break has been so much fun at school. So far she has had her face painted with an angel, gymnastics, pottery painting class, and some fun games. At the animal park yesterday Faith was chased by a llama and loved the donkey. He was "so cute" she said. She fell and scraped her knee but was a real trooper when it came to getting it cleaned with an alchol wipe. Ouch! She was so excited to go in with the animals she hardly noticed the paint. Plus, a band aid always helps. This girl of mine continues to get up at the crack of dawn with her brother. A month ago I couldn't roll her out of bed at 700am let along have her up a t 6am. Today is gymnastics again at school. It is with her favorite teacher. Tomorrow is a day in the city with her daddy before he leaves for the summer for school. Should be lots of fun.

And the rain falls

We have been blessed with a wonderful amount of Spring rain. What this means is that the creeks are racing and our front yard has become a swimming pool. Good news for Faith who loves her umbrella, rain coat, and new water shoes. She has been waiting for a week or more to try out her new shoes in the water. I love how we both enjoy the outdoors. It makes nice weather fun. Sunday was filled with splashing in our front yard. She would run from one end to the other and then stop in the driveway to splash some more. More often than not I tell both of my children to stay out of the puddles but when water shoes are on, it is fair game.

Third quarter conference

I knew Faith was doing great in school but on Friday I learned just how great she is. Her scores came back from testing. I remind myself that she just turned five and is not even supposed to be in kindergarten yet. Her testing showed that she is reading at the end of a first grade level. The PALS testing can show a wide bridge of reading abilities. On Faith's reading test, she read 116/120 words correctly. She spelled all her words correctly on the spelling part of the test and is on her way to being a super reader. I am excited to hear her math is coming along easy for her too. She patterned, put numbers in order, recognized the ten families all the way to 100 and wrote them correctly, added, and subtracted. I am proud of her. She has a thirst for knowledge. Learning is fun. Any new information she learns she takes it and goes with it.

The Secret Garden revisited

The Oatlands in Northern Virginia is a beautiful plantation. Faith and I love to visit here because it reminds us both so much of our Fairy Realm books. The rows of hedges, the sparkly gazing balls, the fountains filled with coi fish, and the endless amounts of flowers seen around each corner make this place a place to fall in love with. Last weekend Faith and I took Bud and Champ along with us for an afternoon of running and fresh air. It sure beats staying inside and watching t.v. It was a little on the cool side but we had fun playing hide and seek, picking flowers and running through the garden.

Bailey the lost puppy

Faith has a special place in her heart for animals. If she were to be a fairy it would be a nature fairy or animal fairy. I just know it. That is her spirit. Last night we made it Friday night movie night with the kids. I found this movie Bailey the lost puppy. It's a story about a puppy who loves the freedom of the open fields and one day when his owner's are moving he is left behind on accident at a gas station. This is the story of Bailey and how he passes time while looking for his owners. I have never seen Faith so involved in a movie. The end of the movie brought tears of joy from Faith. She told me that was the cutest movie she'd ever seen and that she was so happy Bailey found his owners. As tears ran down her cheeks she told me we just have to get the real video. I felt her emotion and attachment to Bailey. She loves our neighbor's dog like her own. She'll take good care of a dog when we get our own house. I know she will.

Special night

Faith's teacher has invited her in to school for a special demonstration next Monday. It is kindergarten open house and Faith is an example of what children can do when given the opportunity to grow in fields beyond their age. Faith, being the youngest in her class, is always on top of her game. She is in the top reading group and loves it, she adds and subtracts with no problem, she tells her friends to be quiet so she can hear when learning new material, she shouts out answers as soon as she knows them even if she just learned the information. She is a sponge filled with knowledge. She overflows with an abundance of joy that makes anyone's morning perk up immediately. If I could describe Faith in a few words I would say that she is full of energy, life, love and knowledge. To be invited to open house to show her abilities is an honor.

The meltdowns

Faith is gearing up towards meltdown mode with every passing minute of the day. I never realized that 5 year olds were so emotionally unstable. Maybe it is a weekend thing. Maybe she has too much going on. Maybe it is competing for attention with Champ. Maybe it is the fact that some things she is just too big to do nowadays. I wish I could venture into her mind some day. How does she think. She is such a fun filled blast of energy but on the brink of crashing any minute. I'd like for her to take an opportunity to focus on how being older is better than being Champ's age. So I have written a list of items that 5 year olds receive such as chewing gum, chapter books, t.v. time, and no naptime. Maybe she will see the advantages over the next few weeks and understand how being older is better.

The fiesta

Faith had her five year old fiesta for her birthday last Saturday. What I thought was going to be a smooth party turned into a bundle of overly excited five and six year olds who decided to bring their siblings. So I'm scrambling to make sure that all the kids get a goody bag and then cake and ice cream. Faith had a blast. It was a Dora theme. Not that she likes Dora but she said that Champ would have fun because he loves Dora. We played a pass the backpack game and then used our maps on a short walk about the outside barn and backyard. The kids found prizes at each station and followed map back to the house where cupcakes and more fun awaited; this time outside. Faith received some dolls none of which she will play with but it was a nice thought. Her favorite gift has been a Crayola Color Explosion art packet. She colors on it each morning and night. She loves it. It came from her teacher which shows that she knows best. She also loved her new umbrella and raincoat. She wears her raincoat each day even if it is not raining. I would have loved to see and played with Faith more so after this year I have realized that I will no longer take the lead on a party that has any more than four or five friends. Parties are done at our house and will be moved somewhere else from now on. It has become too much with another child three years younger. So Happy birthday Faith. Another year older and another year wiser.

Hip Hip Hooray

Spring is in the air. We shall jump for joy, run, play, and see the horses. Let's go!

Smiley faces all around

Faith completed all her math, reading, and writing homework this week and turned it in for a smiley face. Not only that, for the first time she got all 4 words right on her spelling test. She worked hard on those words and did a super job. I was so proud of her. She got her treasure chest treat back and chose a pink stuffed poodle.

Lil' peanut

Faith has always been my peanut but when my mom found this "Lil' peanut" shirt I fell in love with it. She'll always be my little peanut and this shirt will probably be kept for life and eternity. One day she will grow up and not be so little. I see little things each day that remind me of how big she is getting but I also see how little she is. When she is sad, she can run and give my a hug at school. When she believes that she needs help up to the monkey bars I lift her up. The piggy back rides to the classroom each afternoon. Her "I love my mommy" pictures that I get each day. I am reminded that although she is a smart little one she is still little. And as long I can, she'll be known as my little peanut.

Pumpkin wing fairy

I sometimes often sit and wonder what it would be like to encounter a fairy. Does a child believe in fairies? They believe in the tooth fairy so why not flower fairies or nature fairies? I asked Faith what type of fairy she would be if she were a fairy. She quickly said she would be a nature fairy due to her love of being outdoors. I agree. Faith is an outside fairy who is close with nature. Her love of flowers, trees, and the outside world makes it difficult in the pre Spring weather to get her to go inside. I am forced to deal with the crying knowing that it probably is the saddest part of her day. I think that we are going to begin reading the journals of Cicely Mary Barker. With the journal style writing I am hoping it encourages her writing and reading. Should she embark on this journey she may discover a part of her she never knew was there; a vivid imagination.