Flashback Friday

Spring 2009:  Goofing Around with Grandma Mary!

Guest of Honor

Waaaay back in February, we received a letter in the mail.  It was from the Hardy Reading Council.  {Hardin & Grundy Counties} The letter informed us that Drue had written a poem at school that was submitted to the reading association, was judged by a committee of teachers and writers and that she had won at the local level!

What a surprise!  We had no idea about the contest or the poem!  =)  She had written it in her daily, winter journal. 

Drue's poem, "Sledding," was then submitted to the State Poetry Contest of the Iowa Reading Association.  Later in March, DD received another letter.  This time, informing and congratulating her because her poem had won SECOND place in the STATE!!

We were invited to a recognition dinner and all of the local winners would read their writings.  May 4th, we left shortly after school and took off for BCLUW where lots of family joined us!  Nanny, Pa, Mimi, RahRah, Uncle Shawn and KK came to hear Drue read her poem and enjoy a children's author speak.  One of Drue's classmates, Waylen, also had also won a student writer award...Drue was excited that he was there, too. 

Drue got to read her poem first.  She was nervous up until the time she got on the chair, then she read like an old pro! She received an award and a children's book from the guest speaker.  After Julia Cook spoke, we purchased a few more books and got to meet the author as she wrote a special note in DD & Dig's new books. 

We were all so proud of her! 

"Sledding"

Sledding is going fast,

I know I don't want to be last!

Sledding with my family is lots of fun,

Would you like to come?

Down the hill is where you go,

Don't get stuck in the deep snow!

Sledding down the snowy hill-

It's the best winter thrill!

I'm gonna be in BIG trouble...



but I couldn't resist!

Like father...like son!

Dig's Date

DD and Dad had a date, so Dig and I decided to have one, too!

He chose the activities...Play at Twister Park and get ice-cream!

Lane instructed, "get your camera and meet me at the bottom of the slide!"

Just shoes!

And, there's Dig...with no shoes!

 He thought it was just hilarious!

Thanks for the date, Digga Dean!

Ubba!



Dad-Daughter Dance Night!

It's that time of year again...school is winding down, Spring is finally here and what better way to celebrate than a dance with your dad and your friends! Ryan and DD went last year, so they knew what to expect this time around.  The First-graders are old pros!  One hour of fun music, dressed up daddies, girls in pretty dresses and flowers, yummy cookies and refreshing punch!  I wish I could have been a mouse in the corner!

Ryan said DD was a little nervous for the first few minutes, but quickly warmed up when she found her good friends Becca, Kali and Emma.  He also said she quickly shed her shoes and sweater so she could run around the gym better!  There may have been more running than dancing at this dance!

Drue told me it "felt like just a minute!" The dance was over too quickly in her opinion.  Afterwards, Daddy and DD went out for ice-cream. 

Hopefully, the memories made will last much longer than that minute!  
I know her daddy will always treasure the special times like these that he gets to spend with his favorite little girl.

The other man in her life. 

Dig and I had a "date" tonight, too!

He chose the evening's activities...Twister Park and ice-cream!

Pictures of our date to come!

Dig's Day at Round-Up!

Some how, more than a week has gone by and I've yet to post about Dig's big day at Kindergarten Round-Up!  We are in the heart of one of the craziest weeks we've had in a long time.  Something every single night! So...here ya' go! Some pictures from Lane's very fun, very exciting and very exhausting day!

The night before, as he, Drue and I snuggled on the couch, Lane peeked up his little head and softly asked, "Mommy? How do you open a locker? and what happens if I don't drink all of my milk?" Sweet, sweet boy was thinking about all of the "big" things he'd experience the next day. 

He woke up easily and quickly got dressed.  He even ate breakfast, although, not much.  He usually doesn't feel like eating until later in the morning.  Heck, Dig and I stay in our pajamas until around noon when he gets ready for preschool. 

He was excited to see some friends from preschool and Mrs. Hildreth!  We volunteered at all of Mrs. Hildreth's activities when DD was in her class and have eaten lunch with DD several times, so Dig felt very comfortable going!

His locker!  Dig also packed a Subway sandwich for his first lunch at school.

Coloring a cowboy while all of his classmates arrived at school.

Time for Momma to go. 

Drue had told him earlier in the morning, "if you need anything, have your teacher come get me, Dig."  I received and email during the day from a teacher friend saying she saw Lane outside having a blast.  After school, Mrs. Hildreth emailed me to let me know Lane had a wonderful day, was very helpful and so polite.  She also mentioned how cute she thought it was that Drue was a "little mother" she went and checked on him during lunch and library time.  My heart smiled.  It was so nice to get those updates, as I had obviously been thinking of both of them all day, wondering how things were going and praying Dig wasn't nervous and really enjoying his day.  Drue & Lane were both so excited to tell me about their days and let me know they saw eachother on the playground, even played together! Next year will be so fun for them!

It wasn't just a "first" for Dig...it was a "first" for this momma.  I can't remember the last time I've been home alone for that long.  I'm sure it's happened, mom will take the kids or Ryan will run an errand with them, but ALL day?! Wowzer.  I found myself just wandering around the house, "what should I do?" I had plenty to do, don't get me wrong.  My problem was that none of what needed to be done sounded very exciting.  After some computer time and coffee while watching the Today Show, I managed to get all three bathrooms cleaned, laundry caught up (and put AWAY! shocking!) I even read a little. 

 I miss those monkeys so much when they're gone! I'm also bored out of my gourd without them, but, I sure can get a lot done! I will, most likely, be putting my name in to be a substitue teacher at the school once classes start in the Fall.  Then it won't really feel like they're gone.  We'll all be at school together!

I even asked Lane, "would you wave and act like you knew me if I was a teacher at the school or would you ignore me? Will you say, 'hi Momma!' or act like you don't see me?" 

He said, "Well, I'll act like I know you, but I'll probably just say, 'hi, KRISsss!'"  

Then puckered up, wrapped his arms around my waist and said, "I love MY Krissss!"

Kris loves you, too Lane!  

and Mommy loves you too, DD! 

Edible Version

My very creative and patient mom saw this idea in her Family Fun magazine right around the time DD was busy building her Recycled Robot for school.  Nanny volunteered to do the baking and have the kids help with the decorating.  We all had such a busy weekend, but Mom still made time to do this with Drue and Lane yesterday.

I wish I could have seen the reactions of all of Drue's friends.  The edible version of "DJ" (Drue Junior) turned out so adorably cute, I'm sure she'll taste just as good! Can't wait to hear all about it!