Sky High…

Yesterday morning, Jerry and I took Elaine to the annual Balloon Classic at Memorial Park.  Despite getting up 2 hours before she normally does, Elaine loved seeing the balloons inflate and take off–she said good-bye to most of them and waved a lot.  We watched some of them splash down in Prospect Lake too.  Her new word for the day was “sky” which we heard every time she realized that the balloons were going up and staying in the sky.

Last night, we picked up Grammy and Bob and headed back to the park for the balloon glow.  The balloons are so beautiful when they light up–Elaine loved this too.  We ended our balloon packed day with ice cream.

Pikes Peak at sunrise

Balloons starting to take off

Elaine and me

One of Elaine’s favorites–it was very cute!!

 

Balloon glow

 

Having ice cream brings out all the smiles!

Off to the Fair (Again)…

Today Elaine went to the State Fair with Bob and Grammy.  The fair we went to last weekend served as a great warm-up.  Elaine had such a great time and was so excited to tell us about her day.  She pet a horse named Patty which was very exciting for her.  After that, she pet goats, rabbits, cows, sheep, baby pigs, donkey, mules and puppies.  She saw geese, pheasant, doves, and tried to pet a rooster.  Elaine did get pecked by a chicken, which did cause a fair number of tears while we discussed it.  There were also tigers–Elaine LOVES tigers and does her best animal impression of their scary growl!  There was a sandbox filled with dried beans and corn which she really liked to play in, except she didn’t like getting them caught in her sandals.  Bob and Grammy treated Elaine to lemonade, hot dogs, bratwursts, Pepsi and probably a few other snacks along the way (on a total aside, her lunch choices disgust me–YUCK!!!!!).  Nevertheless, Elaine had a TERRIFIC day and we all thank my parents for giving Elaine such a great experience.

    

Baby Jefferson…

Last week, we had our friends, Brad and Whitney over and they brought their baby, Jefferson.  Needless to say, Elaine did everything she could to make him feel welcome.  I’m not sure if Jefferson felt all that welcome but he did feel completely smothered loved.

Stories and Books, Books and Stories…

Much to my delight, Elaine LOVES, LOVES, LOVES stories.  Her first word to  me each morning is “book!”  Reading is literally the first thing we do in the morning and the last thing we do before bed every day.  We read more books in a day than I ever thought we could and she is now starting to interact.  She notices characters emotions (and reacts by smiling, pouting, etc), laughs, points out different pictures and engages.  I am more thrilled by this milestone than just about any other Elaine has reached and will do anything I can to continue to foster this love. 

Elaine (and her friends) listening to the closing story at My Gym:

First Day of School…

I am very late in getting this out–I left the camera at school too many times!!  The pictures of Elaine and me were on the first day of school.  There is also a picture of this year’s class!

Surprise Visitor…

The term “surprise visitor” where we live usually means a bear who got into the trash cans, a deer who ate all the flowers in the garden or a fox who creates a den under a deck and gives birth to a whole litter of pups, but the surprise visitor I’m referring to is a most welcomed one.  Marty called last night at 10:30 from Amarillo to let us know he was half way home from visiting Katie and Brooks in College Station.  Although today’s visit was a terrifically short and totally unexpected one, we enjoyed all of it.  My family is so grateful to have Marty safely home from his 2 month deployment and will gladly accept any time we can see him.  Initially Elaine was a little shy and taken aback by her uncle, but quickly realized he is quite a guy.  Uncle Marty also brought Elaine an alarm clock that surely none of her friends will have–she is quite thrilled with it!  The only thing that would have made Marty’s visit better was to have Brooksie and Katie join him!

What little girl wouldn’t love this??  (Yes that is Elaine’s backside!)

Morgan liked Marty a lot too!!

Sitting with Uncle Marty

This is a close-up of the alarm clock.  

Smiles

  

Jer, Elaine, Marty and me

Bob, Marty, Elaine and Grammy

Off to the Fair…

This evening we met Bob and Grammy at the Rocky Mountain Fair at the Norris Event center.  We weren’t really sure what to expect, but heard about a big petting zoo which I knew Elaine would love.  It did not disappoint.  There were several large cows, bulls, sheep and lots of goats.  There was even a red kangaroo and 2 coatimundi–go figure.  We saw 3 baby goats, the youngest of which was 2 days old.  Elaine fed the animals with great enthusiasm and I was so proud of how brave she was at first.  The goats little tongues move at rocket speed to eat what they can get before their fellow goats get the oats.  Elaine got her face painted, ate ice cream, rode the carousel, saw a “circus” which consisted of clowns, acrobats and motorcycles and watched her first ever demolition derby.  We also saw a sunset which contained clouds with true silver lining.  All in all, it was a great way to spend a Saturday evening. 

Can you see how well I’m doing at stopping the thumb sucking?

First handful

How cute is this guy??

Getting the hang of it…

Elaine trying to pet the 2 day old baby goat

She was a little intimidated by the big guys

She figured out pretty quickly what she was supposed to hang on to

Now all we need is leather pants, right?

She sits SO still when she gets her face painted

Showing off her newly painted flower

Waving to Bob, Grammy and Daddy

Fun with 2 of her favorite people

Demolition derby…I’m still trying to figure out what the point is???

More New Beginnings…

 Our nephew Cory started kindergarten today.  I need to brag!!

The new student

Proud sister-in-law

 

Crossing the street for the big first day

Best buddies

New Beginnings…

I started school today with 20 excited, eager students.  Honestly, the first day of school is just as exciting and nervewracking as it was for me when I was little.  This year, there are 2 special boys (my lifelong friend’s son Max and our nephew, Cory) starting kindergarten.  I got an e-mail from my friend in Florida talking about Max’s first day of kindergarten.  I sobbed through the whole note for several reasons.  The first being that I simply cannot believe Max is starting kindergarten.  It seems like a month ago I drove to Denver to meet the new little bundle and can’t believe he’s actually old enough to be in school.  I looked at the attached picture and was so proud to see Max standing in front of his new school.  Then I put myself in my friend’s position watching her oldest, precious child start the biggest milestone in his young life and I can’t help but feel empathy.  

Then the teacher in me listens to the messages sent, unknowingly.  The reminder that, despite that I’ve spent the grand majority of my life in a school, it is mostly novel to each and every kid.  I remember the awe I had in school.  The size of the school, the vastness of the long hallways, the excitement of activities, the friendships, the teachers of whom I have fond memories.  That is what struck me most.  The little things that occur, mostly unnoticed by adults.  I go through my day, honestly loving my job, my students and the wonder that comes with learning.  Sadly, I have forgotten about the awe.  The simple moments that happen as newness is discovered.  Actually, not only discovered, but studied, appreciated and internalized.  This is best about teaching and part of me had forgotten to stop and appreciate it.

The sweetest part of the note from Janie is this, “Drew and I joined Max for lunch today (they let you come for lunch period whenever you want!) and I got to meet a couple of the kids.  My heart soared when I sat down with him at the table and he leaned over and whispered in my ear “I made a friend” and pointed to a nice boy named Jake.  It was so sweet.  All was right with the world, even if for just a moment.” 

There’s the awe.  Those small moments that do make the world seem right.  The moment where a friendship is formed, a connection made, something learned that has been truly difficult, memories solidified.  Janie, thanks for the reminder I needed to help make this school even better.  Max, I hope you continue to find the awe in all the moments at your new school and that you thoroughly enjoy each and every one of them!

Meeting Great Uncle Dennis…

Today we met Papa and Grandma Cross, Great Grandma Bonnie and Great Uncle Dennis in Denver for lunch.  Elaine had never met Uncle Dennis so it was an exciting day.  Elaine was thoroughly spoiled in a very short time.  After a yummy lunch, Elaine was lucky enough to get a couple fall outfits from the grandmas and a very special tiger stuffed tiger her great uncle.  We named the tiger Dallas to remind us of Dennis’ visit and Elaine didn’t put it down most of the day.  Despite not having much time together, we made the most of a short visit.  It was special to have family together and we are very  grateful to have finally introduced her great uncle to our Elaine.

Grandma Sherry and Elaine

Our little shopper

Group shot

It’s nap time

Showing off our new favorite toy, Dallas the tiger

Nap time in the car (Do you notice how well I’ve done at stopping the thumb sucking??)