A Day at Disney

Wow! Quite a place. We came at opening time and stayed until after the fireworks. We got back to our hotel after midnight (a traffic jam and a detour delayed us.) Ella was a real trooper. We saw many children older than her getting "rides" in strollers, but she walked the entire time. We did just about everything that she was tall enough to do at the Magic Kingdom, including some roller coasters. She loved it! We saw two parades and the fireworks. She was even singled out before the parade to dance in the street with a Disney "warm-up, keep the crowd occupied" person. She must take after her Grampy, though. She started to dance a little, but then got kind of shy when he started to do some silly stuff. I'm not real keen on all the Disney marketing hype and junk, but I was very impressed with their attention to detail, cleanliness, and efficiency.

In Pursuit of Happy Feet

I'm so excited about our trip to Florida. I'm looking forward to the wedding, the plane trip, the palm trees, and the trip to Disneyworld with Ella and Emily. However, I've been on a pursuit of shoes that will be just right for lots of walking. Usually when I buy shoes they feel real great in the store and then when I walk in them for a while, either my back hurts, my hips hurt, or my feet hurt. The only shoes that are really comfortable for me are an old pair of big, heavy, black winter type shoes. I think (I hope, I hope, I hope!) I may have found some - $15 at Walmart. Time and lots of steps will tell. I also bought another pair at TJ Maxx--maybe between the two pairs!

Happy Birthday, Emily!

I'll try to blog you later, birthday girl! I love you--as I have for 30 years!

New Toy for Emily and Rescue Zone

At the risk of scaring the world, here is a picture that Emily took with her new toy. For her birthday Bob bought her a new Mac laptop that has a camera on it. It has this weird ability to change pictures in all kinds of ways. Ella and Sophie were thoroughly entertained by this gizmo! As far as I can tell that would be the only virtue of this feature on the computer. It was a hoot listening to them laugh!

In other news, VBS is in full swing. We've had a good turn out and lots of fun! I'm leading the music again this year-- and the hit of the week is "Pharoah, Pharoah" to the tune of "Louie, Louie". The theme this year is "Rescue Zone". We've had visits from rescue workers and as usual the two gals that are running the show this year have done a fabulous job! Of course our ultimate Rescue Hero is Jesus!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation - the First 3 Days!

Tuesday, my official vacation began--not exactly in the best way! I was babysitting for Avery and Kaleigh and when I went out of the room for a minute Kaleigh decided to try the pill that had been left in a dish on the counter (What kind of grandmother am I?). So after a call to poison control and a trip to the ER for Kaleigh to drink a luscious charcoal and chocolate drink, all was well! We think she spit most of it out, but better safe than sorry. I wish I had my camera in the ER to show Kaleigh with black goo all over her shirt, face, and hair. Instead, here she is all cleaned up, in her hospital gown, and happily back here in the arms of Grampy.

Yesterday, I took Mom to her follow up check up after her knee replacement where I learned that the arthritis that has afflicted all her joints and the stenosis in her spine are hereditary. I see artificial parts in my future! Then my Bible Study group (studying 1 John), and a trip to the funeral home for Don. We stopped to see Joyce, Merle, and Seth and were treated to dinner.

This morning I drove to Detroit to return school materials and then back to Waltz for Don's funeral. What a celebration of a life of service to God's kingdom, and more importantly a celebration of eternal life in Jesus! It was also great to see lots of old familiar faces! Then a stop at Joyce's again. This time for a good talk, and another visit with Seth and Christie. Home and into my pool for the first time this year--it still needs a bit of cleaning, but it's getting there. I was surprised that the water was as warm as it was. Tonight I should be working on VBS music for next week and paying bills, but after all -- this is summer vacation!

Two Graduations - Two Nights

On Wednesday Ella officially graduated from the Saline Co-op Preschool 4 year old morning class. On Thursday Quinn officially graduated from the afternoon 4 year old class. Each ceremony was unique. Ella's class celebrated the occasion by freeing butterflies. Ella's didn't seem to want to leave. It hung around for a while. Quinn's class celebrated with cool glasses! In thirteen years they each will graduate from high school in the year 2020. Quinn won't need those glasses with his 2020 vision! Congratulations Quinn and Ella! Thanks, Miss Bonnie!

Ella (OOPS! - Lucy- see Heidi's comment below) and Grampy celebrated, too--from the car! It was cold that night!

The Picture I Couldn't Post

It amazes me what kids will or won't eat! Look at their pusses after eating rhubarb fresh from the garden!

Two days left of school--and I have my progress reports completed! Hurray!

Sadness at one of my schools--the father of one of the students was one of those killed in the plane crash in Lake Michigan!

Have a great Wednesday!

I unloaded my camera--here are some of the good ones!

Andy and Opa with the Charlie Gehringer signed ball.

Matt with the flying pancake.

Scenes from Matt's graduation party and Avery with her first taste of rhubarb (and dirt) for the season! I had another of all three kids, but for some reason the computer didn't want to post it!

Where Did the Week Go?

I can't believe I haven't blogged in more than a week! Sorry folks! It has to do with 2 birthday parties, a graduation party, several visits to Mom at the hospital and recuperating at home, a wedding shower, several parent meetings, a choir picnic, a few flats of flowers waiting to be planted, strawberries to be picked, and umpteen progress reports. But here I am! And here's a few pictures. Regrettably I didn't take pictures at all the events and I realized some are still in my camera. Happy summer weekend everyone!