One Little Boy

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to volunteer in Jadyn's classroom for Johnny Appleseed Day.  The teacher had a number of different activities planned for the children.  The children rotated through the different centers about every 10 minutes.  My center was the snack center.  I was happy about that, I mean who doesn't love serving snacks to little ones?

Our snack was apples and caramel sauce.  I cut the apples for the kids, adding caramel sauce to their plates.  I made small talk with the kids as they snacked, asking them questions about Kindergarten, siblings at home, etc.

Apples and caramel for snack makes some really sticky hands.  As they finished their snacks, I asked them to go to the sink and wash.  My 4th or 5th group of the morning was finishing up and most were washing their hands.  One little boy was still finishing his apples.  It was just the two of us at the table.  He said to me, "My mommy and daddy don't love each other anymore....They broke up."  Wow.  That was not something I expected to hear from a little one at my snack table.

I told him I was so sorry, and asked if he still gets to spend time with both parents.  He said he does and I told him that's so good, etc.  As quick as that, the other children were back from washing their hands.  That's it, the discussion was over.

Oh, how that little boy has been in my thoughts over the past few days.  He has also been in my prayers.  I think about the pain he must be experiencing and my heart just goes out to him.  I'm thankful that I was serving snacks that morning.  I was right where God meant for me to be.  I'm thankful that I get the chance to pray for that little one.

A Very Cheezy Post

This... is our son.

This... is our son on Cheez-Its

Bryan is crazy about Cheez-Its, and always has been.  We pretty much always try to have some in the house.  Gotta keep him happy you know.

Alan recently found a deal at the grocery store.  It was a really great deal!  So he bought all of these boxes.  We put them on one of the bottom shelves of the pantry, in the back.  The reserve supply of Cheez-Its you might say.  I didn't even think that Bryan knew they were in there, since he wasn't around when Alan brought them from the grocery store.

One night, Bryan came home from work and starts hauling all those boxes out of the pantry.  He wanted a photo session.  LOL!
I told him I didn't even think he knew about all of those boxes.  He said, "Mom, I know what goes on in my house!"


He's a funny guy, with a serious addiction.  :)

I told Bryan that these photos would probably appear on the blog.  He said that he has to do something every once in a while to make the blog.  :)

The Big Dig, and A Small Town Parade

It was a pretty busy weekend for us around here.  Alan started a  big project out in the backyard.  I've been referring to it as The Big Dig.  He's put in some underground pipes to improve the drainage of our backyard.  Rain water will now go directly to the bottom of the hill near the pond.  The portion of the yard near the house gets soaked and squishy after it rains and is a real problem.  It's been a problem for years and Alan's wanted to fix it.  But, who wants to dig up the backyard?  Big project, lots of work.
So Alan rented a big trencher machine and dug trenches on both sides of our yard.  Here are photos of The Big Dig.

Poor Alan really worked hard installing the pipe, doing some of the digging near the house by hand, etc.  He was so tired.  I helped with filling the trench and doing some clean up.  Lots of work, but good exercise.  It will be nice when the yard is finally back to normal.  Next spring, when new grass covers it.....It's going to take a while, but will be worth it.  

On Saturday, we also went to the local parade, put on by the Lions Club.  Bryan marched in the parade and we wanted to see him, plus it's a great little small town parade.  Lauryn and Aaron joined us at the parade, which is always fun.  This is a great parade for getting candy and other things.  Jadyn loves that!

The fam at the parade.  Two family members had to make silly faces.  This is one of Aaron's creepy faces which he enjoys making.  Lauryn really enjoys this particular one.  Not!

Jadyn and Lauryn

I need this car, don't you think?

I took a picture of this little guy, who was riding in the parade.  I believe that's a face only a mother could love.  :)  

Madeline was at the parade.  I figured Jadyn would be really excited to see her.  Not so much.  It may have something to do with that Really Large Head.  :)

It was a fun parade and I'm glad we attended.  Parades are all done now until next summer.

Here's a picture of Jadyn playing with her friend Marissa.  Marissa's grandmother is our neighbor.  Jadyn is always super happy when she comes to visit.  Not too many little ones live on our street.  I love it when Jadyn gets an unexpected play date.

Somebody Started School Today!

Hooray, hooray!  Today was the day that Jadyn finally got to go to Kindergarten.  She did really well, wasn't hesitant and didn't seem nervous.  It was an exciting morning for us!
She told me 2 or 3 times during the last several days that she might be a little nervous on her first day.  I told her that most of the kids would be and that 1 or 2 might even cry.  Well no one cried and it was a great day for everyone.

That's a real difference from the 1st day that I sent Kaitlyn to Kindergarten, many years ago.  I will never forget how one little boy was scared to death.  He was screaming, crying, and trying to climb up his mom.  He then ran and hid underneath one of the tables.  At the end of the day, I asked Kaitlyn how that little boy was, and if he felt better later on.  She said, "No, he just stayed under the table all day!"  How sad is that?  Obviously that left an impression on me!

Now back to Jadyn.  I am so happy for our little girl.  She has come a long way!  Here's hoping it's a really great year.  Here are some pictures.

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."

We've had a good week, and we did some fun things.  Jadyn and I went to the lake one day and she played at the beach.  We went to her school and met her teacher one evening.  On another day we went to the State Fair.

I'm glad we've had plenty of things to keep us busy.  Jadyn is so anxious for school to begin and busyness helps the time pass faster, or so it seems.  When the kids are anxious for something to happen, it makes moms that way too.  Is it time for Kindergarten yet?  What day does Kindergarten start??

Once she begins school, maybe she won't have to amuse herself by doing things like this.

"Mommy, I can't breathe!"  Imagine this, said in a voice with a pinched nose sound.  :)

Here are some photos from our trip to the beach.  Jadyn had lots of fun that afternoon.  I pretty much just sat in the chair, ate my lunch and took photos.

Jadyn found a new friend that day.  He was a little boy of about 3 years of age.  He was quite shy at first and didn't seem to want to play.  After a while, he really got into it and they had a great time playing together.  It was cute.

Here are pictures from the State Fair.  As usual, the baby animal barn is one of our favorite stops.
Jadyn would tell you that the baby ducks and chickies are her favorites.  My favorites are the baby piggies.  I definitely would not want to be the new mom of so many babies at once.  Oh my!

Sweet little calves.  

This little calf was only about 1.5 hours old.  

Llama Time!  How I love these guys.  :)  Call me crazy, but I like them more every time I see them.  They are so unusual, so friendly, and they love to be petted.  They like to sniff your hand or arm, just like a dog would. Ha ha.

Seriously, if I had some acreage in the country....well I just might have to have one.

A llama needing a trim.  :)  He looked much like a teddy bear in the face.

Baby Llama!  

Riding the Ferris wheel.

The highlight of the day for Miss Jadyn.  Yummy cotton candy!

At the end of the day, we had one very tired and STICKY girl.  All 3 of us managed to go home with some of her cotton candy on our clothing.  Yay.   :)