Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Shaving Cream Ice Skating!

Today Parker's pre school had their anual Shaving Cream Ice Skating party. They cover the gym floor with plastic (the gym floor is rubber) and spray shaving cream mix it with water to make a slippery surface. Each class gets to spend an hour on the rink. Here are some shots of Parker enjoying the fun!
She was soaking wet when I took her clothes off.
Parker & her buddy Julia
Making shaving cream angels!
This one is blurry, but Julia fell on Parker's back.
Helpers pushing the kids across the floor!
My camera was dying, so I was only able to take a few short videos. Here they are!
The first video, Parker's teacher, Ms. Stackhouse is wiping her face!

She couldn't stand up in this one!

Fun, Fun, Fun!


For those of you wondering about Discovery Center for next year, Parker's paper that she brought home only had 2 options for next year. Full time (4 days) mornings or Full time (4 days) afternoons. The part time (2 days) wasn't even an option. I heard they weren't offering it for next year. My guess is they aren't after reading her paper. Just a heads up for those of you looking for a preschool for next year. We love it!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day

Yesterday, we buried my grandma (my dad's mom). The weather was beautiful for a February afternoon. She looked so beautiful. I know that often times at funerals, you say, "they look so good", but she truly did. She looked at peace for the first time in her life. The weight of the world had finally been lifted off of her shoulders.

I was pretty torn about the whole situation. We intended on going down to Proctorville this past weekend to visit as she was returning home from Cleveland Clinic. When she left Cleveland, she was so excited to be going home. My brother lives in Cleveland and had several opportunities to visit with her while she was there. Selfishly, I didn't call, and I don't even know why. I was just planning on saying my goodbyes to her this past weekend.

I did not get the chance, as she passed in the plane on her way home. 10 minutes from landing, she went to the lord. I have been angry with myself for not calling or saying my goodbyes. I was angry that "fate" flew her to Cleveland for my brother to see her. I was angry that "fate" didn't whisper in my ear to call her or to travel to Cleveland to see her. I was angry period.

When we arrived at her house early Saturday evening, my dad greeted me with a letter. A letter that my grandma had written to me Nov. 26, 1978. She had written it 3 days before my birth 31 years ago and had all intentions of me opening it up no sooner than my 12th birthday. Ironically, it was written on the same date that I had delivered her first great-grandchild 26 years prior!

I sat there absorbed in the seven page letter, tears flowing from my eyes, realizing that, I had received my dose of "fate" after all. This letter is a gift like no other than I have received. After finishing the letter and doing the math, I soon realized that the letter she had written to me in anticipation 3 days prior to my birth, finally reached my hands 3 days after her death.

Below is a picture of the letter. She had even sealed the back of it with wax! I am deeply saddened with the loss of my grandma, but forever grateful for the gifts she gave me in life and in death.

On a side note, Parker and I were busy creating our Valentine boxes for school last week. Parker's party was postponed due to the snow last week. Her party is to be on Wed. this week. My party was last Friday.

For Parker's box, we used an old gift bag shaped like a castle, complete with opened doors and princesses!

My box is an old coffee container that I wrapped with wax paper to provide the bulk, and then covered it with foil. The lid is stuffed with wax paper also and wrapped in foil. My name is on the traditional Hershey's Kiss label instead! We had fun being creative!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Snow much fun!

Yesterday afternoon, Matt & I took the girls out to play. It was Harper's first experience in the snow. She already loves to eat it every chance she gets. I've even caught her licking a boot one day! (SOOO GROSS!) It was cold, but they loved it.

She was soo happy!
If you notice behind Parker you'll see that the snow is level with our porch (behind the bushes!)
Love this one!
Sneaking a snack. Yum!
Trying to make a snow angel, but it was so deep, it didn't work well.
We told Harper to lay down and make one and she laid the wrong way!!
Daddy pushing Parker down Erika & Mark's hill.
The girls watching daddy sled down the hill.
That was a sight to see!
Matt & Parker standing on our snow pile that Matt has been piling up as he plows. Notice it's past the window on the garage.
2 Silly kids!
Her hands were freezing. She was done!
Matt's cheeks are nice and rosey!
For those of you who didn't get the snow that we got here, here is a photo of Matt's Explorer. You can barely see it. I also like the way the snow is just hanging off of the roof.
Sounds like we'll be getting more snow this week too! I'm ready for a snow day. We've only used one this year so far.