Summer Fun

Now that Sarah's summer school program is done we have been having some summer fun. We took in the Dickerson Park Zoo with my MOPS table group. We were blessed with an awesome breeze that morning that made a few hours in the zoo bareable in July.

We were also able to enjoy the evening swim time at the Republic Aquatic Center. They have a HUGE pool, two water slides, a zero depth entry splash zone and surfing simulator at the center. The kids took swim lessons there last year but they just weren't too into it. This year, I can't get them out of the water. They both have braved the water slides...and LOVE it.

Mt. Everest Here We Come

Jack's First Grade Royal Ranger patrol was challenged to raise $500 as a group for missions. Each boy was to raise $65 individually towards the goal. The boys were encouraged to be creative in how they raised their monies. If they met or exceeded their goal they would get to participate in a reward activity at the end of the year. Jack earned $45 with a few boys raking leaves in the fall. He wanted to raise the remainder of his goal selling candy bars. We purchased a fund-raising box of candy at Sam's Club and off he went. He ended up selling $50 more to reach $95 towards missions. So, in June Jack and four other boys went to Petra Rock Climbing Gym in Springfield for their reward. The boys had a lot of fun. For some this was a totally new experience. Jack also received a special prize for raising the most...$10 in Andy's Frozen Custard gift certificates. Way to go Jack!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

It's the summer of baseball/t-ball for the Lawrence Family. Jack is playing his first year of coach/pitch baseball with the Deer Lake Cardinals. This is his third year with this team and the same group of boys. Sarah is playing her first year of t-ball with the Lady Dragons. Considering she had never played ball before she is doing pretty well. It's fun to watch her play as a lefty. Sometimes she forgets which side of the plate to stand on but she's getting better. Jack is improving in his batting and catching. They won their game last night...Jack got a hit and the coach had him play catcher the entire game. They play for one hour which amounts to about 4-5 innings. We only have a few weeks left of games before the end of the season. Several of our games have been rained out...not a surprise considering how wet June was.

Sarah Starts Summer Schoool

Upon our return from Mississippi, Miss Sarah started the Pre-K Summer School at Republic EC. We were able to get her into the afternoon session (11:45am-3:00pm). Her teacher is Miss Laurie. This program is just for the month of June. As we knew she would, Sarah is really enjoying school. Although she wishes she were in the morning session because she is ready to go as soon as she gets out of bed in the morning. And yes, she is the tallest child in her class...but it doesn't seem to bother her.

Driving Miss Daisey

Picture: Laura, Susan, Val & Anna

Picture: Jack, Tannor, Sarah, Logan, Will & Abbey Kate (2nd Cousins)

Picture: Ride on an antique carousel

Picture: Susan, Aunt Mary, David & Laura

Picture: Nora, Mary & John

On Saturday, May 31, myself, the kids and my mom embarked on a road trip to Meridian, Mississippi where her sister Mary lives. After 12 hours of driving (YIKES) we finally arrived. Even though it was a long trip, the kids had fun driving through several new states (Arkansas, Louisianna, and Mississippi).

Mom's brother came from Shreveport, LA to join our little family reunion, as well as, three of my cousins and their families. We stayed 3 days and had fun catching up. We are already planning on where to meet next year.

Todd had to work so he wasn't able to join us. He enjoyed some of the quiet time but he was also glad to see us when we got home.

Royal Rangers Council of Achievement

Jack finished his First Grade Royal Rangers year. He completed all of his work and received his yearly badge...The Wolverine. Here is Jack with Commander Del who, along with his wife Shannon, were the First Grade Ranger Commanders. Jack worked really hard on his advancements this year, which included memorizing the 23rd Psalm. We are very proud of his accomplishments.

Sarah's First T-Ball Game

Sarah has joined her first t-ball team this summer. The Lady Dragons had their first game a few weeks ago. Our "little lefty" has a pretty good swing. Armed with her pink/blue glove, the coach had her play first base. She is the only lefty on the team. She was pretty tired by the time the game was over.

Sarah Graduates from JRA Pre-School Department

On Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Sarah participated in the James River Assembly Pre-School Department Graduation. She and her classmates sang a song and recited some memory work then they received a little diploma and graduation bear. The church had a cake reception afterwards. I've worked in Sarah's class and with many of the classes in the Pre-School department so I've gotten to know many of the kids. It was bittersweet seeing them graduate. But for Sarah it meant that she was that much closer to starting Kindergarten.

On promotion Sunday, Jack moved into the 2nd grade class in the Factory and Sarah moved into the kindergarten class in the Factory (our K-3 department). On Wednesday nights, Jack is now in 2nd grade Rangers and Sarah has now started Missionettes, where she is a Daisey.

Memorial Day 2008

Mom came and stayed with us for the Memorial Day weekend. We went to the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery Sunday afternoon to visit dad's grave. We placed flowers and spent a few minutes there before a thunderstorm rolled in complete with lightening and buckets of rain. It was neat to see all of the flags that were placed at each headstone honoring our veterans. Mom is doing well even though it was hard to visualize dad there. Dad's cousin Frank and his wife Elizabeth came down from the K.C. area and placed flowers at the grave also. We took pictures to share with family and friends.

Jack's Last Day of School

Hooray...last day of school! Jack finished his last day on May 23, 2008. Mr. Whitham's class celebrated with an ice cream party that they had earned by competing in a "mini" Olympics with another class during their Spring party. Jack had a great year and made lots of new friends. Jack entered first grade reading at a Level 16 which is a 2nd grade level. He finished the year at a Level 24 which is a beginning 3rd grade level. We are very proud of his efforts.

Sarah's Pre-school Field Trip

Sarah and I went to the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield for her home pre-school field trip. We invited her friend Emma and her mom Kerri to join us. We were blessed with great weather and they girls had a fun time looking at all of the animals. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and play time at the park just outside the zoo afterwards.

Jack's First Grade Spring Musical

Jack's first grade class had their Spring musical production at E-II. They dressed up in fancy clothes, donned sunglasses and made us all proud. Jack had fun with his classmates.

A Night at the Springfield Cardinals

Jack, Sarah & mommy went to a Springfield Cardinals game at Hammons field. We went with our neighbors and some families from my MOPS group. It was a fun night. Unfortunately we didn't make it through the whole game because it was a school night and the game didn't start until 7pm. We got home late but it was worth it.

Jack's Surgery Day

Well...it's finally time! Right after our Spring Break, Jack had his tonsils and adenoids removed and ear tubes put in. He did really well with the surgery itself. He felt pretty good for the first week until the scabs sloughed off. Then he had a lot of referred ear pain for another week. He was out of school for two weeks. Our church was a wonderful support to us. We received a call from our Childrens' Pastor and then the Pastor-On-Call for the day came to the hospital and prayed with us and then waited with us until Jack was out of surgery. After we got home Jack received an awesome balloon bouquet and stuffed tiger from our pastor and wife. Jack is sleeping much better now, has a lot less snot to deal with and I think he has hit another growth spurt.

A Day with a Princess

Sarah was invited to our friend Nicole's "Princess Birthday Party" for her 3rd birthday. They all got to dress up in their favorite princess costumes. "Cinderellla" arrived to read the children a story and then painted fingernails and applied hair glitter. Sarah just loves to play dress-up.

Easter 2008

Easter was beautiful but rather chilly this year. Our church had just gone to 3 services prior to Easter so we had oaver 10,000 people in attendance between the three services that day. After church we drove to Mt. Vernon for Easter dinner with mom. YUM-O! Easter dinner is one of my favorites....ham, scalloped potatoes, deviled eggs, etc. Jack, Sarah and daddy hid Easter eggs out in Grammie's yard until it got to cold.

Easter Express at JRA

Jack and Sarah had fun participating in the Easter Express at our church on March 22, 2008. The had an indoor egg hunt, petting area (baby chicks) and an outdoor train ride (brrrrr). They got lots of candy and had a fun time.