Check beneath the "Growing Up" post for pics of Kaitlynn's birthday...

Growing Up!

Allison loves to carry around big baby dolls. She rocks and feeds them, and will make a great mommy someday! :)

The other day we asked Kaitlynn to share her french fries with Allison, hoping to tide her over until we could get her some "real" food at home. When I looked back to check on her, Kaitlynn had given her a little more than a fry!

Messes are a constant part of my day anymore. Now that Allison is able to reach items on a table, she has access to a whole new world! This is the yogurt mess that I faced the other day...

Where is time going? I simply cannot believe that it is almost April 2009, and we are well into the 4th quarter of the school year. Each day brings me new blog material, but doesn't always provide me with the extra time necessary for making it happen!

There has been a lot of sickness in my world since convention. Several of my students missed most or all classes last week. One went into the ER last night and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Others have had various forms of viruses, the flu, and head colds. So far, I have eek ed by with a nagging cough and sinus headache. I had to take Allison into the dr a couple of days ago. She has double ear infection, but is recovering nicely with the help of an antibiotic.

Allison is 16 months now, and such a little doll these days! She weighed in at 25 lbs. this week, and has 6 teeth. Her communication skills are amazing. "Mama" and "dada" have now become "mommy" and "daddy", and sometimes even "mom" and "dad" (sniff, sniff). Her command words include "up", "down", "hold me", "go", and "snack". She occasionally uses "please", "thank you", and "excuse me". Yesterday I was taking her to bed, and she was saying "night night". When I laid her down, I said, "Night, night, Alli." She responded, "Night, night. I yuv you." Talk about melting a mama's heart! I love it when they say those words without a prompt!

She loves her brothers and sister, and trails around after them like a little puppy. She calls herself "Alli", although she can say "Allison" if she feels like it. She mostly refers to her brothers as "boys" (wonder where she hears that?), and Kaitlynn is "Kate". It is cute to hear her running around the house looking for "Kate". I wish I had kept a list of all her funny sayings and doings to date, but like any typical, busy mom, I have failed to do it. Enjoy the pics of her!

Happy 5th Birthday, Princess!

With her friend, Emilee (Allison snuck in on this one...she didn't want to be left out)...

We dedicated Allison on Kaitlynn's birthday. I tried to get a good pic of her in her beautiful dress, but she was tired. I will probably have a studio pic done for the occasion...

On Saturday before Kait's birthday, I asked her if she would like to have lasagna, tossed salad, corn, green beans, and italian bread for her special dinner. She replied, "No, I'll have watermelon, grapes, salad with ranch dressing, and apple juice." Whose child is this, anyway? We were able to incorporate those items into the menu. :)

Because so many family members live out of town, our kids receive lots of phone calls on their birthday.

The birthday girl with all her "stuff"...

Big #5!

Paitiently waiting...

What a balloon!

Papaw setting her up with webcam so that Valerie could watch her open gifts...

Check out this expression!

Ryan always lights the candles for the birthday cakes...must be a "grown up" kind of job :)..

Cheese!

Make a wish!

Lovin' the gifts...

Explanation: Tired + Walmart + Goofy teenagers = ...



Stylin'...
300 kids + clappers = headache... Ryan during the table tennis tournament...
Ashley and her competitor...
Randy (or is it Mike?) just waiting for that beach balll to come his way...
Daddy took Kaitlynn to Walmart and bought her a 12 pk. of lip gloss...
Hats...
Kait made some friends during athletics, and they had fun balancing...
Mr. Motter (obviously a little surprised!)...
Havin' fun watching basketball...


Randall guessed the Starburst!
Getting ready for another rally...
"Please, throw it my way!"
The girls with some of their table tennis competition...Sharree took 1st place!!!
Emily was such a help with the girls...little wonder she is majoring in Early Childhood Ed. this fall!
Because of some technicalities, a couple of our woodworking projects could not be judged in the categories in which we had placed them. The judges were, however, quite impressed by the amount and quality of work that my students gave these entries, and they were part of a slideshow that was presented at the rally.
Gunner's grizzly...
Sharree's angel...
Some of the awards...we placed in 21 different events...




Lookin' good!

Student Convention is one of Greg's best memories from his school days. He has so enjoyed our involvement in the last couple of years, so I'm figuring we're in this long-term. :)
What a beautiful sunny day to spend with some of the best kids on the planet!
My oldest little princess, about to turn 5!

7 of my students entered woodworking projects, which were assembled under the direction of Mr. Al Motter. He spent 2 solid weeks with the kids, teaching them the basics, then guiding their work. We are glad that he and his wife were able to come to Muncie and view the exhibits, eat a few meals with us, and enjoy the awards ceremony! Thanks again, Mr. Motter!!!
Twin bros, Mike and Randy...
Emily and Gunner...
Good friends, Jennifer and Ashley...
Sisters, Sharree and Kerri...
The end... :)