Rodeo Day!

Grant had a fun day at Kindergarten with the annual Rodeo Day. His class won the PTO membership drive and got to dress the principal like a clown.

Harvesting the Garden

Grant has had fun harvesting the fruits of our labor. Everything has gotten huge! (Some things got too big while we were out of town!)

Trip to Washington DC

We had a fun trip to Washington D.C. while John was at a conference. We stayed at the Gaylord National which was very nice. Grant really enjoyed the sites and museums. It was fun for me too. When I went in High School the government shut down so we were unable to see many of the sites.

Walking from Washington Monument to Lincoln Memorial

The President going to eat a hamburger

Washington Monument

To see the slideshow of all the trip pictures view this link:

Elizabeth's Gallery- Trip to Washington DC

Grant Opens a Savings Account

Grant has three jars at home. One for saving, one for giving, and one for spending. He's been saving up for quite some time. He donated a flock of chicks a few weeks ago to the Heifer Organization and has bought a couple Webkinz with his spend jar. He got to worrying about what would happen to his money if we had a fire. We took his savings jar to the bank to open a savings account all on his own. He was quite excited. He even got to go in the back to watch them sort his change. He had $37 in change alone.

Ready to go in
Opening the account

Watching the change sorter

Leaving with an empty jar and deposit book.

A Week of Presidents

Being that Monday was President's day and with this year being Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, Grant's class has been learning about Presidents this week. We also have been talking about it at home. This is a picture Grant drew of Abraham at school yesterday. I was impressed because I knew what it was without asking, which sometimes is rare.

Grant's Big Idea

It was a beautiful sunny day in Stephenville despite the wind. I suggested Grant ride his bike or take Cricket for a walk. To my surprise, he instead wanted to go pick up trash along the road. We got his pull behind bucket he uses to keep his stuffed animals in and a trash bag along with some disposable gloves (way to big!) and took off on his lead. He said he knew where the bad trash was. He wanted to pick it all up and recycle what we could. He kept telling me he just can't believe people want to litter. He surprised me by wanting to pick up every tiny little piece and then sort through what we could recycle when we got home. I can't say he wasn't thorough! Needless to say, I'm a very proud Mom.

Class Trip to the Dentist

Grant was right at home on his class trip to the local dentist today. He's no stranger to the dentist office and hopped right in the chair for the dentist to count his teeth.

Grant's class trip to the Post Office

Grant's Kindergarten class took a trip to the local Post Office today to see how the mail is processed. They each mailed a letter with their name and address to see how long it takes to get. Grant got to see our street mail carrier, Ed. Grant visits Ed often when delivering our mail. Ed wanted Grant to point out his girlfriend in his class.

Mailing his letter addressed to himself.

Grant showing his mailman his girlfriend.

Watching the automatic mail sorter run.

Happy Valentines!

Grant celebrated Valentine's Day with his class at Stepping Stones. At home Grant had fun decorating cupcakes.Decorating strawberry cake and cupcakes for Dad
Proud of his work

Working on cutting his school work

Grant's class and teacher singing "I Love You" song.

Grant's trip to the dentist

Grant went for his regular check-up at the dentist. They discovered his 6 year molars are already poking through so they went ahead and did his 6 year panoramic X-rays. It looks like all his permanent teeth are coming in and he will probably lose a tooth by his birthday. He did such a great job and luckily, loves to go to the dentist. Holding still for panaramic x-rays Ready for bite-wing x-rays

Getting a lesson on brushing

Cleaning all the sugar bugs

100 Day Celebration

Grant's Kindergarten class reached its long awaited 100th day of class. To celebrate they spent the day doing everything with the number 100. His teacher, Mrs. Saxon, had fun games and snacks to celebrate. The "100" gumball celebration cake they put 100 candles in to blow out.
Grant's class with "100" of their handprints

Hopping "100" times

Doing "100" push-ups in the parking lot Blowing "100" bubbles on the run.

Turtle Time

Grant's turtle buddies, Yurtle and Erin, soaking up some sun together.

Ice Storm

We got our annual ice storm yesterday and today. Schools let out so Grant and next door neighbor, Kristian Todd, took advantage of our driveway before the ice melted. John put some WD-40 on a plastic storage container lid for the kids to use as a sled.

Ice on grass

Rags to Riches - Our new Dog.

Sometimes unexpected things just happen. After not having a dog in some time, and not planning on getting one anytime soon, we now have a dog. Last week this little Pomeranian showed up at our door. After 5 days of signs, calling the pound, putting it in the paper and even scanning at the vet for a microchip, we had given up on the owner and fallen in love with this little girl. She was covered in ticks, fleas, lice and has not been well cared for. The owner called us after 5 days and told us we could keep her if we wanted her. Turns out she is only 2 although the vet estimated her at 6 or 7 by her condition. She's already had puppies and had not been spayed. In a week's time she has been dipped, groomed, loved and has an appointment to get her spayed and teeth cleaned tomorrow. She is very sweet and has made herself at home. I can't imagine a better scenario now. She's already trained and is very appreciative of what we do for her. We named her Cricket.

"Cricket" a week ago. The picture I used for the Found Dog signs.

"Cricket" today.

Trip to Mount Dora, FL

We took a trip to the sunny and warm Florida January 1 -5th. Mount Dora is located about 45 minutes North of Orlando. It is on Lake Dora which is part of the Harris Chain of Lakes that lead to the ocean. We rented a car and did a lot of driving and a little looking at property. We managed to drive to New Smyrna Beach one day just an hour away.