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.

Grant's visit with Santa

Grant has been begging to go see Santa because he thought of some things he forgot to put on the list he mailed to the North Pole. We made it (even being at Starbucks) to see him and Grant was ready. He brought his airplane catalog to show him exactly what he wanted. It's a good thing there weren't any kids in line behind us because Grant had a lot to say!

Making Christmas Gingerbread Houses

Next door neighbor, Cathy Valle invited us over to make gingerbread houses with her son, Alex and his friend, Brady. We've made them in the past but this was the first year Grant really got into it. Usually he eats most of the candy and puts a few things on and then is done. This year I couldn't get him to stop putting things on it when we needed to leave!

Grant and his trusty sidekick

Grant played for hours in the leaves piled up by the wind in our yard the other day. His loyal friend, Callie, was by his side and decided to pose for the camera.

Our Eco Home

As we were eating breakfast, John noticed not only our wind turbine spinning joyfuly, but a beautiful sunrise. I ran out to grab a quick picture before school.

Grant learns to ride his bicycle

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon so we decided it was the day for Grant to officially learn to ride his bike and take off the training wheels. After John did some research online he had the lesson plan down and within an hour Grant was riding on his own. Quite remarkable I must say.

"Dumpy" and his friend

Introducing Dumpy - the Dumpy Tree Frog. This is Grant's latest and greatest pet. Dumpy has found a pal in a plastic tree frog we put in the terrarium. A few things to take note of before deciding on a tree frog for yourself:

1. They croak very loudly
2. They croak very loudly at night
3. They eat live crickets
4. Crickets last only a week in a cricket keeper
5. The cricket keeper gets very stinky
6. You need potatoes to feed the crickets
7. The crickets cost $0.10 each
8. The crickets chirp
9. The crickets chirp at night
10. The frog sleeps during the day

Just being Grant

Grant has had his blankie since he was born and takes it everywhere. He has since also added his webkinz Lizzy to the mix and now he has to have both. He eats, sleeps, plays and even takes them to school. It was a warm afternoon after school and I grabbed this picture of Grant out in the backyard with them.

Tree Time

Grant loves climbing and sitting in the trees in the backyard. Callie likes to join him.

Easter 2008

The race is on! Even though nobody is hunting eggs other than Grant, he feels it is a race. He ran all over the backyard collecting the eggs the Easter Bunny hid. He was quite excited - especially when he found the golden egg with a dollar in it.

Grant's first day of soccer

After much anticipation, Grant had his first soccer practice. We got the call Saturday that he would be on the 4 year old boys "Cowboys" team. He has two one-hour practices a week and then his first game will be on March 1st. John and I were both surprised how well he did for never playing before. I think he's got some natural ability. Unfortunately, as he finished practice last night he told John and I that he never wants to go back to soccer!