Birthday Celebrations

The girls shared a birthday celebration with Grandma and Grandpa.  Cassie’s birthday was in March and Mackenzie’s isn’t until May, but we figured since we were going to be in Ohio we could just celebrate when we got here.  

 

The girls both like to crochet, so Grandma & Grandpa got them each one of these cool yarn containers.  There are multiple compartments for different colored yarn and then a place to keep their hooks. 

How appropriate?!


As is this one!

Well, we haven’t had an ice cream cake in such a long time and when Grandma asked Cassie what kind of cake she wanted and the idea of an ice cream cake was offered Cassie was bright eyed and so game.

His 1st Time Mowing

Zack has soooo wanted his turn mowing the grass.  When we were in Iowa a few weeks ago he kept asking my dad if he needed his grass mowed.  Then when we got to Ohio, Grandpa had mowed the grass that day and Zack was so devastated because he didn’t think he’d get a chance to mow.  Grandpa has mowed the grass several times since we’ve been here, but of course Zack was playing with his friends.
Well, today Grandpa mowed the grass while we were gone.  I think Zack would have never thought anything of it because he had been spending time with his friends. But, since time is running out for our stay, Grandpa left two small areas for Zack to finish.  So when we got back from an afternoon with friends, Grandpa went to find Zack so he could finish the lawn.  It was so neat that Grandpa would think to reserve that opportunity for him. 




I couldn’t get over how grown-up he looked on the mower.  When Zack came in he was so excited that he got to mow the grass. The best part was when he said his butt was still vibrating!!  LOL

Our GRACEfull Family

Our home congregation here in Ohio is Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Jay grew up in Grace and they became my family when Jay and I got married.  The people of Grace mean so much to our family and they will always have a place in our hearts.
It’s been quite a while since we have seen many of them.  Several were able to make it to Jay’s ordination last year, but it still seems like an eternity since we have been in their presence. 
Since the kids and I have been home, we have been busy – just like old times.  We have been hanging out with family and friends, but we just couldn’t figure out a way to see our family from Grace.  Some are still at Grace while others, over the last couple of years, have moved to new congregations.  So, Jay’s mom came up with a great idea!
We were talking about and remembering all our fellowship times at Grace.  One of the most wonderful things we did at Grace was potlucks at least once a month.  It was a great time for fellowship and it really strengthened us as a family.  Well, Karen wanted to throw together a potluck and invite as many as we could think of from Grace.  She put a call into the congregation’s president and asked him to put it out there to the members in church on Sunday and then she did some quick phone calls.  So, with only  a week’s short notice, we came together for good food, great company, and lasting conversation. 
It was so nice to see Ann and Jeanette.  I love listening to them both talk with their British accents. 










John had his turn with one of the twins while Cassie had the other.

It was so nice of Howard, Pastor Ron (that is how we will always remember him), Rose, Debbie, Erich, and Earl to stop catching up on old times and let me get their picture. 
Joe, Rod, and Doug decided once the rain had stopped it was nice enough to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.



Okay, so Barrett and Mason are not old members of Grace, but their grandma is and she came so we got to spend some time with these two little men.
Well, I tried to get everyone’s picture that was there, but I did miss one.  A HUGE thank you to those who GRACEd us with their company. The food was good and I wish we could do it more often!!

Play Ball, Clippers!!

When we decided to come to Ohio, I figured there were some things that I really wanted to do while home.  One of the things we like to do as a family is go to baseball games – Cleveland Indians or Columbus Clippers.  So, I chatted with my in-laws and asked if they would like to go to a game.


We were a little worried about going to the game because all day long it had rained and it was cloudy, cold, and gloomy outside.  But thankfully by the time we arrived at the ballpark the rain had moved out and the sun made its way through the clouds. 

So, we enjoyed the game even with the cool temps; we were well prepared with our jackets,  blankets, and our store bought $1 cotton candy and peanuts. 


It wasn’t ‘Dime-a-dog’ night, but it was dollar dog night.  It wasn’t too crowded maybe because it is still early in the season or maybe because it was a little chilly outside. 



I was excited because the national anthem was played by a violinist.  I asked Mackenzie if she wanted to play for me.




We had a great night – only one thing could have made it better, Jay. He was the only thing missing was him.  Too bad he couldn’t make it. 

Bob the Builder . . .

. . . can he fix it?!?!

One of the many things we left behind when we moved was this “Bob the Builder” pop play maze.  We figured it would be a great toy for the little ones to play with at Grandma and Grandpa’s. 

When the kids were in the back shed they came across it and got it out for Odie.  He wasn’t too interested in it outside, but we brought it in and he was curious . . .

Isn’t he just adorable!!!

 

. . . he’d crawl in and then right back out again. Then Mackenzie would lift it up and drop it over Odie and then he’d dive out of the backside.  It was so funny to watch. 

Skate Park Fun

Cassie has been so wanting to try out a skate park since she has become comfortable on her skateboard.  In downtown Pickerington, at Sycamore Creek Park they have a skate park.  We were there earlier in the week and the kids had looked forward to trying it out after they had their pictures taken.

Well, when we got done with having their pictures taken – our friend does it, and she used the covered bridge and the train tracks as the background – anyway, when we were done, the Picktown kids had gotten out of school and there were some boys already at the skate park. The girls weren’t comfortable enough to go over so while I visited with Kristi, the girls skated around in the shelter area and the boys went down to the creek.

When we left we decided to meet up later in the week and to meet early enough that the school kids wouldn’t scare our kids off from the park.  The kids were all looking forward to trying out the skate park, but Cassie was the only one with a skateboard.  THANK YOU, Kristi & kids!!  They brought all their skateboards, rip sticks, and scooters.  They all had a great time, but I think they were a little scared at first.  Apparently, those ramps are more intimidating than they look.

The kids thought they would race down one of the small ramps.

Cassie tried to cross the ramps on the scooter.

The kids decided that it would be a lot easier to go down on their bums. So that is how they started on the ramps.  What was so funny was when Cassie reached the bottom she flew off backwards off the skateboard and landed on her bum. LOL

The kids had a really good time.  They skated around, up and down, and up and over. 

Backyard Boys

While the girls were inside having their prim and proper tea party, Zack was outside hanging out with Chayse, Owen, and Ethan.

Etiquette Tea Party

Mackenzie has been away for seven months, but she was still invited to join her old Brownie troop for their April meeting.  She was so excited to still be included. 

The meeting was full of information.  The first part of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation from a lady that works with The Red Thread in Haiti.  The troop had coordinated a bake sale at co-op and the money they raised they decided to give to help those in Haiti.  The lady came to share photos and stories with the girls so they knew where the money they raised went.

After the presentation on Haiti, the girls gathered upstairs for their etiquette tea party to work towards their manners try-it.

 

Cassie and Cynthia, big sisters to girls in the troop, dressed up and served the girls.

Mrs. Miller went to great lengths to make sure everything was properly set.  Each girl had a place card, all the dinnerware, and the utensils they would need during a formal meal. 

 

 

Their first lesson was how to place the linen napkin on their lap and the proper way to ‘dab’ not wipe their mouth clean. 

After learning to dab, they learned the proper way to pass bread and then how to butter it.  Did you know you are not suppose to butter the whole piece at one time? You are suppose to break off each individual bite and butter it as you eat it.

After the bread and butter was served, it was time to serve the tea.  Mrs. Miller asked all the girls to try the tea, but then she had punch or water for those who didn’t want to drink tea the whole time.  She also explained what to do if you did not want something or did not like something tasted. 

Mrs. Miller talked about what each dish on the table was used for, and since there wasn’t a salad being served, the girls used the salad plate for cucumber, egg salad, or chicken salad sandwiches.  

 

After the sandwiches were passed out, there was fresh fruit and fruit tarts shared.

When the girls were done with their salad plates, Mrs. Miller explained to them how to signal to a server that they are done with the plate and it can be removed.  With the fork tines always up, placing the fork at 4 o’clock lets the server know you are done and the dish can be removed. 

After the salad plates were removed, the desserts came out, and there were so many! There were cannoli, little petit’ cakes, chocolate covered strawberries, iced sugar cookies, and ice cream served in little terra cota planters to look like a planted flower. 

 

Mackenzie had a great time seeing all the girls and being a part of the troop, again, for a day. 

Mackenzie and Lily

 

After the tea party and Brownie meeting was over, Kyle returned from his day downtown.  When he walked and I saw him a suit I had to get his picture.  He looked so handsome and grown-up; I asked him to stand with Cassie and Cynthia so I could get their picture together.  He was dressed just right to have joined in on the tea party had it not been over. 

It was such a great afternoon.  Mackenzie had a great time visiting with the girls, and learning something new.  I enjoyed the adult conversation and helping in the kitchen with clean-up.