Behind the Scenes

Last night we had a behind the scenes look at how many people it takes to put on a show. And what each one does - costumes, sets, sound, lights, etc. It was neat. There were a lot of girl scouts too.

Today we had a tour of the fire station with the Girl Scouts. The fire engines had to go out on a call and there was a lot going on but one lady Ms. Jenkins took the time to show the girls everything else there and to practice fire safety - how to get out in case of a fire. It was fun!

Princess Wishes

The Grand Finale!

Tinkerbell is in Cinderella's carriage which is twinkling. Then fireworks start going off and it was so awesome! We loved it.

Little Mermaid and Flounder

Disney on Ice

We went to Disney on Ice Friday night with our friend Ms. Colleen.
It was so much fun. It started with Aladdin and Jasmine.

Miracle

If you could have seen Jesus perform any one of his miracles, which miracle would you pick?

Jamie and I both picked making people well - healings!

Question

If you could instantly go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

Jamie said Idaho (to be with Sami). Hawaii for me! Texas for James!

Toothless

Jamie lost 2 teeth in one week. She can now sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth".

Haircuts

We finally made time to get haircuts tonight. Jamie finished her homework early and we went to the mall. I had the lady layer Jamie's hair because it is so thick. She wants it to grow long but it looks like a broom!

Pumpkin = fall

We picked our pumpkin on Sunday from the garden. It must mean it's fall!

Busy Monday

We dropped off the van to have the brakes fixed and it cost a fortune. We could only get some of the work done but we wanted to be safer driving on our camping trip in a few weeks. Went to Walmart for more stuff - like paint! Went to school to work on PTA stuff and the book fair but today I had help. YEAH!! Went to a missions meeting tonight at church - got the dates for important upcoming events like our wonderful Ladies Luncheon, November 4th, 12-2!

Just a note: last night our Faithweaver Friends was so much fun. We didn't have as many kids as we had for the ice cream party last week but we are hopeful and praying. I had 2 kids and I enjoyed talking with them. Jamie was put in a different circle. Keep praying for us as we grow.

surprise

We were watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Dick Van Dyke. Then we got a call from a friend's mom. Jamie got to go swimming with Carlee today and play for awhile. Jamie loves going underwater now. Big change from early in the summer when she wouldn't get her face wet at all.

Catching up

Thursday night we went to Chuck E Cheese to support our school. Jamie loved it. I had the beginnings of a cold and sat in the corner and ate pizza while she ran around. James met us up there later.

Friday I was at school all day working on PTA memberships and meeting about the book fair.
I made time to have lunch with Jamie and read to her class. Her teacher is moving this weekend.

Saturday we slept in! Jamie watched TV while I worked on typing up PTA memberships. Then we played some UNO! Not very exciting! Might watch a movie. Trying to rest.

Happy birthday

Thoughts

Let the games begin:
Jamie and Dee Dee had a game festival on Saturday since we went over early to buy tickets to the Commodore. They played a lot of games and Jamie won 51 times and Dee Dee won 18 times. Whew!

Lori and Marti and Michelle drove down here to be with us for Lori's birthday. Jamie was so excited. Lori called our mom and she agreed to go out with us (first time in 4 years for a birthday). We drove over to Joe's Crab Shack and had fun eating and talking.

Monday I spent most of the day running errands and working on PTA stuff at the school. I got all the membership info in the teachers boxes!! Then I started getting the book fair stuff ready.

Tuesday I took my mom to the dr and then we had to go to the hospital for tests. I woke up with a sore throat and very tired. But now it's time for homework.

Wednesday is bible study so I'll be gone again.

Date Night

We decided to go to the movies at the Commodore Theater in Portsmouth with our Sunday School class. www.commodoretheater.com It is a beautiful theater. One of the classmates said his great-grandmother used to live in an apartment over the top of the theater in the "old" days. And his mother used to stay with her on weekends and sit in the balcony and watch movies there. History . . .

The movie changed this morning from Invincible to The Guardian - it was so intense but very good. I clutched James' arm the entire time. James almost didn't make it to our date though; He has had a bad poison ivy attack again and went to the dr to get a shot at lunchtime today. He is supposed to stay off his feet/leg for a few days. Never a dull moment.

Tomorrow is my sister Lori's birthday. Not sure yet if we will go there or they will come here. Changes at least twice a day. We start Faithweaver Friends - a new children's program on Sunday nights at our church and there is an ice cream party. Jamie invited my family to come for ice cream for Lori's birthday. We'll see! Stay tuned.

Scrapbooking

Tonight I went up to church for a little over 2 hours and scrapbooked. It has been months. I added pages to 2 books and finished making 30 Christmas cards that I started in January.

Brownies

We are back to our regular every other Thursday Brownie meetings. I spent last Thursday ironing and sewing on all the patches she received over the summer. Major project since I don't do either on a regular basis.

I had it ready on her doorknob and we walked out and forgot it for the 1st meeting. Sigh. Maybe next time! Explore Portsmouth and Explore Busch Gardens are on the back. Along with Early Bird registration.

September 11th memorial

GTP - Georgetown Primary - Jamie's school

Tooth fairy

The tooth fairy came last night. Jamie is 50 cents richer. Jamie has lost her 3rd tooth. It's been awhile. Our neighbor Josh lost his on the bus the other day when they hit a bump. Jamie has been wiggling and pulling hers ever since. Finally it came out last night before bed.
The picture is a little scary but she wanted the hole to show.

Wednesday

Today I went to my first bible study of the fall at my church. He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer (Tony Evans daughter). We talked a lot and watched a 20-25 minute video. I enjoyed it. Talked to my mom for about an hour; then ate lunch late. Picked up Jamie from the bus; then off to the library but not for fun today. I had to listen to a 2 hr presentation from the Scholastic book fair. Jamie was really good and worked on her homework. I am the chairperson since I am the only one who expressed any interest in it. I love books but I am not sure where to begin. I have a online website to look over but that will have to wait until I've had sleep. I have a million projects - need to learn to prioritize them. I also need to learn to relax!! Sat in my chaise lounge today in my newly painted room before my meeting.

Question

If you could paint your room any color, what color would you pick?

As you can see, I picked royal blue - any blue would be wonderful for me!
James picked purple.

Painting

We spent our Sunday painting my bedroom royal blue; (left the doors and ceiling white). It is so awesome - I love it. It may be a little dark but it will be great once I get my white lace curtains back up! When I was a kid, we always lived in apts - so I am used to white. But we decided why not paint it any color we want just because we can. Spring break I think 2 years ago we painted Jamie's bright purple and pink - her ceiling is blue! We are crazy what can I say! My friends motivate me to at least try new things around the house. We even let Jamie try to paint a little to make a memory. My sister Lori decided to come down and visit my mom for grandparents day and kidnapped Jamie most of the afternoon so we could paint in peace. It went by a lot faster.

Tumble Bus

The #1 thing Jamie wanted to do was play in the tumble bus - gymnastics!!

Fast slides

Pony Ride

There were ponies at the picnic also. The pony's name was Jelly Bean!

Cox Company Picnic in Hampton

Jamie and I were invited to Dad's company picnic. He took 1/2 day off so we could drive to Hampton and EAT! Hamburgers and cookies and free ice cream! Then we let Jamie play - she tried all but one of the inflatables (we are still not up to rock climbing). She wanted to stay til the end and play BINGO! I'm tired but we had fun. It was hot and windy and the beach was beautiful. Lots of sailboats out today.

Jamie and the backpack

Jamie got up at 6 am to catch the bus by 7 am. She did her routine - everything was laid out. I miss her already! No more long days playing games - Life and Monopoly. We might still be able to squeeze in a couple games of UNO after homework.

First day of school - 2nd grade 2006

Today was Jamie's first time riding the school bus. Having our neighbor Josh ride the bus too helped - even though they had assigned seats. The backpack weighed as much as Jamie. Tomorrow the load will be a lot lighter.

I came home and took a long bubble bath. Then started reading my Beth Moore Daniel workbook.

Summer

One of the reasons I wanted to go to the outdoor concert is that it reminded me of summers long ago with my Great Aunt Bee and Uncle Don. We went to see concerts and plays - like the "King and I" which I will never forget. Now all the folks I shared these memories with are in heaven. But the traditions continue. When we were in Texas, we took Sha and baby Jamie to an outdoor theater to see a show. Last night we went to the outdoor show and even though it was not super exciting for Jamie, it was reliving a memory for me.

Labor Day weekend

Last night we went to Chesapeake City Park and listened to the symphony under the stars. First we had to endure the bagpipes but we ate hamburgers and found some junk food like funnel cakes and kettle corn.

Jamie heard there were fireworks and immediately plugged her ears even though the fireworks were 3 hours later. We ended up watching them from the car since she is afraid of the noise and they were beautiful. This morning was our last chance to sleep in for awhile. Tomorrow we have to be up by 6 am!

GAs

Sunday morning during 11 am service Jamie was recognized for her missions work with Girls in Action on Wed nights last year. She received a gold bracelet with charms on it - World Ventures. She loves missions ever since she was little. Ms. Edna was her mission friends teacher and gave Jamie a great foundation. Jamie is always open to telling others about Jesus like the neighbors and even the delivery men who come to our door.

Meet the Teacher

After a long day at camp, we went straight to school for a PTA meeting. The Principal had assigned several teachers to help with membership - thank goodness. James and I were up for several hours last night counting people and money. I wrote out the 90 teacher membership cards. Will work on more later.

We met Miss Wickle (pictured above with Jamie) and her mother Mrs. Wickle. Also Mrs. Cuffee another teacher who will send home assignments. They do not change classes like in VA Beach. I have a lot to read and new things to share with Jamie. 2nd grade is going to be a lot different. Jamie is going to ride the bus this year. We practiced by riding it to the swimming pool together for camp. We learned lots of songs she can sing and entertain herself. It will be an exciting year. Keep us in your prayers.

Exciting things about camp

We tried to think of 5 good things each day. Jamie loved helping with flag and making crafts.
She enjoyed making new friends. One special girl was named Mary Kate. I liked the singing and we both loved swimming.

But of course I don't want to forget other exciting things that happened this week:
On Wednesday, the leader/nurse burned her arm and curled her hair during the cookout.
On Thursday, the kids had to pull all the furniture out of the pool before they could swim in the freezing water because of the storm/heavy winds. But who wants to miss out on swimming on the last day of summer camp. On Friday, there was a hurricane.
I am being to realize that no matter how carefully things are planned - things always happen.

Friends around the World

The crafts were all about friends from around the world. They made Eygptian masks. Jamie liked the country of Figi and painted her friends with black hair. They would form a circle and share info about their friends. Jamie always wanted her friends to be teenagers. She used her imagination a lot this week and had a wonderful time.