Rubik's Race

The year:1982
The game: Rubik's Race, it is a spinoff of the rubik cube.
I had this game as a child, and a few years ago for Christmas, my brother Brian found a copy of it and bought it for me because I was the Champion. Until I taught Val how to play.
You can also view this on her myspace.

It is time to Meet Valleri

The ABC's of Val's last year at St. Margaret Mary

A is for allergies

B is for Bishop Carroll

C is for cotton candy Mark Vasquez bribed her with

D is for DEAR time on Mr. Jone's classroom couch

E is for escalator lady on trip to KC with track team

F is for fouls-finally in basketball

G is for growing up

H is for highlights in her hair

I is for intelligent

J is for Jump Jump

K is for kidney stones

L is for Living Rosary

M is for Miss Tiger

N is for never giving up

O is for Outsiders- her favorite book

P is for Princess Car on the way to the Cosmosphere

Q is for quiet enough to get homework passes

R is for running and running and running

S is for shots- she had to have her T-dap early

T is for trip to Worlds of Fun

U is for understanding to friends

V is for volleyball

W is for who doesn't love Val?

X is for x ( cross ) country

Y is for Youtube with Mr Jones in science class

Z is for Zach and Val hanging out after track

Of course, there is more I could write, but you all know her anyway. And love her always.

So, you are wondering if I think Val is one of the Best? No I don't. I think she is the very best!

Love you always baby,

Mom

The last mile

Val runs her last mile for the St. Margaret Mary track team on Saturday. Of course, she does plan on joining the cross country-her real love- and the track teams next year, but then she will be a Golden Eagle instead of a Tiger. I have really enjoyed watching her run, but on to bigger and better things.She is up for the challenge.

The price of beauty

IT BURNS!!!!!

Time slips by...

Mark's grandma died today. Unfortunately, I never really knew her. I think she had to have a lot of good in her though, because, many very good people were infuenced by her.
I am talking about my mother in law, Nancy (Gram cracker), Mark, Tim, and Muffy, Amanda, and many others. They are all loving people who mean a tremendous amount to my life, and they were all touched by hers.
I wish time had not slipped by like it did. I am ashamed to say that I can count on only one hand how many times I was in contact with her. But, I deeply appreciate what and who she brought into this world.
And for that I will miss her. But, I know that her spirit lives on, in those I love.

Shop til you drop

Here are the pics of Emi's shopping spree. She had a great time. First she hit the mall and bought shirts at Aeropostale, then had lunch at Freddie's, followed by a trip to her fave store, Gordman's, where she got 3 more shirts, shorts, and capris, and perfume. I am not sure where she got the shoes and socks, but she came home with those also.
Her Grandma really treated her to a special day. Val is already plotting hers.....

If you have been counting....

then you already know that there is only 1 8th grader left. I need some time to reflect on what I want to write. Keep checking, I do have an idea, I just have to flesh it out.
Anyway, you will hear from me later. Emily went to spend all her birthday $$, so I will take plenty of pics!

Meet Adrian

Well, this is Adrian. He also joined the class in middle school. Adrian could be described as the rebel of the class. He has actually gotten himself into quite a few rather sticky situations, but there is something about him. You just have to love him.

My favorite memory of Adrian happened a few years ago. Val was fighting with every single girl in the class-those with daughters can relate that this can really happen- and Val decided she was going to eat lunch with the boys instead. She sat by Adrian, and swears to this day that that lunch was the funnest she has ever had. Ever. Even when she eats with me. I guess I am not as much fun.

No matter what happens to Adrian in his life, I think Val will always be his friend, and I know that I will always like him too.

Adrian is not sure if he will go to Bishop Carroll or South. He got his paperwork in late, and so he was placed on the deferral list. It is tough to get into private school!!

Adrian's nieces will continue on at SMM though, so I know that I can catch up with his happenings no matter where he ends up.

Do I think Adrian is a great kid? Yes, I do. He is one of the best.

Love,

Michelle

Meet Jessica

This is Jessica. I like to call her Jessi. She came to the class in kindergarten. She is the sportiest little thing I know. I think she was born playing soccer. She has always been on the volleyball team, and she and Val have played basketball together since 5th grade when her dad started coaching them on a YMCA team, so they could learn the basics before they started in the Catholic School League.

Jessica has always been very kind to Val. They have always been friends. She is really sweet, and I think she is gorgeous. She will join the majority of the class at Bishop Carroll.

Val and Jessica were so cute together at basketball. Val has only made one foul her whole career. It was last year. So, her goal for this last year, was to make a foul before the end of the season. Well, she finally did it. During her last game. Jessi was so proud! They were jumping up and down, screaming. Good times. They also, were the guards on the team. They double teamed one girl in particular, and got her really frustrated. Unfortunately for Jess, she had to take her BC placement test in the same room as that girl. She was very freaked out by that.

Jess is one of the best, hands down.

Love for her,

Michelle

Meet Estefany

Estefany is the newest member of the class. She came to SMM in 6th grade. She is super smart. Always gets good marks in school.
A lot of the 8th graders, and their parents took turns helping us make cinnamon rolls for the kids to sell as a fundraiser, throughout the year, for their trip expenses. I think she was the biggest help of all.
Her parents also work for the school. They own the janitor service that cleans the building, so she and her sister, and brothers help. When we would go to the school at night for practices, they were always there hanging out. And so well mannered! I used to buy a couple of cans of pop for them to share.
Estefany is a beautiful girl! The picture I took of her by herself turned out kind of fuzzy,so I had her take another, but she was shy, so Jordan stepped in, also. He is not shy.
Estefany is also going to be a Golden Eagle next year. Their family does not live too far away,so I am hoping she and Val still hang out together, sometimes.
Who is one of the best? Well, I would have to say....Estefany!
Love,
Michelle

Meet DJ

OK, I could not resist this picture. I know it is from 6th grade, but it is so darn cute!

I have a lot to say about DJ. He and Val have had a love/hate relationship since they met, in kindergarten.

The bunny ear story that I told you about before? That was with this guy. I think someday they may get married. No, not really, but I don't think I would be surprised if it did happen. They have always loved each other.

OK, the night this pic was taken was at a halloween party Val and Karlee hosted. They invited the whole class. They were messing around, being kids, and DJ pulled Val into another room (they did not know that Carol and I were spying) and he told her that she invited him to the party so he could keep things under control. It was hilarious! These kids were not doing anything bad!

DJ was also Val's first boyfriend, and first date. They went to Bridge to Terabithia together in 7th grade. He paid. Very much a gentleman.

There are all kinds of things I could say about DJ but I think more stories with him in them will come out in time, so I will not repeat them here first. Does that make sense?

DJ. Bishop Carroll. One of the best.

Before I go though, one more story. Jordan's dad took Olivia and Emily to a Raven Symone Concert a few years ago,and Jordan got to invite DJ. Well, they were on TV. SO, I was teasing him about wanting his autograph. He wrote me an autograph. It says-TO MY MOST ADORING FAN-DJ.

I still have it.

I am waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Patiently!

My love to DJ,

Michelle

Meet Jordan

OK, I could not find an individual pic of Jordan, so he is the boy with glasses in front.
Jordan One of the six. Interesting kid. He is obsessed with video games! He loves fantasy. He tries very hard in sports.
This is my funny Jordan story, it happened in 1st grade. A long time ago. Our 1st grade teacher, Ms Doyle, was worried about young Jordan. He couldn't keep his attention on anything for very long. Well, she had a conference with his parents, which, the result of which, basically really ticked off his parents. His mom decided to pull him from the school. So he left. For 2 weeks. Then one day, he was back.
Of course, everyone wondered why. All you had to do was ask him, and he would tell you that he only learned 2 things in public school. How to cuss,and how to draw picures of anatomy. Very well. So, the little darlin came back.
Jordan and Val will probably be stuck at the hip together in high school. His last name is Youngers. I am pretty sure, they will always be next to each other, locker by each other, take tests in the same room, anything that has to do with alphabetical order. That's ok though, he is quirky!
Do I think Jordan is the best? He is one of them!
Love for Jordan,
Michelle

Meet Jennifer

Meet Jennifer. Jen to her friends. This is probably the quietest, most respectful girl I've met. I know for sure in the class.

She is going to Kapaun, but she also goes to mass every Saturday, so we will be able to catch up with her weekly. It's a good thing!

I tend to remember a lot about the kids in relation to lunch. She loves oven potatoes ( fries, tots, etc.) more than anyone else in the class. And chips.

Anyway, that does not seem very important, now does it? Let's see, Jen has a little sister in kindergarten, Amy, who is the opposite of Jen so she is always in trouble. Then, she will only speak in vietnamese, so Jen is always having to go translate for the principal. What will Mrs Samms do next year? I don't know!

I think Jen is a smart, beautiful girl! I think she will shine in high school, as I believe of all these kids. I wish her luck in the future, but I don't think she will need it, of course. Why, you ask? Duh, she is one of the best, that's why!

Love to Jen,

Michelle

Meet Vinh

Meet Vinh. Isn't it nice to know him? I think so! This guy is probably the most humble, polite young man I have ever met. Ever. I mean it. He is totally awesome!

He is really smart, but he always is ready to help anyone who needs it. He likes to share his "wealth" in that way.

He also is the sweatiest kid I know. During basketball games, it was like you could wring out his shirt. At least we know his sweat glands work well.

I remember in 6th grade, he was serving lunch. He was very nervous about it, because there are a lot of rules, and it gets hot in there with all the ovens and steam tables turned on, but the kids are all real troupers about it. Anyway, I was getting a pan out of the oven, and told him to move back so I wouldn't burn him,and he said something like, please be careful. I am vulnerable!

Now isn't that funny?

Vinh is one good kid. Also BC bound. Awesome. One of the best!

Love to him,

Michelle

Track Meet the Sequel

OK, so we go out, early in the morning. It is just as cold as last week! And it only got colder!!! Val got 3rd place in her mile. She did awesome! She also took 3 seconds off her 800.

Emily did her hurdles, and still did not knock any over, took, 1 second off her 100 meter, but added 1/4 second to her 75 meter.

I was so proud of both of them. Of course we took pictures. It wouldn't be a day for you if I did not share some pictures of our lives. I know you have been sitting at your computer all day, waiting for the updates, but I am sorry, we had to be holy and go to church too.

Enjoy the pics. I enjoyed the day! I even got to play head coach for a while, because the coaches were all going to Oklahoma for a race tomorrow.

Speedy love to you all, I have got to watch some Schoolhouse Rocks now,

Michelle

We got to BBQ and you didn't

Or maybe you did, I don't know what your plans were last night.

Anyway, Mark decided to fire up the grill last night, for the first cookout of the season. Our season starts around now, and will go until it snows. Mark won't go out there in the snow. Yet.

We use the grill that has charcoal and wood burning in it. Mark says that if you are going to cook on a gas grill, you might as well move your stove to your yard. That is his best joke anyway.

Whenever Mark fires up the grill we always cook extra meat, because the fire is SO HOT. We will just have leftovers this weekend. He did drop his steak when he was getting it off the grill, so Wrinkles had a good dinner too! Luckily, I had more.

Yummy Eating,

M

Meet Braedon

This is Braedon, an original. He is easily the TALLEST kid I have ever met in my life. At 14, he is like 6 feet 3 inches. It is crazy! His mom and I went to SMM together when we were kids, then BC. I have known his family my whole life.
Braedon can eat more than any other human alive! He gets like 2 lunch trays for firsts, then comes back for another one for seconds, and always has 2 milks too. Every day.
I will remember that about him. He and Val have always had a kind of flirty friendship. I think they are adorable together, but they are just friends. He has a really good heart. Awesome basketball player,and is doing the high jump in track.
Braedon is bound for BC also, and is actually going to be in a lot of the same classes Val is taking, because I saw his mom at enrollment. I hope that they get to be in the same schedule. At least for a few classes. Val thinks he is awesome, and I do too. Of course, he has already asked her to bring him extra lunch next year, I guess he is either worried he will starve or he will miss my cooking. I would cook for him anytime!
Love Braedon? Of course! Why? He is one of the best!
Love and Lunch,
Michelle

The Class

I will just post some pictures, you are probably sick of hearing about me. Just look at the faces....

This is it...

The Original 6. They became friends in Mrs. Simons 4 year old preschool class, and have remained friends, even through Mr. Carter's 8th grade class. They took a picture together, and then, one with their principal, Mrs. Samms. She has been there since before they started. I love all the kids, but these 6 are really special, because they have been together so long. I am really proud of all of them. Julie and Zach are going to be Crusaders next year, but maybe in 4 years, I will write about the Original 4. The Final Four. That would be Val, Karlee, Braedon, and Jordan, if they all stay together. That would be something! Well, I don't want to get all emotional, so I will just say that I love these knuckleheads!

Meet Garrett

This is Val's coolest (cutest) bud , Garrett. Garrett and Val both ran cross country together. They were the only 8th graders on the team.

Garrett calls Val the "It Girl". He is one of the most athletic boys in the class. He is a hot dogger on the basketball team. He can make 3 point shots, and spin and shoot, and jump in the air. It is quite the show!

Val and Garrett went to KC together a few months ago, along with Karlee, Gage, and Shanae to go to a track meet.

Garrett is always messing around with Val. A few weeks ago at lunch, he decided he was going to divorce his best friend Zach, and told Val that she was his new best buddy. It bugged the other girls in the class! That is their friendship though. Garrett and Val will probably hang out next year, since he is also going to Carroll. In fact, last fall, they went to a few football games together, and hung out while the rest of their gang walked around.

I guess that is about all about Garrett. The thing I will miss about him is that he always would sit in the front seat when I took him home, and I always have magazines in the car that I read while I wait, and when they slide across the dash, he always catches them for me. (Unlike Val who lets them go.).

You ask me if I love Garrett? Heck yeah, he is one of the best!

Love,

Michelle-your ride home a lot of the days.

Anthony

OK, just one more post this morning, then I will lay off for awhile. I think I am addicted.

This little cutie pie is Anthony. He goes to SMM, in the 1st grade. His mom is a lunch lady at St. Anne's.

Anthony is one funny kid. There was a weekend a few months ago, when I saw him at school all week, then on Saturday and Sunday that weekend we also ran into him at different places. I know that one of them was the free throw competition Emily was in.

Anyway, by the 2nd time we saw each other without expecting it, he ran up to me and was pointing at me and saying OOOOHHHH I saw you first! So, now every time we run into each other at school, we try to see who can see the other one first. Childish? Maybe, but I think kids need to have fun. We are not hurting anyone, and he is quiet and respectful enough to not get into trouble. No harm, no foul.

I also have other games going with the kids. I have been "it" in tag for about 2 years now. Every time I try to tag someone that plays, they cross their fingers. If I happen to get one by surprise, I always let them tag me really quick, so I don't hurt their fingers. The fun is in the chase.

So, now you know how immature I really am, if there were any questions about that. But, I don't care. It is all in fun,and if you can't have fun in life, then life is not worth living.

Love,

Lunch Lady to My Stars At SMM, (which is every student)

Michelle

Yikes

I am not even half done with the class profiles. I kind of think I have bitten off a lot here! I will continue though. Not everyone may find them interesting, but I think, especially, Val will enjoy them, as the years go by.
I haven't gotten to let you in on any of my exciting little stories lately, because I have been so busy getting through this class. Good thing my life is so boring! I am taking a camera to school today so I can get some pictures of Val's class. They get to wear those awesome t shirts that those really nice people gave to each of the kids. They are really something special!
Anyway, today for lunch is chicken sandwiches, so I think I will make chocolate chip cookies. That way, Mr. Jones gets his ultimate lunch. Keep the math teacher happy, and the kids stay happy! He is also a track coach, so the girls get him extra!
Don't forget, another track meet tomorrow. I will post more about that tomorrow night.
M

Meet Julie (N)- the other Julie

This is Julie N. She is not an original, but came to the class very early on. I would ask Val when exactly, but she is still snoozin, and needs a few minutes before her brain connects in the morning.
Julie is probably one of the sweetest, most soft spoken ladies I know. She and Val (if you can believe it) are the 2 in the class with the highest marks in conduct. Mr. Carter gives them homework passes, because they are so well behaved. Or appear to be anyway.
Julie, is another Kapaun bound student. I know I say this about everyone,but I really will miss her! We used to give her rides to the volleyball games in 6th grade. She is funny. A quiet funny, but funny all the same.
I know she and Val will keep in touch, because they text each other after school all the time, sometimes before we even pull away from the curb. She is also a 5:30 mass person on Saturday nights, so Val will get to catch up with her each weekend. It will be hard on her though, the separation, these 2 have really gotten extremely close.
I will remember Julie and Val and Jennifer hiding in the bathroom so they would not have to be asked to serve Mass. Sitting by themselves at Mass, but always around some boy they thought was cute. Volleyball, McDonalds, field trips and class parties.
She is truly the sweetest of the best, and for that, I love her.
Michelle

Meet Zach

Meet Zach, another member of the Original 6. Isn't he a cutie. That is actual size too. Haha just kidding! But Zach is short. He is not quite 5 feet tall.

I like to call him Zach attack. He is Val's bud. They spend a few days a week together after school hanging out, because she is cooler than jail (latchkey).

This picture was taken at my brother Brian and Megahn's wedding. It was in October. Aren't they truly adorable together? Too bad he is going to Kapaun. You know, tainted blood. HAHA. He is ok, he wants to go to BC, it is just a question of demographics, so I guess I will keep him.

Zach has a lot of spunk. He is totally into sports. He played basketball and is on the track team. He is a long distance runner like Val.

Zach and Val are friends. Just friends. They happened to be at the wedding together, because his family and my family are good friends. I don't want to give out the wrong idea.

I will miss feeding Zach at school and at home.

I don't know what I will do, not having to feed him a zillion chicken rings, and coke ( from a small bottle- it tastes better that way), and little debbie cakes. I guess I will save a bunch on grocery money. But, I would take him back in a second, if he ever would want to visit. Maybe I will take him swimming too.

Do I love Zach? Sure, I do, he is one of the best!

Love,

Michelle

Still wondering?

I still can't tell! SHHHH!
Soon though.
Very soon.

Meet Tianna

This is Tianna. She came and joined the class in Kindergarten, I think.

Tianna is the tallest kid in this class. Well, the girls anyway. She was the tallest for many years, but some of the boys have overtaken her.

I will always remember how much Tianna loves food. Every day she asks what is for lunch, and needs to know everything we are having.

She used to play on Val's basketball team, but she was sidelined with an irregular heartbeat. She did go to some games with us though.

Tianna is a sweet girl. She is very smart. Val says she is Mr Carter's favorite, probably because she is the smartest in class in religion. That is what I hear anyway.

I will miss her, she is bound for Kapaun. Her little sister is in Emily's class though, so I think I will probably have a few more years of catching up with her when I can.

Maybe I will even make her some tacos, pears and apple crisp. I know those are her faves!

She's the best!

08

Love to her,

Michelle

Meet Juan

This is Juan. He is not part of the original six, he came and joined the class in 4th grade.

Now, here is a boy who has lived an interesting life. I am positive that there is more to it, than I know, but I will share with you my thoughts about Juan.

He was born in Venezuela. His father died fighting in a war around the time he was born. So, Nelly was left a widow, with a baby. She was befriended by a priest working there, Fr. Richard. He is now our parish priest, and everywhere he goes, he takes them with them. They are a unit. Nelly works as his housekeeper.

When Juan came, I worried about him, because he was obsessed with Hello Kitty. Everything he had had Hello Kitty on it. Stickers, school supplies, toys, radios, anything.

Anyways, Juan grew up and ditched the Hello Kitty and started hanging with the girls. If you go to a track meet, and locate Val, Juan is with her. If Val is competing, just look for Karlee. At lunch, and before school, he is surrounded by girls. He is a great guy. He has really come a long way from when I first met him.

Juan is also bound for Kapaun. But, since he lives on the school grounds of St Margaret Mary, I am sure I will see him on days off,and Val can maybe still see him on Saturdays, before we go to Mass.

Do I love Juan? Sure I do, he is one of the best of '08.

Love to Juan,

His best friend (inside joke)

Meet Julie (D)

Julie Davis has been Val's friend also, since preschool. She is planning on going to Kapaun Mt. Carmel next year, but I still will love her, and claim her. Even though her blood will run blue and white instead of green and gold.

She is a super sweet girl. I cannot count how many times I would pick her and her brother Tommy up and take them swimming. I also remember the times she would need rides to practice, or when she would go with us to watch Val's cross country meet. Although, I think she was more interested in watching the boys than Val.

She is a protector. She taught Valleri how to steal the ball in basketball, and immediately sit down, so they could not take it from her. I guess I would describe her as the muscle of the team. She has an awesome volleyball serve (overhand) and is probably the best defender on their basketball team.

I have never seen her play soccer, myself, but I hear she is really good.

I will always remember her telling me that I was her best friend, not Val. That used to make Val so upset, when she was super small, but it was just a joke. I will also remember everything she would say to me would start "Jeesh Michelle". and a little roll of the eyes.

I will miss my Julie. She only lives about 30 blocks straight down Hydraulic from us, so I am hoping it is not the end of Val's (and my) time with her.

She is a special girl, and she too, is one of the best.

Love,

Jeesh, Michelle!- but only to my Jules!

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES

There are big changes happening at St Margaret Mary. I won't tell though, until the time is right.
I am really bad at keeping secrets, because I am a bit of a HUGE gossip, but I will try to keep it in me until I can share.
Very interesting, though.
Very interesting.

Are you interested yet? You should be. It is BIG news!

Something you need to know...

Here is a little tidbit to know about my kids. I ask Emily who her best friend is, and she says Shelbie or Karly, a girl who used to be in her class, but moved to St Louis before 5th grade started. Emily still sees her though.
I ask Valleri the same question, and she says she has many best friends. She is a friend collector, I think. She has a lot of close friends, and can make friends in the blink of an eye with anyone! So that is why I say one of her best friends, and not her best friend in her classmates blogs.
She loves them all though. And who wouldn't love her, she is Val.

Everyone loves Emily too. She has no enemies. Her class is different though, which I have said before. They are very competitive with each other. She just tends to cling to individuals rather than large groups.

Meet Karlee

I have decided to write a little something about each of the kids in Val's class before they graduate, since I have gotten to know them so well over the years.

Karlee is my friend Carol's daughter, and has been one of Valleri's best friends since they met in 4 year old preschool. She and Val make up 2 of the original 6 I wrote about earlier.

This is one cool girl! You know, how there is a smart kid in every class? Well that is Karlee. She is the top student. She deserves it too, I think she works really hard! She is also going to BCCHS next year. She will be part of their cum honore program. Which means top honors classes pretty much all the way through. She is Notre Dame bound, and I believe she will go all the way!

I remember a lot of things about Karlee. Going for McDonald's in the middle of the night, the drive in, about a million sleepovers, swim parties, halloween party in 6th grade and in 7th the New Year party. There are way too many to count.

Karlee has 1 brother and 2 sisters, and she is the PROUD aunt to Dylan and Aubrey. I have gotten to see her recently with her niece and nephew when she did not realize anyone was watching, and her caring nature really shows through!

She is awesome at sports. She played on the volleyball and basketball teams, and is the only other girl in 8th grade, with Val, on the track team. She throw shot put and discus, and she always places.

I hope I am able to see Karlee, next year. I know there will be some separation. Working with Carol though, I know I will be able to at least keep up on her happenings, and I know that everything she will do, will be aces.

She is one of the best!

Love to Karlee,

Michelle

I Want Your Opinion

Each year Josten's does our graduation certificates at St Margaret Mary, so Mrs Samms sent us the note, requesting how we want our child's name to appear. Of course, our opinion, which is the one that counts, differs from Val's, but here are your choices, please vote, but know that we will turn in what we want. Not even Val will get her way.

1. Valleri Anne Young

2. Valleri A. Young

3. Valleri Young

4. Val Young

5. Are you sure she is graduating?

6. Did she really pass?

7.Really?

8. Huh!

9. Who knew?!

10. Well, good for her!

Museum of World Treasure

Emily's class also had a field trip today. Her class was not gone all day though. They stayed at school until after lunch and then went to the museum in Old Town.

Emily said she saw mummies, and other stuff they used in WW1. Also, authentic signatures of the presidents. They had a scavenger hunt that they had to fill out as they went through, so that also kept them busy.

The big news of their day was that their classmate, Brian, got a Major Offense Detention because he took a camera, after they were told not to.

So, I don't have any pics of their time, but I will put one in of Emily, since she went.

Kansas Cosmosphere

Val's class got to go to Hutchinson today to the Cosmosphere. She rode in her teacher, Mr Carter's car,with her friends, Julie N and Jennifer.

These are her words about her day:

We saw cotton blow up. Then, we went to watch a little movie,about space. Then we went to eat, at Arby's. We went back to the Cosmosphere, and took a tour. Then we went back together with the 7th graders, who also were there, then we saw a long,boring movie about Lewis and Clark. Then we hit the gift shop. Then we went home. Julie, Jennifer and I bugged Mr Carter. That was my trip.

Did I tell you we are busy?

May is such a busy month! We have things to do every single day, until school is out.
Even before May begins, though, this weekend, we have the 2nd track meet,and Emi is going on a birthday shopping trip with her grandma. Then, on May 1, Val's class and the 1st graders do the living rosary for the school, in the church. It is really special, and they all get to dress up, so that is different from their every single day uniforms. Later that evening, is the school spring concert, and the 8th grade slideshow. The parents submit pictures and their math teacher makes a powerpoint of the class. Then, on May 2, Emily has a full dress rehearsal for her dance recital, which is on Saturday the 3rd, after her final track meet. Not to mention the next day, Mark's brother Tim is graduating from college in Winfield, and being hooded. Next comes hair appts for the girls and then Mothers Day. The following weekend, Val and Mark and the 8th grade class are going to KC to Worlds of Fun for the class trip, and then the next day is the Sport Banquet, which I definitely know holds surprises. Then on Tuesday the 20th, Val is graduating. Next day is my last day of work, and the next is Emily's last day of school. Did I tell you we are busy in May?

Aunt Sherry

This will be a quick one, I need to get back to school.

Aunt Sherry is such a sweet lady! Back around the time Emily was in preschool, she became obsessed with the color orange. Seriously! For her birthday gift that year, Aunt Sherry went out and found a spool of orange ribbon, and every year since she ties that ribbon to any gift that she gives to Emily, and then Emily gives it back to her, so it can be used again. I think this is such a sweet tradition.

She told me yesterday that her granddaughter, who is about to become a first time mommy, also loves the color orange, so I hope she has some left to tie onto all those cute baby packages.

Anyway, Aunt Sherry is one in a million!

Love,

Shelle- as Aunt Sherry calls me

I Know, I Know

You are probably thinking, will you shut up already! But I wanted to post some of the adorable pics I got at Emi's grandma's house. So, enough talking, here you go....

Night Ball

Usually, by 9:00 pm, the girls are in bed, or getting ready for bed, or laying down and watching TV when it is a school night. Last night, however, we did not get home until 8:45 because we had a busy day with Emily's family birthday parties.

Her biggest gift (in size) was one of those basketball goals that are portable. By the time we got it home from her Nanny and Buddy's house ( they gave it to her ), and got it built, and then rebuilt, since we put it together backwards, it was time to go to her Grandma's house for her 2nd party, so she did not get to play on it.

Anyway, we got home at almost 9, and all she wanted to do was shoot some hoops, so that is what we let her do. The pictures are probably a little dark, but I will post them anyways.

She had a great day, and got a lot of very nice things, from everyone!

Hearts,

M

Besties

This is Emily and Shelbie. Shelbie is our niece. She belongs to Tim and Danelle ( or Nelle as we call her ). These 2 knuckleheads are best friends. They have always gotten along so well. Whenever we get together at any kind of function, it is always Shelbie and Emily hanging out together.

They dance and giggle and make up plays. They sing songs, watch movies, play games. Shelbie and Emily love it when there is no school, because then they get to have sleepovers. We always meet at the Quik Trip in Park City, because that is halfway between our houses, so the drive never seems that long.

I think it is so sweet that these 2 are best buds! I never had a cousin that was the same age as me, and I think I was the one that missed out! I love these 2 loony-toons! Whenever they are together, they are always laughing, and can turn any situation into a good time.

We are so lucky to have such a SMART, BEAUTIFUL niece. She must take after her aunt Michelle, even though we are not related by blood. That is the only explanation I have! LOL!!!

Shelbie and Landon, her brother, are also the 2 that graced Mark and I with the nicknames Uncle Cracker and Aunt Cheese, because cheese and crackers go together.

Shelbie plays soccer and this summer she is playing softball, and she is very talented in ceramics, and is currently writing her own book, which I am looking forward to reading, when it is ready. I know it will be great, because she is a super star! Emily has great taste, and she would not pick anyone but the best to be her "bestie", best friend.

Love,

Aunt Cheese- as Shelbs calls me