I Can Make My Own Fun by John Lee

Denny got to go to swim lessons this year, but I am too little (they say)! I went everyday and watched - and tried to escape from Mama and Darcy. Mama and Denny baked cookies for the teachers. This cookie baking resulted in my being unattended for a few minutes. Mama let me lay on her bed, because she thought I was going to sleep. Turns out, the baby powder was also unattended on the headboard shelf (and open)!

Yes, that is Mama's bed and me posing - when I saw the camera I just lit up and gave a big cheese. I got a shower and Mama got clean sheets. Who needs swim lessons?

Swim School Graduate by Denny Lynn

In honor of my last day at swim lessons, Mama and Daddy got me a special present - a Toy Story towel! I was so excited to take it to the pool!

The last day is the only day you can take pictures, so Mama got as many as she could! My teacher was Miss Chris - she was great! Patrick was in my class, too!

Holly was in the class to next to mine, so sometimes I would float over and visit!

Sometimes we wore life vests and sometimes we floated on noodles. It was great! We would also jump off the side and let Miss Chris catch us.

We went down to jump off the diving board. The first time I didn't jump, but after that, I loved it! You have to sit and wait once your turn is over.

We each got a swim school tshirt and Miss Chris made us fun goody bags.

We made all out teachers jars of cookies with tags that said "Thank you for teaching me to swim like a fish!" Me and Mama had the job of baking the cookies and putting them in the jars.

It was hard to get a picture of me jumping off the diving board, so after it was over, Mama took me back for a photo opp! Luckily Ms. Paula got a picture - I will post it as soon as we remember to get it from her. I loved swim lessons and I was a really good listener! I am already ready for next year!!

Here is our swim bunch! Caelee, Holly, Jace, Patrick, Addie and Me! Eli is here, too, but he had to hang out on the side with John!

Workin' Men by Denny Lynn

I am a good worker and I like to help! I got to help Daddy haul hay - my job was to tell him were to put the bales on the trailer. I was also instrumental in holding down the first few until there was more weigh on the trailer.

John's job was helping Mama drive. He worked so hard he needed two sippy cups on hand! I helped Mama drive, too once the trailer was too full for me to ride on.

I am handy with more than just hauling hay. I helped Daddy up the draw pulls on our new cabinets. I did a great job - they look really good. I would really like to stay home and work with the contractor on a regular basis. I can't wait to see what my next job will be!

Happy Birthday, Holly by John Lee

Holly turned five! I was excited to go to her party, even if it was Tinker Bell. While the other kids painted, I stole the brush cups - Mama caught be before I spilled them or drank them - sometimes parties just aren't all they are cracked up to be!

I did discover tasty treats! I liked taking the carrots out of the garden in particular, and I really liked putting them back - some with bites in them, some that had just been licked. Mama didn't like that either, but Eli didn't seem to mind.

Even though I didn't paint, I managed to set a few butterflies free.

Eli and I hung out in the boat while everyone else was trying to save Tinker Bell. I have to be honest, I showed a marked lack of concern for poor Tinker Bell until cake and candy became involved.

I drove off in the toy car they needed for their mission, then I kitty-napped the cat.

I liked walking on the plates with the big kids - but, I didn't exactly follow directions.

We had a fun time and I figured out real quick who the suckers were - they would sneak me suckers and other candy - don't tell Mama though. I got Holly a Tinker Bell doll with a blanket. I hope she had a great birthday and I appreciate her including us in the fun!

Happy Birthday, Holly by Denny Lynn

Holly is 5! She had a Tinker Bell Birthday party and everything. Us men got to be pirates instead of fairies. We painted butterflies - mine was blue of course!

There were also yummy treats, including cantaloupe! One of my favorites! I also liked the pineapple.

Tinker Bell was kidnapped and we had to save her! We each had a journal and when we passed each test we got a special sticker in our book. I hadn't seen the movie, but I was great at following the instructions - we rode in the boat, went through the waterfall, past the cat and hopped on floating china plates. Finally we found Tinker Bell at the museum.

We had sooo much fun! Holly sat on her mushroom and opened presents - then we had cake and a pinata! I got her a Tinker Bell backpack. I am really glad Holly turned five and I hope she had a great birthday!

The Green Who? by Denny Lynn

I don't know who the Green Lantern is, but he has cool stuff!

Thomas Saves the Day! by Denny Lynn

I LOVE THOMAS!! Daddy went on a trip and we went to pick him up at the airport, then Mama said we would have a special surprise. I didn't know what to expect, but I was pretty wowed! We went to the theatre (which I call the museum - ultimately it is the same thing!) to see a big Thomas on stage! It was a real Thomas show! We even got Thomas souvenirs - a cool bag and Thomas whirly lights!

When the show started it was too much excitement!! Sir Toppemhatt was there to sing and tell stories. We were on the edge of our seat! The most excitement was when Thomas came out. Even John was in awe and waved and said hello! He and I watched the whole thing - we made train sounds and sang songs!

 Percy was there and he got stuck in a mine! Thomas saved him and we helped - if you ask me I will tell you "Thomas saved Percy from the mine and I helped."

The trains were great! Each had it's own driver and they chugged all over the stage. When it was time for the big race they even helped us with the words to the song - I love the Race Song and already knew all the words!

It ended with a big festival after Thomas found fixed the lighhouse. Now I like to play "festival" by getting things ready for the festival (I washed pecans in my swimming pool so they would be ready!) I loved the show and even a week later I keep telling Mama I want to watch the big Thomas show again. She says maybe next time *sigh*.

Swim, Swim, Swim! by Denny Lynn

I am a water bug - and so is John! Ms. Linda said we could come swim at her apartment's pool, so for Memorial Day Mama took us over. John tried to climb right in! I made sure I had my floaties on first!

I liked the steps because I could be by myslef with out havign to hold on to someone. I even figured out how to blow bubbles!

John liked the steps, too. He could go up and down.

We also explored the pool with Mama and Ms. Linda - it even has a waterfall in it! We love the water and we love being wrapped up in our big beach towels when it is time to get out!

On Wednesday I got to start swimming lessons, too! It is very exciting to "have grown big" and be able to be in the class. No pictures allowed in the pool until the last day of class, so Mama had to snap this one in the parking lot. I love it and I will even put my whole face in the water! I will be swimming on my own in no time!

Party, Party, Party! by Denny Lynn

Cousin Nathan graduated to middle school and had a birthday! We got to help celebrate. For his party they had a great pool with a big slide. I wasn't afraid at all - I went right up!

And came right now - lots and lots of times! It was great!

They even had a little pool for the little kids like John - I hung out there some, too when the slide was taken over by the big kids.

I think John really wanted in the big pool - but first he has to get big like me.

This is the face you make when you get too much water in your mouth and need to spit it out!

This is the face you make when you fall on the step and scrape up your chin! Ouch! It really hurt, but Ms. DJ took care of me and Ms. Denise cleaned me up - it is healing pretty quick.

There was lots of fun food, including pizza. I was a little upset that I couldn't get everyone to sit down so I could say the blessing, but Uncle Rex offered to say it with us.

The cake was chocolate, so I didn't eat any, but John loved it - blue frosting and all. It took an extra day to get all the blue off of him!

I hope Nathan had a great time - I know we did!!