Happy Birthday, Grandma by John Lee

Grandma turned 60! We spent a lot of time planning and getting ready! I colored in her card!

For gifts, we had to come up with 60 "somethings" to give. I did a photo album with 60 photos of me inside!

Finally, party day came! We loaded up and headed to Carlsbad for the big bash. Here I am telling Grandpa - "What, she is how old?"

We had big fun with the cousins! We were missing a few, but those that could make it had a good time. We started out with a balloon war - until we began hitting innocent bystanders and Mama kicked us out.

Grandpa stole my cookie - well, maybe I shared, I am never completely clear on how these things happen!

Here is a snapshot of the cousins that came!

Mason...

Emerick...

Kyle...

Kristian (and Aunt Lynette, too)...

Etienne...

And the cousin crew... 

All things considered, it was a great day and a fun party...but mostly, I am just glad there was cake!

Yea for Thomas Sheets! by Denny Lynn

So, I have some issues sleeping in my own bed. Mama made me a sticker chart, so if I go to bed in my bed and stay in my bed all night, I get a sticker (cool Scooby Doo stickers, by the way). I finally earned enough stickers for my big surprise and I picked Thomas sheets! I even got to go to Target to get them. I held them all the way home in the van. I told Mama "I will sleep snug as a bug in a rug in these!" We spread them out on Mama's bed before we left for Grandma's house so I could try them out! Now I am saving stickers for a blanket to match!

Potty Training by John Lee

So, I guess I am sort of potty training. I like to sit on the potty when the big kids go and I have managed to actually "go" in it a few times. Mostly, it is a comfy place to relax and read!

Yea for Firemen!! by Denny Lynn

We were at dinner the other night and a table full of fireman came in. I was very excited. I was a little worried about were they left their hats, but once I figured out they were real firemen, it was ok. I went over and told them "thank you for putting out the fires and keeping us safe" - they were really nice guys and let us smap a quick photo!

Cowboy Teddy by Denny Lynn

I have a sticker chart. For every night I sleep all night in my own bed I get a sticker. When a row is full, I get a surprise. My first surprise was for me and Teddy! Teddy got a new cowboy outfit - he even has his own hat!  

I like for him to wear it - until he gets hot, then we take it off. Sometimes he just wears the neckerchief. I know that me and Teddy will have lots of fun cowboy adventures together! I think I will get him a miniature donkey to ride!

State 4-H Conference by John Lee

So, while Mama and Daddy have to work for the big 4-H Conference, Grandma comes to take care of me and Denny. We get to stay home all week and play, play, play!

Grandma had some shopping to do, so we went to the mall - they have these cool new rides! My personal favorite is, of course, the one with the dog!

Since they are still working on our house, Grandma took us to Carlsbad for part of the week. I used this time to catch up on my calls.

We helped Grandpa take care of Dude (the horse) and work in the garden.

We had an extra special adventure!! Ms Judy (who works with Grandpa) - let us ride in her cart pulled by a miniature donkey! His name in Julio and he is way cool!

Of course, we also spent some time with Ma and Pa. I love them, but sitting still for a picture is a lot to ask!

We had popcorn parties and went to church - it was all very busy. We missed Mama and Daddy, but we didn't want to go home! It is ok, I know we will go back to Grandma's soon!

Hangin' With the Leadership Team by Denny Lynn

Mama just finished being advisor to the State 4-H Officers. It is a pretty cool job to have. They all came in early for State 4-H Conference and in the evenings I got to tag along! We went to Ms. Linda's house and there were 4-H Olympics! It was so cool. I discovered the bubbles first and John kept himself busy by stealing all the lawn ornaments.  

We got to have fun nametags, too. John had to wear his on his back so he couldn't take it off.

There were relay races, a hula hoop contest and even a watermelon eating contest! I wasn't really on a team, but I tried to keep up!

I was pretty messy after the watermelon, but so was everyone else!

John liked filling his water bottle with rocks and then dumping them out. Sometimes he misses out on all the fun!

After all the games, we got our medals. I am very proud of mine and so is John! I even put on a light show with my glow sticks. I went out on the grass with all the lights out and Ms. Linda turned up the music so I could dance - and I did - then I said "That's the end of the show" and it was!

The next night we went to Frank's house. I turned most of the team into my personal ponies! They are suckers for kids!

We had lots of fun playing and of course eating! I really had fun with Annie and Elise.

I always like to see the 4-H kids and spend time with Mama. It was a busy weekend, but I loved it - I think John liked it, too.