Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley is a 2nd grade tradition!  When Daniel first brought his Flat home, we discussed different places we could send him.  Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Denver, Montana, etc.  We have friends scattered all over that we could call in to duty. 

He wasn't interested.  He wanted to take Flat on an adventure himself.  So we decided on a tour of Mobile's forts. 

One day after William's early tee ball game, we loaded up and drove to Dauphin Island.  The adventure would begin at Fort Gaines. 

The boys were full of energy and ready to go! 

They had a blacksmith there working.  Watching him was riveting.  Really cool to watch this decorative horseshoe come into being.

After we had seen it all, we headed over to the ferry.  Here's Flat enjoying the ride!

 



When we arrived at Fort Morgan, our troops were beginning to drag.  Flat's owner being the weakest!!  We paid for our entrance but only stayed about 10 minutes.  We did get a few obligatory pictures.

 

 

he's a McCall...tired and hungry is a deadly combination

 

 

Finally, we had to find sustenance.  Lulu's is our usual stop, but we decided to try the Hangout since Springbreak wasn't quite in full swing and we didn't think it would be crowded.  The food was good and the boys loved the huge pile of sand to play in.

 

 

 

Flat's adventure had ended and now it was time to put the presentation together.  He procrastinated a little bit (reading the last of the Harry Potter books in two days caused most of the procrastination!), but once he started it was full speed ahead.

 

 

 

And finally, the big celebration...Flat Stanley Returns!

 

 

 

Two Flats down...two to go.  I've got money that one of the next two makes his visit to Uriah!









Trip to the Farm, take five!

Every spring Westminster takes a field trip to Brantley Farms.  And (for the past five years...with one more to go!) every spring, I am on that trip with at least one child.  John has accompanied me on many of these trips because siblings are always welcome, but today was his chance to participate and boy did he love it!


There's hay to jump in...

 



 Animals to pet...

Horses to ride...

Animals to feed...

 

 

And animals to hold...

We always end with a group shot and a picnic lunch.  Such a fun trip.

Each year, I long to sneak off and snap pictures of their sheep and vineyards.  They would make such great additions to our Good Shepherd atrium and True Vine atrium!  I was able to snap this sweet sheep from my seat on the hayride!

Play Ball

Tee Ball has begun and William is back at it.

The first game is typically quite comical, but we could definitely tell William remembered what to do from last year.

 

 

He got to play defense on the pitcher's mound and he did a great job fielding the ball.

 

 

Most importantly, he had a great time playing the game!

 It was such a beautiful day and was quite pleasant at the ballpark.  Looking forward to many more games this spring!

Around the World

Each year the second grade studies continents and different countries.  Last year, Philip's class focused on France.  This year Daniel's class studied them all and then put on an adorable play for their parents.

Daniel and his buddy, Caleb, were the pilots of the plane that traveled all over the world.

Daniel has come so far in his willingness to perform...from completely unwilling in PK, to reluctantly cooperative in K and 1st grade, to loud and clear in a lead role this year!  So fun to watch him perform.

 

 

Proud of this little guy.  Can't believe he only has a few more months at the Lower School.  Time moves much too fast!

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras came in early and we got a late start with hunting season now running through February 10th.  The boys are in love with the parades so we tried to make as many as we could.

Mardi Gras day was cold, but we ended up going to both the day and night parades.  The boys racked up...now what to do with all this stuff?

Our favorite part was having so many friends come into town for visits.  Sweet Betsy even spent a night with us.  How fun to have a little girl in the house!

We also got a few visits in with all of the Springfield clan and my old college roommate Lucy and her family had dinner and a parade with us too!  No pictures...sorry...falling down on my photographer job!

The boys had a week off from school and once Mardi Gras was over, we were immersed in Diocesean convention work at the church.  Trinity hosted so there was lots of work to be done.  Love this shot of the boys playing "I Spy" out of the only clear window in one upstairs room while I tidied up.

On Thursday, Philip and Daniel acolyted for the first time for the opening service.  There was a little apprehension at first, but with lots of reassurance by Father Bailey, they were ready to go.

Never mind the packed church and sitting with three bishops in the chancel, they did a great job!  

Pros already.  Mom and Dad (and lots of the church members) were quite proud!  And now vacation is coming to an end and Lent is in full swing.

Grandperson's Day

Just a few pictures to share from school events! 

First, earlier in February William celebrated a patriotic themed Grandparent's Day. 

 Dee and GranGran came to watch William.  (It was an extra special Grandparent's Day for Dee who welcomed her first granddaughter into the world early that morning!)  William was on the front row and we couldn't see him well, but I know he was singing loud and proud.

 

It was fun to take William home early with me.  We dropped off the grandmothers, treated ourselves to smoothies, and went to the hospital to see baby Reagan.  It is always a treat to have one on one time with my boys!

Afterwards we picked John up and lucky William got to attend the Ashland Place Preschool Parade with John and me.  Campbell and Aunt Susan joined us along with GranGran!  Always a fun one for the little people to watch!