A Few Different Things

With Masters classes winding down, I had some time to make some Fruit Print Tea Towels for a special friend. It was so nice to sit in the basement, sewing (instead of homework), watching Law and Order...what a life!
Sophia is GROWINIG so fast! This was her first time having Speghetti-O's and she LOVED them. Which is rare because she is a picky eater. Her menu usually consists of cheese, fruit and green beans. She is walking like crazy now. She is getting good at carrying things around as she walks. She is very proud of herself when she carries things around from room to room. She loves the phrase "Uh-Oh" and saying "Shhh". She is always carrying and playing with baby dolls as well driving cars around with her brother. Her favorite song is Itsy Bitsy Spider. She mimicks whatever John does....so get ready!

Mr. John is growing fast too! This is the castle we built yesterday after watching Curious George, which is a favorite right now. This kid is always hungry and loves being center of attention! He loves playing in his band and singing at the top of his lungs. He pretends to make us breakfast each morning and helps me in the garden each day. He is quite the helper and I love spending time with this little guy!

Lakeland Baptism

Lakeland Baptism is something I LOVE. It is a great time of fellowship and praise. This was the first year the kids really got into playing in the sand and the lake. We have 2 water babies and sand babies! They loved it!

Baby BIrds

Last weekend we got to go see baby birds at Terry and Darlene's house. The momma bird had built a nest and the babies had hatched. John was excited to take some pictures. While we were standing around talking on the porch, the momma bird came and fed the babies. It was a great learning experience!

Iced Coffee

So I told people I would post this a couple of days ago...thanks for being patient.

So I have found and made the perfect iced coffee. The recipe is found here.

A few pointers...

1. I have had it for 3 days and it still tastes super fresh. This recipe says that it will be good for about a month...so we will see.

2. I didn't have the containers that she used, so I used a Colemans 2 gallon cooler to make my coffee in. After it had set for at least 8 hours, I strained it into different pitchers, cleaned out the cooler and poured the ready to go stuff back in the cooler.

3. I didn't really have room for a cooler in my fridge, so I have a sealed pitcher that is full in my fridge and then as it empties, I will fill it back up with the remaining coffee that is still in my cooler.

4. So far, I have tried it like a Caramel Macciato, a Java Chip Frap, and a iced latte...and they have all be delicious! My next endeavor is to try it with sweetened condensed milk (it is on the website of the recipe). I am afraid it will be too yummy and that is how I will want it all the time.

I hope you try it and love it as much as I do. I seriously might not have to go to Starbucks again...we will see.

A Typical Summer Afternoon at the Turnbough's

Everyday, after naps, we have popsicles and then play outside. It is like clockwork...John wakes up and says "Popsicle please!" and then I say..."We have to wait until Sophia wakes up." He waits patiently and then as soon as we hear her start talking...he is off down the hall saying "Fia, it's popsicle time!" Now I have learned that it is a much easier clean up if the kids don't have clothes on and then we clean off in the pool. I love summer time!

After popsicle time and a quick dip in the pool (because it was windy today) John took Sophia for a drive.

"Mom we are going to the gas station and then Chick-Fila. We need gas in my truck and we are hungry. Do you want anything?"

Yes...he does have his arm around her! Watch out girls...

I just love this picture.

Sophia waves like she is in a parade the whole time. She also screams "Wheeee!"

Blueberry Patch

Saturday morning the kids woke up to a surprise...Aunt Abbey was at our house! John came into the bedroom to say "Aunt Abbey is on the couch! Can I wake her up??"

After everyone got up and around we headed to the Berry Patch in Cleveland, MO. It is on State Line Road and we love it! We picked 4.5 lbs of blueberries and they are yummy!

Enjoy the pictures from the day!

Daddy's Day

To My Daddy:

Daddy you are the best daddy in the world. These are the reasons we love you:

1. We love that you play and wrestle with us everyday.

2. We love how you play music in our house and have random dance parties.

3. We love how you love us even when we are onery!

4. We love how you are a role model for us and teach us how to live for Jesus through our daily living.

5. We love that you take us to all kinds of neat places.

6. We love that you care for us and take care of us while Mom has to go to class and do homework.

7. We love that you fix things in our house so Mom doesn't go crazy.

We know we have a loud, crazy house, but Mommy, John and Sophia all love you so much for being the best daddy in the world.

Love,

John and Sophia

Zoo with Jenna

St. Louis and Branson Weekend

Last weekend we headed to St. Louis to meet up with the family. Our first stop was a picnic at the zoo and then on to see the wonderful St. Louis zoo. Two very cool things about this zoo:

1. It has the penguin exhibit which feels awesome on hot summer days.

2. It has the Children's Zoo inside of it. This is a great interactive zoo for children and it has a spray park as well as a playground. The kids were able to pet the animals and play around.

Sophia driving her brother around...
Waiting for the water at the spray park

Then the next morning we got to see Uncle Scott, Aunt Emily, and baby Eli!! This was the first time the kiddos and Matt had met Eli. He is a cutie with big beautiful eyes. He is also a cuddler. Too bad they live so far away!

The three cousins together for the first time.

John loved seeing and hanging out with Uncle Scott. He thinks Uncle Scott is so cool. Scott taught him a terrible (or so I think) trick to do with his eyelids. John goes around doing it now. Thanks Uncle Scott.

Nannee and Pops talking and cuddling with Eli.

Sweet baby boy!

We headed to Houston after the weekend in St. Louis because Matt was on staff retreat for a few days. As we came back to Kansas City, Nannee LeAnn and myself took the kids to Silver Dollar City. It was Kids Fest and it was a blast! They had tents up with blocks and games up throughout the park. We had a great time!

Both kids loved building with the blocks. John said it was his favorite part. That is funny because we can do blocks at our house.

We went to a dog stunt show and the kids enjoyed it greatly. John loved the big dog "Doggy". He gave him 4 or 5 hugs.

The kids and I rode rides while Nannee LeAnn took pictures. They both loved the rides too.

Funny Story:

We were on our way back to Blue Springs and we had to stop for John to go potty. I quikly put on his tennis shoes without socks. He was very nervous that he would get blisters. When we got back to the car, he explained to Nannee that he thought he had blisters on his feet. When he took off his shoes, he saw the imprints of the shoes on the tops of his feet and exclaimed "Oh no....BLISTERS!" After a few moments of silence he announced "I guess I will have to get new feet for my legs."

My mom and I burst out laughing.

A very fun and full weekend!

This is what I came home to last night after class. I couldn't resist taking a picture. John wanted so badly to stay up and wait for me. Nannee LeAnn just couldn't let Sophia cry without her passi. So they all just konked out on the couch.

We love when Nannee LeAnn comes to stay with us and we are sad to see her leave when she heads back to Houston.

Miss Sophia gave up her pacifier today. Actually, her mom and dad decided to take it away. Her face is always broke out because of her pacifier and her drool (because of teething). So we decided to break her from it. I hate milestones like this. I feel bad for her because it is like taking her friend away. However, she did pretty well today. There was crying and some sleeping on Nannee LeAnn, but we made it through the day. Thank goodness my mom was here...she helped a TON! She had to stay home with the kids tonight because I had class and Matt is out of town. Sophia was crying in her crib, and John said "I could find her a passi." Sweet boy :)

We will see how tonight goes..so far so good.

Look at these little piggies! This was Sophia's first toe painting party! For being 15 months, she did a great job at sitting while I painted her toes.

I LOVE having a little girl.

A few new things Sophia is doing...

Standing on her own

Taking a few steps

She says "tickle, tickle"

She LOVES her babies. She holds and loves on them all the time.

We got our zoo pass! We got to share our day with the Sharky girls. It was a fabulous day. It was hot but there was a nice breeze through the morning. We also got to see the Chimps eat. It was really cool. All 13 were lined up waiting for their food as we walked up.

We will be playing at the zoo a lot this summer!

This is how I will be spending my summer days!

Notice Sophia clapping at the end.

For the last 3 years I have taught 5th grade. I remember finding out a I was teaching 5th grade. Let's just say...I wasn't very excited. I had taught the little ones and those were the ones I liked (or so I thought). Yet, over the last 3 years I have fallen in love with this age group.

Today was my last day in the classroom. I haven't shared my new job on the blog yet. I am not sure why...I think it is the fact I am nervous about this change but so very excited. I also think I have been so busy with everything else, I haven't totally reflected on it. Until today...

Today I saw my room become empty and ready for Savannah to move into it.

Today I put up my last Morning Message.

Today I enjoyed my last unveiling of the 5th Grade DVD.

Today I sat and watched these sweet kids get so excited for summer.

Today I hugged each of my kids goodbye and said "I'll miss you and have a good summer."

Today I stood outside and waved to the busses a big goodbye.

Today I sent off my last class at SPE.

This class was special to me. I had them in first grade, which was my first year at SPE. Now I have had them in 5th grade and it is my last year.

Next year I am at a new school, with new students and a new staff. You see next year I will be an Administrative Intern. I can't believe it is happening but it is what I have been working for the last 2 years.

Tomorrow is staff day. I have my hand selected gifts for my team and I have practiced what I am going to say to them when I give them the gifts. I dread the lunch because I know words will be spoken about everyone leaving. I am afraid I will have a headache by the end of the day because of all the tears that will be shed. You see, this staff is like a family to me. When you spend 8 hours everyday together that is what happens. These are the people that know me and support me each day. They have taught me so many things. I know I wouldn't be the educator I am today without them.

I love you all.