School Pictures for the Girls

Ok, since we homeschool I thought I should take some pictures to consider school pictures for this year. So I had my own little photo shoot and this is what I came up with. I think they turned out pretty good, since I am by no means a photographer.

City Fellowship Update

Today is a very exciting day. We have spent most of the day getting our new rental space ready to have church tomorrow. We will be meeting as a small core group of about 30 people including kids and adults until maybe Easter (while we figure lots of things out). I feel so blessed to be a part of such an amazing work of God. Today just makes everything seem very real. What we have been thinking about for months is becoming a reality. So we all cleaned with great joy today despite the spiders and unknown sticky substances on the floors and walls. Our building is on the corner of Royal and Main street downtown. A church in Missouri has donated a lot of furniture that will come next week (kids tables, book shelves, couch, desks, stove, refridgerator, folding chairs, etc.). And someone has even been generous enough to pay for the UHaul to get the stuff here. How very amazing and exciting!

New Haircuts

The smith women were in much need of new haircuts. We were very shaggy and had many split ends. So we (me, Parker and Chloe) all headed over to South of New York and Anna gave us great cuts. Here is a picture of Parker and Chloe. Their cuts are adorable, and I really like mine too.

Future Ballet Star

Chloe has started taking ballet and tap lessons. Here is a cute picture of her in her outfit with the shoes. She loves it and is a great dancer.

Lilly's first day back to playschool

Lilly has been waiting for this day. She has been talking about it for a few weeks. She had lots of fun today with her four teachers, her lunchbox and her backpack. She is so very big . . . and so very sweet!

In other news. . . Parker is losing teeth left and right. Finally, though, she has lost one in which the grown up tooth hasn't already grown in. She also looks very big with a missing front tooth.

The rest of the story - Vacation Part II

We ended up cutting our vacation a day short because of tropical storm Fay. But we really can't complain - at all. We had 6 beautifully sunny days to enjoy the beach before the clouds came. We had the most relaxing vacation that I can ever remember -no hurry to do anything. It was lovely.

However, now we are back in the thick of things. We started school yesterday. Wow, there is a lot to learn in the 3rd grade. I really am probably learning more than the girls. It is so much fun, and even Lilly thinks she is in school. She has her own folders and things. We really couldn't do school any other way - she would not have it. Lilly is getting ready to start back to playschool next week. She informed me this morning that she would be learning Spanish (that's what Parker and Chloe told her). I realized that I somehow forgot to take her to the doctor for her 3 year check-up (in April). Since I have to have a special form from them saying she's had all her shots, I decided to make the appointment. They were able to get us in this morning. I bribed Lilly with the thought of picking out a special toy if she would not fuss - and it worked. She was so good, even laughing and waving bye to Dr. David and Nurse Samantha. She even talked to the lady who was pricking her finger for a blood sample and never cried. We went directly to Wal-Mart and picked out a Dora Bath Castle for $14.95, a very small price to pay for a happy visit to the Doctor.

The Middle of a Great Vacation

We are having a great time in Panama City. However, there is only wireless internet in the lobby of our hotel, so I will probably not be able to check email and update again until after we are home next week. Here are some highlights of the trip so far

We have had great weather. Parker loves the beach and boogie boarding (She is very good at it). She never wants to come to the pool. Chloe and Lilly love the pool and the hot tub the best. We still have two days left for lots of fun.

Here is a clip of Parker boogie boarding