Emma's [Almost] Toothless Grin

Emma finally lost her 3rd baby tooth.  Her upper left tooth has been loose for weeks now.  And these last final days it had just been hanging on by a thread.

Literally.

By a flippin' thread.

It totally gives me the heebie-jeebies.  I can tolerate poopie-covered hands, vomit-infested car seats, splinters of all shapes and sizes.  But show me a dangling baby tooth, and I flip out!

So Andy finally twisted it out.

And left our big girl with a wonderful, semi-toothless grin!

Kindergarten Mass

The two Kindergarten classes hosted Mass last week.  Emma a had a speaking part during the petitions, and she did such a fantastic job.  Especially considering that her part was changed at the last minute due to the tragedies that happened in Moore, OK.  She was supposed to pray for the military; instead she prayed for the families affected by the tornadoes.

Just when I think I can't be any more proud of my baby girl, she goes and shines even brighter.  While all of the children were just precious, the majority were hard to understand as they spoke into the microphone.

But when Emma stepped up there, A) you could see her perfectly because she's so tall and B) she spoke clearly and slowly.  She only tripped over one word.  "God," which she oftentimes confuses with "good."

Dear Lord, Be with the people in Oklahoma who have been affected by the tornadoes, may they feel God is with them as they try to rebuild their lives and communities.  We pray to the Lord.

Cookie Awards

At our last Girl Scout meeting, Katie the Cookie Mom, presented the girls with their Cookie Awards.  It was pretty precious.....seeing these girlies get all excited for a bandana.  Or a wristlet.  Or a patch.

Doesn't matter.

It was something special that they earned.

That they'll cherish forever.

Or 24 hours.

Our Super Seller, Josie.
Sold over 400 boxes!!!

Emma sold over 170 boxes, coming in 2nd behind Josie.

And here's Miss Miranda, selling over 100 boxes.

Same with Isabelle, selling over 100 boxes.

Mary Kate & Veronica, proudly posing as Super Sellers!

Mary, Cait, Grace, Ava Marie, Ava P., Ellery, Maura, & Sydney all posing  with
Cookie Mom Katie for hitting the troop average goal of 25 boxes.

Swickheimer Summer Fun List

This summer is sure to be the best yet!  Between Papa watching the kids (THANKS DAD!!!), vacation, CYO Camp, Vacation Bible School, the pool, the zoo, the children's museum.......phew, that's a lot.....we're sure to have an action-packed summer!

And just because I love a good check-list, here's our 2013 Summer Fun List.

Swickheimer Summer Fun List

1.        Go on vacation

2.       Do a century ride. In one day. That's 100 miles

3.       Take weekly trips to the pool

4.       Have a family and friend cookout

5.       Get a sno cone

6.       Go to the Indiana State Fair

7.       Go on a picnic at Fort Benjamin Harrison

8.       Have a summer date night with the hubs. Complete with wine and an evening stroll. Anywhere

9.       Go to the Fishers Fire Station

10.    Go to an outdoor concert at White River

11.     Take a walk along the canal

12.    Play miniature golf

13.    Roast marshmallows over a fire and make s’mores

14.    Go to the Binford Farmer’s Market

15.    Go kayaking at Papa & Grandma Ann’s river cottage

16.    Go camping

17.    Go fishing

18.    Watch a summer blockbuster (Monsters University?) at the theater

19.    Go to an Indians game

20.   Play in the sprinkler / make a yard “water park”

21.    Have a water balloon fight

22.   Homemade carwash

23.   Make Play-Doh

24.   Catch lightening bugs

25.   Make forts

26.   Go to library

27.   VBS – Kingdom Rock

Field Trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The final field trip to round out a wonderful Kindergarten year, was spent at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  It was a perfect day, and we couldn't have asked for better weather!

The Godaddy.com car was a big hit with the kids.
Every time it went by, the kids would shout "GO DADDY, GO"

Typical size difference between Emma and a classmate.
Here she poses with Grace D.
Let's hope she gets her dad's athleticism!

Teacher Appreciation at SPX

In honor of the fantastic teachers at St. Pius X, we held a catered dinner for the teachers to enjoy.  To add a little charm to the evening, the school board challenged us (the parents) of each grade to a fun, little competition.  Each grade was to decorate a table, then the teachers would vote on their favorite, and then that grade would win a pizza party!

There were some really clever themes and ideas that the parents had.  Some went all out (the "Beach Theme": where they brought live fish in and placed them in cylinders on the table...along with real sand and beach balls hanging from the ceiling), some went classic ("School Lunch/Cafeteria": lunch trays, milk cartons, library books, and the American flag), and some went with royalty ("Fit for a King/Queen": crown, cape, jewels, gold coins, "real" crystal eatery).

"School Cafeteria"

"Thank you for helping us grow"

"Fit for a King"

"Willy Wonka / Golden Ticket"

"Burlap and Herb Garden"

"Chalkboard and Teachers (are the best)"

"Hands Down, Teachers are the Greatest"

So who was the winner out of all these fantastic tables?!?

Why the Kindergarten table that Alicia Wilson & I decorated!  Theme: The Great Gatsby.  I guess the teachers just LOVED it.  They wore their pearls and hats the entire time and had a ball!

Love all the vintage pieces (hat box, gloves, crochet set).
Special thanks to my mom for the lovely (80's) hats!

The invitation, made by yours truly, reads:
"It is Mr. Gatsby's distinct pleasure to cordially invite you to
Faculty Appreciation Dinner
Friday, May 7, 2013
7:00pm
Ross Hall
St. Pius X
7200 Sarto Drive
Indianapolis"

When Ya Gotta Go....

......ya gotta go!

Drew has made a new friend (Issac) at Emma's softball games.  His older sister and Emma are teammates, so Drew & Issac get to play with each other for an hour at least three times a week.  Which is great, because I don't have to entertain him the entire time.  He and Issac love to do "boy" things:
- Karate chop weeds
- hunt for rolly-pollies
- play ninjas with sticks
And last night was no different......they were off playing with dirt in the little playground area.  I always check every few minutes to make sure he's okay and within a reasonable amount of distance from me.

So as I'm looking over my should, what do I see?!?

Drew, proceeding to pull his pants down.

At first I was like, "What?!? Is he? Wait. He IS."

Oh my Gawd.

Drew was starting to take his pants off, and was just about to pull his little underpants down to take a leak!!!

I couldn't believe what I was seeing!

Andy takes off running towards him.  He's frozen still, wondering what all the fuss is about.

Meanwhile, I'm in stitches with my mom and Issac's dad.....just laughing hysterically at what we just witnessed.

Because, hey.  When ya gotta go, ya gotta go!