Neleha's Third Zoo Class

Neleha's third zoo class went like the previous, she had a great time learning and exploring and Kristy had a fun time watching her do it. Neleha has grown so fond of these classes that it is now officially her school, or "zoo school" as she puts it.

This time the kids got to interact with desert animals including a lizard. Neleha has loved lizards and snakes ever since our little encounter with that lizard in Arizona. This was an especially fun class for her.

Neleha was really become an artist as each zoo class she gets to paint another animal. Our little lizard lovin' painter. I must say these classes are priceless for our little Neleha.

Molly's 50's Sock Hop

Molly's school PTA hosted their biggest event of the year, a 50's Sock Hop. Molly asked Kristy if she could get a poodle dress for the occasion but finding something like that this far from Halloween or Foy's Halloween store isn't the easiest task in the world. So Kristy used her awesome sewing skills and made one for her. The skirt was so awesome and Molly was so happy and proud to wear it. All the kids had decided that they would wear their 50's costume at school the day of the dance and so Kristy dolled up Molly most beautifully.

Even Neleha got to take advantage of her Mommy's sewing skills.

Molly and Aleia were both dolled up and ready for a sock-hop of a day.

The PTA did a fabulous job of decorating and really putting on a great dance. They even had a raffle for a life size cut out of the "The King". Molly and Neleha just had to have a photo with Elvis.

Kristy volunteered to work in the root beer float stand and the girls wanted to visit their Mommy before they did anything else. After a smooth float they were ready for some dancing.

Molly & Neleha danced their little hearts out throughout the dance.

This even was a big hit with all the kids, a genuinely great time for all.

Molly was so cute dancing with her little friends and just enjoying the freedom and joy of childhood.

Molly & Neleha also got to participate in the Hula-Hoop contest and had a good time doing their best and wrapping that hoop around them for as long as they could.

Neleha didn't quite get the idea but she had fun all the same.

Good times were certainly had by all.

They did some serious dancing, from the chicken dance to the macerena, they danced em' all.

Kristy and Aleia's mom, Angie, had such a fun time watching the girls dance the night away.

On a side note our trusty Canon point and shoot camera suffered a devastating blow towards the end of the dance. The camera has taken many beatings over the last three years but tonight this kid ran by me and inadvertently got snagged on my camera and ripped it right of my hands. It hit the floor hard and now it only focuses properly for 1 out of ever 6 shots or so. Not good!

Asleep at the Desk

Ever since Neleha was crawling around we have often found her sleeping in the most unusual places. Kristy caught this photo of her asleep at her desk. She was playing music and switching out different cds when all of a sudden she drifted off to sleep. She is so cute.

Live Lobster....well not for long...

A recent sale at our local grocery store resulted in us eating something we haven't eaten for a long time, fresh Lobster. The sale was way to good to pass up so we let the girls pick one out of the tank and brought it home. In some ways however I think this may have been a bad choice because for them they were not picking out their dinner, but a new pet. I explained it to them over and over but they only heard what they wanted.

They even wanted to pet it and Neleha even called it her friend. But the time finally came and we ushered the girls out of the kitchen so they wouldn't be scared by what was next, the pot of boiling water.

The lobster cooked up well and when the girls saw it all red and dead Neleha in her innocence boldly stated " why did you die it, you put it back in there and make it real again!" We explained again that the lobster was food, like the baby lobsters at Bass Pro where her and I ate the other night. It finally clicked and her and Molly were ready to eat some fresh lobster.

I also cooked a nice steak for Kristy so the meal was a hit with everyone. The girls really loved eating the lobster and we had a wonderful meal after all.....

Shoji Responds and Kristy is One Step Closer to Her Big Break

We finally heard back regarding Kristy's audition with the Shoji Tabuchi show that she participated in back in January. Unfortunately she was not selected for the position but what a wonderful experience this has been for her. Kristy now knows what the toughest, most famous show in Branson expects from their entertainers. Her and I talked over this and she has not given up, in fact she has her eye on a few other shows that will be auditioning again in the Fall. As Joey always said on Friends, each rejection is one step closer to landing that big role of your dreams. I congratulate my angel sweetheart who has shown me so much courage in overcoming fear to pursue her dreams when so many others would shy away from even trying. I know that one day Kristy will find her place amongst the many Branson entertainers.

Molly Makes the 100's Club and Celebrates at Chuck E. Cheese

Molly's Kindergarten class was challenged by their teacher to learn to count to one-hundred without any mistakes. Any student able to do so was entered into the "Hundred's Club". Molly has been able to count to one-hundred for some time now but for some reason she hadn't qualified for the Hundred's Club so we decided to throw in some more incentive. We told her that as a reward for getting into the Hundred's Club she would get five-dollars worth of tokens at Chuck E. Cheese. The next day she was inducted into the club.

So we headed on down to Chuckster's and had a great time playing the games. One nice aspect of Chuck's place is that you can just go to play the games with no obligation to buy food.

Kristy and I have so much fun following the girls around and watching them play, laugh, smile and have so much fun. They bring us so much joy.

Of course one of the best aspects of a visit with the big singing mouse is turning all those won tickets into an awesome prize and the reward counter.

Our girls made out well and we had an awesome time celebrating Molly's big milestone.

Sharing the Fish Museum with our Friends

We had the fun pleasure of being able to take our little neighbor friends Kara & Adam to the fish museum. Our girls love that place but what they love more is being able to take other people there. I guess for them it's like sharing one of their prized possessions, they want everyone to enjoy it.

Kara & Adam enjoyed this place as much as our girls do each week. They all had such a wonderful time watching the fish and exploring the museum.

Of course they were as amazed by the sharks as we are every time we come.

They really thought this old Ozark story teller was a pretty neat guy.

Good times, as usual, at the fish museum!

Valentines Day (Love Day) 2007

My girls couldn't wait for the big day any longer..... on the night before Valentines Day Kristy, Molly & Neleha all ganged up on me with their beautiful "puppy dog eye's" and I gave in. I showered my girls with Love Day gifts which filled their faces full of smiles. I sure loved watching them go through their gifts and laughing and getting excited over their new treasures.

The girls made me a very happy camper as well with A&W Root Beer wear (hat and shirt) and lots of yummy chocolate covered cherries. They sure know how to take care of me.

From PJ's to candy the girls had lots of goodies, but I think Kristy was the most excited of them.

Molly & Neleha helped me pick out the perfect gift for Kristy, a pearl wish necklace, but this was no ordinary pearl necklace.... the pearl was still in the oyster. That's right, the shell was still whole and it came with instructions on how to open it and harvest the pearl and then how to place it in the necklace.

Kristy really worked for this necklace.....

Step by step she pryed the shell open....

And then !POP! the shell gave up it's treasure!

We all made out very well, for sure!

The next day (Valentines Day) we had the wonderful privilege of spending the holiday with our Molly in her classroom. What fun we had with all the activities and snacks....

It was so fun watching Molly and her peers exchange cards and play together.

We had so much fun watching Molly read all of her Valentine wishes!

She has gained a wonderful new friend by the name of Aliea who happens to be the daughter of one of my classmates and who just moved into our student housing apartment complex. What was even more ironic is that out of the three other classes Aiea was placed in Molly's Kindergarten class. They have been instant friends ever since. We all had such a great time.

We finished the holiday off right with a very nice family dinner. We had a spread of our favorite foods and enjoyed each other and the wonderful cuisine. Another awesome Love Day with the girls I love with all my heart!