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Lori's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 2/1/01 -------------------- 1/9/01 8/1/00 5/17/00 4/19/00 4/7/00 3/23/00 3/15/00 3/7/00 3/1/00 -------------------- Lori's Introduction

Introduction

WOW, what a busy summer. Jessie has been taking gymnastics all summer and really liked it, although I don't think she is "cut out" to be a gymnast. She had fun though. She had been taking ballet so this fall, she wants to take tap dancing. She is really excited about that. Her Memaw used to tap dance so she thinks that is so cool!

Jessie also took swim lessons for two weeks this summer. She passed preschool level I and graduated to preschool level 2. She can put her face in the water now and can swim across the pool. She is really proud of herself and so are we! She came home every day and wanted to tell everyone what she had done and she practiced in the bathtub.

We just finished up a week of Vacation Bible School. My teenage son helped out with the recreation, I was a group leader for 3rd and 4th graders, and Jessie was in the 3- and 4-year-old class. Our VBS is at night because so many parents both work. Every night, when Jessie got home, she was so excited and pumped! She just talked and talked! I would bring home a craft that the older kids had done that night and Jessie and I would do that. Of course, she made all kinds of stuff. She made a miniature fish tank, an ocean in a bottle, lots of pictures, some with sand, etc. This years theme was Ocean Odyssey. We made an octopus with material, string, Styrofoam ball and eyes. The material was folded and cut into strips, leaving a few inches at the top. Then open it up, you have a circle in the middle to place the ball in. Wrap the material around the ball and tie with a string. Then you have strips hanging down, exactly 24. Then you take 3 strips each and braid them. Tie. When you finish braiding, trim off all the excess material and string and glue on the wiggle eyes! It turned out so cute!

Several weeks ago, Josh, Jessie and I went over to my friend's house for craft day. Michele has two boys and she says she doesn't have much creativity. So I planned a craft day. I got my craft storage bin and came up with some projects. All the kids made a snow globe with pimento jars, baby food jars etc. I had some old toy/plastic figures for them to choose from. Then we glued them into the lid, filled the jar with either baby oil or Karo syrup then the kids added glitter, sequins, etc., to the jar. I hot glued the lid shut and they decorated the lids.

We also made bread dough sculptures. The kids all took part in making the dough. Then they played with it and formed items. Jessie and I made pizzas, hearts, and names. Josh made an electric guitar. We then baked them while we made the snow globes. When they were done, we painted them. I don't know who had the most fun, the kids or Michele and I!

I have been taking American Sign language 101 and then coming home and teaching my family. Josh, and my husband, Dee, have learned the alphabet and the entire family is learning the signs for words. Jessie is so cute walking around signing. When I ask her a question, she signs yes or no. She signs animals and many others. We went to the walk up snow cone shop. Everyone stayed in the car while I went to order. I was able to sign back to them the flavors, and they signed back to me what they wanted. That was so neat!

Our new Pastor has arrived from Colorado and Josh, Jessie and myself helped them move in to their new home. It was so hot but we had fun. They have five children, three are near Josh's age, and the two youngest are girls. So Josh and Jessie are loving that! When we go over there, the kids disappear! Boys in one room, girls in another!

Well, I think I've caught everyone up on what has been going on this summer. (I think.) I will try and do better and post more often. Jessie starts school in September so I'm sure there will be lots to talk about.