Giving Back

At the tiny age of four weeks, Skyler has been my greatest and by far, the best volunteer partner! She's been taught very early in life to always give back to her community. She attends Kiwanis and my many civic events and will be the first to tell you that, "A community can not exist without Volunteers!"

The day before Easter, we had the opportunity to support a local Fire Rescue Worker's fundraiser for Robin White's son who was paralyzed in a gymnastics accident. Before the South Lakeland event started, we enjoyed a few hours at the Library, which is usually a Sunday routine, but because of the holiday, we came a day early. Sky donated many of her gently used books and then we dove into reading.....one of our favorite pastimes.

Every week, my Princess draws me a beautiful picture before we check out our books and I just have to share her latest masterpiece. Doesn't it make you smile? So blessed to have such a happy and caring little girl.

By Noon, we arrived at the fundraiser and enjoyed many activities and lunch. We even got to spend time with my Kiwanis Brother and my K sponsor, Dillon Daniels. Dillon and I have been friends for over twenty five years and he's a huge Skyler fan, especially Thursday mornings! 

 Lunch time....

Skyler enjoyed watching the helicopter land and touring the fire truck. I think her favorite part was putting her own money (from allowances) in the donation bucket. She sported a huge smile!

 *WoW*

She loved the many seats and climbing the steps into the truck. Such a great Saturday indeed!

Doctors & Pixie Dust

That final exam that included the last rotation of shots and a school physical happened Thursday, the 17th. Hard to believe my sweet Princess is getting ready for Kindergarten. It was all smiles as we waited for Dr. Eanett.

The Doc loved Skyler's bunny nose and after 3 shots, we walked out of the Watson Clinic with stickers and paperwork for the upcoming school year. Skyler's health is perfect and she's still above average on height (87%) and average in weight (52%).

And of course, since this visit was the last scheduled appointment until any unforeseen sickness, I just had to capture a photo of  the final day and compare it to the FIRST day in 2009. Enjoy....

 Five days old....

To add to the excitement, Skyler lost another tooth the very next day. It was placed in her special pouch and put under her pillow for the Tooth Fairy that Friday night. She woke up to a trail of Pixie Dust and riches!

School Bunny

Another fun holiday celebrated at school! Skyler and her class mates got to design their own bunny ear hats and then go on a ABC egg hunt. The children gathered outside on the blanket and were then given instructions to find the plastic eggs that had the letters in their first name.

 

 Skyler was on a mission searching for six certain eggs.

Once she located them all, she laid them out on her tray and spelled her name. This is quite an easy task for the Princess. She can already spell her first AND last name, along with mine, Daddy's, Laney's, Jesus' and God's.

 It was a cute learning activity.

Once each student spelled his/her name, they each got a Peep!

 One of our favorite Peeps, Ava....

Speaking of Peeps, the night before, Sky and I got crafty and made cute little Peep Pops for all ten classmates and four extra for Clayton, Kylie, Sebastian and Mrs. Maryl. They never offered all these beautiful colors when I was a kid.....Wow!

So we gathered our materials which included all four colorful peeps, sticks, bags, Easter ribbon and our homemade tags.

 A rainbow selection of Peeps....

 We tied our tag (I also added "Your friend, Skyler") to the bottom.

 

 Tasty cute.....

For Mrs. Fitzsimmons, our beloved teacher, we grabbed a clear plastic egg carton and filled it up with 3 Reese's White Chocolate & 3 Dark Chocolate eggs. After stuffing it with Easter grass and gluing on a tag, we were all ready to deliver smiles to our class!

 We also made an extra two for our friends so they could give their teachers a special surprise.

 My Happy little Bunny before school....

Papa's Day!

To many, April 15th symbolizes Uncle Sam and those dreaded taxes....Not in our family!! April 15th is all about Papa and his Birthday celebration. We rejoiced in his 76th Birthday. The Princess requested pink cupcakes and purple party hats. 

Since my Daddy entered God's glorious Kingdom before his 74th Birthday in 2012, Skyler and I have always thrown a little party in his honor and will continue to do so.

We sang Happy Birthday loud and proud and then Sky blew out the candle.

 Woo-Hoo!

I am certain those bag pipes were blaring loud and a grand gala was had by all!

One of my dear friends and Kiwanis brothers/club Treasurer, Richard Sellers, also shares the SAME birthday with Papa. It was tradition that I always bought my Daddy his favorite bottle of scotch. Since his passing, I have continued to make that April 15th purchase, but I present it to Richard. It also happens to be his favorite evening spirit! Anyway, Richard liked my Dad very much and I was so honored when he sent me this photo taken that Tuesday evening, the 15th. He set a glass out for my father and toasted to a remarkable man!

Me & Richard.......

Hunting the Bear

On April 11th, Skyler and her PreK class got to on an adventurous Bear Hunt with their teacher and because I volunteered to help, I got to witness all the cuteness that beautiful Friday morning!  Going on any kind of hike requires a back pack and there's nothing better than a homemade sack! Skyler drew a map of the places she planned to travel. Through tall grass, river, mud, forest and snow, and finally the tent to capture their bear.

It was mandatory that everyone's attire for the hunt included shorts and flip flops. YES, I said shorts, something the Princess is not fond of. Seven days prior to the "Hunt", I would talk to Skyler all about the upcoming event and mention shorts. When the actual day arrived, I said a prayer and not only was Sky okay with the attire, but no tears were shed. I did tell her that know she can start wearing all beautiful shorts in her closet. She just gave me that look and said, "Only today, Mummy!"  

 All ready!

She even made her binoculars! 

 Marching to the tall grass....

 Let the fun begin.....

 Next came the River, aka tubs of water....

 Mud time.....

 Into the forest....

Sorry I have no pictures of the snow since it was my duty to throw cotton balls as the children walked through the "blizzard". Into the tent to seize their bear.

Skyler loved showing her class mates her bear from Auntie Nic and Uncle Bogie. She said it looked real!

After the students retrieved their bears, Mrs. Fitzsimmons jumped out with a massive brown bear and chased the children back through the snow storm, forest, mud, water and tall grass until they reached the classroom before enjoying a picnic. Laughter could be heard for miles! Such joy!!!

 Sky and Ava, who is an absolute Precious girl!

 Lunch time!

 My sweeties....

 This little girl, Ava, shares her love with me each and every day. She also gives great hugs!

 Now for my favorite little bear hunter.....