lima

we headed up to lima last weekend to visit friends and had a great little vacation.  russ played in a golf tournament supporting a friend in need of a kidney transplant on saturday and then we played until the drive home on monday.  we stayed with some great friends who also have a 5-year old daughter so j and e were well entertained.

it was great to see everyone on our yearly visit to ohio.  j and e are more and more comfortable with the other kids each time we go and little miss c just adores jeremy and liza (who refers to as 'nana'?!?!?!).  our one low point all weekend...j was convinced there was a killer cat hiding under the house and absolutely, positively, 100% refused to go outside.  we had pure hysteria on our hands.  it was ridiculous.  HOURS later, when everyone had given up on reasoning and trying to explain that the stray cat had left the yard and was not to be seen, i just picked her up and took her outside.  held her on my lap for about an hour (against her will) and then, wouldn't you know it, as soon as one of her sisters got hurt from playing too rough she was good to go and i was able to go fix that problem :)  love that kid to death but told her if she ever asked for a cat again i might go nuts on her....seriously.  no cats for this family.  ever. 

on a completely random note...russ was really enjoying the fact that he was in ohio, staying at a buckeye fan's home, when it was announced Tressel resigned from Ohio State.  Go Blue!!!!!

the official end of j's preschool years....

this was the end of labeling my oldest as a "preschooler"....exciting and sad at the same time :)  next year we officially enter the elementary years!!  j is super excited but it's hit her that while kindergarten is going to be super cool, she's also leaving her teachers of the last two years and all her friends.  she had two years of school with most of the same kids and unfortunately she will be moving to her elementary school with only one little friend.  who's not going to be in her class.  total bummer.  she is child who enjoys consistency and "change" is not to her liking.  sorry kiddo.  get ready for a whole new world :)

towards the end of school her class had a little music/art show.  i was able to go watch without the little's (thanks mom) so i could actually pay attention and take a few pictures!  here she is in all her glory!!!

typical.

tootie-ta!!

After the show we headed outside for a picnic and games....

j and her best buddies comparing popsicles.  each one is heading to different elementary...boo.

and then finally the last day of school....j thought it was totally cool that the whole family was there.  we were heading out of town so the car was packed and we were ready to hit the road.  fun for russ to get to pick her up. 

lining up for the last time... 

j and Ms. Pam.  lordy this lady was wonderful for our j.  we are so sad she is retiring this year but good gracious...after 20+ years of teaching preschool she deserves some rest!!!!