FIRST GRADE THOUGHTS

Today Avery brought me her journal from first grade to put in her "keepsake box". I LOVE reading it -- her thoughts are so precious. And it is amazing to see how she has developed in her spelling & handwriting in less than two years. Here are a couple of her entries:

November 15, 2006

"I am thankful for Mommy. Cose she cooks good. Also Dad he is home from work. Also God he dide on the coros. And Ella cose she is my sistr."

December 12, 2006

"I love trees thae are butuful Becuse thae reminde me of God thae are shapt like a triangl Gob is three in one like a triangl."

I love my beautiful Avery!

Avery -- November 2006 (6 years old)


Avery -- July 2008 (8 years old)

LITTLE FISHIES

Every summer I am amazed at the progress in Avery & Ella's swimming. Two weeks of lessons and they become like "little fishies" in the water! Ella started the summer fearful to get off the ladder. She refused to get in unless Eric or I would swim with her. But now she is taking off with no bubble and swimming with her face in the water! Avery is working on her dive and trying to get faster and faster times across the pool. We are thankful for our generous neighbors who let us swim in their pool whenever we want! To see more fun photos of Avery, Ella, and our neighbor friend, Anaja, click here

NEW LIBRARIES

Many of you know that one of our favorite summer activities is exploring new libraries. We love our county's library system because we can check materials out from any library and return them to any library. And there are almost 30 locations to choose from! We have already visited 7 different locations since school let out -- some old favorites and a few new. Today we visited a new library in the city and we loved it!

As Avery and I were selecting books and DVDs, Ella was reading to a new friend.

Then, much to their delight, they were invited to play cards with a group of girls.

The only problem with all of these library trips is the heavy bag of books at the end!

(photo taken by Avery)

LEMONADE! 25 CENTS!

This was the chant heard throughout the neighborhood as Avery, Ella & Meghan manned their lemonade stand in our front yard this afternoon.

This was their second stand of the season -- an annual tradition that began last summer. Mom makes the lemonade, the girls sell and keep the profits. They made $1.30 each today!

FUEL CELL CAR COMES HOME!

Tomorrow we will ride in this GM fuel cell car for the July 4th parade. This is the car that Eric spends 40+ hours per week working on. We are so proud of Eric (aka Daddy) and the many patents he has been granted and those "in the works" in just the past 2 years!

It truly is the car of the future. As you can see from the labels on the back, there are no emissions (water only!) and it runs free of gas. It looks like a regular Chevy Equinox, but it's not the same inside!

Hydrogen gas is the only fuel, coupled with an electric battery to make this car go. I got to drive it tonight, as did some friends and family. It runs great!

GEORGIA ON OUR MINDS

We have had such a great time this week, visiting with our Georgia brother (Uncle Trav), sis-in-law (Aunt Anna), and cousins (Sairsha & Declan).

To get all four Connor boys together in one place, several times this week, was amazing!

We made many happy memories and had lots of laughs about old times and things to come. We love you! Come again soon!

BEFORE . . . AFTER

This week we all got haircuts. Here is Avery before . . .

. . . and almost 7 inches later!

Ella before . . .

. . . and after!

I got my hair cut too, but nothing so drastic. So I decided to change our bedroom around. We all need some change sometimes :)

CONNOR CONNECTION

We enjoyed a mini-family reunion this afternoon at Aunt Sheila's house. We gathered together to visit with Don & Marguerite, who were in town for a few days. Emmet, Sheila, and 3 of the 4 Connor brothers (and families) enjoyed a fun afternoon together. As you will see from the photo album , the cousins love spending time together :) Thank you, Sheila, for hosting us! We love you all!

LAURA & MARY NIGHT

"Mom, can we pleeeeeease have a Laura & Mary night?" This is the request heard occasionally around our house. A "Laura & Mary night" refers to Laura & Mary Ingalls, from Little House on the Prairie - sisters who got to sleep in the same bed every night. As with every other L&M night that we've attempted in the past, neither Avery nor Ella could fall asleep and they both ended up in their own rooms (still in sleeping bags). Too much fun, I guess! I don't think the real Laura and Mary had sleeping bags . . . hmmmm

THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANTS

This was the title of Avery & Ella's Drama Kids performance, acted out this past Saturday afternoon at a local college auditorium. Avery had the "lead" role of a grasshopper and Ella was an ant. This is a "before" picture without Avery's grasshopper gear :) The story gave a good lesson about working hard and knowing the right time for play. This year the girls have learned a lot about staging, projecting your voice, and acting. They loved spending Friday afternoons with their teacher, Miss Danielle, and their fellow actresses. Drama Kids is an international organization.

A VISIT WITH GRANDPA & GRANDMA

Mom & Dad T. visited with us last week. We had a great time doing many activities around town. One of our favorites was a walk in Highland Park. The girls found a great new place to go on a hot day -- named by them as "Triple Tree". As you can see from the pictures, the tree's name is based on it's three trunks. It is a shady, fun spot and we can't wait to go back for a picnic with Eric!

I took this picture at the Public Market. A nice vendor gave Avery and Ella a gerber daisy and I bought them each a lollypop -- we wish Grandpa & Grandma could go with us every week!

Follow this link to see more pictures of our day with Grandpa & Grandma

EARLY SUMMER FUN

Okay, it's not officially summer, but school is out! On Thursday, Ella enjoyed a swim party at her good friend Faithann's house.

Above are Ella and her friends: Anna, Melanie & Faithann.

The next day Avery & Ella had a great time with Maria and Tori doing water play in the backyard. When it's 90 degrees we call it summer!

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION

Our baby (aka Ella) graduated from Kindergarten yesterday. As usual, NBCS put on a special and wonderful program. Mrs. Rene recognized each child by using a word or phrase that she thought best suited them. She said that Ella is a "natural born leader". Mr. Stuart went on to quip that often the teachers would take the morning off and leave Ella in charge of the class :)

Ella did the introduction to one of their songs, "I Wanna Do What's Right". She read a little paragraph about choosing to do the right thing. Our favorite phrase was a very expressive "there are a million ways we can please Jesus . . ."

They closed the program by singing "First Grade, First Grade" to the tune of "New York, New York" -- so cute!

As Avery put it, "Yesterday you had a Kindergartner and 2nd grader. Today you have a 1st grader and 2nd grader. Tomorrow you will have a 1st grader and 3rd grader!" Last day of school today for Avery too -- Hello Summer! More on that in a later blog . . .

NEW YORK TO JORDAN

We had a blast early this week visiting our good friends, Josh & Nannette, home on a visit from Jordan. Kim, Gary, Eric and I drove from NY to Findlay, OH to spend a few days laughing, talking and encouraging each other. We stayed at a great bed & breakfast/horse farm. The entire guest house was ours! Memorable moments included competitive games of Catch Phrase (girls won the championship round!), late nights (for the New Yorkers) and time around the campfire. We love you, Josh & Nannette!

SPRING FLING 2008

This was a special day. My friend, Liz, decorated a beautiful table and I had the privilege to speak for North Baptist Church's annual Spring Fling. Eric was the technical guy -- in charge of all movies and visuals. Kristy, Mom W., and our friends, Andrea, Rachelle, Wendy and Alecia sat with us. We all enjoyed a wonderful event! The theme was Generations: Leaving a Legacy and we were challenged to think about what kind of legacy we are leaving.

I want to leave a legacy that matters in eternal ways -- one that brings glory to God and demonstrates His love to others. I praise God for answered prayers and for blessing us this morning!

2nd GRADE BUTTERFLIES

The other day I was walking from the school back to my office and I heard Avery calling my name. The 2nd grade was outside, setting their butterflies free. They have been studying butterflies and have watched their life cycle -- catterpiller to chrysalis to butterfly. I ran to get the camera and shot these adorable photos of the second grade kids and their butterflies.

SEABREEZE PARK -- THE BIG RIDES!

Ella on "The Spring"

Eric & Avery on "The Screaming Eagle". I refuse to go on this one and if you look at the picture below you'll understand why! Eric would not go on a second time -- where are the big cousins when we need them?!?

"The Tilt-A-Whirl" is definitely more my speed :)

Avery and Ella received season passes to Seabreeze for their birthdays (thanks grandparents!) and this past Saturday we went for the first time this year. Avery is FINALLY tall enough to get an "adult" pass and ride the big rides. She has been waiting for so long (at least for her)! Both Dad and Mom felt a little queasy after a few rides -- anyone want to volunteer to ride all day with her? The bigger ones in our family enjoyed the new "Music Express" ride -- Mom's favorite since it never leaves the ground! Ella rode "The Spring repeatedly, after she initially told me that she wasn't going to ride it until next year :) We are thankful for to have such a fun place in our hometown!

OLDEST TO YOUNGEST

Today we celebrated Grandpa White's 97th birthday. He is the sweetest man -- a kind and gentle person that we are blessed to have in our family. We enjoyed time with many of our Connor & White relatives, including the youngest member of our family, Chase Connor, 12 weeks old.

FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS

Avery spent a good part of her weekend making special "friendship bracelets" for every teacher and staff person at NBCS. She labeled envelopes for each person and delivered them at school today. Avery is so thoughtful and kind -- I am proud of the sweet girl that she is!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

We enjoyed a fun mother's day with our little family and Mom W. After a nice lunch, we went for a walk at North Ponds Park. The girls loved the Fit Trail stops (geared for seniors :) Most of our pictures were wind-blown, but here is a cute one of Eric and his mom.