Sing a Song of Second Grade

Last Thursday, it was Second Grade Family Fun Night at grandson Matthew's elementary school. It's always fun to gather with parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins to support the young performers.

Matthew waited patiently for the signal to take the stage.

Haleigh waited patiently too.

Matthew took his place in the middle of a group of little girls. What a lucky guy!

Haleigh paid close attention to the singing.

The teachers work together to coordinate subject matter across the curriculum, so the second graders were singing songs about space travel and the solar system. That is right up Matthew's alley, since he thinks he might want to be an astronaut some day.

Looking through their telescopes.

Blasting off to outer space.

The principal, Mr. Linville, kept a watchful eye on the proceedings. Just as he has been doing since our kids were up on stage.

Mrs. Enneking is the music teacher, and had the students well prepared for their program. Just as she has been doing since our kids were up on stage.

Matthew's teacher is Mrs. Wilson. We taught together many years ago.

Ella enjoyed the program as well.

After the singing, the students took their parents to the gym for a little animal scavenger hunt. Matthew was working hard to finish first.

The answers to the questions were found on the animal reports done by the students and displayed around the room. This is Matthew's rhinoceros.

When the questions were answered, the students were rewarded with a candy treat.

Aunt Shylah kept an eye on Ella during the scavenger hunt.

We were greeted by a pretty sunset over the athletic fields as we exited the parking lot. A great ending to a night of second grade fun.

Take Me Back Tuesday

I'm sharing another group of vintage photos today, in a post I've renamed "Take Me Back Tuesday."

Fall at our house means corn harvest, and it was always a good opportunity to take some pictures atop the wagons as they were being brought in. They used to bring the wagons to the lot beside the barn, until we fenced it and put a horse in it. This was convenient since it was right beside our house. Days just like today, with clear, bright blue sky and crisp autumn air are my very favorite kind of fall days.

Here are Andrew and David, in the fall of 1985. Andrew is 1 1/2, and David is almost 3.

Fall 1986. David, almost 4, Jennifer, almost 1, and Andrew, 2 1/2. It must have been a warm fall day for that picture. No shirts, no shoes!

Fall, 1988. David, almost 6, Jonathan 1 1/2, Jennifer, almost 3, and Andrew 4 1/2.

I don't know if I stopped taking corn wagon photos after Adam was born, or I just couldn't locate one. Maybe they weren't quite as interested. Or maybe it was too hard to get all 5 up on that wagon! Anyway, I found a fall picture of the 5 of them, taken at Hanover College over fall break, 1995.
Jonathan 8, David, almost 13, Adam 5, Andrew 11, and Jennifer, almost 10.

This was taken in the soybean field for our Christmas card, 1996. I know they will love seeing this one. :)

To continue the tradition, this is grandson Matthew posing on the corn wagon. I think he was 2 1/2. We need to get a picture of his sisters up there with him before the corn is all in! Happy Tuesday!

Oh, Boilers...

It was a great day tailgating on Saturday at Purdue, even if the outcome of the game wasn't great at all. Jim started off the day with chips and dip.

We picked up Jennifer and Bryan in Indy, and Bryan brought his famous guacamole.

I think it's a super secret recipe. That suits me just fine, since I'm happy to let him make it for us. :)

The sky was blue, and our flags were flying high. If you're ever at a Purdue game, look for us under the black Purdue train and Saints flag. We'll have tasty food and cold beverages to share.

Adam posed with a couple of his fraternity brothers, Doug and John.

Jonathan had a little run-in with this chair. That's why he's called Big Jon.

There are lots of colorful and unique flags in the lot.

Jonathan relaxed in another, sturdier chair.

We were glad to have John with us.

We also had Matt, Shelly, Abbi and Makenna up from Louisville for the game. Makenna, Matthew, and Abbi had some fun in the Tahoe.

I don't know how I missed getting Matt and Shelly in a picture. Maybe I was worried about what Shelly and Jennifer were planning to do on Sunday. Which was jump out of an airplane. Which they did. Successfully. God is good.

Haleigh is showing us she's one year old. Or we're number one. Or not.

Darci and Ella.

I especially like Darci's shirt.

And the cookies she made.

Jon and Hay having some fun with the little football.

Or was it the bottle?

Our friend Carl stopped by to see us, and shared a smile with Ella.

Watch the bottle, Ella.

Adam and his friend Doug, who grew up just down the road in Milroy.

Jamalyn was able to stop by, and got to pose with the two boys.

This guy was at the tailgate next door, and we enjoyed his fancy coat.

As usual, we served juicy burgers and blue cheese slaw.

Matthew and Haleigh played a little corn hole.

I'm not sure Haleigh really grasped the concept.

Hello down there!

She looks cute anyway.

The pregame show was exciting under the lights.

I Am An American.

The coin toss kid goes out with the captains for the toss.

Of course, there were some visitors in the stands.

Purdue Pete delivered roses to someone in the stands near us.

After a pretty dismal first half, the band was the highlight of the game. Can you see the drummers doing handstands on the drums?

It was a dance theme, and unfortunately, it would be the only dancin' by the Boilers. But as I've said before, it is time spent with family and friends that makes it a great day. We'll keep telling ourselves that, anyway. :)