Retiring Our Flag

After putting up our new American flag we needed to properly dispose of the old one. The American Legion in Overland Park has this box where you can put them and they will burn them properly in their next ceremony. Adam and Lowell helped me get it in the box without letting it touch the ground.
 

Just Chillin'

Cindy and I in Parsons on a summer afternoon. Could I have a bigger bottle of pop (probably RC)? 1977
 

It's Summer Time!

Let the fun begin. Lowell and Colin tried out my new splash pad. Nothing like backyard fun. They requested popsicles for the next time.

 

Flying Our Colors

We celebrated Memorial Day by flying our new flag from Matthew. He presented it to us after returning from his Qatar deployment last year. It was in his plane when it flew over Iraq on a combat mission.
 

Gammy Pot

Hayden made me a beautiful Gammy pot.

 

Kids' Flea Market

The Learning Tree in Corinth sponsored a kids flea market in the parking lot. For a $10 entry fee, kids reserve a space to sell their outgrown toys, books, ride on toys, etc. The Learning Tree only facilitates - the kids run the booths (with parents nearby). They had quite a turnout of sellers and buyers. Great teaching opportunity for young entrepreneurs.

 

I Made It!

This tree stump in Meadowbrook Park is twice as tall as Lowell but she made it to the top. Going down safely was a bit dicier. She's a climber.
 

Gammy Day

Busy Gammy day with the three big kids. We visited Round Hill Playground, spritzed some plants ...

Vala conducted storytime for Adam ...

Went on a nature scavenger hunt and found a fairy garden that had been windblown and set everything right.

Lancer Grad

Hard to believe Stacy's graduation was 27 years ago yesterday. It was our first graduation as parents. 1997
 

Mother Nature Strikes Again

Thankfully not our tree but the storm that blew through - now classified as a tornado - came entirely too close. We had one tree down like this a block away (they cut it up because it was across the road before I got a photo) but most of the damage was farther north. This is at 75th and Nall. Just sheared it off.
 

Bird Migration Highlight

With the large migration north this month, I had the joy of finding two gold finches on my feeder.
 

Baptism of Benson

Benson was baptized yesterday by Pastor Aaron and Pastor Michael. His sister, Cecilia, poured the baptismal water into the font as her parents looked on.

 

Celebrating 50 Years

We celebrated Lee and Susan's 50th wedding anniversary. You see the four kids and then with grandchildren. All boys.

 

Graduation Day

 Adam and friends graduated from Pre-K. On to kindergarten. Colin also participated in the program.

Preschool Singers

Vala and her Koala class performed at the spring program at Knox daycare.

 

Gussie and EA

Since Gussie's birthday is coming up, I chose this photo of her and EA. I love that the teeter totter we all played on (or a version of it) is in the picture. 1943
 

Pure Joy

Colin loves swimming so we tried out Splash with Me in Lenexa. He had reservations to begin with but eventually embraced it.
 

A Friendly Rock

Landscape fun.

 

Mother's Day Fun

Lowell took a fine photo of us mothers (and Colin). Taking the grandchildren was a whole nother story.

 

Eating the Rainbow

Easy to see the rainbow at the City Market.

Took a Beating

My plants, especially the begonias, were pummeled in the Wednesday morning beat down by Mother Nature as you can see in the before picture below. I'm hoping they will recover quickly.

 

The Allure of the Stones

Since we were kids, the pond at Antioch Park calls to kids. And the stepping stones add a new level of fun - and concern someone will fall in. Adam noted how green everything seemed.
 

Celebrating Me

Birthday celebration when I was (almost) 33. I think I still look the same so the grandkids were right this year. 🤣🤣
 

Watching for Fish

Colin and I were on the boardwalk over the marsh at Black Hoof Park. I thought he was looking for turtles but he said he was looking for fish. And we did see some quite tiny ones.
 

Celebrating a Renovated Sanctuary

We dedicated our renovated sanctuary Sunday. Lots more room at the front and the blue carpet is gone. The pews now have padding on back and seats. Unfortunately the pews weren't bolted down yet because of problems with the concrete floor but that part should be finished in the next week or so.

 

Happy Birthday to Me!

The grandkids helped me blow out the candles on my cake. Colin particularly enjoyed the singing of Happy Birthday.
 

Fairy Flowers

Lowell and Vala like to collect flowers to leave for fairies to use in their homes.
 

5518

May 3, 2009 was the first photo on my blog. Since then I've produced 5,518 posts. That's a bunch of photos! Stacy suggested the blog and she brought me this beautiful gift to commemorate 15 years of posting. Always my cheerleader.
 

Professional Quality

Outstanding performance by Indian Hills Middle School kids. We attended opening night and it was well staged, with amazing singers and everyone knew their lines. Congrats to Assistant Director Hayden and the rest of the production staff. Below, hands in before the curtain went up.

 

Let It Fly

Howard gave my garter a good toss. It's Helen Jensen and Mildred Hayes standing to the side. 1977
 

Hidden in the Playground

We recently learned that car tracks are hidden in playground equipment at a few parks. Colin and I found this one at Taliaferro Park in Prairie Village. It's not very long and could use more height/drop to keep the cars moving but eventually Colin got into it. The track twists around the treehouse/slide.