Sunny day at the Park

The weather has warmed up considerably this past week and almost all of the snow is gone. It was warm enough to take Allyson to the park. She had so much fun on the new playground.

Our friend Sandra met us at the park with her little ones, Max and Amelia. Allyson found Sandra's stash of graham crackers. Here she's snacking while hanging from the monkey bars. Thankfully Sandra made sure she didn't break her neck. 

The Youngest Author

I have a book due to be published in April. The subject matter is pretty simple: how to have fun in Branson. Today my little 5-year-old came home with a book she'd written. Nicole chose the subject matter from her heart and, in the innocence of her age and skill level, wrote a book with more impact than her mommy's ever will have. She said she wanted to write this book because she cares about poor people and wants to make them happy. Here is the book by the youngest author in the Davis family.

The title is "Poor"

"Poor is a person." (The smiley face was supposed to be sad but she forgot.) 

Poor person like in Australia there is a poor person. (Again, she said the smiley face was supposed to be sad but she forgot.) 

"I care about the poor." (This is a picture of a big fruit that the poor can't have.) 

There was an overlay in her book with a picture of a poor person with rain pooring on their head. The person is allergic to the rain. 

The back cover is a lot more hopeful with the sun and a rainbow and a declaration, "I love God."

Love Notes

Nicole has been studying how letters are written, addressed and mailed. This week she came home with four very special letters in her backpack.

This one is to Papa Sedenko. It says, "Dear Papa, I love you because you have a dog and one cat. Sincerely, Allyson and Nicole Davis" (She likes to write her sister's name.)

This one is to Grandma Sedenko. It says, "Dear Grandma, You are caring because you have a dog and you also have a cat. Sincerely, Nicole Davis Allyson Davis (Allyson's name is continued on the top line because she ran out of room.)

The longest letter was to the dog, Marrie.

 "Dear Marrie, I love you being a dog because you are white. I am glad to be your dog. [I think she means owner.] You are a great dog. You are special to me. Love, Nicole."

And, here's one to the cat:

"Dear Mercy,

I love you because you are pretty, because you are gray. You are a great cat. Love, your cousin, Nicole."

On the back of Mercy's letter is a picture of her/him and Marrie. Mercy is the gray one. (Mercy is really a boy but the girls insist he is a she.)

Nicole did say she has letters planned for Papa and Nana Davis, too. 

Snowy Town

It's warming up in Springfield and all of the snow from the past few weeks is melting. I thought I'd post some of the pictures I took one day after it snowed. We drove to a friend's house and I kept snapping pictures as we drove. I love snow covered roads and buildings and trees...especially when the sun is coming out and the sky is blue after the storm. (I'm not sure why there is gray beneath each picture. These were all taken with my cell phone so maybe that has something to do with it. ??)

These are neighbors who live around the corner. Everyone was digging out after the storm the day before.

View from our neighborhood looking toward Battlefield Road, the main street into town (and the mall!).

This is one of my favorite houses in the neighborhood. I thought it looked so beautiful in the snow.

This little church is where Nicole attends VBS each summer.

Our friend's house. We made it!

Happy Valentines Day!

This morning began with ballons and baked blueberry french toast. Britt worked really late last night because of report writing and training so he slept in while I took Nicole to school.

Later Allyson and I met Nicole at school for her Valentine party. We made hats, had snack and watched Nicole open her Valentines. For a week or two we've been working on addressing and "mailing" Valentines to her classroom buddies through the class "post office." The kids were sooo excited!

Allyson decided to get in on the class picture. She didn't have a Valentine mailbox so she decided to hold her snack plate. I was so thankful the food didn't end up on the floor!

Nicole and her friend, Esther or "Essie". This is the granddaughter of my former college professor.

Next year I'll have to remember to use a bigger shoe box!

This evening Britt took me to Pythian Castle, one of the oldest buildings in Springfield. We had dinner and dancing. There was even a dance instructor there who performed and then did some instruction before we "let loose." There was also singing during dinner. It was such a nice evening! 

During WWII this room was used as a dance hall for the USO.

This building was originally used as a home for widows and orphans. We were shown a few rooms but will have to return for a tour another day. 

 They also hold weddings in the theatre area.

This room once served as the library.