Kindergarten

Nothing is better in Caroline's world than kindergarten!  She loves every second of every day that she is at school and the days she is not at school she is thinking about going to school!  In fact one evening in her anger she said, "That's it I'm moving in with Mrs. Dailey!"  Caroline's favorite part about kindergarten is when she gets to be Mrs. Dailey's helper.  When she is the helper she gets to wear a special bracelet and be the bathroom monitor, line leader, paper passer and do anything Mrs. Dailey needs done.  She has even decided that for Halloween she is going to dress up at "Mit Daywe."  I love to see her so excited about school.  It makes my teacher heart burst with pride!

Evans Scholar in the Making

Caroline decided this summer that she wanted to learn to play golf like Uncle Chris.  She joined the junior golf program at Cyote Creek Golf Club and it was a hit!  She even won the chipping contest one week.  The final week they went on the golf course and played 3 holes.  On one hole Caroline "eagled" the whole with a long put.  She says she plans to golf again next year.  I'm secretly hoping her new hobby will help to pay for a part of her college.

Loco for Poco

We lived and breathed the pool this summer.  Caroline began learning to swim and by the end of the summer she was able to swim in the 3 feet end WITHOUT her floaties!  She is hoping to take swim lesson over the winter so she can swim in the deep end next summer on her own.

Preschool Graduate

Caroline has conquered preschool and she has loved every minute of it!  Caroline spent the majority of her year at the paint easel.  Now when we drive by Sonrise Caroline announce that it is not her school anymore.  Now she goes to Lincoln.  The graduation ceremony was great.  She marched into the graduation march, proudly sang her songs, announced that she wanted to be a Police Woman she grew and smiled for a few photo opportunities.  We are forever grateful to the Sonrise teachers for helping to shape Caroline into the young girl she is becoming.

The Spring Recital

This year's recital amazed me.  I was so proud of both of the girls.  Caroline had a challenging piece and I remember the first night we practiced I thought to myself, "Miss Anni wants her to play this?"  Caroline rose to the challenge and full of poise and confidence hopped up on that bench and player her heart out!

Grace was a bit nervous about her violin piece this time around. She was nervous that she might mess up and people would notice.  I tried to give a little pep talk and tell her that I do not know many 7 year olds who can play two musical instruments.  As she put her violin on her shoulder and began to play I held my breath and was astonished at how far she has come with the violin.  The sound was beautiful and her smile was even more beautiful.

This year the girls had two special guests: Aunt DG and Mrs. Van Cott.  It was a treat to spend the afternoon with them.  The girls were overjoyed with the beautiful flowers that Mrs. Van Cott brought for them.

We are taking a small break this summer and then will be be back to Asecendo to spend our Monday nights starting in the Fall.

Kindergarten here she comes!

This is what the Class of 2029 looks like!  Caroline has started the countdown to kindergarten.  She is registered and ready to go!  I think we will enjoy some pool time first though.

Easter 2016

This was the year that Caroline began to comprehend the Easter Story.  After having Bible Theatre at preschool and making a tomb craft she was excited to retell the story to Emmy after school.  The story went something like this:  "Jesus had to go in that cave.  They put the BIG stone.  And then in 2 days they go to get Jesus and He not there!  This cloth is there."  When she was asked where Jesus was she said "He Alive!"  What more do you need folks?  That is child-like faith at its finest!  

Columbia City Eagles Fan

Caroline spent many Friday and Saturday nights in the Donald S. Weeks Memorial Gymnasium.  She became quite the basketball fan.  Uncle Chris started her invited her to go to a game with him and little did he know it would become he and Caroline's weekly ritual.  Caroline learned the Star- Spangled Banner, how to holler at the refs and the ins and out of catching shirts during the time outs.  She is already looking forward to next season.

A Momma at Heart

Caroline is getting quite the name as a babysitter.  She loves to babysit her "cousin" Addy and her "sister in law" Laila.  She is very capable as well.  She knows just what they need at just the right time.  She even lets me know what to do with her "clients" when she needs to use the restroom.  No worries her 10+ babies are still receiving top-notch care as well.  She told Emmy that she would like another baby but her momma would be angry because we do not have any more room for babies.  If anyone was dorn to be a momma it was Caroline.

A pet for the week

It was finally Caroline's turn to bring home the class pet from preschool- Billy: The Hermit Crab. Luckily Billy came home with us the right week we had haircuts at Dawn's!  Billy had a little trim behind the shell.  Caroline loved Billy!  She took him to piano, outside to play and he even slept in her room one night.  However, she was not fond of the smell that came along with him.  Thankfully at the end of the week she didn't request her own hermit crab.

Advent 2015

This year we did something a little different for Advent.  Sonrise (Emmy's church) did something called as "The Christmas Experience."  Each week we were given a word for the week and challenges to help us dig deeper.   We learned the reason it is called Christmas, why we decorate Christmas trees, Who St. Nicholas was, and what Emanuel means.

Christmas Program

Caroline had been talking about this program for WEEKS!  She would not practice for us until she was 100% sure she knew the words and motions.  She got on that stage and sung her little heart out!  "Mary Did You Know?"  may be my new all time favorite Christmas carol.  It was heart-warming to see Caroline worship.

First Piano Recital

Caroline was able to participate in her first piano recital.  She seemed a little nervous at first but rose to the occasion and shined like only Caroline can shine.

He did it again!

Caroline is becoming quite the cheerleader.  Uncle Chris ran a half-marathon and Caroline was one of his #1 fans.  She even ran the last leg with him!

She was so proud of Uncle Chris' accomplishment.  Her exact words were, "Uncle Chris is a great runner!"  

A new cousin

Caroline fell in low all over again!  Aunt Carrie lets Caroline hold Addie whenever and for however long she wants.

Trunk or Treat

This was the first year that Caroline got to be a helper at Trunk or Treat at Lincoln.  She was quite the worker with Mrs. Miller and Ms.Devos.  I didn't get a shot of her in action but I did get an after shot.

Fall Family Fun

Uncle David and Aunt DG invited us for a fun fall day in Indy.  Uncle David wanted to show us the big library in Indy in honor of our finishing our big tour of the Allen County libraries.  We met up at the library and began our day.  

 While we are at the library they were having a special performance from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for kids.  

After the library we headed to Uncle David's office for lunch and playing.  We didn't take any pictures but we made lots of memories.  Then we headed to the Apple Orchard to pick apples and have hot cider.  

We ended the day with dinner and lounging around Uncle David and Aunt DG's place and then heading home.