Katie's Birthday

Yesterday at grandma's we celebrated Katie's birthday. We had cake and ice cream and played "Even Elephants Forget". It was fun! We should do a production of Lonely Goatherd. I can't yodel very high though!

Bob Kramer's Marionettes

Yesterday mom surprised us by bringing us to Bob Kramer's Marionettes, a puppet theater right next to S.L.U. It was awesome! First a nice guy named Doug brought us in and showed us how to make puppets. First, you use clay, then slastic, and then use plastic wood, and then wood and paint and clothes for the body. After that we learned the history of puppets and all the different kinds. Then, the puppet show. A few more people came and made a show with marionettes. They tapped, sang and danced. It was really funny. Then we bought two marionettes, a dog and dragon. For lunch we went to the Fountain on Locust. I had red onion soup and then orange sherbet. It was delicious! Then we went home. We had a great time!

JA Biztown

Today I went to a place called JA Biztown. We got to have jobs and earn a paycheck to buy things. I was mayor. It was awesome! While the family was at Jefferson City I gave Uncle John his Genius Cake. It was pure genius-as for Uncle John.

Baby Bird

We have a bird living in our flower basket that laid eggs. A few days ago one hatched- it is SO cute! It has little tiny downy feathers, and it hasn't opened its eyes yet. We saw it on the day it hatched. There were only two eggs, one hasn't hatched. We don't know if it will. School starts tomorrow! I'm pretty excited. I will post after my open house today.

My Kind of Town

Our trip to Chicago was awesome! Day One: We rode the train to Chicago. When we arrived we got lunch at a deli- it was delicious! We picnicked in Millenium Park and walked to the Bean. Then we walked over the curvy bridge and took a lakeside stroll. Then we walked back to the Swissotel, a 43 story triangular hotel. After that we waited and waited for our rooms. Finally we got them and we were having problems with the lights and the TV- not fun. For dinner we went to giordano's with Amy and got Chicago style pizza. It was yummy! Then we swam at our hotel with Aunt Gerri and went to bed. Day 2: In the morning we walked to Navy Pier and rode the swings. Then we went on an architectural boat tour. That was really cool. Then we went to the Big John and got Jamba Juice smoothies- YUM! We went to the observatory on the fastest elevator in the USA. When we got up I was amazed. It was the best view I had ever seen in my life! It was the only time I had seen the whole of Chicago in one glance. That was very cool! Then we went to the hotel for a while. then we went back to Navy Pier and got a quad bike and we all pedaled along the lake and got a beautiful view. After that we ate at Fox and Obel. Yum! Then we looked at the riverside fountain and sat and watched the fireworks and dipped our feet in the river. Then we went to bed. Day 3: We went to the Field's Museum and saw Sue the T-Rex. Then we went to the Art Institute and saw the bucket boys. They were amazing! At night we rested and saw an awesome free jazz concert in Millenium Park. Then we slept at the Swissotel. Day 4: We packed up. Then we rode the Ferris Wheel in Navy Pier. Then we had a pointless journey and didn't even get to the Shedd's, so we went to the Sears and got a not very good view. Then we got Jamba Juice again and left on the train. Chicago is my kind of town!

The Lake

Yesterday I went to Mark Twain Lake. I skied so much that my back hurts-Uncle John, that doesn't mean I'm an old lady! Aunt Gerri, Aunt Becky, Elizabeth, Erich, Katie, Grandpa and I were all there. We swam and had jumping contests also. We had so much fun!

Aunt Gerri

Sorry I haven't posted! Our computer had to be defragged. So, on Friday I went to Six Flags and rode Mr. Freeze in the dark! On saturday we cleaned, went to mass, and got 25 cent drinks at Mobil-on-the-Run. On Sunday we went to grandma's and played games with Aunt Gerri and got shakes and candy at QT. Yesterday we went to the pool with Aunt Gerri, Joe, Erich and Katie. That day we also got drinks at Mobil-on-the-Run. We had a lot of fun over the past few days! Scroll down for a pic of Fort Billiken.

Fort Billiken

Sorry I haven't posted. I've been at pottery class and playing in fort billiken. Fort Billiken is a fort we made with blankets and chairs. It's huge! We have 2 couches, a TV, 2 tables, cards, and paper to draw on. The couches convert into beds. We have slept in it the past 2 nights. It's actually really comfortable! I'm going to Six Flags with Elizabeth and Madison's family tonight! I will ride Mr. Freeze in the front row again. I'm so excited!

Scroll down for pictures of A Week Of Fun. CMB

Cupcakes

Last night we invited the Reschkes over and had cupcakes that Elizabeth and I made. We didn't have any icing so we made homemade strawberry icing. They were delicious! Then we played and the Reschkes left. Then we watched Johnny Bravo. We had a fun time!

Answers

1. Uncle John: Grandpa turned quite fast while I was skiing, that's when I cut the wake, but I fell trying to get back over, and yes, everyone fell. 2. I did not drive the boat, I skied practically the whole time. 3. There was a lot of debris from the flood. I hit a few branches skiing.

Boat Trip

Yesterday I went on a boat trip on the Meremac River with grandpa, Elizabeth, Joe, Rachel, Aunt Becky, Erich, and Katie. We swam and I skied for about 25 minutes overall! Talk about a good night's sleep! I love to ski. I had a great time!

A Week of Fun

This week we did a lot of fun things. Monday: We went to the zoo and saw penguins, puffins, giraffes, bears, a sea lion show, etc. We rode on the carousel and train and saw Uncle John's building, too. Tuesday: Our only rest day of the week! Wednesday: We went to the Botanical Gardens with Kathleen and family and went in the Climatron, saw fountains, flowers, fed fish, and saw the awesome niki in the garden. Then we picnicked in Tower Grove park. After that we played on the playground and got completely in the wading fountain in our clothes! Then we ate frozen custard. Thursday: I went to Kathleen's house for a sewing class and I made my own skirt (as seen on Independence Day). After that I played with Kathleen and we also sewed a ribbon belt. Then Kathleen slept over. Friday: The 4th of July! We had a nice day of cleaning and then partied at Aunt Becky's. We gazed at the fireworks in the middle of the gravel road. Then off to bed! It was a tiring day. That was my week of fun!

St. Jude's

A few days ago I had a lemonade and cookie and brownie stand to raise money for St Jude's Hospital because my parents are actually taking Elizabeth and I to Memphis this year! I'm running the 5k. Total over 2 days I earned $34. It was slow, but fun.

Swing Dance

Last night I went to a swing dance party with Elizabeth, my friend Kafweeny and her family. It was for fundraising for Elizabeth's friend's musical, Little Women. We learned how to swing dance and I danced with Kathleen's brother Joe. We learned the hardest step, the pretzel. We also had a charleston contest. I didn't win, but I got pretty far. It was awesome!

The Pool

Yesterday we went to the pool with Aunt Gerri. We went down the dark yellow slide and the bright green slide. Will tried them for the first time but only liked the green slide. We also went in the lazy river and whirlpool, and went down the blue slide where you get shot out of. I did a flip off of the diving board, too! Then we went to sonic and I got a lemon-berry real fruit slush. It was so good! I had lots of fun!

Sleepover

Two nights ago I went to a sleepover at Madison's house. We swam in her pool, drew, and watched half of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom ( We didn't have enough time to finish it.) I was more scared of the first one than the second, although the second was freaky. I had fun!

Dinner Party

Tonight we are having a dinner party. My dad's going to use the grill. My friend Madison and her family and Elizabeth's friend and her family are all coming over. I'm so excited!

Tracball

Last night we were playing tracball as a lacrosse game and we fought for the ball. When I tried to get the ball mom accidentally whacked me in the eye with her watch-now my eye's all puffy and red! The game was fun otherwise. I'm an idiot! I'm editing the post I wrote this morning, I completely forgot that yesterday we went to sonic and I got a lemon berry real fruit half-price slushie at happy hour. Then we went to Vlasis Park and ran around in water and played at the playground. It was awesome!

Circus Flora

Two days ago I went to Circus Flora with my friend and my family. It was so cool! They rode horses, did tightrope, trapeze, flipping, and tamed goats! The theme was Robinhood. After that I slept over at my my friend Maddy's house. I had so much fun! PS to Uncle Joe: We love tracball! That's the only thing we play these days. Thank you!

Will's Birthday

William had a great birthday! When we first woke up Will opened his Wham-o Tracball set. It's kind of like lacrosse. Then we played that a while, went to mass, and honored our father. After that, Will and dad went to the driving range while mom and I went to Dierbergs. We hung up streamers and surprised Will when he came in. Then we had QT slushies. That night our friends the Reschkes came over and we ate the Billiken cake that I made and decorated. Then we played and went to bed. It was so fun!

Branson

We had an awesome Branson vacation! My favorite part was Silver Dollar City. I rode Wildfire! There was a 65 mph 100 foot drop! We also went on a Scenic Railway, looked at a fish hatchery, and swam. Our condo was awesome! Overall the trip was THE BEST short trip ever!

Chinese Culture Days

Yesterday Will, Katie, Aunt Gerri and I went to the Botanical Gardens and it was Chinese Culture Days. We decorated a fan and got our names written in chinese. We saw a parade with a dancing dragon! We also saw lots of flowers and went in the climatron. It was so fun!

4 1/2 Days Left!

Only four and a half days left of school! I'm in a basketball competition for the end of the year. All the teams voted on which team they thought was the best-that's my team! My first game is on Tuesday. I'm so excited!

Fishing Trip

Today the 4th grade went on a field trip to a lake and we went fishing. From the time we got there to lunch time I had caught nothing. I was discouraged and muddy! Finally after lunch someone told me where to catch fish and I caught three. Then we went back to school and wrote about our trip. It was fun!

Cardinals Game

Tomorrow at the Cardinals game the Wren Singers will sing the Star Spangled Banner to start the game (that's my school's choir). My friend Madison and I are going to go to the game with dad and Will. I'm pretty excited! Do any of you know about Blackle? It's Google except it's black because white screens use so much energy because they are so bright. That's why I turned my blog black, to save energy.

Cardinals Game

Tomorrow at the Cardinals game my school's choir is singing to start the game. My friend Maddy and I are going with dad and Will. Have you ever heard of Blackle? It's Google except the screen is black to save energy. That's why my blog is black now.

Grandma and Grandpa

For dinner Grandma and Grandpa Shaw came over. The dinner and dessert were great! Grandpa pulled out Will's tooth during the visit. It was fun! 9 and 1/2 days left of school! I"m so excited about summer!

Vacations

We are going on 2 awesome vacations this summer! In June we are going to Branson and Silver Dollar City! I'm going on the scariest rides like Wild Fire. I'll ride anything unless it's a death trap! We are also going on a train with Aunt Gerri to a fancy hotel in Chicago! There's a pool on the 40th story overlooking Chicago! I'm so excited!

MAP's

Uncle John, I do adore school, but the MAP's are something to scream about! They start tomorrow. Oh, the torture! The good thing is we have no homework the next few weeks, but I'd rather have pages of homework instead of testing. The answers on my eye lids are already blinked away. I've been having bad luck, I guess.

Spring Break

A lot has happened over spring break. We got our pictures taken, Elizabeth had a party and got her ears pierced, and awesome Uncle John came over! ( I wrote that for him) I don't want to go back to school! The M.A.P.'s are coming up. That is torture! It's like being in jail! ( Actually Uncle John wrote the answers on my eyelids, so I'm good!)