Gracie is turning 5!

We have one little excited munchkin in our house tonight! Gracie Elizabeth turns five tomorrow. She has been announcing the number of days until her birthday to everyone she encounters these last 6 or 7 days. I love that she thinks everyone is interested in her life, even strangers. She has big birthday plans. She will have a blast at school tomorrow with her fabulous teachers and friends. My students have even asked her to come to our classroom tomorrow because some of them have gifts to give her! Friday night, we're having a Wild-n-Wacky BYOS Party. Gracie decided she wants everyone to dress crazy and bring your own steak, her favorite food. It should certainly be wacky. We didn't send out invitations this year, so please come if you'd like. We're getting wacky at Dad's house around 5:00. Call us if you need more information. Then, Gracie is sharing a pool party will her friend, Will. They are in class together at Oak Hill. The kids in their class are coming to swim with them at The Collins' new home. In case that's not enough, Gracie is leaving the next day on a trip to Destin with Grandma and Grandpa for 5 days!

For her birthday, we put a white iron bed with a trundle in her bedroom. We also bought her an Air Pogo swing. It is fabulous!!!!

Thanks for loving our girl for 5 years!

Mother's Day at School

Gracie's class had a Mother's Day brunch and program on Friday. It was precious! In the video you'll see her singing about keeping me in a little box. I love her little embarrassed smile!

Happy Mother's Day!

Gracie and I hosted a tea party for our mothers on Saturday. They couldn't all come but we enjoyed our time with the ones who came. In the photo from back left:
Louise (Gracie's Godmother), Karre, Phyllis (Grandma), Hilda (Nan), Gayle (Nana) and Gracie!

New Playground Equipment!

After finding out about a grant called "All Together Kids" funded by the United Cerebral Palsy, I applied and received money to purchase playground equipment. I was awarded $1,000 to purchase new equipment for school. The purpose of the grant is to allow kids (particularly kids with CP) to play more comfortably in a school or camp-type setting. Gracie and many more kids her age at school were thrilled to have equipment they could use more independently. Oak Hill has a nice playground, but the majority of the equipment is better suited for the older children.

If you know a child in Davidson County schools with a severe disability who would like more information on the grant, please email me at the address on the front page of this blog site. I'd be happy to share my experience.

Tooth Fairy

On May 1st, Gracie pulled her first tooth. She was at school with her friends. When I was told by one of the teachers, I ran with my camera to see her. She was so excited! She was told all day about the Tooth Fairy and what to expect. So... when we got home she pulled another tooth! It actually was a loose tooth, but it really took some wiggling for her to get it out. After that, I made her promise me she'd keep her hands out of her mouth.

BTW- Gracie's tooth fairy brought her two $2 bills. She calls the bills "fairy money."