In church on July 4th, Leland sang a solo of "My Country 'tis of Thee" during the main sacrament service (about 150 people). She did a fabulous job. I am so amazed at her willingness to do such things. The couple who was in charge of putting together a July 4th sacrament service had heard that Leland had sung "Proud to be an American" at a patriotic event before, so they asked if we thought she would be wiling to sing it in church. When I asked Leland if she wanted to sing, she was very excited. We decided to have her sing the 1st and 4th verses of "My Country 'tis of Thee" which is one of the church hymns. I kept asking her if she was nervous about singing in front of a lot of people and her reply was "the more people that are watching me the more excited I am about it." She is alive on stage and loves to perform.
This video is Leland practicing on Sunday morning. I love having a piano in our home even if it only gets played by visitors. Thanks go out to Sister Henrie for accompanying Leland.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
July 4th
On Fourth of July weekend, we went to a Richmond Kickers soccer game. They had bounce houses and a giant slip-n-slide set up for the pre-game party. The girls had a lot of fun. Since Leland had attended a soccer clinic of theirs in the spring she enjoyed finding her coaches on the field and getting autographs after the game.
On Sunday night, I took the 2 big girls to watch fireworks. We went to Dogwood Dell which was ridiculously packed with people. It took me forever to find parking and I was about to give up when I found a great spot that was only about a 10 minute walk to where we wanted to be.
The girls did well considering the long wait, the heat, and the fact that I forget our water bottles in the car. We could hear (but not see) the music performances that were going on in the amphitheater, so the girls enjoyed singing along to all the patriotic songs they know.
When the fireworks show finally started, Lucy was not a fan of the loud sounds, but soon started to really enjoy it. I was really glad that I took the girls, I love fireworks shows so much and this one was fabulous. Not as patriotic feeling as watching them over VMI or on the US Capitol lawn, but still great. It's one of those things that as a parent are sometimes not easy to do, but the memory makes all the trouble worth it.
The finale.
On Sunday night, I took the 2 big girls to watch fireworks. We went to Dogwood Dell which was ridiculously packed with people. It took me forever to find parking and I was about to give up when I found a great spot that was only about a 10 minute walk to where we wanted to be.The girls did well considering the long wait, the heat, and the fact that I forget our water bottles in the car. We could hear (but not see) the music performances that were going on in the amphitheater, so the girls enjoyed singing along to all the patriotic songs they know.
When the fireworks show finally started, Lucy was not a fan of the loud sounds, but soon started to really enjoy it. I was really glad that I took the girls, I love fireworks shows so much and this one was fabulous. Not as patriotic feeling as watching them over VMI or on the US Capitol lawn, but still great. It's one of those things that as a parent are sometimes not easy to do, but the memory makes all the trouble worth it.The finale.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Boat
With 1500 pictures to sort through. Finding the best was a hard task. Check out Suzanne's favorites too.
I love the the top right (above) picture of Leland with no hands. We were going so slow at that moment, she quickly held on tight. I also love the bottom right picture - Leah pointing to Afton while showing "slow down".
Afton wins best hair award.
These kids are all so stinkin' cute.
Todd had the best wipeouts.
My awesome hubby.
I love the facial expressions. (Click to enlarge)
Just a reminder. 34. not 16.
I love the the top right (above) picture of Leland with no hands. We were going so slow at that moment, she quickly held on tight. I also love the bottom right picture - Leah pointing to Afton while showing "slow down".
Afton wins best hair award.
These kids are all so stinkin' cute.
Todd had the best wipeouts.
My awesome hubby.
I love the facial expressions. (Click to enlarge)
Just a reminder. 34. not 16.Smith Mountain Lake
We couldn't figure out what to call our family reunion since we all have different last names (Chuck and Todd want to start calling it the Donna Party, after my mother's first name and with the intended sound similarity to the Donner Party.) To me it didn't even seem like it could be called a "reunion" since we all talk to each other almost every day. But, this is our 2nd summer at Smith Mountain Lake together, so now it's a tradition. Next year there will be t-shirts.
The house is awesome with our own little beach.
All 9 grandkids.
Lots of playing, cuddling, laughing, and of course haircuts. I gave 3. I'm not really good at it, just the only one brave enough I guess. Noah is the cutest to watch while he feeds Charly. 
Catching some fish. Leah and Nicholas were the most interested in fishing. Chuck even helped Leah catch a fish in the net luring it with corn and marshmallow peeps. Leah kept asking if she could eat some of the peeps, even after they had been sitting in the lake water. Gross!
Fun with sparklers.
The house is awesome with our own little beach.
All 9 grandkids.
Lots of playing, cuddling, laughing, and of course haircuts. I gave 3. I'm not really good at it, just the only one brave enough I guess. Noah is the cutest to watch while he feeds Charly. 
Catching some fish. Leah and Nicholas were the most interested in fishing. Chuck even helped Leah catch a fish in the net luring it with corn and marshmallow peeps. Leah kept asking if she could eat some of the peeps, even after they had been sitting in the lake water. Gross!
Fun with sparklers.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Chuck's Letter to Lowe's
When I signed the girls up for the Lowe's Build and Grow project for tomorrow, there was a short survey. The last question was: What is ONE thing Lowe's could do to make the Build and Grow clinic experience better for you and your child?
Chuck took over the computer when I asked what I should include. This was his response:
We love the Build & Grow Clinics! My father is a general contractor, and when I was a kid, he always shopped at Home Depot, so I always thought I would be a Home Depot man. When I got married, my wife heard about the B&G clinics and we went to one. Since then, I have divorced Home Depot and married Lowe's! The B&G clinics are why I don't even look at the Home Depot advertisements in the paper. (Yes, they do a clinic too, but only once a month!)
We have now completed nearly 2 dozen B&G clinics at 4 different stores. I have even learned how to use a sewing machine because my wife waits too long to sew the badges onto my daughter's aprons (and my Lowe's baseball cap for me... yes, that's right, the dad's want our stinkin' badges too!)
The B&G clinics are the sole reason that I have become a die hard Lowe's fan. The B&G clinics are why I chose Jimmie Johnson as my favorite NASCAR driver. The B&G clinics have given me great daddy-daughter times with my girls. The B&G clinics have made my daughters love working with their hands and building stuff themselves rather than just buying toys.
REGARDING PROJECTS: I am the father of three daughters, so you would think their favorites would be the necklace holder or something really girly. Nope! My girly girls love to do the fun boats, cars, and helicopters that they can play with. They do use the necklace holder they built and love to show it to people, but they didn't mention it when I asked them what their favorites were. I will say, though, that they really don't like the "game" style projects, such as the baseball game, or basketball game. That type of game stays fun for only a short period of time. But the love the "vehicle" type - cars, helicopter, boats, etc.
REGARDING LOCATION IN THE STORE: We much prefer when they are done in the store's training room rather than out in the middle of the store. We have seen stores that do it in the middle of the store's shopping aisles, which is okay, but not as good. One store we went to did it on wood picnic tables out in front of the store, which was absolutely nerve-wracking because of the cars nearby. It was not a safe situation, so we never returned to a B&G clinic at that store.
REGARDING WORK TABLES: Although being out front was unsafe, that store did something we really liked. The solid wood picnic stables were much easier to do the project upon than the folding tables at other stores. You need something solid for a child to hammer upon, or else the project just bounces around and the nails don't go in. At the stores with the plastic folding tables, we always end up sitting on the floor hammering on our projects.
ON TIMING: Don't change the times. Saturday mornings are great!During the week is too difficult. Sundays are church days, so don't even think about doing them on Sundays.
ON CHARGING FOR B&G: I would not support the idea of charging a fee to attend the actual B&G clinics. While I, myself, may choose to pay the small fee to attend a few, you would end up losing money from me for two reasons:
(1) Every time I go to a B&G, my loyalty to Lowe's makes me spend money. I never (NEVER!) leave the store after a B&G clinic without making a purchase. I guarantee, that you make money on me every time I attend a B&G clinic.
(2) I have told tons of friends about the cool, FREE B&G clinics. I have taken them. I have told them how the B&G clinics are the sole reason I have become a fan of Jimmie Johnson and only shop at Lowe's for my home improvement needs. If you charge, I will not be you walking and talking billboard anymore. (But I will probably still shop there, just not as loyally.)
ON HOW YOU CAN MAKE MONEY OFF OF THE B&G: Sell the kid-sized hammers right there at the B&G. Roll in a moving display case with the hammers and other kid-friendly tools. I would buy them all up! But I wouldn't necessarily chase around the store to find them. I think the idea of selling past B&G projects as kits is a GREAT idea! I have missed clinics due to vacation or other conflicts and always feel bummed out to have missed good ones. I would buy the old projects, so long as they were about $5. BUT!!!! Just because I support allowing me to purchase the PAST project kits, I would not support charging me to attend the WEEKLY clinics. The current project of the day, should be free on Saturday morning to those that attend. But, if you miss it, you can buy it for $4.99.
Ideally, the Build & Grow clinics would take place inside the store, someplace away from the aisles, but with solid firm tables to hammer upon. Ideally, I would have the opportunity to buy the old kits for $3-$5. Finally... Ideally, Jimmie Johnson would be in attendance at every clinic I attended!
Keep up the good work Lowe's (or as my daughters call the store --- Jimmie's House!)
Just gotta love my husband and his gift of gab.
Chuck took over the computer when I asked what I should include. This was his response:
We love the Build & Grow Clinics! My father is a general contractor, and when I was a kid, he always shopped at Home Depot, so I always thought I would be a Home Depot man. When I got married, my wife heard about the B&G clinics and we went to one. Since then, I have divorced Home Depot and married Lowe's! The B&G clinics are why I don't even look at the Home Depot advertisements in the paper. (Yes, they do a clinic too, but only once a month!)
We have now completed nearly 2 dozen B&G clinics at 4 different stores. I have even learned how to use a sewing machine because my wife waits too long to sew the badges onto my daughter's aprons (and my Lowe's baseball cap for me... yes, that's right, the dad's want our stinkin' badges too!)
The B&G clinics are the sole reason that I have become a die hard Lowe's fan. The B&G clinics are why I chose Jimmie Johnson as my favorite NASCAR driver. The B&G clinics have given me great daddy-daughter times with my girls. The B&G clinics have made my daughters love working with their hands and building stuff themselves rather than just buying toys.
REGARDING PROJECTS: I am the father of three daughters, so you would think their favorites would be the necklace holder or something really girly. Nope! My girly girls love to do the fun boats, cars, and helicopters that they can play with. They do use the necklace holder they built and love to show it to people, but they didn't mention it when I asked them what their favorites were. I will say, though, that they really don't like the "game" style projects, such as the baseball game, or basketball game. That type of game stays fun for only a short period of time. But the love the "vehicle" type - cars, helicopter, boats, etc.
REGARDING LOCATION IN THE STORE: We much prefer when they are done in the store's training room rather than out in the middle of the store. We have seen stores that do it in the middle of the store's shopping aisles, which is okay, but not as good. One store we went to did it on wood picnic tables out in front of the store, which was absolutely nerve-wracking because of the cars nearby. It was not a safe situation, so we never returned to a B&G clinic at that store.
REGARDING WORK TABLES: Although being out front was unsafe, that store did something we really liked. The solid wood picnic stables were much easier to do the project upon than the folding tables at other stores. You need something solid for a child to hammer upon, or else the project just bounces around and the nails don't go in. At the stores with the plastic folding tables, we always end up sitting on the floor hammering on our projects.
ON TIMING: Don't change the times. Saturday mornings are great!During the week is too difficult. Sundays are church days, so don't even think about doing them on Sundays.
ON CHARGING FOR B&G: I would not support the idea of charging a fee to attend the actual B&G clinics. While I, myself, may choose to pay the small fee to attend a few, you would end up losing money from me for two reasons:
(1) Every time I go to a B&G, my loyalty to Lowe's makes me spend money. I never (NEVER!) leave the store after a B&G clinic without making a purchase. I guarantee, that you make money on me every time I attend a B&G clinic.
(2) I have told tons of friends about the cool, FREE B&G clinics. I have taken them. I have told them how the B&G clinics are the sole reason I have become a fan of Jimmie Johnson and only shop at Lowe's for my home improvement needs. If you charge, I will not be you walking and talking billboard anymore. (But I will probably still shop there, just not as loyally.)
ON HOW YOU CAN MAKE MONEY OFF OF THE B&G: Sell the kid-sized hammers right there at the B&G. Roll in a moving display case with the hammers and other kid-friendly tools. I would buy them all up! But I wouldn't necessarily chase around the store to find them. I think the idea of selling past B&G projects as kits is a GREAT idea! I have missed clinics due to vacation or other conflicts and always feel bummed out to have missed good ones. I would buy the old projects, so long as they were about $5. BUT!!!! Just because I support allowing me to purchase the PAST project kits, I would not support charging me to attend the WEEKLY clinics. The current project of the day, should be free on Saturday morning to those that attend. But, if you miss it, you can buy it for $4.99.
Ideally, the Build & Grow clinics would take place inside the store, someplace away from the aisles, but with solid firm tables to hammer upon. Ideally, I would have the opportunity to buy the old kits for $3-$5. Finally... Ideally, Jimmie Johnson would be in attendance at every clinic I attended!
Keep up the good work Lowe's (or as my daughters call the store --- Jimmie's House!)
Just gotta love my husband and his gift of gab.
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