Needed: for Mexico

Most of you know that Dan and I traveled with our church to Zaragoza, Mexico last year on a mission trip. Well, we'll be returning in late June, and we each have a suitcase to fill with supplies, clothes, and anything and everything we can jam inside it for the people who desperately need our help. (Dan's sister Jen is also going, and I'm sure she'll appreciate some donations, too!) Here's how you can help, if you are led to do so. We need donations of antacids, diabetic supplies, adult vitamins, kids ibruprofin, guaze pads, Telfa pads, antibiotic ointment, cortizone ointment, syringes, disposable diapers, children's shoes and clothes in good condition and all sizes, drug/vitamin containers, socks and underwear for all ages, Spanish children's books, suckers, balloons, felt-tip pens, purple foam sheets, men's ties (for snake craft), thin cardboard, cake mixes, frosting (in white containers), Kool-aid, acrylic paints, paint brushes, and money donations. Some of the art and food items are for the large VBS sessions Garnet holds every year. If there is any way you can help, please call or drop off items at my house. We welcome any and all contributions. And, of course, most of all we seek your prayers!
Love,
Amy and Dan

Who's that dude???

Ryker has always loved having his hair long, and frankly, he looked cute to us, so we never questioned it. But he decided he wanted a cut. Abby drew a few examples of different cuts for him to choose from. This "spike" is what he settled on, and he LOVES it. And so do we! What a handsome little fella....still! These are a couple quick photos from the zoo this weekend, 'cause I know there's family dying to see the do!
For those of you I haven't yet updated, Abby ended up in the ER again. On the day her staples were to come out, I was taking out the cat wallpaper when I heard her running and then screaming. I thought her brother was chasing her. When I got to her, I couldn't believe it! Blood again! I thought Ryker had hit her, but she immediately told me she was running to "tell me something really exciting," slipped in her tights and hit her head on the corner of the coffeetable. Again, breaking a household rule. But I won't dwell on that....what is wrong here!!! She ended up with three more staples and got the other three out. For those keeping track, this is three ER-requiring head injuries in six months. I think I'll take her to see her regular doc and get his opinion on whether there's something else going on here....poor vision, messed up equilibrium. I don't know, but I hate the ER right now!!

My dad's dealership's open house

My dad, Larry Burch, sells cars at Frederico Dodge in Wood River. They recently built a beautiful new dealership and held an amazing open house. The kids had a blast, and it was a great opportunity for photos of them, and their cousin, Ella, too!
Here is the caricature artist drawing Ryker.

As soon as Ryker saw it, he laughed and said, "I look like a girl." Totally not bothered by that....but I think we're due for a hair cut anyway, even if he likes the long locks.


Here's my dad with all his goofy grandkids. They must all take after him! :-)

Drawing of Abby.

Ella enjoying her yellow balloon.

Abby was just a little excited to get her balloon! The woman in the white recruited us to be recorded for a television commercial...not sure if we made the cut since we don't live down there!

Ella being silly.

Ryker being silly.

And Abby being silly!

Beautiful blue eyes are everywhere in our family! Ryker with Aunt Lori.

More beautiful blues!

Mother's Day at Ryker's school

Moms got a special treat from the Sherman United Methodist Preschool. We got to experience a morning in their room with them. Then, they sang us some beautiful songs in the gymnasium and fed us a delicious brunch. Ryker has really thrived there this year. Although I asked him yesterday when he would ever learn to tie his own shoes (in jest, mind you, he's only 3!). He quickly replied, "I don't know." Then a pause, and he added with enthusiasm, "6 o'clock!" I'm so proud of both of my children, who enjoyed and learned all year in preschool. Today will be our school is out party with cookies, ice cream and presents. Who doesn't love a good party!

Ahhhhhh.....the dreaded post

Be careful what you promise, dear Mom, as it could come back and haunt you! Abby loves to put "tails" in my hair, and she's so gentle, it feels great. I have promised that next time she did my hair, I'd post a photo on the blog. However, I wasn't expecting this. Well, who am I kidding, I asked for it! I let Abby and her cousin, Gracie, give me a makeover, too. I figured if having my hair done felt good, so would having powder applied to my face and eye shadow to my eyes. Now for my even more horrible admission....I left it like this while I cooked dinner. :-)
The second photo I took so Abby could see the staples in the back of her head. On Monday, she fell from the playground 30 minutes after Dan finished putting it up. In seconds, the back of her shirt was saturated in blood. She was hysterical....not because of the blood but she DID NOT want to go to the hospital, and she certainly didn't want staples. In the end, she was very brave. Of course, a 2 1/2 hour wait in the ER is sure to make anyone beg for the staples!

Pottery

For Mother's Day (and since Abby didn't get to go on the big class field trip to the zoo on Friday), we went to China Towne, where Abby, Gracie, Jen, Memaw and I created our own works of art. Not sure how they turned out yet, but it was a lot of fun. Abby is really exploring her own sense of fashion right now, and I hate conflict. So, most days she's been wearing pants with a skirt over it (I would have been perfectly fine with it in the dead of winter, but she waited until spring for this new look!). On Mother's Day, she wanted the veil. I wanted peace. We both got our way!

The big choir performance

My parents came up to see the kids perform in the church choir. Abby has sung in five now. She did a terrific job this time! Ryker rehearsed last time but backed out. This time, we were so proud that he would go up on stage....until he went on stage. He was "the one" everyone was laughing at. He was hysterical! He was shouting out various, random words, dancing, showing the girls on stage his "tattoo." Toward the end, he walked off the stage to go potty and then returned when it was over. Except he insisted on going back on the stage so he could make a proper exit. What a riot he was! I'm so glad we videotaped it. We'll all enjoy watching it for years to come. I'm thinking we might have to put it in for his senior prom date!

Hippity-hoppity

We came home from a doctor appointment this morning to find two adult rabbits frolicking in the neighbor's yard. They were literally playing like little puppies do with each other, jumping in the air and wrestling. I'm snapping away, thinking I got some terrific shots. Then I realized I didn't have a memory card in the camera. You'd think my camera could have notified me or something. By the time I put a card in, they were done playing but both ran across the yard. I think there may be a nest over there, too. I was amazed at how stretched out his body is when he's running. Quite beautiful.

On an unrelated note, I was putting Abby down for a nap earlier. I kissed her, and then she looked at me real lovingly. Then she smiled real big and said, "Mom, I don't want to hurt your feelings when I tell you this, but your breath kind of stunk a little this morning." Pleeeeease....it stunk a lot!!!