Day 5: More adventures

with Annie's Flat Eliza.

Remember I told you we were going to make cupcakes today? 

Well, we made a lot of cupcakes today! 

 (Grandma is making some for a wedding, 

which is why we made so many).

  I borrowed an apron from one of the "apron girls," and it fit just right!  

I got to add ingredients,

and mix them together.

And, best of all, I got to lick the spoon!

As you can see, I got a little bit on my hands and face.

 

I guess Annie does the same thing when she helps make cupcakes. 

Grandma showed me this picture she took of Annie in March.

When we went to get the mail, grandma was excited. 

We sat on the porch swing and tried to figure out what was

in the mother's day envelopes that came from Missouri and Oregon.

Annie had told me how much grandpa loved ketchup and mustard.

But I was still surprised when he tried to get me to dip food

 like oranges and veggie sticks in ketchup.   Yuck!

I had a fun surprise when the doorbell rang and a friend come to visit. 

Guess who it was?  It was Flat Stanley! 

He had come from Idaho to visit his Grandma and Grandpa Roylance.

Aunt Natalie came over and we went to get manicures at the Mall.

I got clear polish on my nails.

Then we went to the cemetery with Uncle Gary and Aunt Lynn.

We put flowers on Annie's great-grandma and grandpa's graves.  They were born almost 100 years ago.   Grandma and Grandpa told me how grateful they are that they had such good parents.

It's been a very busy day.   

Day 4: Today after school

we went to buy flowers to plant in Annie's grandma and grandpa's yard.  The FFA down at Provo High was having a sale of the plants they grew in the greenhouse.  I got to help pick out the flowers.  My favorite were the pink cosmos.

When we went to pay for them, the FFA girl was so excited when she saw "Flat Stanley."   I guess she knows all about him.  I had to explain that to her that I was kind of like him, but that my name was Flat Eliza and that I came to visit from Annie's kindergarten class in Oregon.

 While we were at Provo High

buying the flowers, Annie's grandma said she wanted to show me a spot where she spent lots of time when she and grandpa were in high school  (Can you believe they graduated from this school 39 years ago?  They are really old!)  This is the spot grandma showed me.  

It's the exit from the boys locker room.  (Don't worry, I didn't go in!)  Grandma said that after every sports event grandpa played in, she would wait outside for him to come out.  And she would wait, and wait, and wait.  And he was always the very last one out.  She said he hasn't changed in that way at all. 

I'm excited for tomorrow.  I get to help make cupcakes!  Tonight I'm going to help sew an apron.   The fabric looks like chocolate chips and chocolate chip cookies. 

Hmm, just looking at it makes me want some cookies.    

When I told Annie's grandma that I wanted cookies, 

she said maybe we would make some.

And, best of all, that we could

send some home with me!

Day 3: An Adventure

today with Grandpa.

Today, instead of going to the testing center, I went to school with grandpa.  It was lots of fun, because I didn't have to be so quiet.   I tried to get into grandpa's office, but it only opens with grandpa's fingerprint. His office is a high-security zone. He said something about a biometric lock. I tried my finger but it didn't work.

Once we were inside the office, I helped grandpa with his computer work. Grandpa has more computers than anyone I know!

Grandpa let me learn right along with his Financial Literacy students...

  

 and draw fun pictures on Grandpa's whiteboard...

Then I got to teach his students in the computer lab

the things that Grandpa taught me.... 

and at class break I skipped with Grandpa's students to their next class.

One of my favorite activities of the day was working with his finance students on investment strategies.

 Grandpa's Desktop Publishing class was especially kind to me
after I shared with them the investment strategies
we developed in Grandpa's Financial Literacy class.

I had lots of fun helping Emma and Stephen deploy
computer images from the Altiris management console.

Grandpa sure does a lot of things at his school! 

But, helping Chris build a computerized Lego Robot was the best! 

 I rode all over the school on this robot!

I can't wait until I'm old enough to go to High School :-)

 After a fun day at school we went down

 to the Riverwoods shopping center. 

While there, we ran into Zoltar, a fortune teller.

 

Guess what my fortune is?

"You will travel far,
but home will always be with

Mrs. Bjorge's kindergarten class."



Day 2: The adventures of Annie's

Flat Eliza.

Today I went to the testing center again.  But, the weather was nicer, and I got to play outside most of the time (always where grandma could see me).  When we got home, we read the newspapers on the hammock.   The big news this week is that the terrorist, Osama Bin Laden, was found and killed. 

This was our view as we sat in the hammock.

Then we went inside to the craft room.  I wanted to take a picture of grandma organizing it, but she said it was too messy to take a picture of.  I just hung out with the Apron Girls while grandma cleaned.

We went to dinner at Chili's because we had a coupon for free Queso and Chips.  While we were waiting for our food I read a few books.  I was hoping there would be a "Flat Stanley" book, but there wasn't.

 Later in the evening, I went to a class with a bunch of ladies and made homemade cards.  I've never done that before.  

I think the cards I made are really cool.

 Annie's grandma said she thinks I fit into the family really well.

I think so, too.

Day 1: The adventures of Annie's

friend, Flat Eliza.

I arrived in Provo, Utah, yesterday by air mail.  I'm hoping I can have a fun week with Annie's grandma and grandpa. 

But, today I had to get up early to go into work with Annie's grandma.  It's too bad she has to work this week, or I could play all day long.

This is what I saw as I got to the school where Annie's grandma is helping with CRT testing.  This mountain is called Mt. Timpanogos  (sometimes grandpa jokingly calls it "Mt. Pick-a-noses" to his grandchildren)

We walked into this building, which is the temporary testing building.

I went right up to the front of the room and watched all the

classes come in and take tests all day.

 I was surprised by how quiet all the high school students were. 

They were not quite as wiggly as the kindergarten class I came from.

After Annie's grandpa came home from teaching school,

I went on some errands with him. 

He's kind of funny.

He put rabbit ears above my head for the picture.

Oops, I better buckle up.

We went to the bank, got gas,

and ate dinner at Cafe Rio (Yum)

 When we got home, I watched a fun show

with grandma about making cupcakes,

 But then grandpa had to watch a ball game, and I got bored.

It's nice and cozy in front of the fire,

but I can't believe it's cold enough to have one.

It's early, but I think I'm ready for bed. 

I have to get up early again in the morning.

I'm kind of homesick for Annie and her class,

but I'm having a good time so far.

I always have the best

intentions of writing notes and letters.  I don't know why it is so hard for me to actually sit down and do it.  I especially want to write to my grandchildren.  But, I get caught up in this thinking that if I send a letter to one, I need to send one to all 9 of the same time.  Then I decide that I will write a note a week and rotate.  That doesn't happen either.   Yet, there is really nothing more worthwhile I could be doing.  I think of and pray for them daily.

Recently I got a note from Hyrum that I treasure. 

For a "Faith In God" goal he was supposed to send a thank-you note.  He said that he appreciates that I am "nice and joyfull."  Thank you, Hyrum, your note means a lot to me.  It makes me want to be a better person, especially on days when I am not being as nice or acting as joyfully as I could be..  

Then today I got this little letter from Annie.  

To help her with a project in kindergarten, I'm supposed to take this "flat person" (which she named Eliza), with me wherever I go for a week.  I'm supposed to take pictures and write down what I do, and then mail it back to her.   (It looks like I've got my blog posts for a week all figured out!)  I'm going to have to be on my best behavior for a week while I have this "flat person" following me around.   

I should have had her with me today when I cashed in $180 worth of coins at the grocery store. On second, thought, I'm glad I didn't have her with me.    I wouldn't have wanted to take a picture.   I was using one of those machines where you pour the coins in and it counts it.  I had  two large jars full of coins that have accumulated over several years, and it took a while because I had so many.  It was so noisy that I was sure everyone one staring at me.  But, I swallowed my pride for the extra cash.  I felt a little bit like I was playing the slot machines and winning the jackpot.

And to all my wonderful grandchildren, who I don't write enough notes or letters to.   I want you to know that I love you each, individually, for who you are, for the special gifts you possess, and because you bring joy to my life.

I've finally gotten a little wiser

(or maybe more lazy) in my old age.  Rather than spend two days coming up with a poster for each of our Relief Society Activities,  I made a somewhat generic magnet board that I can change up with different announcements each month.  At least I don't feel like I am having to "reinvent the wheel"  every month.

Here is basic information,

Here is the poster with specific info for the next two months.

Much, much, easier!