Valentine's Day 2009

Valentine's Day started off happy and fun, with Anthony taking Jayna and my pictures--- with me in my Burger King Pink Panther Glasses!!

Unfortunately Marko and I had a disagreement-- enjoy the truth, he was right;-) So my V-day was def not of love... but sadness. Robbie, my 2nd husband, brought me an ice cream cake, hershey kisses and a dancing pig!! Sure was sweet and thoughtful of him! My best friend Brandy took me, my two kids, her her hubby, her two kids and another friend and her 2 kids out to Applebees. She made an amazing attempt to get my mind off my sad day! Even though as Applebees usually does--- they messed up my order;-(

My Favorite Smurf

I was never really into any cartoons growing up and that would include the Smurfs. However my older brother loved them, even had Smurf sheets for his bed. Little did I know as a parent I would have a new found love-hate relationship with smurfs.... one in particular on this day, Feb 12, 2009.





So I put the kids to bed and the quieted down quicker than usual so I assumed they must have been tired. FALSE... Jayna was somewhat happy with her eye liner, eye shadow, lipstick, blush and other artistic beautifications. I am convinced she will be a make up artist when she grows up. She had the magic marker on her eyes and lips- and everywhere else PERFECTLY and nice and thick... until she got in trouble and the luxury of standing in the corner. I tryed dish soap, tooth paste, baby wipes, and nearly every other on-line suggestion I could find... and scrubbed her lil body for over an hour and she STILL looked like a smurf... ah well!

Amused by a sneaky four year old!

Anthony is a junior computer addict and would happily stay up til morning on the pc if we permitted. However his horrible momma thinks 10pm and sometimes earlier is DEF the max cut off! However he still stays awake in the bed for hours. For instance I put the kids to bed a little before 10pm last night. By 11pm they were still not asleep. The room was dark, all the lights and electronics were OFF! Apparently Mommys need more sleep than sneaky four year olds as I was asleep by 11:30 and obviously Jayna followed suite. However Ant, being my typical junior Gamer, snuck up and got on the computer. I wake up this am and notice a two liter soda with the lid off on the table beside the main computer. Well G I can only imagine how that happened. So in the car on the way to school, I asked him "did you have fun on the computer while mommy was sleeping". His reply, "You didn't catch me on the computer" so I answer, "I didn't? I know you were on the computer" and he says "No you don't, I was very quiet I only tip toed. You couldn't hear me on the computer!"
Oh if only he hadn't left his evidence behind!

The Washer died

So after 10 plus years of service our Maytag flooded our basement and died! We spent all day yesterday looking for a replacement Maytag, but after reading the reviews on some I cautioned away from the Maytags. We researched FIVE places and then I remembered one place we didn't check! So I checked the lil Appliance store right up the street and it was a winner!! They showed me their most basic model first (cheapest) and when I asked what the reccomended never once did they show me a pricey fancy model. They showed me a "Speed Queen". It is supposively what laundromats use-- except a bigger better fancier model. All it's parts are medal NOT plastic like currently GE, Maytag, Whirlpool etc use. So I took their advice since the model they recomeded was less than 150 more than the most basic model. It came with FREE delivery (70 bucks every where else) FREE hook up with new tubes/wires (15-20 everywhere else) and a FREE extended 3 year warranty on EVERYthing and Free 5 year waranty on certain parts and a FREE lifetime warranty on the tub and drain-- will remain rust free forever! So the pricetag posted was the actual price unlike everywhere else where it was the pricetag plus 70 bucks delivery plus 15-20 for tubes plus 75-100 for extended warranty so it ended up being the least expensive washer I found... now to hope it lives up to its $600 pricetag and lasts at least 10 years like my last washer! Not to mention 18 hours after buying it it is delivered, hooked up and washing clothes!

Jayna's Preschool Progress

Liberty Christian Academy
Early Learning Center
Preschool Progress

Dear Mr and Mrs. Sykes,
Jayna is a sweet child who seems to enjoy coming to school. She sometimes comes into our classroom upset, but warms quickly and joins the group. She participates in all aspects of our daily routine. Jayna listens well at Bible and circle time. She is interested in letters and recognizes her letter J. She also engages in our small group activities. Jayna is quiet and has a sensitive heart, but is able to express her ideas when she feels comfortable. Jayna is independent and able to manage her own needs. She is a great helper at clean up time.
During work time, Jayna is able to make a plan and follow through. She often chooses to dress up and take care of babies in the house center. She also explores other areas of our classroom but often works alone. We will work to provide oppurtunities for Jayna to engage in cooperative play experiences.
We appreciate the unique and special way God has created Jayna. We look forward to working with Jayna and watching her grow throughout the rest of this school year.

Sincerely,
Amy Lingenfelter
Bonnie Para

The Bank Robber and the Burger KIng

Yes,
I understand whnot everyone finds this exciting... but then again I
haven't changed much since I was 17 and chased down a customer who
walked out without paying ($25) when I worked at Pizza Hut....

ANYWAYS, yesterday I worked 2pm-1am. Well at 2:30 we noticed quite
the comotion next door at the bank and quickly realized they had been
robbed! I decided it would be fun to take pics of the cops at work--- i
have a corny sence of humor. At 6pm it was on the news with the bank
survelance then I get a call from one of my employees mom... You have
to realize my employee M is OBSESSED with mustangs and the robber was
driving one. So her mom had asked her if she knew anyone w/ a green
Mustnag and she said no, although she had met someone today at work
with one. Which led us to KNOW the robber ATE WITH US prior to robbing
the bank.

So I spent hours going through all our surveylance (we have 12 camera
and they are all digital and each record 3-5 minutes so you have to
open each segment seperately. Anyhow about 11pm the police call me as
they had just spoke w/ M and her mom... i recorded all the footage for
them.

He bout a whopper junior and small drink sat in my store starring at
the bank for 10 minutes went to the bathroom for 6 minutes came back to
his table threw his bag away and took his drink... did ? for 20 minutes
then robbed the bank!

I realize the photos on this site are little but it def gives you
the idea... that is MY burger king, MY ast manager waiting on him, you
get the picture.... eerilie exciting... and if caught and convicted M
and I get a nice award due to our tips!!


http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=9782554

Bedford Co., VA - Investigators use dozens of different methods to solve crimes, but they say many times tipsters are vital in solving a case. They say people calling in tips played a big role in Wednesday night's arrest of William Smitherman, a North Carolina man charged with robbing a Galax bank last month. He's also the primary suspect in a recent bank robbery in Roanoke, and one in Forest this week. In this case, a Burger King employee's love of cars helped police find their man. Marquis Harper's bond with her V-8 Mustang is almost maternal. Marquis Harper, Forest Burger King - "It's my baby. I love it." Working the drive-thru window, Marquis sees hundreds of cars roll through the parking lot at the Burger King in Forest, but one car came by on Tuesday that really caught her eye. Harper - "I looked out in the driveway, and there was a green Mustang, and I told my boss 'I've never seen a Mustang that color.'" The same car Bedford County deputies say William Smitherman drove when he allegedly robbed the Forest SunTrust bank Tuesday. Investigators say Smitherman, shown in these Burger King surveillance photos, stopped by the Burger King before going next door and robbing the bank. Harper - "He got in the closest seat he could get in perfect view of the bank doors." Deputies say a SunTrust teller saw a green Mustang leave the bank after the robbery, the same one Marquis saw. Harper - "The most bright green you could possibly imagine, and he had to pick it to rob a bank in." Major Ricky Gardner of the Bedford County Sheriff's Office says the green Mustang tip was a huge help in arresting Smitherman. Maj. Ricky Gardner, Bedford County Sheriff's Office - "That really helped and was a key piece of the puzzle to the officers in North Carolina last night when they arrested this gentleman." Gardner says tip lines, like Crime Stoppers (web) , are invaluable in cracking crimes. Gardner - "We're always encouraging people to call if they think they see something suspicious." Harper - "We used to call all the time thinking we had these leads on people. So, I'm glad it finally paid off one time." Officers with Roanoke City (web) Police and the Bedford County Sheriff's Office haven't charged Smitherman in their bank robberies yet because he is still in a North Carolina jail. Once he is brought to Virginia, they anticipate he'll be charged.
http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0209/592724.html

Proud, Worried or Indifferent?

Liberty Christian Academy Early Learning Center Preschool Evaluation 2008-2009

Student: Tony Sykes Date: 1/12/09

Social Skills
Grading Scale:
1= Beginning
2= Developing
3= Proficient

Follows a 2 Step direction= 2
Interacts well with others= 2
Participates in group activities= 2
Takes care of one's own needs= 2
Keeps hands to self= 2
Respects the rules of the school= 3
Stays focused on task at hand= 2
Listens when others are speaking= 2


Motor Skills

Fits small things together= 3
Holds pencil/marker correctly= 2
Uses scissors effectively= 2
Can print first name= 1
Draws, scribbles, writes in letter like form= 2
Builds a tower with blocks= 3
Alternates feet while walking up steps= 3


Math Readiness

Sorts objects by color= 3
sorts objects by color= 3
Sorts objects by size= 3
Identifies 8 basic colors=2 (doesn't know orange and brown)
Counts 1-10 objects= 2
Verbally counts forward to ten= 3
Identifies 4 basic shapes= 2 (knows triangle and circle, doesn't know square and rectangle)
Recognizes some numbers= 1

Language Skills

Shows interest in books= 2
Talks about meaningful experiences= 2
Retells familiar stories= 2
Dictates sentences to be written= 2
Shows interest in writing= 2
Writes using pictures/symbols/letters= 2
Identifies own name in print= 3
Identifies some letters= 1
Identifies some rhyming words= 1
Pretends and role plays= 3

Teacher Comments:Tony is a sweet boy. We would like to see him show more independence and interest in daily activities. We will also continue to remind himm to use his words. We will work on these skills in the months ahead.

~~So should I be worried, proud or indifferent? First off you have to realize he only knew 5 words at 2.5, which is severely delayed. So I am excited to see any progressive improvement, where as his teachers seem worried. Awkwardly he seems to have regressed from his performance with his teacher last year to his performance with his teacher this year. I don't mean he hasn't gotten better/ smarter from last year to this year, I am saying he doesn't demonstrate the skills he knows as readily for his current teachers. He was exceptional last year and adored his teachers. This year he seems unmotivated. I know this is a poor explanation, but I don't know how else to explain it. So I am wondering if he needs some type of development
testing or what? It's a tad fustrating. Marko's family has a history of learning disabilities so I would be neither suprised or upset if he was currently delayed or has a learning disability, however I'd like to know. On the other hand my parents are convinced he is fine, he is just like my brother was at that age and they seem very defensive of him when I mention that I am worried about his possible delays. UGH I wish answers were much easier and all... just he's my lil sweetheart and I am so proud of him and then hs teachers seem disappointed in him it almost hurts my feelings.... maybe it is just a typical parent reaction. Wish I knew someone who could TRULY relate... but I don't.