Meet DJ and an update

DJ is short for Daisy Juliette --Her Brownie Girl Scout mascot.  The girls are taking turns -- 2 weeks each.  Each time that the girls have her, they take her to different places and they photograph DJ with them.
I brought her to school today to surprise her... and you'd be shocked to read that MD carried it from the car, walked across a busy street for all to see... and then straight to her class and handed DJ to MG!  Visiting her classroom and school was our trip.  SO we had a photo session with DJ:

DJ at her desk:

DJ and the math manipulatives:

DJ and MG leaving her classroom corridor:

Look how big her school is!  This building you see to the left is for the 4th and 5th graders!

When we were in the class, I saw this hanging up -- I think it was up during Back to School Night, but I went by it too quickly to take a photograph.  It's so funny!

Can you see what she has to say?  (Let me help you...) 

Morgan

Very neat, boss to brothers, and nice

Daughter of Steph and Vince

Lover of reading and writing

Who fears bugs and other disgusting things

Would like to see Atlanta, Georgia

Resident of Los Gatos

Quach

After dropping her off at school today... we went to preschool/preK again. It's every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00-12:30.  So far, he's fine:

See?  He even saw a flower on the side, while walking to class and picked it up for me!

Unfortunately, once we walked up the steps to the classroom, he asked to go home.  We walked MD to class first then quickly said goodbye to him.  We walked next door and he kept saying, "Mommy, I want to go home, I'm tired."  And through tears he kept asking me to go home.  Mrs. Gavin took him from me and I walked out.  At one point he took a deep breath to cry and nothing came out.  I ducked and waited by the bench in front of his class to listen to him.  He eventually let out the cry!  But all turned out well.  He had a better day today.  The bonus was when he was able to have recess with MD.  They apparently played on the monkey bars together!  Hooray!

After picking up MG from school we went to Jim and Clare's for a bit.  The boys did some hammering...

MD made a table!

Tonight for dinner we had fresh green beans tossed with salt, pepper, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.  Our entree was lamb with a side of mashed potatoes.  MD cut the potatoes for boiling.  Then he and MG took turns mashing it with butter and milk.  When I informed them we were having lamb, MG asked what kind of meat that was.  I said, "lamb is lamb, you know like Mary had a little lamb."  She then clarified,  "No, is it like cow is beef? Pig is pork?  What's lamb?"  I repeated my answer... then she was quiet and just said, "Oh...." very quietly... as if she totally got the Mary and her lamb thing.  Sorry, Mary -- but lamb is delicious!  MD loved it and kept asking for more.  I only cooked one rack -- apparently I need to cook 2 racks next time! 

This little one liked it too!

In my dry rub, I used rosemary, sage, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, zest of a lime (because I couldn't find a fresh lemon in the house) and fresh minced garlic.  Rubbed it all over, popped it in the oven for about 45 minutes on 350/400 then broiled on low the last couple of minutes to get that crispy flavor of the garlic, salt, and pepper.  Yummy!

MG went to bed with four braids all over her head... picture day is tomorrow!  She wanted curly hair and to wear the dress Auntie Clare and Uncle Jim gave her for her birthday!

Lisa's Tea Treasure

After a successful cookie sale last year, the girls were finally able to enjoy an afternoon  here today.

I only have time to show you this beautiful picture of my baby girl right now... because tomorrow is her first day of school and I need to get to bed!  More photos to come...

She's holding their mascot -- DJ (Daisy Juliette)

Her meal:

My meal -- If I may be honest... I could have eaten 2 plates of this stuff!  Dainty is not for me!  Really, it was good.  But I wanted MORE!!!!

The moms.  Pardon my big fat arm in the way!  (MG took this photo) From left to right: me, Nancy (Emily, the helper's mom), Cindy (troop leader and Cassie's mom), and Melinda (co-leader, Olivia and Emma's mom, and my very good friend)

Lisa (on right) will kill me if she knew I used this photo, but it's the only one I had.  It's not very flattering with her lips like that!  But she doesn't read my blog...That's Collen in purple (Dominique's mom)

Yummy sundae dessert!

I had the brownie with vanilla gelato -- too rich (but yummy) and the gelato was freshing!  For once, I did NOT finish my dessert.  Shocking, I know!!!!

Cindy surprised the girls with their new shirts...

She is the best bargain shopper!

And there you have it! After lunch and tea we met with Vince at a nearby location and he took photos of the troop, girls, and girls with their mom.  When he finishes editing them -- ahem, in  another month or so -- I will add them here for your enjoyment!

She is now a Brownie!

For 2 years she worked really hard learning to be the perfect Daisy Girl.  Now she has earned all the appropriate badges and has graduated to become a Brownie Girl.  I am very proud of her.  In a few months we will be attending a tea party to celebrate the end of the Daisy Troop.  She is looking forward to it!

We arrived early to take some photos:  MG with Olivia and Cassie

They had a little question and answer time with Sophia, who is already a Brownie.  She's in 4th grade!

They prepared for the bridging ceremony by reciting the Girl Scout law:

Then her leader, Cindy (right), and Co-leader, Melinda (left) turned her around while they recited:  "twist me and turn me and show me the elf,  I looked in the water and saw..." MG then states, "myself."   (she is looking into a mirror on the ground that is representing a pond/lake which reflects her image.  (more info if you need to know here)

Then they took off her Daisy vest and put on a new Brownie vest:

The official swear in:

Here they are with their plates of brownies!!!  What a great leader for thinking of that.

They recited one more Brownie poem:

The new troop!Olivia, Morgan, Dominique, Cassie, and Alexa

Lunch time!

Cindy and Melinda have worked really hard these past 2 years teaching the girls some amazing values and lessons in life.  They have learned to be responsible for themselves, each other, their community, and others in the world.  They have grown as individuals and as a group.  Although this group went from 8 members to 5, I think they have grown to become such great friends regardless of changes taking place around them.  MG will miss them next year when she starts at her new school.  We are still trying to figure out what to do regarding getting her started in an existing troop at her new school or starting our own troop.