~Memorial Day 2010~

This post is dedicated to my dad, a Vietnam War Veteran. My dad didn't have to enlist in the Navy and go to Vietnam because he had lost his own father in WWII at the age of 6 months. A sole surviving son, my father was not required to serve. However, he did enlist and he served his country bravely and honorably!

My dad has missed his father all of his life. It wasn't easy for him being raised by a single mother in the 40's, 50's, & early 60's. Broken-hearted when she learned of her husband's death in France, my grandmother never recovered from the loss. Yet she somehow managed to gather the strength to get her beauty license and support 2 little kids and later a 3rd on her own.

Some years ago, my dad and his sister, my Aunt Connie, traveled to Epinol, France to visit the American Soldier Cemetery where their father lays at rest. They paid their respects to the father they never knew and shed many tears. Someday I will travel to Epinol and do the same.



We fly our flag to honor my dad, the grandfather I never knew, and all the servicemen and women who have lost their lives fighting bravely for our country.





We had a beautiful day in Colorado to celebrate Memorial Day. This is the mountain view we enjoy from our backyard.


Shelbey, Elton, & Sean joined us for a BBQ and we also celebrated Sean's 2nd birthday! Katelyn is thrilled to be with her big sister and brother. She thinks of Sean as her little brother & the two of them had a great time playing together.


Sean and Katelyn wrestling with Elton.


Happy 2nd birthday Sean-wow it's already been 2 years!!


(((HUGS)))


What a cutie!!!







Even though we celebrated Memorial Day with a fun family BBQ/birthday party, I seized the opportunity to educate Katelyn about the "real" reason we have this holiday. I want Katelyn to realize that while we have fun on these "holidays", there is greater meaning behind them. There is sacrifice. History, especially her own family history. It's more than just a day off work or school or an opportunity to "play". I want her to see the importance of flying an American flag on Memorial day, Flag Day, Veteran's Day, 4th of July, ...it's important that we never forget why we have these holidays in the first place.

Growing up, my dad flew the largest flag in the neighborhood-it covered the entirety of our front porch. It's the flag that covered my grandfather's coffin which was presented to my grandmother after his buriel. After my gradmother passed away 22 years ago, the flag was given to my dad. He flys that flag on every patriotic holiday and I know he flew it yesterday to honor his father. Dad-I just want you to know that I get it, I really do. Love you, dad~ Shell

A green thumb??

Well, not really. It's just that I love flowers--to me they make a yard beautiful and peaceful. So last week Katelyn & I spent several hours planting flower gardens. It was a lot of fun to shop at Home Depot together picking out many different kinds and colors of flowers: snapdragons, petunias, zinnias, marigolds...

To be honest, I'm not into yard maintenance at all. We hire neighbor boys to mow our yard, take out the weeds, etc. Mike takes care of the fertilizing, watering, etc. I just plant flowers, that's all I want to do.

Katelyn really enjoys planting flowers too!


Mike planted raspberry bushes 3 years ago and this is the 1st year we're actually getting raspberries. I'm SO excited-Katelyn & I eat fresh berries everyday & the price of raspberries at the grocery store is ridiculous! I'll just have to get to them before the birds do!!!



Katelyn loves her sand & water table and played happily while I planted flowers.

And on her playset...

Endings bring new beginnings...

Today was Katelyn's last day of kindergarten and her last day at Children's House Montessori school. Katelyn attended Children's House for the past 3 years so it truly feels like an "ending" to something. You may think I cried buckets of tears today, but actually I didn't shed one tear. Not one. Maybe it's because I'm already "all cried out"(although I highly doubt it). Maybe it's because for their last day of school, Katelyn's class went on a really fun & busy field trip to Sandstone Ranch. Or maybe it's simply that I realize things are changing, and I'm ready to look toward a new beginning...

I'm very excited about the summer I have planned for Katelyn and I!! We have so much to look forward to: T-Ball, swim lessons, playdates, movies, a vacation in KC with my dad and dear friends, trips to the museum, zoo, library, and rollerskating, vacation bible school, and the list goes on...I will make the most of our time together. For I know that this summer will fly by, and in August my attention will turn to beginning a new job and getting Katelyn ready to start 1st grade.

Good-bye Children's House: I will always be grateful for the excellent preschool & kindergarten education that Katelyn received there.

Happy children skipping, running, walking down a trail at Sandstone Ranch.

The barn and beautiful mountain view...

Katelyn "milking" Emma the cow. Water squirted from "her" udders-pretty cool actually.

Some geese go for a swim in a lake-Sandstone Bluff in the background.

Katelyn kneading bread dough. Bread was baked from the dough that the children kneaded-the old farm house filled with the smell of baking bread. YUM!

Katelyn working an old-fashioned butter churn. Did you know that if you shake or stir heavy whipping cream long enough, you will make real butter. Amazing!

A smile is worth a thousand words...


The children played games, explored the farm, touched animal pelts, and guessed bird calls. At the end of the visit we ate the warm bread and butter that the children had made-it was SO delicious. Sarah Lee has nothin on home-made bread, but I realize if we baked homemade bread at our house, I'd be in real trouble!!!

After the field trip, we returned to school, said our good-byes, gave gifts to all the teachers, shared hugs and lots of fond sentiment, and took some farewll snapshots. Yes, it feels like something has ended, but I think we're ready to embrace a new beginning...

"I Won't Grow Up"

I only wish...but alas time is marching on whether I like it or not!! "I won't grow up" is one of the songs sung in the play/movie, "Peter Pan". Always a favorite movie of Katelyn's, when the Boulder Dinner Theatre announced their production of Peter Pan I made reservations right away. This past Sunday we went to the play in celebration of Katelyn's kindergarten graduation.

We had a wonderful lunch before the play began. I had the BDT's "famed" Chicken Cordon Bleu, Mike had the prime rib, and Katelyn had a child's plate with mac-n-cheese, chicken fingers, cinnamon apples & vegies. The food was excellent!! Of course we had to splurge a little and have dessert at intermission: strawberry cheesecake for Mike & I, and chocolate cake for Katelyn! You only live once!

I love going to the theater and it would seem that Katelyn does too. The BDT's production of Peter Pan was incredible. I was blown away by the high calibor of acting and singing. The Boulder playhouse has been around a long time; I remember going there with my mother and grandmother as a teen. And while it may not be the fanciest place, the quality of the food, acting, service, and the value can not be beat!! Katelyn loved the show and was just mesmerized-I'm not sure what's more fun for me: watching the play or watching her little face light up!!

Katelyn loves to read the actor descriptions in the playbill. So on Sunday while we were reading about the actors, I was very surprised to discover that the young man playing "John" was an honor student at Carbon Valley Academy(our new school). THEN I noticed his last name was the same as one of the gals I'll be teaching 2nd grade with next year. And sure enough during intermission Sheila, my teaching partner and her son, came over to our table to say "hello". Talk about a small world!

On the way home from the play, Katelyn announced that she would really like to be in a play too. I asked her, "Wouldn't you be nervous on stage in front of all those people?" To which she responded, "No way, mom!" So, looks like I'll be doing a little research into children's theater companies. How exciting-I can see it now: one day when Katelyn's accepting the Oscar for some movie, she'll be saying..."I'd like to thank the Academy blah, blah, blah...but most of all I'd like to thank my mom for always believing in me & encouraging my dreams..."
Well, stranger things have happened:)

Kindergarten Grad!!

On Thursday May 20th Katelyn's school held their graduation ceremony for the pre-kindergartners and the kindergartners. Each child wore a graduation cap & gown, received a special diploma, and was recognized individually by the director of the school, Susan Halkin. Katelyn has attended Children's House Montessori for the past 3 years and her graduation ceremony was the perfect ending to her early childhood education.

I still can't believe I have a 1st grader now and that she will be in school full-time every day next year. It will be a HUGE adjustment for me. Not Katelyn. Me. Katelyn's ready, she's excited, she feels "all grown up", she can't wait to go to her new school next year. I'm the one who's struggling. I'm the one who can't believe that the last 6 years are now just my memories. The years went by too fast. I can't get them back. I have to tell myself to look to the future-there are new memories to make, new experiences to share, new adventures...but my eyes flood with tears because I realize that a significant time period in Katelyn's upbringing is coming to a close. Next year she will be in school more than she will be home with me and I will miss her. I will have to let go. And it hurts.
A lot.

As the graduation ceremony drew to a close, Miss Susan announced that each class wanted to recognize one parent who had really made a significant difference for their school. After recognizing a parent from her own classroom, Susan said these words: "Teacher Sherry & Teacher Karen from the West-side class would like to recognize a parent who has attended every field trip, class party, volunteered and even substituted in the class when needed, who never says no-Carbon Valley Academy is going to be so lucky to have her teaching 2nd grade next year-would Shelly Rajewich please come up to the stage!!!" I was completely blown away. Tears streaming down my face. I had no idea they were going to honor me. And I am honored. Although, it feels kind of strange to be honored for doing the things I love to do. It was not a chore to go on Katelyn's field trips or help with her class parties-I WANTED to. In fact wild horses couldn't have kept me away!! But even though I did those things because I wanted to, it's nice to be appreciated. Remember the flowerpot I bid for at the school's silent auction, but didn't win? Well, Karen & Sherry had the class paint another flowerpot with every child's handprints on it and they presented it to me as a "thank-you" gift. What a keepsake, a treasure!! And it's kind of funny because after I didn't win the pot at the auction, I had offered to make a monetary donation to the school if they could make another pot. I'd said I'll buy the pot, I'll plant the flowers... "Oh, sure we could do that," Miss Karen had said. And all along they were planning to surprise me with a flowerpot at the graduation. Wow! How Katelyn kept that a secret from me I'll never know!!!

After the ceremony, we enjoyed cake and other refreshments, visited with friends, and then it was time to go home. It was a wonderful evening, one I will cherish always.

Katelyn-I am so proud of you! You are an amazing young lady: smart, kind, sensitive, loving...the list goes on. You are my greatest blessing and I have been honored to be your mommy these past 6 years. We have had so much fun growing and learning together. I look forward to the next chapter in our lives.
I love you so much sweetheart! XXOO


"When I grow up, I want to be a veterinarian and a scientist." Each child came to the microphone on stage and announced what they wanted to be when they grow up. Katelyn has not waivered on being a vet for some time, but usually she says she wants to be an artist too. Oh well, she has plenty of time to decide!! (By the time the ceremony began, Katelyn had decided she was finished wearing her cap-"it bothered her!!")

All of the graduates: only 6 of them were graduating from kindergarten.

Katelyn was very pleased that her brother Michael Jr. came to her graduation. They have a very special bond.

I have a 1st grader!!!

Katelyn-your early childhood years went by way too fast! You're such a lovely young lady now and I'm SO very proud of you!!

This is the flowerpot that Katelyn's class decorated for me. I was SO surprised and I feel so honored by their special recognition.

Me with Katelyn's teachers, Sherry and Karen.

Miss Sherry, Katelyn, and Miss Karen

Of course Anna wasn't going to miss Katelyn's graduation!! What a blessing to have you there, my friend!!

Katelyn adores her dad and her big brother!!

Katelyn's 1st piano recital

Last September Katelyn started taking piano lessons. I took piano lessons for a couple of years before Katelyn came along, and we own a piano, so when she started asking to take lessons I was thrilled! The 'ol piano was going to see some action once again!

Katelyn loves music: singing, playing the piano or other instruments, musical theater, anything and everything related to music and performing!! I love to listen to her little voice belting out her favorite songs and I love to listen to her little fingers tapping the paino keys. Her piano teacher has been very pleased with her progress & I am amazed by how much she's learned!! Next fall, our church is starting a children's choir & Katelyn really wants to participate. I will happily encourage any musical endeavors she wishes to undertake! Piano, choir, maybe theater one day ...

On May 14th, Katelyn had her 1st piano recital. (She was the only 5-year-old to play in the recital). The song Katelyn chose was called "Shepard Count Your Sheep" and she did a beautiful job. I was so impressed by her confidence-the high school auditorium where the recital was held was filled with people, but that didn't seem to phase her at all. As she walked up the steps to the stage, she looked so small to me, but inside that little body is a heart filled with enthusiasm and spunk!!

As Katelyn played her tune, I held my breath, but she didn't miss a single note and played with tremendous grace and feeling. Her father & I both cried. The lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder & said, "That was just beautiful." I was and still am filled with total pride. I may not have any particular musical or artistic talent, but I do have my own special masterpiece, and she blesses my life every single day.

After Katelyn finished playing her song, she played the same tune as a duet with her teacher, Karen. I was amazed that Katelyn could play her song & not be confused by the notes her teacher added. That really does take a lot of concentration! After their duet, Katelyn stood up, went to the front of the stage, & took a bow!! I had no idea she was going to do that so I didn't get a picture!!! MAN!! But what a ham!!

Ice Cream Social

Every year Katelyn's school, Children's House Montessori, has an Ice Cream Social in May to raise funds for their school. This year's event was by far the best we've attended!!

Many items are donated to the school to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Katelyn's class painted this beautiful flower pot complete with each child's hand prints. I really wanted that pot-I mean what a keepsake!! I wanted it SO much, I bid $80.00, but someone still out-bid me & I didn't win it!!

There were horseback rides!


A dog obedience demonstration(you-know-who really enjoyed this!!)

Face painting!


"Get yer hotdog here!"

Two peas in a pod!!