Street Party

This weekend was the annual CMNH Street Fair.  We love to come to this event every year even though it is insanely hot.  As Jayla gets a little older, she likes to go even more because there are table after table of crafts!

This year, Jayla made a photo frame, a chalk board, sand art, a magnet and a suncatcher.  She also won a fish (yipee!) and tried very hard to dunk Cosmo, from Y107, in the dunk booth.  We also ate good food, stopped at the face painting tent and tried really hard to win the awesome prizes in the raffle.  Jayla put good luck mojo on all our tickets, but it must have rubbed off on someone else's ticket!

We also got to see some old friends - Cassidy-Rae and her mom, Renee, and our good friend Mike Halford.  A very nice woman from the hospital even hooked Dylan up with an ice pack to put in his stroller so he'd stay cool and we could stay longer!

It was a great day and, as always, a great event!  I'm sure there will be more pictures to come, but I wanted to go ahead and get a few up now.

Jayla, the Cowgirl!

For some time now Jayla has been telling us that she's going to be a cowgirl when she grows up.  She loves all things horses and has wanted the chance to ride for quite some time.  I blame myself for developing this love as I started taking her out to the barns at William Woods University when she was just a baby.  She's always loved watching the riders and visiting the stables.  That's why I knew she would be so excited when Dawn Williams, the Director of the Miss Columbia pageant, invited Jayla to come out and ride her horse.


I can say without reservation that this is the single most exciting thing Jayla has gotten to do as Missouri's Champion Child.  She was more excited about this than flying in an airplane!  When I told her we were going out to ride, she started counting the days.  When the day finally arrived, she counted the hours.  We ended up arriving a little early because I couldn't take counting the minutes!


We arrived at the Columbia Equestrian Center to meet Dawn yesterday.  Jayla was decked out in her cowboy boots and horse t-shirt... she certainly looked the part!  Dawn was so wonderful with Jayla.  She introduced her to her horse, Hannah, who apparently has allergies and sneezed on Jayla!  


Jayla was a little nervous at first.  She's quick to say that she wasn't scared... just stressed.  Dawn was very patient and led Hannah around the arena, so Jayla could get used to the feel of being on a horse and in the saddle.  Hannah was very patient too!  By the end, Jayla was much more comfortable and was looking forward to coming back to try trotting.  She had learned how to get Hannah to go and stop and got to lead her back to the barn.  Once there, Jayla was actually excited to help groom Hannah, brushing her down and combing her tail.

I fear we may have ignited a love for a very expensive hobby!  We are so grateful to Dawn for giving Jayla this wonderful opportunity.  She is already looking forward to coming back next week!

Safe Kids

We had a great time at Safe Kids this weekend.  This event is largely funded through CMN Hospitals donations and featured lots of informational booths and activities.  Jayla got to check out the fire truck, ambulance and helicopter as well as the police motorcycle like the one her Uncle Matt used to ride.  She even won a door prize!

Jayla really wanted to get her face painted, but she wanted it taken off a few minutes later.  It was just so hot!

Coaches for Kids

Our family enjoyed spending time at Old Hawthorne Golf Course for the Coaches for Kids Golf Classic.  We started the celebrations the night before at the pairing party with several of our CMN Hospitals friends.

The next day, we headed to the golf course.  Jayla got to hang out with the MU Cheerleaders who were helping out with the tournament.

After a little refresher practice, it was Jayla's big moment.  She got to do the opening swing for the tournament.  There were tons of people watching... I was so stressed just watching!  She didn't get nervous at all, but the golf pro put the ball up on the tee (she had practiced without).  She managed to hit the ball although it didn't go very far.  She got lots of applause and was happy as could be!

Princess Jayla

Last Saturday night is destined to be a highlight for Jayla's year as Missouri's Champion Child.  She was invited to be a guest of honor at the Miss Missouri pageant.  She and I got all spruced up and headed to the pageant.  When we arrived, we were escorted to a reserved parking spot and then taken backstage to meet some of the contestants and touch base with Miss MO 2011, Sydney Friar (who Jayla already knew).  We were escorted to our seats and enjoyed the first half of the competition.  Towards intermission, it was our turn to perform :-)  They showed our video montage on the big jumbo screens.  Jayla was then escorted down the stage staircase with Miss MO who then crowned her with, as Jayla puts it, "a REAL crown".  I spoke briefly and then Jayla told her favorite joke - which I think is actually in the montage too.

How do you make a tissue dance?

Put a little boogie in it!

We returned to our seats for the remainder of the program.  We were so excited to see our good friend, Amanda Williams, earn 3rd runner up!  The beautiful and talented Tippe Emmott was crowned Miss MO 2012.  Jayla was invited back on stage after the pageant to have her picture taken with Tippe.  I'm sure they will get to know one another well over the next year!

Jayla onstage with Tippe Emmott, Miss MO 2012

FUNdraising!

The whole family joined the festivities at the Mexico Walmart during their remote with Clear 99. 

Dylan and Jayla at the Mexico Walmart

We enjoyed Orange Floats and the store's Jail 'N Bail.  

Jayla with Scotty from Clear 99 and Walmart associates manning the root beer float station

The first two managers raised their bail money quickly and were out in no time, but Don took  little longer.

No wonder it didn't take Dustin long to get out!

Jayla wanted in on the fun, so she came to his rescue and taught him how to make a pathetic face.  Then it seemed like fun, so she jumped in the jail too and raised money for the hospital!

She uses that face on me all the time... but it seemed to work with Walmart shoppers!

Fore!

Jayla had a great time yesterday visiting Old Hawthorne and getting golf lessons.  She took to it quickly and is going to do a great job in a few weeks doing the opening swing for the Coaches for Kids Golf Tournament.  The pros had her up and swinging in no time and invited her back to practice anytime.  I think she had the most fun chasing our friend and CMNH staff member around the green though!  She also informed me that at the actual golf tournament she wants to ride in a golf cart.  She thought it sounded like a good plan to take the golfers some water because boy is it hot!

Jayla was taught golf technique by pro, Daniel.

Perfecting the follow through.

Jayla gave Helen a run for the money as they raced around the practice green.