It Was A Super Merry Christmas!

Hello future readers!

I'm sorry it's been so long since my last entry, but you know the holiday season...it can be so crazy! Christmas shopping, school projects, going to see The Nutcracker, visiting Santa, our school concert...whew! It's enough to make your head explode! But it's all been a groove, and now I actually have time to sit down and write all about how I spent Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, my mom and I went down to the Tree Lot and picked a beautiful tree and decorated it. That's my favorite part about Christmas Eve. When it was all done, I got my Christmas Charlie Brown jammies on. Christmas would soon be here! I was so excited!

My friends in West Virginia sent me a "Waiting For Santa" present. It was another ornament with my name on it! Outta site! Now I have 2!

I really like this one. It looks like Santa's tummy! *giggle*

Mrs. Walton (my friend Vivienne's mom), even sent my mom an early present. It's a Nativity scene!

My mom also gave me a "Waiting For Santa" present; a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer book! It's just like the television special!

On the day before Christmas Eve, my mom and I baked Christmas cookies. I ate my share, but I remembered to leave some for Santa!

After my mom read my Rudolph book to me, it was time to go to bed. I was tired, but I felt all fluttery inside! Santa was coming!

The next morning, Christmas Day, I jumped outta bed, got the candy from my stocking, and ran to get my mom. I couldn't believe it! On the floor under the tree was the biggest Christmas present I'd even seen in my life!

My mom said "I guess someone was a good little girl this year!" I just stood there with my mouth hanging open. My mom laughed at me and said "Well what are you waiting for? Open it!" So I did!

The box was almost bigger than me! I thought I'd never get that wrapping paper off!

Wow! It was a Honey Hill Bunch Clubhouse Gift Set!

Inside was a clubhouse you had to put together, a table, 2 barrel chairs, a see-saw, a wagon, a rope ladder, a sign, a trash barrel tunnel and 3 dolls! Far out! Thanks Santa!

Here are the 3 dolls: I.Q. with her book, Sweet Lee with her gingerbread man, and Spunky with his sack lunch.

I also got a cool Scooby-Doo t-shirt from my mom! Thanks Mom!

My mom helped me put the clubhouse together. Man, was it ever neat!

I had Spunky climb up the rope ladder, while Sweet Lee and I.Q. played on the See Saw.

I played until mom made me stop and eat breakfast. It was a groovy day. I played with the clubhouse, watched TV specials, and called some of my friends to see what they got for Christmas. Then I had to get dressed because Jennifer and her parents were coming over for Christmas dinner. I was playing with my dolls and clubhouse when Jennifer arrived.

And guess what? She got a Honey Hill Bunch doll too! Lil' Kid with Good Dog!

She flipped when she saw the clubhouse! She sat right down and started playing with me while our moms got dinner on the table.

Spunky pulled Lil' Kid in the wagon, while Sweet Lee and I.Q played tag.

Then our moms called us to the table for dinner. The grown-ups sat in the dining room, while Jennifer and I sat in the kitchen. We had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and rolls, yummy!

After dinner, we all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, and had cake and ice-cream, which is the tradition in our family.

Chocolate cake and strawberry ice-cream! Mmmmmmm....

Y'know, it's funny. A few years ago, I thought Jennifer and I would never be friends, and now here she was in my house having Christmas dinner with me. I guess life is funny like that. But this was absolutely (spelling word) one of the best Christmases I've ever had! I hope in the future Christmas is just as much fun.

Merry (late) Christmas, future readers!
Until next time,
Your friend,
Julie Newman

I did it! I finally did it!

Hello future readers,

This past Friday was possibly the grooviest day of my whole life! It didn't start out that way, though. I lost my favorite pencil out of my book bag on the playground. Our team lost the relay race in gym class, and my mom forgot to buy cookies for my lunch box dessert. Then after recess was test time. The Spelling test is OK, but man, oh man, the Math test! But I had tutoring the night before with Kerry, and she says I'm really doing lots better!

Usually when I'm taking the Math test, I sit and chew on my pencil, and rub my forehead, trying to make the answers pop into my head. But this time was different. I looked at those Math problems, and I actually knew a lot of the answers!

I remembered to add on to the bigger numbers, and some of the Schoolhouse Rock songs were running around in my head. It was nice not to feel like I wanted to cry while I was taking this test.

And guess what? I only missed ONE question!

Miss LaSalle even wrote "Great Job" on top of my test paper! I felt like crying, (but the good kind of crying). Miss LaSalle let me bring the test home,  but she wanted me to bring it back to school, so she could put it on the bulletin board with the other top grades in the class. I was actually gonna get to be on the bulletin board! Outta site!

"See Boomer? I got a 95 on my test. Isn't that far out?"

"Don't you dare chew up my test paper, Boomer! I gotta take this back to school on Monday."

My mom took me to Sam's for a super-duper deluxe sundae after dinner, and then to the movies.  "It's A Wonderful Life" was playing at the movie house.

My mom was so proud of me, and I was too! It just shows what a little hard work will do. Kyle thinks that schools will get rid of tests in the future. Is that how it is for you? It would be nice not to have to take tests anymore, but it's still so cool to pass one!

Until next time, future readers,
Your friend,
Julie Newman

Thanksgiving At Susan's House

Hello future readers,

I had a really super Thanksgiving! My mom and I watched the parade and ate French toast and hot cocoa. I liked the Underdog balloon and the Tom Turkey float.  (Underdog is an older cartoon I used to watch when I was a little kid). My mom didn't cook this year, because we were going to eat at Susan's house! We walked over at 4 o'clock. The house smelled delicious and Mrs. Hormsby (Susan's mom), had the kids' table all set.

Susan and Raychel came running in from Susan's room. Raychel was of course, the first one there, because Susan and Raychel's families share a duplex.

 Mrs. Shaunessy (Raychel's mom) had been there all day helping Susan's mom cook, and Raychel had been there playing.

Susan had invited some of us in school last week. Kim and Bridget and their families showed up first.

I know that because Lisa, me and my mom came in right behind them.

We rapped awhile and then Susan's mom announced it was time to eat.

Each of us took a turn and said what we were thankful for.

"I'm  thankful I can have some of my best friends here to share this day."

"I'm thankful that my grandma's feeling better and that my mom and dad let me come here today."

"I'm thankful for a groovy town like Springfield, where everybody knows everybody and we're all safe."

"I'm thankful for all of this yummy food we're about to eat."

"I'm thankful for my mom and that I'm doing better in Math."

And then at last it was time to eat! And Kim was right, it was all so yummy!

And then it was time for dessert! 3 kinds of pie,  and ice-cream! Outta site!

I love cherry pie!

Everything was so good, and I had such a groovy time. Before we left, I gave Susan a big hug!

I have so much to be thankful for! And I hope people are still thankful for what they have in the future.

Until next time, future readers,
Your friend,
Julie Newman