Sad week in Wyoming

Email from the secretary at Vermont Elementary:

We have a little angel named Elena in heaven now : )

Jane

Email from guidance counselor at Wyoming High School (re: 2 of my very fav students):


Babacar and his father came in today to withdraw the twins. Prof. Diene has taken a math position at a college in Dubai. Babacar stated his parents promised he and Abdoulaye could return to the States for college. They are leaving this Saturday.

Monica

Email correspondance between Mrs. P (me) and the Diene twins:

Hi Mrs. Palassis. Yes we are leaving. We told you during the school year that we would stay in the U.S. but one month ago my mom changed her mind. I don't really know what kind of school we are going but it will probably be english school. Thank you for all the help. We wish a good school year.

The Twins



Please pray for Elena's family.

Niko goes for a pampers ride

Niko helps with the laundry...and flashes a grin!

Niko loved playing in a laundry basket, then took a tumble.

A Prayer Request

I feel compelled to write about a little girl who attended kindergarten at one of the schools where I teach. She was a sweet little girl, but was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer of which there is no known successful treatment. She has a wishlist that our community of Wyoming Schools has been trying to fullfill. I watched her go from playing on the playground to using a walker and struggling to put food in her mouth. She is a strong little girl, her parents even stronger. Here is her website: www.desserich.org. It breaks my heart to think that I may not see her in school next year. This website chronicles her illness and her parents' strength, as well as Elena's wishlist. Keep fighting, Elena!! The picture is a print by Elena that you can buy called "I Love You." Even if only one person reads this, that could be one more prayer for little Elena.

Opa! It's Panegyri Time!

As it is each year, the second to last weekend in June was consumed with our Panegyri Greek Festival. Michael and Ally went Friday and Saturday, leaving Niko to play with his Mimi (Ally's mom), and on Sunday Niko came along to enjoy the festivities. Ally and Michael were in charge of all of the Greek dancing, along with Michael's mother and father. We even got pictures with the band that we'll post as soon as Michael's dad sends them to us. It was a busy, but fun-filled weekend.

More 50 pics :)

Here are a few more pics from the "Mama's 50th Birthday Dinner." Enjoy!

She's 50!

Mama (Michael's mom/Ally's MIL) turned fifty today! Ally's mom planned a lovely Italian dinner and served everyone an amazing meal. Amber made a double chocolate chip "leaning tower of chocolate" cake :) We surprised Mama with a plane ticket to visit her sister in Wilmington, NC. Everyone had a blast! We hope you had a great birthday, Mama!

Bachelorette Party!

Ally went to Laura's bachelorette party this past weekend. It was a blast! Michael stayed home with Niko and had to turn down free Reds tickets :( I got Laura her own Ju-ju-be with a cute tank top, then she "lei-ed" me.

We had a fun filled Memorial Day weekend! We all finally were healthy and ready to have some fun! Our neighborhood pool opened up and we took Niko swimming. He loved it! On a bad note, we found out a pool rule had changed since we moved here and babies in diapers are now only allowed in the baby pool (found out after Ally was asked to vacate the pool). So...Michael put together an excellently written grievence and we'l l see what happens. It is turning into single family homes vs the condos. Also new is that Niko can sit in a restaurant high chair! It makes going out a whole lot easier. He is at an in between phase where he is pretty happy to sit in the chair and not wanting to climb out yet. He can wave now, too. He is growing up!!

We must live under a rock...

I finally figured out that I have to sign in using Michael's g-mail account. Big "Duh" on my part. So...our last post was when Niko was 6 weeks old. Now he is 9 MONTHS OLD! I can't believe it, time flies. News on our front: Ally has developed an unhealthy addiction to looking at Ju Ju Be diaper bags and Michael rode the big rollercoasters at Kings Island for the first time last week (he felt pretty sick afterwards, though). Niko is such a good boy and we truly enjoy all of the time we have with him. The pictures of him are from Michael's cousin Jonathan's art show in Hyde Park. He sold all of his paintings! Praise God! We also attended a Greek wedding May 12 and there are a few pics from that.