From July 12th to 14th, Marissa and I attended "Son Treasure Island" vbs at three churches in New Liskeard. (There are First Baptist, United, and Presbyterian churches grouped together at one intersection in the town so they co-host the school.) Technically Marissa was too young to go (being younger than 5), but they allowed us to attend anyway (I stayed with her the whole time and tried to help out as I could).
Each day basically followed this schedule:
9:00am - big group singing (all the kids) + skit
- (change church) small group singing (little kids) + bible story
- game time
- lesson time + memory verses
- snack time
- craft time
11:30am- (change church) big group singing + dismissal
Marissa really enjoyed playing with the other kids, and they really watched out for her (helped her with her snack and directed her to different activities). The ladies working at the event always ensured I got a snack too! During the song times she danced a bit but mostly people-watched. She was pretty shy in the large group setting. There were about 11 kids in her small group - called the Turtles. Game time was also fun - on Friday the boys played "keep the beachball in the air" and the girls played "throw grass on Melanie." She also loved craft time - I am not a craft person so it was quite a change to her usual schedule. I tried not to help too much - I basically just applied glue and let her do the rest. She also used paint for the first time, but she was really careful with it.
Marissa in the snack area wearing her turtle name tag.
Marissa's name tag
The verses she "memorized" (she got a sticker if she could repeat them)
Marissa's first craft - a picture frame with green sand and shells
Wind chimes - Marissa painted the plastic pot and put the stickers on it
Sun visor - okay, I did the drawing on it
Dragonfly - well, actually I did most of this one - Marissa picked out the wings
Scrapbook - the cover is actually sandpaper; Marissa glued on the stickers
Mobile - Marissa glued yellow tissue paper to the 'sun' and coloured most of the letters (she did ask me to colour some too - honest!)
Marissa in her new "princess" jammies that Grandma got her
We downloaded a program called Skype to our computer, so we call Chris at home or on his cell for free. Marissa likes wearing the headset and being able to walk around while talking to him...
A serious talker!!! ;-) 
This picture was taken on our way from Thunder Bay to Stonewall. Marissa loves rocks, so this was an impressive find for her. Another funny story that happened that trip was Marissa discovered a way to get us to stop the car when she wants a break. She is becoming quite the actress, and faked having to go to the bathroom - it was very convincing, with moans and groans and everything - until she got out of the car and suddenly didn't have to go anymore!
These two pictures are of Marissa's first french braids. I'm not sure how my mom got her to sit still, but she did a great job.
This picture is on the road to Brandon to help Diana with her move to Brandon. This was the last weekend of Chris' summer break - Sep 2. It is such a blessing that Marissa enjoys travelling! 
Auntie Kristi and Marissa swimming in the lake
Auntie Kristi, Uncle Mike and Marissa visiting Great Grandma Reid in Englehart, On
Marissa and Great Grandma Reid 
Lee and Steve about to blow out the candles
Marissa in the snack area wearing her turtle name tag. 
Marissa's name tag
The verses she "memorized" (she got a sticker if she could repeat them) 
Marissa's first craft - a picture frame with green sand and shells
Wind chimes - Marissa painted the plastic pot and put the stickers on it
Sun visor - okay, I did the drawing on it
Dragonfly - well, actually I did most of this one - Marissa picked out the wings
Scrapbook - the cover is actually sandpaper; Marissa glued on the stickers
Mobile - Marissa glued yellow tissue paper to the 'sun' and coloured most of the letters (she did ask me to colour some too - honest!)
