Morel Fest

We Hutsons took advantage of the gorgeous weekend we had and headed on over to Bean Blossom, IN for the Morel Festival.  We had a fun, fun time.  Evangeline had a few firsts over the weekend which included first time in the porta-potty and first tick.  Boy was she excited to camp.

There were some fun activities for the kids to do.  She got to decorate a mushroom cookie, decorate a flower pot and plant some wildflower seeds, get a balloon from a balloon artist, get her face painted and make a bracelet.  After listing to a few bands we went to Nashville.  We visited the shops and ate dinner at the Artist Colony.  Evangeline's favorite was the Christmas shop.  Her jaw dropped to the floor when we entered the place.  

Later that night we listened to a few more bands before heading back to our campsite.  Evangeline was a total dancing queen.  She was the only one out there.  There was a sea of people and a little girl just cutting loose between that sea and the band.  At one point between songs I asked her if she wanted to walk back up to the vendors and get a drink and rest.  Her reply, "no, I'm ready to rock". 

It was not a bad night sleep considering we were in public campground.  

We had a pretty spot.  Our site was framed in blooming Redbuds and there was a cattle pasture behind us.  

After we packed up and stopped for breakfast at the Scholars Inn Bake House in Bloomington, we headed to the farm for a hike in the woods.  

Evangeline has been talking lately about how she wants a pet ladybug like Lily's from Peter Rabbit.  She had a whole big plan for it.  It was going to live in one of her plastic eggs from her Easter basket....Well, we found a ladybug in the woods and she was SO excited about it.  She named it Florence.  I think she expected it would just stay with her and fly around after her.  She was disappointed when it flew off.  We had to have a little talk about realism/fantasy.  

Nature Girl insisted that she bring blankie into the woods with her.  

I thought this flower was so pretty the way it was growing out of this rock.  

Evangeline sat on Kyle's lap from the pond back to the house and "drove" the car.  She thought it was the best thing in the world.  

 

Grandma's apple and pear trees are in full bloom. 

Mothers Making a Difference

I am extremely proud of my mom.  She has worked tirelessly over the past two years toward her dream of having a playground specifically designed for her students with special needs.  Together with her friend, Missy, they made that dream a reality this week.  There was a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony Wednesday morning.  I was so happy I could attend.  The playground is dedicated to the memory Jennifer Krockenburger, a mother of one of the students in her classroom that passed away of cancer two years ago.  The playground was built in a little unused courtyard that sits right outside the special education classrooms. 

 

The Davis Park building principle, Tammy Rushline did a great job officiating the program.  She also recognized how compassionate my mom and Missy both are. 

 

Jennifer's husband talked about how much it meant to Jennifer to have a safe place for her son and other children with special needs to play.

Mom and Missy both gave such touching speeches about Jen and their dream and journey for the playground, there was not a dry eye in the crowd.



 

Colin, Jen's son, also gave a short speech thanking everyone for coming to his playground.  It was a very special moment. 

 

Mom had several friends and family come to celebrate the occasion.  We all know just how much blood, sweat and tears went into this project.  We were all so happy to be able to celebrate with her. 

 

Instead of releasing balloons they opted for ribbons.  It was a happy celebration.  The playground was also Evangeline approved.  She had a blast climbing the tent. 

 

Colin's Mommy would sure be proud.  It's quite a tribute to a woman I know touched a lot of lives. 



 

Me and Auntie.  I'm getting her eye wrinkles and I like it.  



 

 

I always tell people that there are few people in this world as willing to give the shirt off their back to someone as my mom.  I'm so blessed to have had someone so special to look up to in my life.  

Here is the story from News Channel 2:
Before losing her battle to cancer two years ago, Jennifer Krockenburger wanted a playground specifically for her special needs child. Her good friend Missy Schaumleffel has a special needs child of her own and worries about his wellbeing.

"You always have the worries about the future of your child, worried about your child getting away from you, or being in danger," said Missy Schaumleffel, who also serves as the PTO Co-President at Davis Park.

Missy and Davis Park Special Education teacher Deborah Walters have worked to make this dream come true for two years.
Now children with special needs like Jennifer's son Collin have their very own fenced in playground that meets their sensory needs.

"It gives them lots of color and noise and things they can touch," Walters explained. "It works on fine motor and gross motor. It helps them get it all together."

Deborah saw just how much impact one mother's dream for her son can have on a community.

"The heavens just opened up in the spring," Walters said. "We started getting donations. They just started pouring in. All of a sudden, it all became a reality."

Both Deborah and Missy can agree that if Jennifer were here today, the playground known as the 'Safe Haven' would make her over the moon excited.

"I think Jen would be very excited, very proud, happy to see that her son finally has a fenced in playground as well as other special needs children," said Missy. "Because she didn't just look out for her son, it was for other kids like her son."

"Jennifer would be thrilled. Jennifer had the sense of humor, the spirit of fun and the music and the ribbons. She would just be over the moon and i know she's smiling down on us right now," Walters said.

Today's dedication makes the Davis Park Safe Haven the only playground geared specifically towards children with special needs in the area.