Just Chillin'

OK, LONG story short... On Sunday Mailee and I came home from church to a message that Daddy was broken down about 4 miles from home. We went to rescue him, and ended up hanging out in the car for HOURS!!! Look closely, you can see Daddy's car with the hood up behind Munchkin.

8 new spark plugs, 5 gallons of Premium Gas (does anyone really buy that stuff these days?), a visit from AAA, some new computer sensor thingy, a socket wrench extension, AND 1 brand-new fuel pump later... the car is good as new!

Mailee was SOOO good. I have to ask myself, "Whose kid is she???" I had NO IDEA it would be so long! She was strapped into her seat almost the whole time. She read a magazine, ate french fries, and sang songs with Mommy! What a trooper!

Relay For Life

To Our Beloved Family and Friends,

On May 31st, Mailee and I will be walking in the Relay for Life fundraising event to support the American Cancer Society.

We are walking to honor the memory of my dad, Bruce Lent-Koop, who lost his battle with cancer. With continuing hope, prayers, and research, I, thankfully, know many more cancer survivors than victims!

Mailee and I have set a goal of raising $10 to honor each year that Bruce blessed us on earth. He died at the age of 40.

Please help us raise at least $400.

Click Here to Sponsor Mandy and Mailee Minitello

Thank you for helping us to share Christ’s message of hope to those challenged by cancer and to challenge all to Celebrate, Remember, and FIGHT BACK!

With love and thanks,
Mommy and Mailee Minitello

Left Alone with Mashed Potatoes

Ever wonder what happens when the laundry needs to be switched from washer to dryer at lunchtime???

I am trying to allow Mailee to feed herself with utensils as much as possible. Hmmmm.... better luck next time!

Twinkle Star

Today Mailee and I went to our first Mommy-and-Me Pre-PreSchool class. It was SO much fun! The whole focus is on getting the kids to socialize, build large and small motor skills and coordination, and to start to be exposed to aspects of "school" like sitting in a circle, singing and finger playing, sharing, etc. Mailee was one of the youngest ones in the class, so she got to watch the older ones and figure out how to play with the PlayDough, games, and puzzles. She even went down the slide all by herself (and not the "baby slide" either!) What a big girl!

She wasn't so much into sitting in Circle for more than a minute, or so, but she will get there! (I hope!) She also didn't smile the whole time. She was having a good time, I guess school is just very SERIOUS BUSINESS for now!

I didn't get to take any pictures of her, she was too busy moving for me to get a good shot. Maybe next time. Next week, we go on a Field Trip with the class to the park to do outdoor activities and feed the ducks! What fun!

Each week, they make an art project. Today, Mailee painted a "Twinkle Star" so I went out and got a bulletin board so that we can display her masterpieces in her play room.

Mardi Gras Delivers!

Grandma just got back from visiting Uncle Dan and Auntie Rissa in Mississippi and brought a gift from them for Mailee. Last month, The Lent-Koop Crew went to a "Family Friendly" version of Mardi Gras and, due to the fact that they are EXTREMELY cute, Mailee's cousins got about a GOOGILLION beads. Therefore, Cousins Livi and Ella sent some "Happy Beads" for Mailee to enjoy too!

Girly- Girl put them all on, donned her purse to boot, and RAN around the house! I think she had the most fun playing "Mardi Gras" this side of the Mississippi River!

THANK YOU LIVI AND ELLA! WE MISS Y'ALL (Jackson and Jake too)!!!!!!!!!

Mailee's First Ponytails!!! (Finally)

Look Mommy! I Didn't Eat Them!

Mailee managed to create some FABULOUS artwork with her crayons and drawing pad and... SHE DIDN'T EAT THE CRAYONS!

For those not "in the know"... this is kinda a BIG DEAL developmentally!

Yeah Little Munchkin!!!

But She Did Eat This!

Can you believe all this mess was from 1/2 a chocolate chip cookie!

Mailee loves when Mommy bakes!!!