Monday, May 6, 2013

Casey Johnson's Flat Stanley is vacationing in California

Casey Johnson's Flat Stanley took a trip to California.  He got to visit Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States and see lots of interesting places.  He also got to help his new friends build a copy of the first Spanish Mission in California, the Mission of San Diego.  He also enjoyed some wonderful weather and beautiful hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains.  He thinks you should visit California too!!!








Friday, May 3, 2013

Sullivan McWhirter's Flat Stanley was blown away by the Windy City!

When Flat Stanley arrived in Chicago, IL, he couldn't wait to get out and go exploring! So he bought a pass for the train - which Chicago calls the "El" because the tracks are elevated instead of being in tunnels underground like some cities. And off he went!



His first stop was to see historic Wrigley Field on the north side of the city. That's where the Chicago Cubs play baseball. Their season opened on April 8. Sometimes fans have to wear their heavy coats and snow boots because it is still freezing when baseball season starts. Cubs fans are known for being loyal to their team... even though they haven't won a World Series in more than 100 years!


Next, Flat Stanley traveled downtown to see some more of Chicago's famous sights. He took a stroll down the Magnificent Mile, where people go to shop till they drop!


He went to Navy Pier on Lake Michigan, where he saw a giant Ferris wheel. Did you know that the very first Ferris wheel ever built was in Chicago for the 1893 World's Fair?


Flat Stanley couldn't believe how big Lake Michigan was--it almost looks like the ocean with big ships sailing far out into the water.


Chicago also has a river flowing through the middle of the city. You can ride a boat from Lake Michigan right through the skyscrapers downtown.


Stanley's next adventure was to see "the Bean" in Millennium Park. Everyone likes to take their picture in the reflection, including Stanley!



The weather was turning colder, and the wind was blowing strong from the lake. Flat Stanley needed to get inside before he blew away! (Do you know why Chicago is called the Windy City? It isn't actually because of the weather...) Stanley found the perfect place--the Art Institute of Chicago.


After his close call in the wind, Flat Stanley knew the first exhibit he wanted to see...



Can you name these two famous paintings? (Stanley brought some clues home with him.)



In addition to paintings and sculptures, the museum has artifacts from throughout history and places all around the world. Perfect for Flat Stanley who loves adventures! His favorite part was imagining that he was a knight in shining armor.


After a day full of excitement, Flat Stanley realized he had been too busy to eat! But what food can possibly fit in his flat tummy? Then, Stanley had a great idea: pizza! He went to the nearest Chicago pizza parlor... but what do you think he discovered?



Chicago-style pizza ISN'T FLAT!!!


Then Flat Stanley knew it was time to go back home to his family in Texas. He can't wait to share all of his Chicago adventures with his friends!


Thursday, May 2, 2013

Noah's Flat Stanley Visits Fort Lee, Virginia

Flat Stanley goes everywhere I go. Since I am in the Army, he had to be in uniform. Although, he made my time enjoyable while I was at my desk.
 
 
 I work out twice a day so therefore Flat Stanley had to do the same. He struggled at first but he eventually learned how to do a correct push up.

 
 Flat Stanley loved all of the healthy foods that we consumed. He especially loved the smoothies.

 
 For some odd reason, Flat Stanley snuck out of the house and I found him at the gold course. I tried to explain to him that it was bed time and not playtime.


"Johnathan LeMasters" Flat Stanley is on his way home

         Hi John-John we really enjoyed Flat Stanley's company. We hope you will bring him to visit again when you come down for grandma's birthday. Flat Stanley is bringing you a surprise, hope you like it. He also has afew pictures for you from his adventures. We love you Johnathan!
 
Avari Cleaver's Flat Stanley



Here is Flat Stanley making cake donuts.
Here Flat Slanley fell in the dough and got a boo boo.
His favorite donuts are chocolate donut holes. He makes a big mess.



He likes to model the donuts for everyone as they come by.

Flat Stanley even sold some donuts to customers.
He had so much fun with Nana & Papa.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Flat Stanley has fun in Los Angeles, California!

 Can you find Flat Stanley in this picture?

 He had a great time enjoying the sun on Santa Monica State Beach!  He even saw a dolphin!!
Can you see Santa Monica pier in the background?
    


Los Angeles is a very diverse community with over 4 million people and cultures from 140 different countries!
Flat Stanley visited Santa Ana where there is the largest Vietnamese population living outside of the country, Vietnam.  He loved enjoying some spring rolls for an afternoon snack!









Flat Stanley leaves today for his journey home back to your 1st Grade!  He is bringing a book for you all to enjoy that he got at the L.A. Festival of books, Macaroni and Cheese Anthology!


Monday, April 29, 2013

Riley Smithart's Flat Stanley had a blast!

Dear Riley,

Just checking in to let you know Flat Stanley was securely packed up this morning and should be arriving back to you via USPS on Wednesday.  We were so sad to see him go!  He's had so much fun here in Carmel, IN.  We don't want to give too much away, but he got to attend Colin's 7th birthday party and his lacrosse practice.  He also got to watch Samantha and Colin in their gymnastics classes and go to Samantha's violin lesson.

You'll have to wait to see the real adventure!  We've included lots of pictures of his awesome day with us from this past weekend.  I bet you're going to think his adventure was pretty cool.  We can't wait for you to see him!

Love,
Your Cousins, Samantha and Colin and Aunt Christy and Uncle Sandy

"Hayden Canady's" Flat Stanley Explores Bagram Afghanistan

It took me 7 days to make it from McKinney, TX to Bagram Airfield Afghanistan.  Hayden's dad - Technical Sergeant (TSgt) Canady is in the United States Air Force and he picked me up from the post office and took me to his work area.  His desk has many family photos.  He must really love his family!  What else can you see on his desk?


TSgt Canady told me that sometimes it can be dangerous outside so we might need to where body armor.  He let me try his on, but I think it was a little too big!  What do you think?


I was introduced to some murals that are just my size.  Which one do you like best?




I didn't stay inside long. TSgt Canady said it was a beautiful day outside and was a perfect day to explore some locations around the base. We took some photos just outside the building where he works. 





I learned to drive a truck and even saw a huge air plane.  Have you ever driven a vehicle or seen such a huge air plane?





Check out these mountains.  They are part of the Hindu Kush mountain range.  Can you find them on a map?  How tall do you think they are?




After driving around we played a few games of horse shoes - I think I won!  And then we played some volley ball - being flat is not so great for volleyball.  I learned what a spike means in volleyball!  Sitting in the judge's chair was just as fun and much safer for me.  Have you ever played horse shoes or volleyball?





I was hungry after all the sports we played so TSgt Canady treated me to a pizza and a peach smoothie.  What's your favorite kind of pizza?  What about your favorite treat?


After dinner we explored more places that had views outside the base.  It wasn't safe for me to pose in front of the camera so I helped take the photos.  These items can be dangerous to touch.  Why should you not touch these things?





There are many people that live outside the base.  I saw a rancher, a group of boys, a mother and daughter, and a boy hunter.  What kind of animals does the rancher have?  The people wear different clothing than you are me but they are people that like to have fun like us. I saw them play tag, wrestle, play soccer, and they love  to explore.  What do you like to do for fun?






We also saw some interesting vehicles.  It looks like a motorcycle and a cart or wagon.  I call it a motorcartagon.  What would you call it?



We also saw a local market.  There were many people that sold meat and vegetables and clothing and trinkets.  I tried to say hello to a couple of girls and a group of boys.  I don't think they had met anyone like me before.  What do you think their reactions mean?







We saw an old bullet hole in a building and it made me pretty nervous.  TSgt Canady thought I acted really brave and said it was time for us to head back to our room for the day.  Would you be scared?

Our room had 3 bedrooms that each have their own bunk bed.  TSgt Canady said I was such a brave boy today so he gave me my very own bedroom and he even made the bed for me! My room was awesome! I love stripes...how did he know?  What is your favorite colored sheets? What kind of bed do you have?




What a great day!  Unfortunately, many of the things we had planned on the following days were canceled due to the weather or because it was too dangerous for me to go out.  We missed out on a plane ride, helicopter visit, really cool army vehicle, a trip to the fire station and the hospital.  Even though we missed out on those adventures, I am really exhausted from all the fun and adventures we did have.  Now I need to get ready for my trip back home.  I have some really cool souvenirs and can't wait to share them with Hayden and his class.  See you soon!