Sunday, November 07, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Fall 2010
As usual we've been busy around here! Here is a quick recap:
*Jack is loving school- happy to go every day and full of stories every night. It's been really good for him. He's already more outgoing and independent.
*Emma is keeping busy with some music and library classes. She takes Jack's old backpack with her so that she feels like she's headed to school too!
*We did a very last minute trip to downtown Chicago last weekend. We took the train down there- very fun! We went to the aquarium and to the top of Willis Tower (Sears Tower).
*We're looking forward to our favorite pumpkin patch this weekend and Halloween can't come soon enough for my 2 babies!
*Jack is loving school- happy to go every day and full of stories every night. It's been really good for him. He's already more outgoing and independent.
*Emma is keeping busy with some music and library classes. She takes Jack's old backpack with her so that she feels like she's headed to school too!
*We did a very last minute trip to downtown Chicago last weekend. We took the train down there- very fun! We went to the aquarium and to the top of Willis Tower (Sears Tower).
*We're looking forward to our favorite pumpkin patch this weekend and Halloween can't come soon enough for my 2 babies!
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Last Week of Freedom!
Tomorrow I head back to school... we've had a really great summer full of adventures. I'm ready to get back into the school routine though- especially since Jack will be headed to school with me in about a week! Here are a few pictures...
Brandon ran the Madison Mini Marathon (13 miles!) on Saturday! He did a great job and is now thinking of training for a full marathon! Emma was not too thrilled about posing for this picture!
We went to a Brewer game with some friends whose kids are just a few weeks older than ours. Jack and Taylor held hands the whole way from the parking lot into the stadium! Hmm... a future love match? Emma and Brady had fun together too. We made it until the bottom of the 6th inning!
Emma's new dress from Obeo's friend, Theresa! She brought it all the way from Mexico! Emma clearly loves it! Thank you Theresa!!!!
Brandon ran the Madison Mini Marathon (13 miles!) on Saturday! He did a great job and is now thinking of training for a full marathon! Emma was not too thrilled about posing for this picture!We went to a Brewer game with some friends whose kids are just a few weeks older than ours. Jack and Taylor held hands the whole way from the parking lot into the stadium! Hmm... a future love match? Emma and Brady had fun together too. We made it until the bottom of the 6th inning! 
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Summer 2010
Now that we only have about 2 weeks of summer left... I'll review what we've been up to!
* Jack took a class called, "Safety Town". It's put on by our local school district and our pediatrician highly recommended it to us. Jack was a little nervous on the first day- but I talked to him about how lucky he was that he had already gone to preschool and didn't have to be nervous about taking this class on his own. I left him with his 2 middle school age teachers and the 3 other kids in his group and walked away. He didn't even shed a single tear! He ended up having a great time and learned so much! I was amazed that he did the class all on his own with no problems... the first days of preschool were tough!
The class met everyday from 1-3 for 2 weeks. He got to ride a bike around this special part of the school's playground that they set up to look like real streets. He learned all about crossing the road, stoplights, crosswalks, police officers, dialing 911, fire fighters, animal safety, poisons, school bus safety, playground safety and about a million other things. The class was full of stuff I'd maybe mentioned before- but I was so glad that he heard it all in this kind of setting. One of his teachers became especially fond of Jack and wrote me the sweetest note after the class ended. She has now become a babysitter for us!
* Emma took a mom and kid gymnastics class and loved every minute of it! She jumped on the trampoline, did an obstacle course, walked on the balance beams and learned how to behave around other kids! She is so much more independent than Jack ever was at that age. Even now she seems to be the leader- Jack will often follow her lead in situations where he'd normally be shy.
* Jack and Brandon took a parent and kid sports class for a few weeks- apparently the other kids in the class had just turned 3 or 4 so they were a bit younger. Jack still had a good time and got to try things like kickball!
* Our family trip to Disney World was amazing. I never in a million years thought we'd enjoy it so much. On the first night we went to Epcot and Jack got to ride a ton of the rides! He loved all of them and was so brave! We did a character dinner where Pluto, Mickey Mouse, those Chipmunks, and some others walked around to your table while you were eating. Emma took one look at Pluto headed her way and FREAKED OUT!! She launched herself out of her booster seat and into Brandon's lap in record time! It reminded me of when she saw Santa this year! For the rest of the trip- whenever we'd say, "Here comes Pluto!" she'd get all nervous and look around for him!!! It was hilarious!!
We also did a dinner called the "Hoop Dee Doo Revue" which sounded sort of sketchy and corny at first- but it was great! We had a great dinner while watching this comedy play thing- Jack was belly laughing at parts of it. It was so fun to see him "get" that kind of goofy humor.
The longest line we stood in was an hour long so that Emma could meet the princesses. When we finally entered the room where Sleeping Beauty, Belle, and Cinderella were waiting- it was magical! Emma was in shock that they were real and Jack was in love! Sleeping Beauty asked Jack if there were dragons in his land! Cinderella kissed Jack on the cheek and he loved it!
We went to Universal Studios and did the Islands of Adventure park. That was sooo great! We loved the rides and the superheroes! Jack was in absolute heaven when he got to meet Spiderman! We had a fabulous day there even though it was incredibly hot!
We loved hanging out with Nae Nae and Dude (LaNae and David) and were so grateful that they invited us! There pool is awesome- Jack and Emma were swimming and jumping in on their own with the help of these ridiculous yellow swimsuits with built in inner tubes that I bought for them.
*Yesterday we headed up to Eau Claire for Brandon's Grandma's 100th birthday! She is in a nursing home and sleeps pretty much all of the time- but she looked good for 100 to me! The kids were a little unsure of the whole thing- but were well behaved. We took a family picture in front of 707 Water Street! That's the house where Brandon and I met just about 12 years ago! We met in the basement during a Homecoming party! Very crazy to be back 12 years later with our 2 kids!!!
*Today we hit the State Fair. The kids loved the animals and the big slide. They both also did the trampoline thing. Emma again showed absolutely no fear as she headed right in to get her harness on! She had a huge smile the whole time she was jumping and even did 2 flips! Jack was a bit more timid- but smiled the whole time.
*Being home with those 2 kids is great and hard all at the same time. I treasure the time I have with them, but look forward to a fresh school year as well. They can be quite a challenge especially when it's hot outside and we're crabby in our non-air conditioned house!!!
Jack will be headed to school with me in a few weeks for Junior Kindergarten! He'll be there 5 days a week for full days! We'll drive to and from school each day! I can't wait! I'm even more excited now that I know the transition won't be so hard. He has grown a lot in the past year and is ready to be on his own a bit more. Of course his classroom is right next door to mine-- so he'll see my face squished up on his window as I try to spy on him, so he won't really be on his own!! :) Emma will be home with Moe Moe this year- she's going to be signed up for tons of classes. She loves trying new things and will need those adventures. She'll use Jack's old backpack and pretend she's off to school each day too!
Jack was happy to see the characters!
GET AWAY FROM ME YOU BIG FURRY DOG!!!
SUPER excited to be riding the monorail!
Lovin' on Sonny the dog!
4th of July parade...
Lovin' on Puppa. He really does love them, I swear!
Kitchen/living room/dining area in our fabulous 2 bedroom palace at Disney!
Our 7 year old baby
Our 4 and a half year old baby!
Causing a ruckus at the state capitol building in Madison!
Trouble.
Ready for our adventures at Epcot!
Our Safety Town grad!
A bit too tall for the bikes at Safety Town...
Daddy-O and Jack in their matching capes!
On the plane and headed to Florida!
* Jack took a class called, "Safety Town". It's put on by our local school district and our pediatrician highly recommended it to us. Jack was a little nervous on the first day- but I talked to him about how lucky he was that he had already gone to preschool and didn't have to be nervous about taking this class on his own. I left him with his 2 middle school age teachers and the 3 other kids in his group and walked away. He didn't even shed a single tear! He ended up having a great time and learned so much! I was amazed that he did the class all on his own with no problems... the first days of preschool were tough!
The class met everyday from 1-3 for 2 weeks. He got to ride a bike around this special part of the school's playground that they set up to look like real streets. He learned all about crossing the road, stoplights, crosswalks, police officers, dialing 911, fire fighters, animal safety, poisons, school bus safety, playground safety and about a million other things. The class was full of stuff I'd maybe mentioned before- but I was so glad that he heard it all in this kind of setting. One of his teachers became especially fond of Jack and wrote me the sweetest note after the class ended. She has now become a babysitter for us!
* Emma took a mom and kid gymnastics class and loved every minute of it! She jumped on the trampoline, did an obstacle course, walked on the balance beams and learned how to behave around other kids! She is so much more independent than Jack ever was at that age. Even now she seems to be the leader- Jack will often follow her lead in situations where he'd normally be shy.
* Jack and Brandon took a parent and kid sports class for a few weeks- apparently the other kids in the class had just turned 3 or 4 so they were a bit younger. Jack still had a good time and got to try things like kickball!
* Our family trip to Disney World was amazing. I never in a million years thought we'd enjoy it so much. On the first night we went to Epcot and Jack got to ride a ton of the rides! He loved all of them and was so brave! We did a character dinner where Pluto, Mickey Mouse, those Chipmunks, and some others walked around to your table while you were eating. Emma took one look at Pluto headed her way and FREAKED OUT!! She launched herself out of her booster seat and into Brandon's lap in record time! It reminded me of when she saw Santa this year! For the rest of the trip- whenever we'd say, "Here comes Pluto!" she'd get all nervous and look around for him!!! It was hilarious!!
We also did a dinner called the "Hoop Dee Doo Revue" which sounded sort of sketchy and corny at first- but it was great! We had a great dinner while watching this comedy play thing- Jack was belly laughing at parts of it. It was so fun to see him "get" that kind of goofy humor.
The longest line we stood in was an hour long so that Emma could meet the princesses. When we finally entered the room where Sleeping Beauty, Belle, and Cinderella were waiting- it was magical! Emma was in shock that they were real and Jack was in love! Sleeping Beauty asked Jack if there were dragons in his land! Cinderella kissed Jack on the cheek and he loved it!
We went to Universal Studios and did the Islands of Adventure park. That was sooo great! We loved the rides and the superheroes! Jack was in absolute heaven when he got to meet Spiderman! We had a fabulous day there even though it was incredibly hot!
We loved hanging out with Nae Nae and Dude (LaNae and David) and were so grateful that they invited us! There pool is awesome- Jack and Emma were swimming and jumping in on their own with the help of these ridiculous yellow swimsuits with built in inner tubes that I bought for them.
*Yesterday we headed up to Eau Claire for Brandon's Grandma's 100th birthday! She is in a nursing home and sleeps pretty much all of the time- but she looked good for 100 to me! The kids were a little unsure of the whole thing- but were well behaved. We took a family picture in front of 707 Water Street! That's the house where Brandon and I met just about 12 years ago! We met in the basement during a Homecoming party! Very crazy to be back 12 years later with our 2 kids!!!
*Today we hit the State Fair. The kids loved the animals and the big slide. They both also did the trampoline thing. Emma again showed absolutely no fear as she headed right in to get her harness on! She had a huge smile the whole time she was jumping and even did 2 flips! Jack was a bit more timid- but smiled the whole time.
*Being home with those 2 kids is great and hard all at the same time. I treasure the time I have with them, but look forward to a fresh school year as well. They can be quite a challenge especially when it's hot outside and we're crabby in our non-air conditioned house!!!
Jack will be headed to school with me in a few weeks for Junior Kindergarten! He'll be there 5 days a week for full days! We'll drive to and from school each day! I can't wait! I'm even more excited now that I know the transition won't be so hard. He has grown a lot in the past year and is ready to be on his own a bit more. Of course his classroom is right next door to mine-- so he'll see my face squished up on his window as I try to spy on him, so he won't really be on his own!! :) Emma will be home with Moe Moe this year- she's going to be signed up for tons of classes. She loves trying new things and will need those adventures. She'll use Jack's old backpack and pretend she's off to school each day too!
We have a few more adventures planned in the next few weeks... will I take the time to sit down and update the blog??? I hope so!!!!
Giving my little princess a smooch in front of Cinderella's castle!
Giving my little princess a smooch in front of Cinderella's castle!
Jack was happy to see the characters!
GET AWAY FROM ME YOU BIG FURRY DOG!!!
SUPER excited to be riding the monorail!
Lovin' on Sonny the dog!
4th of July parade...
Lovin' on Puppa. He really does love them, I swear!
Kitchen/living room/dining area in our fabulous 2 bedroom palace at Disney!
Our 7 year old baby
Our 4 and a half year old baby!
Causing a ruckus at the state capitol building in Madison!
Trouble.
Ready for our adventures at Epcot!
Our Safety Town grad!
A bit too tall for the bikes at Safety Town...
Daddy-O and Jack in their matching capes!
On the plane and headed to Florida!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
2
My baby doll is now two years old. She added some spice to our lives 2 years ago and now adds plenty more spice these days! She's feisty, opinionated, independent, adventurous, funny, and loving all wrapped up into a 31 pound, 37 inch package!
We adore you, Emma Kate. We're so glad to be your family. Your love letters are tucked in your baby box.
Love,
Mama
We adore you, Emma Kate. We're so glad to be your family. Your love letters are tucked in your baby box.
Love,
Mama
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Pinkalicious
School is officially over for me as of today! I will be much better about updating the blog over the summer- promise! We had Emma's 2nd birthday party on Sunday (she turns 2 on Thursday). It was a princess theme- complete with princess tattoos for the guests!
Our whole crazy family...
Lovin' on her balloon
Auntie Ali vs. Jack
Pinkalicious cupcakes...
Our whole crazy family...
Princess shoes for the princess...
Lovin' on her balloon
Auntie Ali vs. Jack
Pinkalicious cupcakes...
Saturday, April 24, 2010
A Crappy Week with a Happy Ending
The week started out with Jack recovering from a high fever and Emma and myself then coming down with one. Since we were sick we missed out on a quick trip to Chicago to see some Kansas friends that we haven't seen in a million years. As if that didn't suck enough- the new puppy that Karen got came down with some crazy illness and has spent the past week in the animal emergency clinic. Murrie comes home tomorrow thankfully! Apparently whatever Murrie had was contagious because Finley came down with something similar on Thursday. We spent Thursday night either taking him outside because he had diarrhea or cleaning up his puke inside the house! Good times!
Finley took a trip to the vet yesterday and is now on antibiotics, prescription clay, and a chicken/rice diet for a while. He's feeling much better today- no problems on either end!
Finley turned 7 years old yesterday! It was a bummer that he was feeling so bad- he didn't even get to eat a special treat! We'll make up for it when he's all better.
My birthday is today and after a pancake breakfast at one of our favorite places, we bought a fire pit for the back patio!!! I can't wait to use it. I also treated myself to a facial! It was awesome!
Tonight Brandon and I are going out to dinner and then to the Bucks playoff game.
A crappy week has led to a good weekend- thank heavens!
Finley took a trip to the vet yesterday and is now on antibiotics, prescription clay, and a chicken/rice diet for a while. He's feeling much better today- no problems on either end!
Finley turned 7 years old yesterday! It was a bummer that he was feeling so bad- he didn't even get to eat a special treat! We'll make up for it when he's all better.
My birthday is today and after a pancake breakfast at one of our favorite places, we bought a fire pit for the back patio!!! I can't wait to use it. I also treated myself to a facial! It was awesome!
Tonight Brandon and I are going out to dinner and then to the Bucks playoff game.
A crappy week has led to a good weekend- thank heavens!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hi Mama!
I left Emma whining in the house while I took Finley out this morning. As we're headed back inside I hear the door open and a little voice say, "Hi, Mama!" It was Emma- she had put her little green rain boots on all by herself and was on her way outside to find us! Since she was only dressed in an unbuttoned onesie and too small jammie pants, she hustled her little butt back inside with us as she said, "Cold!!"
I asked her what she was doing and she said, "See Mama!"
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
And So It Is...
SPRING BREAK 2010 IS HERE!!! Wahoo!!!
I feel like I can breathe again. I'm spending quality time with the kids, keeping the house somewhat organized, going to bed late, getting up later than usual, and finally updating this stinking blog!
Lots of things have gone on in our world since my last post. Jack is now of course a 4 year old. Today he had on a short sleeved (yeah for 50 degrees!) spider man shirt... and I swear I had a 12 year old at the dinner table. He continues to amaze us with his sense of humor and drive us crazy with the fact that he STILL CAN'T SING THE ABC'S!!!!!! He had absolutely no interest in that darn song when he was little- and now that he's interested in learning more letters and "reading" his books- he's actually trying to figure it out. What does it say about me when my kid can't sing the ABC's and I'm a teacher!!!
We have several preschool/Kindergarten readiness workbooks that he loves to work on. He's great with numbers, sequencing pictures, matching, rhyming, opposites, colors, and shapes. He's working on learning all the letters and I swear if he'd just learn that darn song it would help!! His latest game is to call us by our first names. Today it was, "I need more milk please, Liz". He still loves school. We had his parent/teacher conference in January and his teacher, Mrs. Calm & Exactly What Jack Needed For His First Teacher told us exactly what we thought we'd hear. He's a joy- but super quiet in class. He's just now really starting to talk to the other kids while he plays with them. We don't worry about it- he's plenty loud at home and just takes after his dad- quiet and always observing.
Jack is going to be attending 4K at my school next year. I just couldn't stand not being a part of his school life anymore. So starting in the fall, we'll drive to school together every day! He'll be doing the 5 days a week/full day plan. I can't wait and he's excited too.
Emma is definitely 1 going on 13. She has an attitude that just won't quit! She is talking like crazy- putting together 3 and 4 word sentences already. She copies everything her brother does and is turning into a little fashionista. She got some white dress shoes last week and wore them all around the house. She loves necklaces and bracelets. Emma knows what she wants and expects to get it immediately. We are really working on using the words please and thank you with every request. Somehow the shouting for milk isn't as annoying when there's a "Peas, Mama, Milk" attached to it!
Today we went for a hike in the woods along the river near our house. The kids had a great time- we found 4 ducks but they wouldn't come across the river to eat our bread.
Emma was determined to put the bark back on this log...
Admiring big brother's skills
My sweet boy
Going on an adventure
My grandpa passed away last week. We spent this past weekend in Chicago for his wake and funeral. The kids were awesome. We were at the funeral home from 2pm till 10 pm on Friday night. Jack was very curious about the whole thing. We talked about seeing Great Grandpa in the "box" just like we had seen Bampa in the box. He went right up to the casket and kneeled. He touched his sleeve and his hand. He whispered, "I love you Great Grandpa" and we asked him to say hello to Bampa for us when he got to Heaven. Jack went to the casket several times that evening. I was so proud of him. He somehow understood what a sad time it was for everyone else- and wasn't afraid to ask questions. Emma didn't want to go near the casket. She was with me the weekend before when I said goodbye to my grandpa. He was lying in the hospital bed in his living room and making very loud noises as he slept. That scared Emma and then he woke up a bit and said, "Hi Emma!"- That really freaked her out! :)
We haven't cut her hair and I don't think we will. It's still curly after her bath and when it's humid out. It's out of control 99% of the time!
This might be an attempt at a smile...
One thing is for sure... she loves that dog!
We attended the Family Fun Night at Jack's preschool. He participated in a "5 Little Monkey's Jumping on the Bed" reenactment. I couldn't believe he did it in front of a crowd! Here he is getting ready to give us our Valentine's present that he made.
There are many more things to write about- but I haven't seen 11:00 in ages and I'm falling asleep at the computer!!
I feel like I can breathe again. I'm spending quality time with the kids, keeping the house somewhat organized, going to bed late, getting up later than usual, and finally updating this stinking blog!
Lots of things have gone on in our world since my last post. Jack is now of course a 4 year old. Today he had on a short sleeved (yeah for 50 degrees!) spider man shirt... and I swear I had a 12 year old at the dinner table. He continues to amaze us with his sense of humor and drive us crazy with the fact that he STILL CAN'T SING THE ABC'S!!!!!! He had absolutely no interest in that darn song when he was little- and now that he's interested in learning more letters and "reading" his books- he's actually trying to figure it out. What does it say about me when my kid can't sing the ABC's and I'm a teacher!!!
We have several preschool/Kindergarten readiness workbooks that he loves to work on. He's great with numbers, sequencing pictures, matching, rhyming, opposites, colors, and shapes. He's working on learning all the letters and I swear if he'd just learn that darn song it would help!! His latest game is to call us by our first names. Today it was, "I need more milk please, Liz". He still loves school. We had his parent/teacher conference in January and his teacher, Mrs. Calm & Exactly What Jack Needed For His First Teacher told us exactly what we thought we'd hear. He's a joy- but super quiet in class. He's just now really starting to talk to the other kids while he plays with them. We don't worry about it- he's plenty loud at home and just takes after his dad- quiet and always observing.
Jack is going to be attending 4K at my school next year. I just couldn't stand not being a part of his school life anymore. So starting in the fall, we'll drive to school together every day! He'll be doing the 5 days a week/full day plan. I can't wait and he's excited too.
Emma is definitely 1 going on 13. She has an attitude that just won't quit! She is talking like crazy- putting together 3 and 4 word sentences already. She copies everything her brother does and is turning into a little fashionista. She got some white dress shoes last week and wore them all around the house. She loves necklaces and bracelets. Emma knows what she wants and expects to get it immediately. We are really working on using the words please and thank you with every request. Somehow the shouting for milk isn't as annoying when there's a "Peas, Mama, Milk" attached to it!
Today we went for a hike in the woods along the river near our house. The kids had a great time- we found 4 ducks but they wouldn't come across the river to eat our bread.
Showing some brother and sister lovin'
Emma was determined to put the bark back on this log...
Admiring big brother's skills
My sweet boy
Going on an adventure
My grandpa passed away last week. We spent this past weekend in Chicago for his wake and funeral. The kids were awesome. We were at the funeral home from 2pm till 10 pm on Friday night. Jack was very curious about the whole thing. We talked about seeing Great Grandpa in the "box" just like we had seen Bampa in the box. He went right up to the casket and kneeled. He touched his sleeve and his hand. He whispered, "I love you Great Grandpa" and we asked him to say hello to Bampa for us when he got to Heaven. Jack went to the casket several times that evening. I was so proud of him. He somehow understood what a sad time it was for everyone else- and wasn't afraid to ask questions. Emma didn't want to go near the casket. She was with me the weekend before when I said goodbye to my grandpa. He was lying in the hospital bed in his living room and making very loud noises as he slept. That scared Emma and then he woke up a bit and said, "Hi Emma!"- That really freaked her out! :)New outfits for the wake... Emma got a new coat and refused to take it off. Jack wore a long sleeved shirt, dress pants and a tie to the funeral.
We haven't cut her hair and I don't think we will. It's still curly after her bath and when it's humid out. It's out of control 99% of the time!
This might be an attempt at a smile...
One thing is for sure... she loves that dog!
We attended the Family Fun Night at Jack's preschool. He participated in a "5 Little Monkey's Jumping on the Bed" reenactment. I couldn't believe he did it in front of a crowd! Here he is getting ready to give us our Valentine's present that he made.
There are many more things to write about- but I haven't seen 11:00 in ages and I'm falling asleep at the computer!!
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