Weekend Update

We had a great time with friends in Galena a couple weekends ago. It was totally relaxing and we definitely had/caused lots of laughs!

How not to watch a baseball game

We've been going to a ton of my brothers baseball games lately (he is on his school's 8th grade team). Emma gives up watching the games after the first few innings so she comes up with ways to entertain herself. The game was pretty distracting and she needed to concentrate, hence the sweater over her head. At least she watches when Matt is up to bat!

Emma was pretty bored at this game so we pretended her barbies were at a game and you can't go to a baseball game without taking pictures, right? Barbie may just need her own scrapbook...

7 year pics

Emma wasn't really feeling the photo shoot this time. She got bored really quickly and was way too interested in posing and the fake smile thing. These are a few of the more natural shots. Maybe we will try again in a more seasonal setting to get her in the mood!

Happy Birthday Emma!

I know it's been a while but I'm back. I hope people are still reading! Emma started school a few weeks ago so I am glad to be back to my normal routine.

Today is Emma's birthday so she woke up early (not holding my breath for that to happen again). I made her pancakes with sprinkles and she opened one of her presents. It was a webkinz that looks like Kiki. We had to put our cat, Kiki, to sleep a few months ago and Em is really missing her. The webkinz' tail has a little orange tip just like Kiki did. We both had tears in our eyes when Emma opened it. The Birthday Fairy dropped by a present too (another webkinz that Emma has been wanting) and Emma was so excited. I think Nana had to go to work too early to see Emma this morning! Emma got calls from everyone (even uncle Matt on his way to school!) which made her feel so special.

Emma at 7

~ You have learned to tie your shoes-just in time for school to start. It took a little longer for you since you hardly ever wear shoes with laces. We are all about flip flops and slip ons around here!

~You are reading a lot more these days. It's so funny to hear you in the car reading signs as we go by or reading the words on your CD's and DS games all by yourself.

~Most nights I wake up with you squeezed into bed with us. Funny how you always end up on my side of the bed.

~You are quite a sassy pants lately. I am trying to remember to be a good example and stay patient with you. I know my attitude isn't always perfecy so I can't expect yours to be. We will work on this one together little girl.

~You love music and singing. You don't go anywhere without your "Ipod" and you want to be a rock star when you grow up. You are quite the little songwriter and love strumming on your guitar.

~You are very creative. You love to do any kind of art project and are bummed that you haven't gotten to do much at school yet this year. You love to scrapbook with me and you just discovered a love for photography. I wonder where you got that from?

My sweet girl, I love you so much more than I can even say. I am so proud to be your mom and I can't wait to see how you grow and change this year. Loves!

We have lots of birthday celebrations coming up this weekend. I have always loved that her birthday falls on Labor Day weekend so we can celebrate with everyone and still have some down time. I will be taking Emma's 7 year pictures at Ewing Manor tomorrow. I hope I can do justice to the amazing setting. Emma is excited to be going to "the castle" so hopefully she will be in a good mood! I will post pictures soon!

Happy Father's Day

I hope everyone had a great Father's Day! We went to the lake with Ryan's family and had a "Mexican Fiesta". The food was great but it was super hot. The kids cooled off with a little dip in the lake. Notice I took all the pictures from the sand. I like seeing what is in the water with me!

Speaking of icky lake critters, Emma caught her first fish! It was a little sunfish and she was very proud of herself. Emma takes her sketchbook with her everywhere in case she gets the urge to draw. This was a masterful scene of the lake. Happy Father's Day to some of the best dad's I know. (We are celebrating with my dad this week!)

Wonderful Summer

Summer is finally here and we have the schedule to prove it! We have had a busy few weeks filled with lots of family, friends, and fun.

We tried out the local farmers market and the selection was pretty good for this early in the summer. We are going to try to make it a regular outing-especially when the berries and the sweet corn start rolling in! Ryan got some perfect looking (and tasting) spinach and I got a new basil plant. Hopefully I can keep it going-I don't have the best luck with keeping things green.

Cari and the kids came over to my parents house to swim but it was a little cold still. The kids didn't seem to mind too much but the moms only lasted about 5 minutes. At least we got a little sun! After we were sufficiently frozen, we headed over to their house for a cookout. Emma and Evan are at that age where they would rather beat each other up than play and Ella is content to just go with the flow. They all came together for a little dancing at the end of the night-too cute.

I saw a cute idea for a camping invitation online and decided to make it into an invite for a smore party. I have been wanting to have lots of fun little parties throughout the summer for Emma and her friends and this was a fun last minute get together. We just sat around the fire and chatted while the kids ran around being crazy from all the sugar. For Mother's Day, we had gotten my parents tickets to see Mary Poppins in Chicago. We all headed up there for the weekend. Overall it was pretty low-key, just a lot of window shopping and a quick trip to the zoo. We saw some lovely flowers at the Lincoln Park Conservatory and I am going to try to use the pictures for some kind of project. Mary Poppins was fun and Emma really liked it but it was no way near as cool as Wicked. I guess when you already know the story it isn't really as exciting. It was very well done though, and perfect for Emma's first musical.We don't have anything big planned for a while which means a lot of time by the pool. Ahh, summer. I always love these first few weeks when you have the whole summer ahead of you. The possibilites are endless. Playing outside until your parents have to carry you in because you are so tired. Eating dinner at 9:00 because you were having too much fun to come inside. Parties in the cul-de-sac with all your friends. Spending the entire weekend by the pool. Tan lines. The smell of barbecues, sunscreen, and even bug spray. The excitement of hearing the ice cream truck coming down your street. A pair of flip flops for every day of the week. Watching the Cardinals beat the Cubs. Again. Popsicles and lemonade. Camp-outs and sleepovers. September is so very far away.

I get no love

Mom-I love you so much.
Em-Can I have a ring pop?
Mom-I love you.
Em-Can I?
Mom-I love you.
Em-Can I?
Mom-I LOVE YOU.
Em-I love you too. . .Can I have a ring pop.
Mom-No. ;)

Memorable Weekend

Emma and I had a great time in Chicago. For me, the best part of the weekend was on the train there. We had a great time talking, coloring, and anticipating all the fun. Aunt Rachael came and picked us up at the train station and we drove back to her apartment and realized that the power was out. Rach's building has a courtyard that you have to walk through to get to her place and it was sooo dark. We were all a little creeped out and there were huge sighs of relief when we made it in the door! We had a little candlelit pizza party--a nice way to start the weekend!

Emma took her sketchbook with her and drew a picture of Chicago. It was cute to see her vision of the city.Friday we walked around and went to the American Girl store, of course. When it finally warmed up a little we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo. All the animals seemed like they were so close. It was cool to see them like that but it's a little daunting to look a lion in the eye with only a little moat between you!It's been a long time since Emma and Aunt Rachael were able to spend this much time together. Emma was super excited so she got roudy quite a bit but I think Rach understood.The weather cooperated a little better Saturday so we walked along Lake Michigan and Emma played at the beach for a while. The water was absolutely frigid but, of course, Emma didn't mind. We also went to Navy Pier and rode the ferris wheel--Emma loved it. I loved when it was over. Emma's favorite was the swing ride. She rode it twice and probably would have ridden it all day if I let her!

There was this sweet little lily pond on the way to the lake. I would definately like to spend more time there the next time we go up.

Today was Emma's last day of school. She was very emotional and sad to say goodbye to Kindergarten. I am sad too, but more excited to be able to spend the summer together. I'm sure it will be a long summer and we will be happy for school to start again but I really miss getting to see her throughout the day. I know it will be a challenge to have her here while I am trying to take care of the kids but I think she will be a big help. She isn't allowed to watch tv except on the weekends so I am trying to come up with things for her to do while I am busy. Remind me of my positive outlook in a week or so...

Hooray!

Yea! 2009 American Idol!

And can I just say Kris Allen + Keith Urban=yum! Whoever thought of that duo deserves a raise!

Don't want it to end!

I am almost done with Breaking Dawn (4th book in Twilight series) and I don't want it to end! I am so in love with this story and the characters. I have been stealing moments to be able to read a page here and there. I stayed up way too late last night and I'm sure I will do the same tonight to finish it! I think I may start reading them again when I finish!

Taking the train to Chicago this weekend! Stay tuned...

Thursday...

Kris is in the finals! I'm so glad the one season I decide to watch American Idol, my fave makes it to the end! Hopefully he can pull out the win next week, but either way I can't wait to hear his first album.

I am into the third book in the Twilight series--Eclipse. I honestly didn't think I would get into these books but I am loving the story! I have been waking up early just to read more! I can't wait for the New Moon movie to come out in November. If you haven't read these yet-do it!

Any mini vacation ideas? I have a long weekend coming up for Memorial Day and Ryan will be at Summercamp. We aren't able to go to Sarah's cabin since someone rented it-bummer. We thought about going to Chicago -- Emma's favorite place, and there is plenty to do, not to mention free lodging at Rach's. The only thing is we'll be going up there in a few weeks to see Mary Poppins so I would be up for something different. I don't want to go too far since Ryan won't be with us. I guess I should make a decision since it's only a week away!

Mother's Day and More

I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day! Emma and I celebrated twice! Her school hosted a Mother's Day tea for the Kindergarten classes. It was so cute-I got there and Emma took my arm and led me into the music room where all the children put on a little concert/play. Then she took my arm again and led me to our table and pulled out my chair. She was so sweet-she really got into the role of hostess! We had fruit and cookies with our drinks-very ladylike. I am so glad I was able to go but it reminded me how fast she is growing up. She is almost a 1st grader! On Sunday we went to Springfield with my family. We visited the Abraham Lincoln museum and then went to New Salem. Emma loved it-she is so fascinated by history and museums in general. I don't know where she gets it! We had a picnic lunch and walked around talking about how different life used to be. It was a very relaxing and fun day together!

Emma didn't want to sit and have her picture taken with Abe until after we went through the museum-he was a little intimidating. When we were walking to the car she said "I'm ready to sit by Abraham". I guess she felt like she knew enough about him by then-though she still didn't want to sit too close!Emma has really missed her aunts lately. We didn't get to see Rachael since she spent the day with Ryan and their mom but she had a great time with Aunt Alli. I need to spend less time behind the camera -I am really sad that I didn't get any pictures of me and Em together on Mother's Day. I need to remember to pass the camera to someone else once in a while!We ended up rescheduling the photo shoot for this weekend but it was a little windy and chilly. The kids did great anyway and we ended up getting several great shots! I think we will try again when it is a little warmer-and sunnier!

Everyone that has been around me lately knows I have been going crazy keeping a secret! My friend Cari graduated from ISU on Saturday. We threw her a huge surprise party and I can't believe it but it was actually a surprise!! She knew that her family was taking her out to dinner after graduation so they were able to get her to the restaraunt without tipping her off. After dinner we had an after-party at our house and celebrated all that she has accomplished. Cari was so grateful and kept saying how much it meant to her. The turnout alone was a testament to how much she is loved. There were over 70 people there! She is a wonderful wife and mother and was so happy to be going back to school even though it meant juggling everything else. I have always admired her ability to stay positive and enjoy the moment--she is a great example for everyone and an amazing friend. Congratulations Cari-we love you!!!