first pedicure.

...after all, baby's first pedicure is a milestone, right?

Start of Summer (aka S.O.S.)

Here are some snaps from our Start of Summer parade and carnival...highlights:
* Sat in the drizzle until the parade started... but the weather eventually cleared-up.
* Maddie handed-out candy and marched in the parade with our school. (she also helped paint the Assumption Eagle float with her class)
* Henry collected about 2 lbs of candy from Rockford's gutters, misc bookmarks/literature, 3 necklaces and one t-shirt.
* Kids rode the big ferris-wheel, bumper cars, motorcycles, went through the fun-house and attempted the climbing wall.
* Ate cotton candy.
* Ate cotton candy flavored Hawaiian Ice.
* Ate much more carnival food than desired.
* Made/painted free t-shirts compliments of our local toy-store.
* Meg zonked-out in her stroller.
* Ended-up having a nice, sunny afternoon and worn-out kids!

Maddie, Meg and their carriage.

My girls' new hobby involves Maddie pulling little Meg around like she's a princess; and Meg sitting there like royalty with her juice and blanket waving at people through her little, plastic windows. Let's just say it keeps them both busy, getting a little exercise and bonding time too.

Festival of the Arts

Today Greg took the kids downtown GR to the Festival of the Arts so I could catch up on some work, and this is what they brought home! (see caricature above... pretty cute, hey?) They also ate a lot of junk food, listened to a few bands, watched some dancers and did a few crafts. Now I wish I would've gone too! Maybe next year...

Maddie's wax museum

Here are some shots from one of the neatest projects Maddie has had assigned to her so far in her academic career... a Presidential Wax Museum. Every year the 4th Grade Wax Museum has a different theme, this year was U.S. Presidents. The school gym was divided-up into organized, little sections with red, white and blue paper chains with a "wax statue" in each section. And it was clear that the students had thoroughly done their research. They were all dressed-up as either their president (or first lady/child) and presented their information whenever someone walked up to their display.

Maddie was Jenna Bush, complete with a Texas Rangers baseball cap, speaking about her father George W. and his life and times in the White House. She did great! Not only did these kids learn about history, researching & writing, they touched on costuming, role playing and public speaking. And you could tell everyone put a lot of effort into it... Jackie Kennedy had her pearls on, FDR sat in his wheelchair, Grover Cleveland's wife wore her wedding dress...since she was the only first lady to get married in the White House. (see, I learned something!) Henry even shook Abe Lincoln's hand!

The whole thing was just totally inspiring... and I can't wait to see what the 4th grade teacher cooks-up for next year's class.

busy busy Meg.

this is how I spend my days... just trying to keep up!

"Team Ripple"

Greg picked up a fun, new bike attachment today for him and Henry... the Trail-a-bike. It attaches to Greg's regular bike with a simple bracket and after a mini-training session, they were cruising up and down the street, around the block and "places I've never been before Dad!".

Now they just need matching jerseys and they're ready to hit the bike trail. Too Awesome!

going to the big school.

Our little Henry graduated pre-school today! I could tell he was so proud to get his "diploma" as he marched across the classroom with his friends. He announced to his buds Jake and Evan, "Now we're going to the big school!"

I suppose that's better than the "big house", right?

Waiting for his name to be called.


Jedi's in training.

the degree.


such angels...


a delivery from Mya and Grandpa!

the Robins are back.

Our little Robin family is back, although in a different shrub this year. We are all having fun peeking-in on them when the mom and dad go for worms. Meg always wants to check on them when we're out there, but we don't get too close. (Mrs. Robin didn't like me photographing her babies either... after all, they've only hatched last week.) And it just occurred to me that I'm going to have to keep Kirby out of the backyard when they're learning to fly...

Slip-n-slide

Just a glimpse into our weekend...

May recap...

Maddie's first Piano recital. She played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"... she was wonderful!
Meg's first haircut... multiple lollipops helped us succeed, and we kept her curls in the back!





Camping with our Girl Scout troop... awesome time!


Mother's Day... planting flowers with my little helpers.

piano progression...

Maddie's piano lessons are going great. She has advanced enough that she is now using the pedals... oooh. And she actually practices more than the required minimum of 30 min.a day! Even at 6:30 in the morning, like she couldn't just wait to get up and jam on the ivories! ...so I guess that means she likes it? Although she totally denies it.
I love being right. :-)

I'm nuts.

yup, that's me right now....

when I actually have time to ponder and pontificate, you'll see it here first. hopefully soon.

just meg.

here is just a little video of Meg... doing Meg things.

"fireflies"

Maddie's doing great at piano so far. Just after 4 weeks of lessons, she's reading music, counting her beats and playing like a little pro! The piece she's playing here is called "Fireflies".

happy 1/2 birthday Meg.

Here's the half-birthday girl. She got the gift of piggie-tails.

Happy 5th Henry!

Clearly, Henry is THE party dude.

Christmas morning.

Santa brought everything they asked for... an iPod for Maddie; Clone Trooper helmet and blaster for Henry; and a new kitchen set for Meg. Big smiles and squeals of joy all around.

Henry and the Sugar Plum Fairies

...a sampling from Henry's Christmas production today.

mmm... cookies.

Christmas cookie time! And to quote Henry, "Mom, we make the BEST cookies!"

I agree.