Tiny dancer

Here are some pics from Reiley's dance recital last weekend. She did a great job and made a very cute fairy!

On to 2nd grade

Isaac on the first day of first grade.

Isaac and Mrs. S. on the last day of first grade.

Isaac at the talent show telling his jokes!

It's official - we have a second grader. Isaac finished up his first grade year and we are so incredibly proud of him. He learned a ton, made lots of new friends and thoroughly enjoyed school this year. He is a great reader and his favorite class at school is computers. He had a wonderful teacher, Mrs. S., who made this year really fun and productive and we feel very blessed that he was able to be in her classroom. She was the perfect teacher for our son. At the end of the year, Isaac participated in the talent show, telling jokes onstage to over 100 first graders and some parents. I was amazed at his enthusiasm and bravery. He wasn't a bit nervous... He must have gotten that from his dad, because even in first grade, I would have been terrified to stand up in front of a crowd :0) Also at the end of the year, Isaac won the first grade award for PE and was very proud to bring home a certificate and medal.

When I look back at this year, I am so pleased that Isaac was able to attend Archer Glen. We are very lucky to live in this town that values its' kids and their education so much!

What is in there?

This morning while I was sitting at the computer checking email, the baby was doing some sort of martial arts workout in my belly, so I called Reiley over to feel the sharp kicks and rolls. She giggled uncontrollably and then said, "what's in there a habapus (octopus, I think) baby?" Reiley - you crack me up and yes, I think it is an octopus baby...

I knew this was coming...

I knew it, eventually she would put it together and freak out and it happened this morning... Reiley is refusing to eat ham or bacon because her brother informed her that they come from a cute little pink pig (similar of course to the adorable stuffed one in her room) and they have to kill the pig so that she can eat it for breakfast. So, in the speaking before you think category, I said, "well chicken comes from real chickens are you not going to eat that either?" I know, I know, I know - not smart. So my teary eyed four year old informed me that it is mean to kill animals just to eat them and she won't do it anymore... So, the child who refuses to eat vegetables is now a vegetarian? This may present quite a challenge. Hopefully this phase will pass quickly and she will not become malnourished from eating only apple slices and goldfish crackers!

Baby

This week marks 28 weeks of pregnancy for me and as I sit here typing, the baby (Jackson)  is happily hiccuping away in my belly.  I cannot express the total misery and joy that this little man has brought to me over the last 28 weeks, but let me try...  Weeks 1 through 6 - didn't even know baby existed, found out about baby, shock and awe, excitement.  Weeks 6 through 16 - this was the total misery part...I spent the better part of every day simultaneously starving and throwing up everything I ate or smelled.  Although I have loved him from the second I knew of his existence, this was not what I would call a "wonderful time" for us...  Weeks 16 through present - I couldn't be happier.  I am carrying a healthy baby boy and I am enjoying nearly every second of my last pregnancy.  I love every little kick (and big kick for that matter) and sometimes I wish he and I could stay this way for a long time.  This is truly the honeymoon period for me.  I feel joy and excitement and peace that this is what God has planned for me and for our family.  I am one blessed mommy.  

Thank you Alex

Thank you, thank you, thank you Alex...  I can't say it enough!  In an effort to get the kids outside this summer and keep a very pregnant and likely very hot me in the air conditioned house, my generous if skeptical husband turned over his visa and purchased this fantastic play structure for the backyard!  It has already been a pirate ship, a magic treehouse and a rocket and has provided hours of entertainment.  And, thank you, thank you, thank you to the nice man at the Kids' Backyard Store who installed the whole unit in just a couple of days in the pouring down rain... you saved my marriage!  

Take me out to the ballgame!

As our 2009 baseball season ends, I thought you might like to see a couple of pictures of Isaac in action.  He loves the game and enjoys all the time with his good buddies on the field.  The team has really improved and most of the time the kids are playing their positions and making outs!  This is a big improvement over last year.  Alex stepped in as an assistant coach and did most of the pitching for the team this year (it is a coach pitch league). Unfortunately for Isaac, he seems to have a tough time throwing his son strikes - and well not hitting him with a pitch too...  We are all a little sad that the season is ending, but I am sure we have many more in our future.

  

This one is for you Pup - does it look familiar?  

Graduated!

Reiley has officially graduated from pre-school.  There was a program at school on May 28th to celebrate the occasion.  In true Reiley fashion she stole the show waving and saying "hi mommy, hi daddy - that's my mommy and daddy" from the stage and singing as loud as she could the entire time!  All the kids were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up and it warmed this mommy's heart to hear my little girl say that her heart's desire is to "be a mommy."  I later learned that she wants to live next door to me so that I can still make dinner for her, her husband and their 20 children...  Wait till you have a couple of kiddos just like you Reiley and you may rethink the 20 number.  But if I get so lucky as to have you live next door, I will gladly make you dinner.  I can't believe that it is on to kindergarten for my girl. She is a sweet, creative, smart and spirited girl who will both challenge and enrich any classroom she is a part of.  I can't wait for all the adventures that await us all.

We are here - finally!

Okay Pup, all your prodding and your not-so-subtle hints have finally worked and we have entered the blogging world!  Seems like the timing is right, as our family gets busier and expands we need a way to document all the fun things that we do together and keep our friends and family in the loop!  I will post as often as I can so check back for new posts and pics!  Below is the first pic - me (and the soon-to-be newest little one) at the beach.  This pic was taken on the last "getaway" that Alex and I will have for quite some time.  We had a wonderful time - quiet days, naps, sleeping in, good food, golf for Alex, spa for me and a nice little winning streak at the casino which funded a new coach bag for me!  In the busy months to come, I will think back fondly on this quiet easy time.