Dance Recital 2011

I just couldn't be prouder! I get tears just thinking of how wonderfully Jenna danced at her 3rd dance recital. This year she performed 3 dances. And handled it like a pro! She did sweetly say she was nervous a few days before. But those nerves turned to steal on recital day!

Her first dance was her tap routine. It was to the song "Sunglasses at night". She cutely had fun lined sunglasses to work with too. And she did so good! And looked like it was fun!





Her second performance was her jazz routine. It was too the song "Old time Rock-n-roll". And it was adorable!! Complete with air guitar!





And lastly and our favorite- was the closing number that she performed with the team dancers and older girls. It was so fun! It was to the song "Evacuate the Dance Floor". She got to be nearer to the front and did it well! It was beyond adorable! At one point her claps were a bit off- but she figured it out and got right into it! What a pro!! I just loved it!!



We are so proud of you Jenna Ann!!!

Loving him for him

I just had a great day with my Bubba today. I am still in just an "ahhhh" mood from it. My little boy....

Now I hear from a lot of people that raising boys is a challenge. And boy am I living that challenge! He tests my patience to it's end- pretty much every moment we are together. My boy. Between potty training failures to his new non-eating any dinner to the pestering, whining, fussing, tantrums... Ugg! I could go on and on...

But today me and my sweet boy had a good one. While Jenna was off at school and Ashley was sleeping. Him and I just played- we played transformers, we knocked down blocks, we just played.

I know I play with him- I read to him. I feed him- try to feed him that is. But today...

And actually yesterday too. Instead of getting frustrated with him. I gave him a second, one more shot of the basketball- and then he listened. Today I even got him to take a nap. And he let me brush his teeth.

He is going to be 3 in 3 days. Feb. 26th. Maybe he is maturing? Or maybe I'm learning.

Whatever it was- I loved my day with my Bubba today. And I can't wait to stay away from the computer and play with him tomorrow!

The Blizzard of 2011

Our morning view...


I wish I was talking Dairy Queen! But I'm talkin' snow! I admit I was doubtful- but I guess it was pretty obvious...and it hit. Really mostly over night. Thank goodness we were bundled up warm inside and got to watch it out our front window. It was really the blowing! I could still see our driveway when we went to bed- the snow was just blowing around, very hard, kind of scary really- even some lightning! But it landed eventually and boy did it!

I think we got around 22 inches. I didn't measure though- but it sure looks deep! And it has since been sunny and gorgeous!

Here are some pictures of the dig out. Thankfully I have a strong husband! And my parents had some helpers come by and help them- a huge thank you to them! I shudder to think of my poor parents digging out their 2 lane drive...

But anyway- I haven't had to be out on the roads and Jenna had 2 snow days- gotta love that!

We have since had a few fun days enjoying it. Unfortunately Scott and his dad had to work in it- rodding our sewer- yuck! But the kids had fun outside while they worked! We have taken the kids for a walk down the block pulling them on the sleds too. That was fun! It made me think of the days when horse drawn sleds were means of transport... I am an oldie at heart.

But this one will go down in the books!


While waiting and wondering if it was going to hit- I had to send Jenna off to school... I was uneasy about it!

Our shoveling Machine! What would we have done without him? We love our Daddy!!

Views of the house:

Front and side

Back- really it is beautiful!


The kids enjoying it!


Mt. Carole- the pile from our neighbor Carole's drive way- the kids favorite place to climb- and slide down.


We tried a fort- but it didn't really work...


Ash during the sewer work- and the porch toys- no protecting them with this weather!

Snow?

So the talk of the town/Illinois- is that a blizzard is headed our way. Am I prepared? What do you do to prepare? We have milk...we have bread... we have shovels. Even 3 child size shovels... so I guess we are set!

I am curious if Jenna will have school... if Scott will have work... Is this kind of fun?

I am hopeful that my Mom's school in Kankakee area will be canceled- for her sake- bus driving and all. So prayers for that. And prayers for anyone who is not able to be sheltered or prepared for this anticipated snow.

We have sure been enjoying the current melting snow. I just Friday brought the kids to Jenna's bus stop on the sleds. And then picked Jenna up with a sled ride home. It was fun and the kids loved it! Me too.

Here are some pictures of the kids enjoying the snow and outdoors this winter. (A sweet reminder to me of the fun we are able to have while I am able to be home with them! Ahhh...)


My sweet Ash- where is the snow in this one though? Must have been a rare melted day... and rare that she actually has her mittens ON too... Ugg!


All they want to do is eat it!


This day will go down in the books as a perfect! Sledding in Kankakee with my best girlfriends and their gorgeous girls...just perfect!


My pretty big girl!


Just having fun!

oh bloggity bloggggg!!

Ugg! I just can not bring myself to work on this! I have had so many wonderful things happening with the kids and ourselves... I guess that it just is that every day is just so wonderful and full- that I fell like I have too much to catch up on!

The New Year is here! We had a wonderful time sharing the celebration with wonderful old friends! And with our beautiful cherished children! I really loved our time.

And Christmas... just one wonderful gathering after another. The kids were just precious! And boy do I want them to stay the way they are!!! Although each day is just as wonderful as the last!

Summer, Fall and now Winter- Fun! That is all I can say... it has all been FUN!!! Maybe more posts here soon! (this wasn't so bad!!)

Kankakee River State Park- Early Oct. 2010

Ya know- just one of those perfect days!

We cross the Kankakee River on our trips down to my parents. And now we have this picturesque day to know more about it!

Scott had a week day off and my mom had a half day of school. So instead of spending money at a pumpkin farm (which we ended up doing later in the month anyway!). My mom suggested a day of exploring at the state park. And it was just wonderful. I could have taken a million pictures. But I really just tried to enjoy the day and all of it's glory first hand.

It was warm and perfect! Thanks Mom for the great idea!!



Climbing the hill to get back across the bridge- who doesn't love the excitement of a bridge!


Crossing/running across the bridge


View from up atop the bridge


Sweet guy! He loved it! (we all did!)


My mom was taking some pictures of us... this is us down below the bridge


Ashley was so excited to get in! It was chilly! And rocky.


After hiking for a bit- we came to an outlook. Jenna and Nanna thought they spied a gator!!


My Mom and my Daughter
It was so wonderful!!

A new chapter

It has been since August since I have posted! Yikes! Great things have been going on. Jenna's super fun soccer, Ashley's birthday and party, Zachary's Exploring toddler classes... So I will have some catching up posts to do!!

This post though is about the big day that I will be having tomorrow. Starting tomorrow, Monday, October 25th, 2010, I will be starting a new career. Day care provider.

I will be caring for a little 17 month old boy named Andrew. Monday - Friday. 7:45 am- 4:30pm.

I wonder how it will go?

I started this process after Scott has been really stressing about our financial status. We are just not able to make it with his pay alone. We have dwindled our savings down too far. And with my possible return to teaching in the Fall of 2011, there is just too much time to try to last. So I thought that this would be a good idea.

Well it has happened very fast! I contacted my wonderful friend Christa's sister Karyn- who works at Willowbrook High school. Hoping that she could forward my intent along to fellow teachers. Because if I was going to do this- a teacher's schedule would be ideal. Well Andrew's grandmother works with Karyn- and here we are.

I have been very excited! I look forward to earning money, of course! And mostly to interacting more with my own children. I really see this as enabling me to be the stay at home mom that I have wanted to be. I hope this happens!

Andrew seems really sweet. I know that my time meeting him was very short compared to the full days that I will have with him. And I do hope that he will feel at home with us and that we can provide the care that he deserves. Just a little guy.

So wish me luck! It will be an adventure for sure!!!