A job change

I just found out at 5:00 last night that I am not teaching a first/second grade split this year. Sadly, I had to call my students from last year and tell them they wouldn't be in my class this year. It was very tramatic for me. I am now teaching a straight firsst grade.
My principal has been very supportive, and in many ways it was like coming back home today, since first grade is my "home". I did end up having to work today, which I typically don't, but I got myself ready for first grade.
I was kind of looking forward to a new challenge, but first and second grades are enough dfiferent that I thought it would be very difficult. First grade will be fun!

Pickles!

I turned over a new leaf in life last night...pickling! My good friend Jill invited me over to help her can some pickles. I appreciate her a lot because I tell her that she gets me in tune with my "domestic side". She has told me for years that she loves to can and has always wanted to pickle. So....last night we made pickles!!! We did dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, relish...oh, lots of relish....Aunt Shirley you can make some good deviled eggs now! We also made some Kosher dills. I sat in amazement as Jill kept track of all of these undertakings. The great news is: We got all of these jars canned, and only one didn't seal! Not too bad for amateurs. It was a lot of fun. Up next: PEACHES! I have great memories of my mom's canned peaches growing up. My dad always chose the pears, but my vote was always for PEACHES!

A new little Bike Rider

Kaelyn decided she wanted to ride the big bike today. Well, actually it's a 12 inch bike, but compared to the trycycle, it's a big bike. She has to climb up onto it because she can't reach the ground from the seat. Today she figured out how to pedal forward, and was even skidding in the street like the big kids. I can't believe my little two year old is on a BIKE!

The fair continued...

A Day at the Fair

We had a blast at the fair today. It was a gorgeous day, and we had a fantastic time! The kids LOVED the pony rides. Both of my girls seem to really love horses. Kaelyn experienced her first carnival rides which she loved, although she chickened out (or tired out) in time for the roller coaster, so Tim went with Kathryn on that one!

The girls all ended up with new sunglasses today, and Tim went for the garden gadgets.

We really did have a great day, and we were all exhausted by the time we left!

After being a little unsure of what the fair was, (apparently we haven't been since Kathryn was 1), Kathryn enjoyed the whole thing! She wasn't even sure what her favorite part was. She just said, "I loved everything!" Now that's a great day!

Sisters

Little Missy Roo

Kaelyn spent about 45 the other day playing dress up by herself! She was adorable. Later, she invovled me in the process, and then had to take my picture too!

Fun on the Farm!

We went to Tim's Aunt and Uncle's house which my kids call "the farm." They had a blast getting eggs from the henhouse, picking carrots and lettuce for our salad, and chasing chickens. We even got to swing on the great rope swing! We walked over the the lake too, and on the way back ran into someone getting ready to ride a beautiful buckskin pony. Kathryn was thrilled as she has recently been excited about horses. It really was a great day at the "farm" topped off with a wonderful blueberry rhubarb pie!

No nap for me!

When we got back from getting Kaelyn's stitches out today, it was time for a nap. I was bringing in the groceries, and then went to put her down. I couldn't find her. Then, I walked into her room, and there she was hiding, after she had dumped out all of the jammies! Little turkey!

Kathryn's First Soccer Game!!!!

Kathryn played her first soccer game today. It's a great set up. The kids practice for 30 minutes, and then play a 30 minute game. The coaches are on the field, and they play 3 on 3 with no goalie. It's great fundamentals program. Kathryn was apprehensive this morning (I'm not sure she's ever even been to a soccer game, let a lone play one), but she did great. After the game she said, "I LOVED IT!" That's worth it! She was a little timid at first, but by the end was trying to get to the ball and actually had a chance to dribble it down the field one time too! Two of the kids on her team get the idea of scoring...even if it's in the other goal:). The rest of them are definitley still trying to figure it out.

It was great! I told Kathryn I've been excited to go to her first soccer game since she was a baby. It was fun!

STITCHES

Well, today was an interesting day. Kaelyn crashed into Papa's cabinets, and split open her lip. I took her to the Walk in Clinic. They said it would be a 3 hour wait...not fun with a tired two year old. But instead, they took her right back...thank goodness! She was the most stellar patient ever! They said they had never seen a two year old, or any aged person, be so calm, so obedient, and so sweet! The nurse was amazed...and actually so was I! She has always been very calm and curious at the doctor, but I didn't expect that when they were prodding around her split lip. She did wonderfully. After four stitches she was ready to go. I was very proud of her. I was definitely more bothered by the whole process than Roo was. She just did what they said and moved on... ready for ice cream!

When we got home, she was happy. She and Kathryn were going to wash my van while I cooked dinner. I got them the hose, and went in to turn on the noodles. I came back out to see what they were doing, and there was Kaelyn...bathing in the bucket!!! You can see her lovely orange band aid. We're supposed to keep it on for 5 days. This is the kid who usually keeps her bandaids on for 5 minutes...if I'm lucky!

vacation

Vacation Time!

The girls and I took a mini-vacation to see our friends Eric and Jennifer. We had a great time in the sun and lake! Jill and the kids were there for a few days too! My girls had a great time playing with Elisabeth and Ben...they can't wait to see them again...very soon we hope!

Some of the highlights were:
Kathryn working on her crawlstroke...she can't wait to show daddy!
Lisa smashed her toe on a rock in the lake...LOVELY! I think we had been there an hour.
So much girl time!
Hangin' out with friends!
Shopping at Shopko---Kathryn even got some "kindergarten clothes". She's getting excited!
Playing in the mud in the water!
Hanging out with Jennifer and Jill and our 8 children!
No bee stings!
Summer fun in the sun!