EMILY'S NEW BIKE

Since I sold Emily's old bike at our garage sale a couple of weeks ago, I promised her we'd buy her a new one. Today we finally had a chance to go out and take a look at our options. Since she's growing SO fast, we hated to spend a lot of money on a bike that she probably will only ride this summer. The bike shop had one used 16 in. girls bike...but it looked just awful! Yellow, dirty tires, chipped paint on the handlebars and the seat was ripped in several places. They guy said we could have it for $10. Well, Adam and I thought it was the ugliest bike we'd ever seen, but Rob thought he could paint the handlebars, bleach the tires, get a new seat and it would look good as new. It didn't come with training wheels, so we did have to buy those, plus the new white seat, but I have to say that I was totally wrong...and Rob was right (which doesn't happen very often!) The bike looks BRAND NEW! Emily was so excited when it was finally ready to ride. The bike guy even threw in a couple of streamers for the handlebars! We had a hard time convincing her it was time for bath and bed tonight, but promised she could ride first thing in the morning. Let's just hope she doesn't wake us up at the crack of dawn!

OPEN FOR BUSINESS - SUMMER 2008!

Although the water is still a bit on the chilly side (low to mid 70's) the kids insisted on getting in this afternoon. Adam wouldn't take his t-shirt off, but they were in for about 1/2 hour...longer than I thought they'd be!!

Emily wanted to be pushed around in the raft, so big brother was kind enough to take her for a few spins around the pool!

WIGGLY SPRINKLER

The kids had fun this afternoon playing in the new "wiggly" sprinkler we bought at Toys R Us this morning. They both had to put on goggles because they didn't like getting sprayed in the face!

TRACK & FIELD DAY/DUNK THE TEACHERS

Adam's school had Track and Field Day yesterday with lots of great outdoor activities for the kids. They also had a dunk tank where several of the teachers "volunteered" to get dunked. Adam's teacher is pregnant, so she had a good excuse to get out of it! I went over on my lunch hour so I could watch the dunking!

5th Grade teacher - Mr. Neimeyer went first

Our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Erickson was also a good sport

One of the teachers going DOWN! You should have heard the kids cheering!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ROBERT & JANET!

Happy 16th anniversary to two of our best friends for almost 20 years! (longer than that for me and Janet!) Although I have plenty of great pictures from our days of living on Orchard, Campbell and Old Jack apartments and from their wedding, they are not digital (and of course they are scrapbooked already!), so I'm posting two pics from last summer on their boat. Have a great and happy day today!

BALLET RECITAL

Last night was Emily's ballet recital at Glenwood High School Auditorium in Chatham. Although her class's routine was only 48 seconds long...they all did great and had a wonderful night.

Flowers from Daddy!

Paige and Emily with flowers they received from Springfield Dance after their performance.

Sydney and Emily doing what they do best...performing and hamming it up!

The whole pre-primary class with their teacher, Miss Sabrina. All the girls were delighted to receive flowers, candy and gifts from everyone!

2nd LOST TOOTH

Tonight Emily lost her 2nd tooth (which had been bending straight back and forth for the last week) so it was about time!

MEMORIAL DAY

Even though the day started off windy, rainy and cold...it turned into a really beautiful (but muggy!) afternoon. We worked around the house and the kids spent some time actually playing games together. I bought a ring toss and scoop ball set today, so they had fun with some new stuff! Rob also braved the cold water in the pool to vacuum it out, dump chemicals and get it ready for summer! I know WE are ready!!!

PRE-SCHOOL GRADUATION

Tuesday night was the Pleasant Run graduation ceremony for the kids going to kindergarten in the Fall. Afterwards, we had reserved the loft at Coz's, so a bunch of us headed over there for pizza and drinks. All of Emily's best friends came, including her "boyfriend" Peyton (who she asked to marry her we found out later that night!) It was a really fun night and I think all the kids enjoyed celebrating together.

The Graduate...who will be in kindergarten in 3 months!

Our future son-in-law??

Getting her certificate

BFF's...Emily & Sydney

The siblings of the graduates...Adam, Reilly, Jillian and Taylor

Emily's friend Sydney is the only child I know that is more of a ham than Emily! Here we are leaving Coz's and we asked for one more picture...and we got bunny ears!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE AARON!

Enjoy today...next year is the BIG ONE!

OPEN FOR BUSINESS...for the ducks anyway!

Today Rob had had enough of pumping the rain off the pool cover, so he decided to go ahead and open it up for the summer. No sooner had he turned on the hose to begin filling the pool up, but lo and behold...our good friends Mr. and Mrs. Duck returned to take the first dip. I truly believe these are the same two ducks that come every spring. They actually let me get pretty close this afternoon to snap these pictures. Once the chlorine goes in, they usually stay away. Good thing for us!

In addition to working on the pool and in the yard today, we went to Seany Farms Greenhouse near Petersburg (on the advice of our good friend Robert) to purchase our hanging flower baskets and other flowers for the season. They had a unbelievable selection of gorgeous flowers and we got 3 enormous baskets for $20 each. Thanks 'Bert!

We also made a quick pit stop at Borics for haircuts for the boys. Adam was ready for his "summer 'do"!

Of course, what would a picture of Adam be without a picture of Emily???

She loves wearing her brother's baseball hat!

IT'S FINALLY BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE SPRING AROUND HERE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY K.!

Hope you have a great birthday!

1/2 WAY DONE....

with the Biggest Loser contest! I'm in 2nd place, out of 14 people, with 8 lbs. lost (13 if I count the week before the contest started). My goal, in addition to winning the $215, was to lose 20 lbs. before my girls trip to Cancun. So I have 35 days to go!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

The weather was just awful today - cold, windy, rainy and downright unpleasant. Rob and the kids let me sleep in and then I did a little shopping at Target (by myself!) Then we picked up Grandma and went to a movie. We saw "Nim's Island" and we all really liked it. Not sure what we're having for dinner, but we're still a little full from popcorn!

Me and my babies!

I've had a great Mother's Day and we hope our moms had a nice day too!

MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATION

Yesterday we had our annual Saturday Mother's Day celebration and Grandma and Jane's house. Jane cooked another wonderful meal (which tasted especially good to me having been on weight watchers for 3 weeks!) The kids always have a great time playing together and feel asleep as soon as we got home!

Emily and Jaiana each got to have one of the butterflies off the cake. Luckily they each chose a different color!

The "Virden Girls" - Tami, Jaiana, Sue, Jane, Grandma Ruth and Aunt Virginia

"Our Crew" - Grandma, Adam, Rob, Emily, Jen and Jane

HAPPY 15TH ANNIVERSARY C and A

WOW - 15 years! I think the thing I remember the most from that day is Colleen and I accidently getting car grease on the front of our dresses and us standing outside in front of the church trying to dry them out 10 minutes before we had to walk down the aisle! Happy anniversary guys - we love you!

OPENING DAY

Last night was the first "official" game of the 2008 baseball season. I think it's safe to say our Padres creamed the Cubs! Adam played outfield and 2nd and 3rd base. He struck out his first at bat, then walked, then hit a doozy of a triple. That ball went all the way to the left field fence and he could have made it home, but the coach held him at 3rd. In this league, the kids can steal bases (and of course, they just love to slide!). It was a great game to start the season.

PLAYING CATCH

Grandma and Aunt Jane came over for dinner tonight and the kids conned them into playing a little after-dinner catch.

Emily was just as surprised as we were when she caught this one!