Sunday, August 30, 2009

Back to School

The weather change is certainly letting me know that summer is coming to an end. I started back to work last week, so the kids started their new day care center. We sent them Tuesday-Friday even though I only had to work on Wednesday and Thursday. We had to pay for the entire week, and it was good to get them into a routine.

We're calling the center school. Wise word choice because that place is impressive! It really runs like a school! After just four days, the kids seem to have learned so much. Mallory has been working on clapping her hands, and I really thought that I saw her trying to wave bye-bye. Her teachers discovered that she will take a bottle if it has formula mixed with mommy's milk. This is a big relief for me because our nursing days seem to be coming to an end. :-( (I am grateful that we made it nearly 8 months!) Isaiah was walking around singing a song yesterday. We eventually recognized it as the meal prayer they sing in his classroom. He whines just a little bit when he is dropped off, but quickly cheers up as he looks for his friends. When he leaves in the afternoon he says, "Night night, friends!"

On Thursday afternoon there was a copy of the lesson plans for Isaiah's class next week. Lesson plans! This place is a teacher's dream! It's like a preschool. The center is very language and life skill oriented, which will be really, really good for both kids. We're considering sending them on Mondays, too. The original plan was for Isaiah and Mallory to stay home with Tim on his day off, but we're paying for Monday already. We don't want them to miss out on all of the fun things that they're doing.

First Day of School
I kept myself busy on their first day. Tim had to work, so I had the day to myself. I worked out and did a few chores around the house before lunch. I ate lunch at home and waited around to see Tim when he came home. After that I went to the mall, Babies R Us, and Barnes & Noble. I missed my kids, but I had such a nice time! I can't remember the last time I sat in a big comfy chair, drank a coffee, and read a magazine at B&N - one of my very fave things to do. Friday wasn't nearly as fun. I had errands and appointments - blah.
Tuesday will be interesting. Hopefully they will remember how much fun they had last week! I don't work tomorrow, so we're keeping the kids home with us for Tim's birthday. He's off, too, so it will be great to spend the last day of summer vacation as a family.
- becky

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Cheerios

Mallory is at a really fun age. We discovered that she LOVES to snack on Cheerios. They keep her busy while I am cooking and/or eating, so it's really nice! She makes the most adorable facial expressions, particularly with her mouth, while she's eating them.




I don't think I'm ready to let her snack on them at church yet. I've always been very cautious
when it comes to potential choking hazards with both of my kids - just ask Tim. I am constantly nagging him to make sure Isaiah's hot dogs are cut into small enough pieces! Better safe than sorry! Right now, she is only allowed to snack while sitting in her high chair.
I started back to work this past week. We had inservice days on Wednesday and Thursday; Tuesday we go back with the students. Isaiah and Mallory have started at their new "school". It's going really well - see a future blog post tomorrow - so I'm okay with going back to work. I miss the kids terribly during the day, but I think my working is good for all of us.

- becky

Friday, August 28, 2009

Baby Belly Laugh

One of the most beautiful sounds in the world is a baby's laugh. (In my opinion, anyway.) Mallory was a very happy camper the other night, so I tried to capture her music. Sorry about the bouncy video. I was being silly trying to make her chuckle. Enjoy!

- becky

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The Nuk

Check out how Mallory holds onto her Nuk!
- becky

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Lunch is Yummy!

Mallory loves her baby food.


I love watching her try to feed herself!

Like his Daddy, Isaiah loves pizza.

It is so cute how he eats each piece backwards!
- becky

Monday, August 24, 2009

7 Month Pictures

"Look at my pretty skirt!"

Here it is - THE picture. I took so many pictures to get one worthy of 5x7 for the scrapbook and frames for our desks. This is definitely it! I love the hand on her hip!

Mallory is really starting to fill up the bouncy seat!

I can see her personality coming thru in this picture, too.

Runner-up for our picture frames.

Uh oh. Here comes trouble!

I have yet to get a decent picture of the two of them together.

I think we're done taking pictures now...
- becky
8.9.09

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Baby Chic

Tim might not like my new sunglasses, but I think my baby girl is looking pretty stylish!
- becky

Friday, August 21, 2009

Miniature Golf Night

Once a year, we go with the Youth Group to Badger Sports Park for a round of miniature golf. We really lucked out this year; the weather was perfect! Isaiah was really excited about the hot air balloon that we saw taking off.


Sometimes it's just easier to put it in with your hand!

I lost to Tim, but I blame that loss on Mallory. (Sorry, Little Miss.) Here I am at the Miller Park hole.

Here's Tim at the Lambeau Field hole.
- becky
8.5.09

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Toy Box

Check out the new toy that we found in the toy box!
Isaiah's Great-Grandpa Werder made this toy box for him. The best way to play? Jump right in!

Needless to say, we will not be donating him to the Goodwill next time we go through the toys. We'll keep him! :-)

- becky
8.4.09

Friday, August 14, 2009

Baby Exercise

Mallory loves to jump. We were walking home from supper one night, and we found this exersaucer at a rummage sale. For $5, there was no way we could pass it up! We already had one, but with a split level house, it's really convenient to have one on each of the main floors. She has a great time playing in it on the deck, too.
Such a serious face!

Mallory the Jumping Bean

- becky
7.31.09

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Feeding the Birds

Tim has been teaching Isaiah all about one of his first chores.



- becky
7.31.09

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Minnesota - You Betcha!

I'm tired, so here is our trip to Minnesota in pictures instead of words. I will say that the Mall of America is so super cool, though. I always love going there.

Minneapolis, MN
Godfathers and Godsons

Mallory enjoyed meeting Hannah!

Tim and his grandparents

Meeting Great Auntie Carol for Lunch

Say, Great-Grandpa, let's read books!

It will work better if I just climb up in your lap.

I LOVE this picture! So precious!

Great-Grandma feeding Little Miss

Horses!

Hmmm... Maybe washing hands would be a good idea after this...

Tim's Uncle Jon, Aunt Sheila, and cousin Caitlin

Here comes the train!


First train - taking the light rail to the Twins game was a fantastic way to go!

Metrodome

We're attending this game!

Nick and Jess got us great tickets for the Twins game! We had a great time! Thanks you guys!
- becky
7.24.09 - 7.29.09

Monday, August 10, 2009

Derks Park

About 1/2 mile down Kensington from our house is Derks Park. It is a fantastic place for kids to play. There are two play sets - one for older kids and one for kids ages 2-5. The bigger play set is safe enough for little kids, too. There are very few spots where kids can jump/fall off the edge, and easy climbing. Isaiah likes the bigger set for the slide and bridge, but he thinks the tunnel in the smaller set is pretty cool, too.

At the end of last summer, Derks Park was closed for construction. Our wish was granted! No more wood chip ground! It's a squishy ground that reminds me of astroturf.


Little Miss enjoys the swings.




- becky
7.22.09