Friends

Jodi and her kids came up yesterday to visit. Isaac and Piper were so excited to see their friends! That evening some if my closest friends came over to have a going away gathering for me. I'm glad it was an intimate gathering; gave me a chance to breathe and be around supportive people. I am grateful to have them in my life and know they will continue to be there, no matter where we live.

This morning we took the kids down to the Lake. We had a picnic lunch at the Rose Garden and then went down by the water to throw rocks.

They are all getting so big! Our oldest kids were 5 months old when we met!








I am so blessed I have Jodi in my life. She is such a kind soul and often times helps me see situations from a different perspective. She has also opened my eyes to different ways of thinking--most importantly helping me have the labor and delivery that I really wanted with Piper.


I know we are moving from one Big Lake to another, but I sure am going to miss this one.

Isaac

Isaac had his last soccer game a few days ago. Before the season started, he cried when we told him we had signed him up. After the first game he said, "we'll I'm never doing THAT again". Each game he got a little more in involved. And at the last game, he was sad it was over. But VERY excited he got a medal! He wanted to pose with it.





St. Scholastica had some kids activities during their homecoming weekend. So we went with the Senich family to check it out. The boys had fun in the batting cage!


And here's my big kid sleeping. More often than not, he has his blanket over his head like this. Love him so much!

Piper

For some reason Piper asked me to take a picture of her when she was sleeping. So here it is!


Love her to pieces!


The kids had dentist appointments recently and Isaac was an awesome big brother and let Piper sit on his lap during her turn.


But then she decided she could do it by herself.


Apparently a girl gets hot using the hand held vacuum!

Beautiful Morning

Courtney and I took our girls down to the Lakewalk for a beautiful morning walk today. Couldn't have asked for better weather or better company.

After walking, the girls wanted to throw rocks in the water.


Taking a break on their matching Cinderella blankets!


She's growing up too fast!

Grandma Becky time

I had signed up to attend a three-day conference in Rochester awhile ago. And luckily for me, my mom was able to come up and watch the kids so I could go. I wasn't worried about her with the kids at all, but admit that with the move and trying to take care of everything that needs to be done, in addition to getting things ready for her and prepare for my trip, it was a lot. But my BFF came with me, we learned a lot, did some shopping, ate some good food, and my kiddos had a great time with Grandma! And even better, she stayed an extra day when I got back!!

Enger Tower

The kids have been asking about "that castle with the green light on it" for quite a while now. I've been meaning to take them up to Enger Tower, but never got around to it...until tonight.

The kids had a blast walking up all the stairs and then looking out at the view.








Isaac brought his walkie-talkies with, and wanted me to go down to the bottom so we could talk. I captured them on their way back down. They ended up going back up and we played a game of Where's Waldo--I hid down below and they had to find me. It was fun!





We sure are going to miss this view!

Eddy's Birthday

We celebrated Eddy's birthday when he got home tonight. But before he got home, I let the kids each pick out a card for him. I was going to let them pick out ANY card they wanted, but when Isaac wanted the EIGHT DOLLAR card, I put my foot down.

Piper picked out a Rainbow Bright happy 5th birthday card! I think she liked it because she could color the inside. She spent over and HOUR working on "writing" on the inside. She was trying to copy what I wrote. Several meltdowns and many layers of white-out later, she finished.


Isaac drew Eddy a picture of him being the bat boy for the Chinooks.


Isaac was excited to show Eddy the cake.


Now THAT'S how you blow out candles!

Kids

I took the kids to Kohl's to get a pair of shoes for Isaac. He saw a pair of Nike ones that he REALLY wanted. But they had laces. And cost FORTY-SEVEN American dollars. Ugh. Isaac has worked on tying, but until now, hasn't quite figured it out. And that's a lot of money for a pair of shoes for a seven year old. But after a quick text to Eddy to get his opinion, I said ok. But the rule is that he can't wear them until he learns how to tie and I WILL NOT be tying them for him.

So he practiced a few times in the store and a few times when we got home. The next morning while I was FaceTiming with my parents, he did it!!!


The next day he wore his Nike outfit (from Auntie and Uncle Paul [also Nike socks!]) and his new Nike shoes. He was pretty impressed with himself!


While at Kohl's looking for shoes, Piper saw some books that she LOVED. Oh, did she try to convince me to buy them! Luckily I was able to use the excuse that they were too big. Ha!


I had each of the kids pick out a birthday card for Eddy. I tried not to sway them in the choice, but did day no to the $8 card Isaac wanted. Piper picked out a Rainbow Bright card that said "Happy 5th Birthday" on it! Ha!! I think she liked it because she can color the inside of it. But before she got to coloring, she wanted to write Daddy a message. So here she is, trying to copy what I wrote. What you can't tell from the picture is that she spent over an HOUR working on this, using White Out several times, and shedding LOTS of tears because she was getting frustrated. But all in all, she was pretty excited to show Daddy her work!

Night Before & First Day

The night before school started, Lowell Elementary had their open house. So after I picked up the kids from daycare, we headed over there to meet Isaac's teacher, see his room, and drop off his school supplies.

He gets a locker!


His desk!


First grade with Mrs. Laurila.


That night, Isaac said he was a little bit nervous. So we had a good talk about that and by the morning, he was ready to go!


We got him a Land's End backpack that ha two small dolphins on it last year, with the understanding that he would use it for at least two years. Then our host family gave Isaac an Avengers one, and suddenly, the dolphin backpack is a thing o the past.





You can't see it, but he's smiling as he waves to me. That makes for one happy mama!!

Last Day of Summer Break

Well, kinda. Tomorrow is *technically* the last day before Isaac starts school, but I have to work. So I decided to have a fun day with the kids.

First stop, a playground we haven't been to in awhile.


Then a walk in the woods. Piper is a model and Isaac is a baseball catcher, pretending to be an ump calling a strike!


Isaac as photographer.


Piper as photographer.


Walking up a hill, next to a ski slope.


Picnic lunch at The Rose Garden.


Going to miss this view.


Bike ride on the Lakewalk!!





Time out to throw rocks in the water.


Waving to the train!


Time out for ice cream!


We were having a good day.


Stumbled upon a Duluth police event, to let the community see what they do.


And the true sign of a good day...she fell asleep in the recliner!