Best Wishes, LHS Class of 2008!

This Sunday, all six of my seniors on my case load will graduate! It has been an honor to teach them for four years! (I have grades 9-12 on my caseload.) My team of teachers and I always have a special breakfast for them before they graduate. Here are some photos of the crew:

Enjoying the tiki-themed breakfast!

4 of 6 of my crew!

4-Month Update!

Greetings! What a busy week we have had. Last Thursday (5/8) night we hosted a soccer team dinner at our house. Team dinners are held the night before a game. Andy loved hanging out with the girls and his favorite babysitter, Morgan!

Friday was my 36th (yikes!) birthday and Andy's 4-month birthday. Grant had to coach Friday night and all day Saturday so Andy and I headed south to Grandma & Grandpa's in Woodstock, IL. Earlier that week, Grant and Andy gave me presents for my birthday and Mother's Day. For my birthday they got me the Seasons One & Two of Friday Night Lights on DVD. For Mother's Day they got me the new Rachel Ray Yum-O! The Family Cookbook. What great gifts!

My parents bought Andy an infant swing and we attached it to Jacob's swing set...the boys had fun swinging on the swing set! My mom made a yummy birthday steak dinner for me (and the rest of the gang) that evening. Saturday morning we all went to Jacob's soccer game. They won (5 goals Woodstock, 3 goals Harvard). That afternoon, Andy and I headed back to Lodi. That evening, we started Andy on single grain rice cereal, per his pediatrician's recommendation (since he sits up with support, turns his head when he is full, and is between 4-6 months old). He had a very small amount and loved it!

Sunday (my first Mother's Day!) was Andy's Baptism. My parents, Grant's Dad, Sue, Jacob, Grandma Ruth, Uncle Jim, Aunt Janet, Uncle Pat, Cousins Nancy & Andy, and Cousins AJ & Holly were in attendance. We all went to Gino's for lunch after Andy's Baptism. We practically had the place to ourselves since most people go to the "brunch" (a.k.a. buffets) places for Mother's Day. It was a beautiful thing! Later that afternoon Grant and Andy gave me another gift...a two hour nap!

Andy had his 4-month check-up on Monday morning. We found out he is 25.75 inches long (75%ile), weighs 16lbs, 8oz. (75%ile), and has a head circumference of 17 inches (90%ile). His pediatrician said he strong and healthy. Andy is cooing, telling stories in his own language, grabbing for things, and laughing. It is really fun to see all of the milestones he is making!

We currently have the LHS Landscaping class working on our yard (weeding, pruning, and mulching). So far, they are doing an amazing job! Providing treats and materials is a great price to pay for free labor. The students really take pride in what they do...plus they get to work outside on these beautiful afternoons and are not stuck inside the school.

Below are some photos of the events described above:

Hangin' with Daddy...

How do I open this?

Morgan!

Two cakes!

LHS Soccer Team Dinner (Table 1)

LHS Soccer Team Dinner (Table 2)

Check out my hat and swing!

Jacob and Sue

What's on you arm, Grandpa John?

Gimme a J-A-C-O-B!

Jacob in action...

All dressed up!

Yum! This cereal stuff is good!

Maybe I'll play football when I grow up...

Happy May Day!

Wow! It is May already! Spring is in the air...we'll maybe for a few days and then it goes away and it feels like winter.

Andy and I had a great time in Woodstock visiting Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Sue, and Cousin Jacob. Jacob was a great playmate to Andy! (Grant also had a good time at his football clinic.)

Here are the photos I promised of our visit:

My Cousin Jacob makes me smile!

Proud Grandpa & Grandma!

Wide awake @ 7:45 AM...Sunday Morning

"Coo..."

Are the turtles coming to get me?

Showing off the Monkey and Doggy slippers!

I discovered I have hands...

Smell my foot!

Update Chrislaw Road

Well, I am adjusting to going back to work. My students really missed me...so they say. Andy loves day care and hanging out with the other kids. Grant is busy with work and coaching HS girls soccer.

This weekend, Amy, Nick, and Jack were in town from Minneapolis. I had the State Forensics (Speech) Tournament on Friday night, so I was unable to hang out with them, Grandpa Roy, Andy, and Grant. I did get to see them on Saturday at Grant's Mom's side of the family "Holiday Party in April".

On Sunday, our church had a baby shower for all of the new babies that have been born and the babies that will be born in the near future. It was a fun time. The six families all received gifts and a gift card to Target. The generosity was amazing! We are very thankful for everything!

This weekend, Andy and I are off to Woodstock, IL to visit Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Sue, and Cousin Jacob. Grant is attending a Football Clinic, so he will be unable to join us. Stay tune for photos from the trip to Woodstock...

This baby shower stuff is cool!

My Dad was so worried about the possiblity of rain at his soccer tournament that he forgot to pack sunscreen...

So, what's new?

"Wonder Twin" powers activate...

...form of a farmer baby!

Hanging with Grandpa Roy

Last Sunday, Grandpa Roy came over for dinner and hung out with me! I had a great time!

3 Months Old!

On Wednesday, April 9th, Andy turned 3 months old. We learned from our baby books that he is no longer considered a newborn. He is now considered an infant. Wow! Our little guy is growing up too fast! I started back to teaching (high school special education) on Monday. Grant is home with Andy on Mondays. Tuesday through Friday, Andy goes to our friend Amy's house for day care. Amy stays home with her daughter and runs a small day care out of her home. Andy is having a great time at day care and enjoys being around the other kids.

What, I have to go to day care?

I'm not sure about that.

Day care was cool!

Fish face, fish face, fish face...

I'm an infant now!

Trip to Minneapolis

Andy took his first long road trip to Minneapolis this weekend. We decided to leave Friday night after Grant's soccer game since Andy has been sleeping for a 4-5 hour stretch around that time. It worked... we drove without stopping and Andy slept the entire time until we got to Amy, Nick, and Jack's house around 1:00AM.

Saturday afternoon, all of us went to Emily's first birthday party. She is the daughter of Amy and Nick's friends, Jen and Mike. Later that evening, Grant and I went to Danielle and Eric's Wedding reception in Saint Paul on Saturday night while Amy and Nick watched Andy. A big thank you to them...we had a great time! It was nice to know he was having fun with his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin while we were at the reception. We left on Sunday afternoon and Andy slept the entire 4 hour ride home.

Aunt Amy, Cousin Jack, Daddy, & Andy

I better not have pink balloons at my first birthday party.

Birthday girl, Emily!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yesterday was opening day for the Milwaukee Brewers! Since this is my mommy's last week of maternity leave, we were able to watch the day baseball game on TV. Tony Gwynn Jr. had two hits, bunted the go-ahead runner into scoring position in the top of the ninth inning and then lifted a sacrifice fly for the go-ahead run in the 10th. The Brewers bounced back from a stunning Cubs rally in the last of the ninth inning for a 4-3 win at rainy Wrigley Field. Go Brewers!