School's Out for the Summer!

June was very bittersweet. I am greatly going to miss the wonderful team I have been fortunate enough to work with the past five years as well as the students whom I have grown to truly love and care for. I was so sad to end that chapter of my life, but at the same time was so excited to begin a new teaching position as a resource room teacher through the New Prague School District at a school that is only three miles from my home, and the same distance from my daycare. I am so excited that my children will one day attend the same school that I teach at, which opens up so many possibilites I didn't know would ever be a reality. I will be there for the first day for kindergarten, they can stay in my classroom after school, we will share the same schedules of summers and vacations, I will personally know their teachers, and the list goes on. Not to mention I will be there for any school performances they may be in, and can be the threat if they are misbehaving in their classrooms (my children, misbehave?)

As things started to wind down at school summer fun began to pick up. We took advantage of every day. Almost every day we had an outing, whether it was a playdate at a friend's house or went on some adventure - the water park, mall of america, the list goes on. This month we also celebrated Abby's first year with a birthday party for family and tutus. Another joyous event was watching our friend's two children the first night their new little brother was brought into the world. Adam and I share together how blessed we are with our two sweet children, and I am not sure if a third will be in our plan ever, but it is fun to think about!

Abby discovered toilet paper this month (better than playing with the toilet water, right?).

Abby has learned how to climb up the stairs!Abby's first time sporting a ponytail. Here Adam and Abby are at the mall.

Riding her horsie.

Gotta love the bows!

AJ playing hide and seek.
Running through the tunnels at the children's museum.
Sharing a pizza.

Here is AJ and Adam riding the roller coaster at the Mall of America.

Abby having fun in the jumper. AJ and Abby enjoy friends from daycare. Here is Sarah, Tyler, Hayley, AJ, and Joey.

Decorating presents for Father's Day.

Meet Baby Teagan.

Abby posing for the camera. She is getting so good at that!

Dainty Abby playing with monster trucks and trains.

Abby plays so well with toys. I love watching her learn through her play. She is constantly analyzing toys and it seems like you can see the wheels turning.

We had fun playing with Aurora, our friend and neighbor. She is two months younger than Abby, but they get along great, and I think AJ may have a little crush on her :) He always gets very excited when I say we are going to see her.

Can you see the mischieve in her eyes?

Abby and Aurora checking one another out.

I love it that Adam rocks Abby to sleep most nights. This is what I came downstairs to one night :)

Abby playing at an Awesome waterpark in Burnsville.

AJ running and splashing at the water park. It is so much fun to watch him be more comfortable with playing independently and with other children. Last year he would only play in the water if I held his hand or was within a few feet of him. This year it was all I could do to keep an eye on him and Abby.

Drinking from the fish. I am sure that was sanitary :)

Friends on a Sweeney playdate.

Sleeping Beauty.

My brother-in-law, Matt, graduated from high school this year. We had fun joining in the celebrations!

Abby had so much fun walking around. Abby took her first steps at 11 months and by the end of 12 months was able to walk around very well and for long distances. It is such a joy to see how proud of herself she is and she is loving this level of independence!

It was a little bit windy :)

We had professional photos taken the day of Abby's first birthday. I loved how our cake turned out (the picture is one that the professional photographer, Jo, took at the water park on her actual birthday). Nobody wanted to cut her picture :)

Princess Abby at her party.

AJ & soon-to-be aunt Sara at Abby's birthday party.

Abby crawling through the streamers.

Abby (and AJ) couldn't wait to open presents. We caught them opening presents while we were eating cake. It was super cute.

Not sure if Abby liked her presents or the wrapping paper more.

Abby wasn't so sure about her cupcake (we got her & AJ a cupcake so they could have the whole thing while the rest of us ate cake). She liked it a lot at first, then immediately decided she didn't want the frosting on her fingers any longer.

Intrigued.

All done.

Grandpa had fun making funny sounds with his hands. Abby found this very interesting. I remember when my grandpa (my father's father) used to do the same thing with me.

More presents :)

Fun in the Sun

May was filled with playdates, the outdoors, and more milestones. The stress of wrapping up my classroom and interviewing for a new teaching position closer to home made for long and difficult days for me, but I always had my kids to look forward to at the end of the day. I realize how blessed I am, and as I look at each of these pictures and all the wonderful moments I have experienced, my heart feels so happy and thankful. Praise the Lord for all the miracles I have been given.


AJ and Abby love to play in their little playhouse. I ended up selling this playhouse and bought one a little newer with a few more bells and whistles on it.

AJ loves to throw rocks into the pond at the dog park. Here he is lounging on the picnic table after finishing a snack.

AJ was able to make his own pizza at Tyler and Hayley's house. They were fun to make, and tasted great!

Hanging out on the bench at Como with friends Tegan and Trevor.

Trevor and AJ had a blast going on some rides at Como Town. Here they are riding on the train. I laughed so hard I cried when I watched Trevor and AJ ride on the frogger hopping ride. They had so much fun, and the anticipation was almost unbearable!

AJ and Trevor also enjoyed riding on the "race cars". I don't think I am ever going to be ready for him to be sixteen!

Abby is pretty proud of herself now that she is mobile!

I think AJ's preference would be for Abby to NOT be mobile. Most of the time she just stares at him with adoration, but sometimes there is a little mischief in her eyes.

Abby coming to grab the camera out of my hands :)

I want to pinch those rosy cheeks!

This summer I was able to successfully plant a flower garden in the front and a vegetable garden in the back. AJ helped me tote tons of black dirt around in his wagon, and we were both amazed with the amount of worms we found. What fun for a three year old!

My birthday cake. Yummy!

AJ made each of his grandmas and great-grandma's an art project. He had so much fun! He is definitely a creative person, but I was also impressed with the time and patience he gave each picture.

Holding hands in the car :)

This is Grace, the kids' 3rd cousin. She just adored Abby, and Abby was very intrigued by her as well.

Abby is so fortunate that she has all of AJ's hand-me-downs. There are countless opportunities throughout the day for her to engage in thought-provoking learning. Can't you just see the wheels a-turning?

AJ helping me rake the garden.

I love the fact that Abby is able to play independently in the back yard so I can work on my garden. She loves to open and close the windows and door to the house.

AJ got his first official cleaning this month. Six months ago he went to the dentist's office to "meet" the dentist and sit in the chair. This time he had so say "AHHHH" and although he wasn't happy about it in the least, he did incredibly well. I was so proud of him! Abby even had an appointment and had her teeth checked.

He wanted to take these sunglasses home in the worst way!

AJ being silly.

Playing at the park by grammy and granpa's house.

On the boat with dad.

Having fun at the park in our neighborhood.

AJ loves to watch Adam fish, but especially when he gets to hold the fishing pole afterwards. He is a natural!

Abby enjoying a little snack on the boat.

AJ holding up the fish him and Adam caught.

I was so incredibly proud of my mother this month. She helped organize a vintage tea fundraiser for the Someplace Safe Organization - where she works. She spoke several times in front of a large crowd. I am so blessed that my mother is such a part of my life! That is one proud grandma!!! (and happy grand-baby)

Abby fighting my dad over the french fry :)

Another picture at the vintage tea fundraiser.

Abby had fun "driving" the car. She thought it was pretty cool to sit in my seat :)

Abby LOVES bath time, especially when she gets to take a bath with AJ.

Playing on the bed after her bath.

I walked into the play room and saw this. I think the drawer had already been pulled out. She cracked herself up over this !

Abby's favorite toy is my cell phone. She had climbed up onto this rocking chair without letting go of the cell phone and had the biggest smile on her face.

Abby smiling for the camera.

AJ showing me a toad he found in the garden.