September

Good morning! Off to 4 year old preschool. Let the mad morning rush begin again :)

Lucy is a happy girl with some SERIOUS morning bed head!

 

We still made time for some pictures before morning drop off at YaYa and PaPa's house.

 

and we are trying another season of soccer. I think daddy is really hoping this catches on.

Isabel is not very aggressive- so stealing the ball doesn't happened. Instead she likes to "direct" her other teammates during the game- telling them where to go and how to kick the ball.

Lucy wants to get in the mix at the game too. She storms the field whenever she can.

Isabel is one of the older ones on the team this year and at her first game she scored two goals!! (Of course, the other team scored 200 goals and half of our team was laying on the sidelines crying... BUT 2 goals, nonetheless!)

Proud YaYa giving lovies.

 

Sissy is very interested in watching the game -- time for some Elmo.

HOT! 80 degrees and running up and down the field wore this girl out.

 

School is going well for mom this year too. I seem to have a really nice group of kids once again- and I am adjusting to my new schedule and intervention class. Here is a picture of me with my coworkers (Team 7-1) and Mr. Wredling - our school's namesake. This year he will be 100 years old and he still visits our school on the first day to say the pledge and wish all of the kids well. Love it!

 

I bought Jason some tickets to see the Illini play at Soldier Field (much closer drive than Champaign!) and he decided to take me :) I had fun and the weather was perfect.

 

I had never been to Soldier Field for a game -- and we lucked out with really good seats.

The Illini didn't win-- but they at least kept the game interesting.

 

Oh yeah.. and here is a picture of one more thing from this month that I forgot to mention above. Isabel and I ran in the Panther Prowl a 5k race for me.. and a 400 yard dash for her. It was her first "race" and she was super excited that they gave everyone a medal. She wore it and showed it off for two days!

 

 

 

A (slightly lame) ode to my husband...

 

You make me coffee in the morning

You often pass gas without warning

 

You workout with me and keep me going

You cut the grass when it is growing

 

You love football (especially the Illini)

You are a tall, dark handsome guy

 

You tickle and wrestle with Lucy and Bel

You have an important job, and do it well

 

You are still the funniest guy I know

Your love you are not afraid to show

 

I am so lucky God gave me you

Kisses and hugs to my boo!

 

 

Bittersweet...

Tonight I am feeling sad because I am gearing up to head back to work on Monday for another school year. I love my job and I love the kids I teach. It isn't that I want to quit working - because I don't- I find my job fulfilling and challenging and I still like what I do.

 I am just sad because the last 8 weeks have FLOWN by and if I am honest... the last FOUR YEARS have flown by too. I am looking at my kiddos tonight and realizing that I don't have any more babies. Lucy is 1 and a half years old-- she is walking, talking up a storm, her bottles are gone and she is chasing after her sister as fast as her legs can carry her. She is a full-on feisty toddler now with opinions and she blows sweet little kisses. And Isabel is a little GIRL- she is learning to read and write, uses words like apparently and seriously, and can even fold laundry! I had to buy her back to school clothes in the BIG girls section because she is so darn tall-- with her new earrings she looks so grown up.

I love my little girls so much my heart hurts. They are beautiful and smart and funny and such blessings in my life. I am thankful to have been able to spend 8 straight weeks with them this summer -- and maybe because I work full-time I appreciate that time even more- who knows. I tried to stop and soak in moments this summer because I know I will not get them back. I hope my babies know how proud I am of them and how proud I am to be their momma. Fall is always a bittersweet time of year for me. New beginnings, lots of excitement, but an end of summer freedom and a relaxed pace, time with my family.

Here are some more moments from the rest of our summer...

It wouldn't be summer without a family trip to Indiana Beach!

Bel looooved the boardwalk this year. The splash park, rides, and games-- she even tried her first big waterslide with daddy.

Lucy, on the other hand, hated the rides. She is a girl who loves her routines and does not like new things. Lucy was happy to watch her sister and cousin while she rode the stroller all week.  

Ummm... famous boardwalk tacos... and cheese fries... and every other possible type of junk food known to man.

The Kerrusish's surprised us by coming up earlier than expected!

Sweet cousins in their matching jammies.

These goof balls had so much fun being together all week. Isabel and Payton got to have a sleepover every night (I am using the word sleep loosely) and Lucy followed everything they did.

My wacky family-- (rockin the "party shirts")

Getting ready for a fire and Smores.

The weather was not very good this year- cold and rain- but at least we got one good day in the sun!

The little princesses -- ready for dinner on our last night.

 

When we got back we took a day trip to Blackberry Farm.



We went on a beautiful Sunday. Not sure why the girls are posing like this. I think Jason yelled "touchdown" to get their attention so they would look at the camera. (and don't ask about Isabel's outfit. That is an example of mom picking her battles ;)

Picnic time with daddy. We did lots of that this summer.

Here we are about to get on the paddle boats for a leisurely ride. Only.. about two minutes later Lucy had a major meltdown when we tried to board the boat. So mom and Lu watched from the dock.

Isabel on a daddy/daughter boat ride. Good day!

 

Here are the cousins celebrating a birthday with Marcus! This little guy is surrounded by his ladies.

 

and a picture with my honey-

Happy Anniversary- 6 years with my best friend. We tried something a little different for our date night-- Vino Van Gogh -- basically drinks and a painting class with dinner. Neither of us have really ever painted before so we felt pretty good about our creations.

 

and here we are... going to Open House to meet Isabel's  4 year-old preschool teachers.

 

 

See what I mean? So grown up. So beautiful!

Who wants to go to work when they can hang out with these dollies?!

 

 

I adore these girls! I hope you had a wonderful summer too. Now I am off to enjoy my last couple days!

 

More summer fun...

 Aunt Debby was able to come and visit us for a week this summer. We spent the entire week hanging out with the Leppin clan and having lots of fun.

We visited Medieval Times and Isabel dressed the part. While she loved the "princess in training" program before the show-- she cried when the first knight was eliminated. Apparently it was a little too realistic for my sensitive girl. The waiter assured her that it was just pretend and then she enjoyed the rest of the performance.



Lucy was suspicious (of course) at first, but then was happy to sit on her dad's lap for hours watching the performance. Neither of my girls ate the chicken with their bare hands but the rest of us enjoyed the food!

 We had a cookout one afternoon and enjoyed the weather-- it was RIDICULOUSLY hot the whole time Deb was here. I blame her for bringing that Arkansas air with her. 

Here they are just trying to stay cool

Enjoying presents from Aunt Debby. The girls were SUPER spoiled the whole week by both of their aunts and grandparents.

Lucy with her new "Mickey". Minnie Mouse is her favorite right now... even though she insists on calling her Mickey.

 

We had dinner with Uncle Aaron and Sheila

 

and we had lots of time for snuggling

and sitting on Aunt Deb's lap

 We are so happy we got to see her and will have to make a trip to see both her and Aunt Belinda and Uncle Bill soon too.

 

 

In July we also celebrated Zack's birthday-- the BIG 3-0! We had a fiesta out at the "Shire" and enjoyed yummy tacos, cold beer, and very unpredictable weather. A good time was had by all!

My little dollies are ready to PARTAY

Beautiful little sister! She threw such a great party with lots of attention to detail

Cute couple! Welcome to your 30's Zack... Don't worry, you will always be younger than me :)

oh... and this gorgeous deck? Yeah. Zack built it by himself. This picture doesn't even do it justice. There is a wooden table that seats ten and another sitting area. Love it!

Trouble comes in threes! These cousins are inseparable

Uh oh! Baby gone wild!

and suddenly it was raining, and hailing, and 60 mph winds! The storm blew in so quickly and we lost power!

Nothing that a few more drinks won't fix. Ha! Fun party Kerruish family!