My dear cousin, LouAnn got married last Monday. She is more than a cousin to me she is the sister I never had, the maid of honor at our wedding, and Joe's Godmother. She left me a message on Friday that she won't be stopping by Omaha during their planned trip to Texas.....because they flew instead of drove. At the end of the message she said "Oh, yah, by the way, Roberto and I got married on Monday...bye."
I called her and spoke briefly to her (she was driving to Waco) and am waiting for more details soon.
Jeff has the basement bathroom plumbed and has now bought sheet rock. He'll have the basement bathroom all finished very soon!
We all went to a state park today and swam. The kids are such excellent swimmers!
Tonight at supper Jenna lost another tooth. Yes, she was eating corn on the cob. It was exactly two weeks ago tonight when she bit into some corn and lost her first tooth. Now she doesn't look like a hillbilly..... she looks like a kindergartener!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Jackson's class and misc
Today is Jackson's last day of his reading class. It has been a great success! He enjoys reading now and will read to me at bedtime! He still is a bit below grade level, but I hope he'll catch up soon. His positive attitude is payment enough. Today we will head to the public library to return some books and get more.
Last night, after bath time, Jenna thought she would investigate what Jeff does when he shaves. She helped herself to our bathroom when no one was around and created a shaving cream mess all over our bathroom. She was curious enough to actaully pick up his razor and start moving it across her face. Yes, she cut herself on the cheek. It's a very small cut and is healing nicely, but what a lesson learned! I think she scared herself enough that - messing around in the bathroom won't happen in a LONG time.
Joe is begging for Legos. He wants a job so he can buy more legos. I'm not sure how long his love of legos will last, but I'm sure they won't be around in Middle School.
I worked in my classroom yesterday. Things are looking ready for the first day of school. One week from today I start my New Teacher Orientation. Tomorrow I'm going to a brunch at a 5th grade teacher's house. I'll be able to meet some more staff members there! My mentor helped a little bit in my room yesterday. She'll be a big help.
Jeff has the basement bathroom studded, shower is in, light/fan and electrical plugs are installed and in working order. Next step is to call the plumber.
Our nephew (and Godson), Mac, completed (and won first place) in a Special Olympics fundraiser "duathlon" last weekend. He is only 4 years old and completed a 75 yard run, 300 yard bike, and a second 75 yard run. Here is the recap from his parents: Before the air horn sounded, all 10 lanes were filled up with fired-up munchkins. Mac came out of the gates like a thoroughbred and soon ran passed the "pace-setter" who was supposed to show the racers where to go on the course. Being first to reach the bikes, Mac had no obstacles while riding, except for his feverish speed, which caused his crowd-gasping crash; but without flinching, Mac popped back onto his bike and took-off, never losing his lead. By the time he ran through the finish line (after the second phase of running), the next closest competitor had not yet got off of his bike to even start running. The contrast between Mac's big-person determination and his little-person helmet and legs, made the crowd really roar when he came into the home stretch for the victory. In no less of a dramatic fashion, at the award ceremony, with the kids up on Olympic type podiums, the MC declared " History was made today at our Inaugural Duathlon... Mac Strand becomes our first ever Gold Medal Champion!". His mother was nearly brought to tears, and his father wished some of the "men" he coached had half of Mac's fortitude...
So, that's the latest in our lives. Tomorrow I want to take the kids to see the movie "The Ant Bully" - I should get the book from the library and read it to them first!
Last night, after bath time, Jenna thought she would investigate what Jeff does when he shaves. She helped herself to our bathroom when no one was around and created a shaving cream mess all over our bathroom. She was curious enough to actaully pick up his razor and start moving it across her face. Yes, she cut herself on the cheek. It's a very small cut and is healing nicely, but what a lesson learned! I think she scared herself enough that - messing around in the bathroom won't happen in a LONG time.
Joe is begging for Legos. He wants a job so he can buy more legos. I'm not sure how long his love of legos will last, but I'm sure they won't be around in Middle School.
I worked in my classroom yesterday. Things are looking ready for the first day of school. One week from today I start my New Teacher Orientation. Tomorrow I'm going to a brunch at a 5th grade teacher's house. I'll be able to meet some more staff members there! My mentor helped a little bit in my room yesterday. She'll be a big help.
Jeff has the basement bathroom studded, shower is in, light/fan and electrical plugs are installed and in working order. Next step is to call the plumber.
Our nephew (and Godson), Mac, completed (and won first place) in a Special Olympics fundraiser "duathlon" last weekend. He is only 4 years old and completed a 75 yard run, 300 yard bike, and a second 75 yard run. Here is the recap from his parents: Before the air horn sounded, all 10 lanes were filled up with fired-up munchkins. Mac came out of the gates like a thoroughbred and soon ran passed the "pace-setter" who was supposed to show the racers where to go on the course. Being first to reach the bikes, Mac had no obstacles while riding, except for his feverish speed, which caused his crowd-gasping crash; but without flinching, Mac popped back onto his bike and took-off, never losing his lead. By the time he ran through the finish line (after the second phase of running), the next closest competitor had not yet got off of his bike to even start running. The contrast between Mac's big-person determination and his little-person helmet and legs, made the crowd really roar when he came into the home stretch for the victory. In no less of a dramatic fashion, at the award ceremony, with the kids up on Olympic type podiums, the MC declared " History was made today at our Inaugural Duathlon... Mac Strand becomes our first ever Gold Medal Champion!". His mother was nearly brought to tears, and his father wished some of the "men" he coached had half of Mac's fortitude...
So, that's the latest in our lives. Tomorrow I want to take the kids to see the movie "The Ant Bully" - I should get the book from the library and read it to them first!
Friday, July 21, 2006
The Living Room is painted
Starla and I started painting the living room on Wednesday. We painted one wall "umber". It is a very dark brown. We also painted one of the walls "Macadamia". Jeff and I finished the other two "Macadamia" walls on Thursday night. I must say, it looks GREAT. Jeff isn't too sure he likes the lone "umber" wall, but it is a nice accent.
I'm eager to paint more now. I like the look color adds to the warmth of the house.
I'm eager to paint more now. I like the look color adds to the warmth of the house.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
A visit from Starla
My dear friend, Starla, has been visiting since Saturday. She lives in River Falls, Wisconsin. Joining her during her visit are her children, Rayna (5) and Dane (2). Jenna has been so happy to have Rayna here to play dress-up, Polly Pockets, and everyother girl thing.
We have kept busy. Sunday we all went to church and then did a little shopping. I bought a small blow up pool (for only $8) and the kids have used it everyday since. We had a little pool party with a new neighbor Kelly and her daughter Katelyn. The kids ran back and forth from their yard to our yard. Sunday evening Starla, my neighbor Charlotte, and I went to the Melting Pot for a special birthday dinner for Starla. It was an awesome time! Jeff was a great babysitter and chef to all 5 kids! He seemed to love spending time with Dane! He has been busy working on the basement getting the bathroom going.
Monday went to the Omaha Zoo. The kids did great in the 90 degree heat. We stayed cool in the buildings. After the zoo we all took a nap.....We had more pool time with a different neighbor (also named Kelli) and her daughter Drew. Kelli is also a teacher.
Tuesday Charlotte and Kellen came over for an early morning playdate. Jackson had school. After I picked Jack up from school we got ready to go on our daily adventure. We visited the Mormon Trail Pioneer Museum. It was a small museum, but the perfect size for our tired kids. After the museum we drove to see Cunningham Lake. We were surprised that this lake no longer exists. It is all dried up. After our disappointing visit to the lake we drove past my school. We did another detour to Cold Stone Creamery to get a birthday cake for Starla. By the time we got home everyone was ready for a little rest time. For supper we went (with Charlotte and Kellen) to "The Amazing Pizza Machine". It was a pizza buffet with a salad, taco, pasta, baked potato, and dessert bar. We also did some games. I won all of the kids a stuffed animal from the claw machine (my dad would be so proud!!!). Kids had a great time. We ended the night with a swim in .....the POOL! Joe had filled the pool up in the morning, so that water was the perfect temperature by 7:45 PM! Kids swam for an hour. Now it is time for bed! I'm sure they will have a good night's sleep. Joe didn't wake up this morning until 9:00. (HUMMMM, he must get that from me!) Tomorrow we may actually PAINT the living room! I'm thinking of a nice creamy dark brown for one wall and another lighter brown for the other 3 walls. Starla and family will have to leave on Thursday. I sure will miss my time with them! We've gotten a lot of chatting in!
We have kept busy. Sunday we all went to church and then did a little shopping. I bought a small blow up pool (for only $8) and the kids have used it everyday since. We had a little pool party with a new neighbor Kelly and her daughter Katelyn. The kids ran back and forth from their yard to our yard. Sunday evening Starla, my neighbor Charlotte, and I went to the Melting Pot for a special birthday dinner for Starla. It was an awesome time! Jeff was a great babysitter and chef to all 5 kids! He seemed to love spending time with Dane! He has been busy working on the basement getting the bathroom going.
Monday went to the Omaha Zoo. The kids did great in the 90 degree heat. We stayed cool in the buildings. After the zoo we all took a nap.....We had more pool time with a different neighbor (also named Kelli) and her daughter Drew. Kelli is also a teacher.
Tuesday Charlotte and Kellen came over for an early morning playdate. Jackson had school. After I picked Jack up from school we got ready to go on our daily adventure. We visited the Mormon Trail Pioneer Museum. It was a small museum, but the perfect size for our tired kids. After the museum we drove to see Cunningham Lake. We were surprised that this lake no longer exists. It is all dried up. After our disappointing visit to the lake we drove past my school. We did another detour to Cold Stone Creamery to get a birthday cake for Starla. By the time we got home everyone was ready for a little rest time. For supper we went (with Charlotte and Kellen) to "The Amazing Pizza Machine". It was a pizza buffet with a salad, taco, pasta, baked potato, and dessert bar. We also did some games. I won all of the kids a stuffed animal from the claw machine (my dad would be so proud!!!). Kids had a great time. We ended the night with a swim in .....the POOL! Joe had filled the pool up in the morning, so that water was the perfect temperature by 7:45 PM! Kids swam for an hour. Now it is time for bed! I'm sure they will have a good night's sleep. Joe didn't wake up this morning until 9:00. (HUMMMM, he must get that from me!) Tomorrow we may actually PAINT the living room! I'm thinking of a nice creamy dark brown for one wall and another lighter brown for the other 3 walls. Starla and family will have to leave on Thursday. I sure will miss my time with them! We've gotten a lot of chatting in!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Jenna lost a tooth
Jenna bit into some sweet corn for supper on Sunday, July16 and said "My tooth is about to fall out!" After looking at it in the mirror (and taking a picture of her hanging tooth) she continued on with her supper. After her second bite of corn she exclaimed "MY TOOTH DID JUST FALL OUT!!!" Now she looks a little bit like a hill-billy! So, she put the tooth under her pillow and the toothfairy took her tooth and left an Angelina Ballerina book and some money! Wow! Is our little girl growing up!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Time to finish the basement
We have spent some time lately thinking about finishing the basement.
We had a plumber out here to give us an estimate on putting the water softener in. That will probably get finished tomorrow. We also had Buck from Hearthstone Homes (our builder) talk us through what we need to do to first finish the basement bathroom and then the rest of the basement. We are now HOT to get it done! The bathroom shower will need to be our major decission. It will have to fit in a certain space with the drain in the correct location. After that the rest of the bathroom should fall into place. We will hire the plumbing out to someone else. I wouldn't be surprised if Jeff showed up tonight with lumber and a shower! I've done some school supply shopping. Walmart has SALES!!! 10 cents for note books and 20 cents for crayons (24 count). The kids and I had fun looking for deals. I may take a trip to my school today to drop off some things I purchased for organization in my room. Joe had the stomach flu yesterday, but seems better today. Jenna is crabby and just woke up (it's 1:15) from an hour long (and much needed) nap. Jackson (AKA "The Professor" - because of the summer school classes he is taking) has been working hard at his reading/writing class. I've seen some good improvement!
Now we are gearing up for a visit from Starla and kids. I can't wait to take them to the zoo and a pool. It's suppose to be hot, so we might just stay in and stay cool!
We had a plumber out here to give us an estimate on putting the water softener in. That will probably get finished tomorrow. We also had Buck from Hearthstone Homes (our builder) talk us through what we need to do to first finish the basement bathroom and then the rest of the basement. We are now HOT to get it done! The bathroom shower will need to be our major decission. It will have to fit in a certain space with the drain in the correct location. After that the rest of the bathroom should fall into place. We will hire the plumbing out to someone else. I wouldn't be surprised if Jeff showed up tonight with lumber and a shower! I've done some school supply shopping. Walmart has SALES!!! 10 cents for note books and 20 cents for crayons (24 count). The kids and I had fun looking for deals. I may take a trip to my school today to drop off some things I purchased for organization in my room. Joe had the stomach flu yesterday, but seems better today. Jenna is crabby and just woke up (it's 1:15) from an hour long (and much needed) nap. Jackson (AKA "The Professor" - because of the summer school classes he is taking) has been working hard at his reading/writing class. I've seen some good improvement!
Now we are gearing up for a visit from Starla and kids. I can't wait to take them to the zoo and a pool. It's suppose to be hot, so we might just stay in and stay cool!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Busy Busy Busy
Well, I thought I had better update our blog before I forget all of the exciting things we have been busy doing.
My parents visited with Rusty and Shadow (their Golden Retrievers). They arrived on Friday, June 23 and left Thursday, June 29. While here they were able to see the ConAgra campus as well as the company store, see the kids' school, take Jack to his reading class, help with some projects around the house, and just hang out. After they left, we decided to head to Wisconsin for the 4th of July weekend.
We left Omaha on Friday, June 30. The morning was very frustrating because I got my oil changed in the van and the workers knocked a wire that caused my engine light to turn on. It took over an hour to fix the problem! This caused me to be delayed on our departure time. So, Jeff had to come back home to help load the van - we got off our departure time by about 1 1/2 hours. We arrived in Ellsworth friday night - slept at Frank and Margaret's - and left Saturday for Minog. Jeff drove Frank's truck (with Frank and Jack) towing the boat. Margaret traveled with Joe, Jenna, and me in the van. We had a blast at Sue and Steve's cabin (Jeff's sister and brother - in - law). Sarah, Andy, and kids (Jeff's other sister and brother - in - law) were there too. We pitched out tents (one for the boys and the other for Jeff, Jenna, and me).
Sunday, July 2 we spent the day on the water of Lake St. Croix. We visited with some friends of the family. While on the lake, Jenna rode a jet ski, Jack rode in a tube behind a boat, and both boys rode in on a sting ray (that can hold 3 people). Jeff tried the jet ski, but didn't much care for it. I just enjoyed the sun and worked on my tan!!!
Monday we went to the public beach on Lake St. Croix. Kids were getting tired and crabby! We left that afternoon to head back to Ellsworth for an overnight (and a shower!).
July 4th we drove back to Omaha. We were eager to get home (and clean the van). That night we walked to the park (4 houses away) and set up chairs to see the fireworks of the city. It was an amazing site!
Jeff had to work on Wednesday and I did laundry. Jackson attended his reading class.
Thursday I had a meeting with the principal of my new school and our friends from Janesville (Glenn and Linda McWilliams) arrived with their camper. Jackson wasn't feeling very well - and ended up throwing up a few times. I picked them up at the campground and they came back for supper.
Friday was a rainy day so we didn't go to the zoo as planned. Jackson was still sick and Glenn was having camper problems..... So, we just hanged out. When Jeff came home Linda and I went to do some shopping. I found some great deals at my new favorite store CJ Banks. I ended up with 4 new outfits.
Saturday was filled with fun. We started our day with breakfast at the camper. Bacon, Texas French Toast, and pancakes. Interesting fact: Texas Toast in Wisconsin is BIGGER than Texas Toast in Nebraska.
After breakfast we headed to downtown Omaha. We drove around the ConAgra Campus and parked to walk around the 'Old Market' area. After a couple of hours we went to the Botanical Gardens. The Gardens will have to be a stopping point for all future visitors. It was amazing. There is a picture at the top of this blog of one of the gardens (Glenn took it) to show how great it is.
After the Botanical Gardens we headed to Lincoln. We had a nice drive. Linda and I took a power nap while the kids watch "Chicken Little". Once we got to Lincoln we first went to a licorice store. All they sold there was licorice and licorice flavored items. Apparently, it is the only store like it. Here is the web address: www.licoriceinternational.com
We got a few items there and then went to the next store. That souviener store had wine tasting going on. Every other Saturday they have wine tasting of Nebraska Vinyards. I purchased two different bottles and look forward to tasting them soon. We ended our long day with an early supper at a brew pub. The food was excellent - and we are eager for the newest restaurant to open a few blocks from our home.
On our drive home we drove past the Cornhusker Football Stadium. "Go Big Red!"
Sunday we spent the morning at home. We went to church, ate breakfast, then went out to the campground. We decided to spend the afternoon by the pool. Since check out was earlier - it was as if we had the pool to ourselves. The kids all had a great time. (So did the adults).
Brats at our house for supper.
Monday our plans to go to the zoo were spoiled by the rain. Instead we had a nice visit from the Mike Tollefson family (Jaci's cousin). Jenna had a wonderful time playing with her second cousin, Anna. Both of the girls are 5 and will be in kindergarten next year. I hope they will be able to spend more time together as other family events. Mike's wife, Mary, is from Omaha and they were here visiting her parents.
That afternoon we toured my school and went to the movie CARS!!! It was a great movie. I would recommend it to all!
Monday night was sad....not only because I wasn't beating Glenn in gin, but because we had to say goodbye! Glenn and Linda headed back to Janesville on Tuesday morning.
I was a wonderful visit with super memories!
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