Maggie's First Day of Kindergarten

Monday Maggie got to go to Kindergarten at her new school.  She was so excited to go, a little disappointed that it was only going to be an hour, but excited none the less.  I on the otherhand was nervous, a little sad and excited.  We headed over with her backpack full of supplies in addition to another bag of more stuff on her list.  She got to meet her teacher and organize all her supplies.  Then Maggie worked on a project while her teacher talked with all the parents.  Then we were off back to home where Maggie spent the rest of the day with Grandma.  She was so excited to get to do this.  They went out to lunch and even did a little shopping.  Thanks Grandma for the special day.  I had to head to work.





Tuesday was Maggies real first full day of kindergarten.  In Plano kindergarten was all day.  The night before Maggie had made her lunch request and set out her new back to school dress.  She was up and ready to go and the thing she was most excited about was that she got to ride the bus.  After a whirlwind of a morning and dropped her off at the neighbors with my fingers crossed that she would have a good day.  The whole day I had a a nervous feeling...you just never know how it is going to go.  Since my day ended earlier than I thought it would Andy picked up Molly and I headed straight to the bus stop so I would be able to greet Maggie getting off the bus for the first time.  As luck would have it Molly and Andy made it in time too.  She had a great big smile.  I am happy to report her first day was a success.  Maggie told us her favorite thing was lunch and then recess.  Her teacher also read her a story and she learned some new songs, but her favorite was the song she learned on the bus ride home..."so call me maybe..." The bus driver must have been playing the radio!

Sally's Bachelorette

My cousin Sally is getting married in Iowa City over this coming Labor Day weekend.  We are all so excited.  Sally wanted something a little low key for a bachelorette party so I suggested Andy's parents house in Galena.  It worked out perfectly.  There was seven girls that all met up at the house last weekend.  We snacked then headed downtown for some browsing, wine tasting and dinner.  Then we headed back to the house for games, fun, more wine and the hot tub.  It was a perfect little get away to celebrate Sally's end to the life of a single lady and even more to celebrate this upcoming bash of a wedding we are all looking so forward to celebrating.

Sally...the Bride to Be

California Cousins

We were all able to get together a few more times before my brother, his wife Julie and my two nephews, Jack and Sam, headed back to California.  There was another gathering at my parents for homemade pizza, one of the many requests my brother made while at home.  The boys and my brother joined us for a playdate at home while my mom and Julie shopped.  The cousins had a blast together, and even though we only see them face to face a few times each year it seems like just yesterday when we get together!

Indiana Dunes

All summer long Maggie was asking about when we would be going to the beach.  We attempted to set up a trip to the actual beach, but that fell through so we decided to do the next best thing and headed to the dunes before Andy started back with Cross Country practice and before we had to go back to work.  We loaded up the car with lunch, snacks, sand toys and big blankets and we were on our way.  Who knew a trip to the beach could be so cheap....$6 and an hour and a half later we were there.  We found a perfect spot and got to the beach around 9:30 in the morning...the lifeguards hadn't even made it there yet.  Across what Molly called "the ocean" you could see the Chicago skyline...pretty cool.  The girls played in the said for almost three hours straight.  We had to force them to stop and eat lunch and then they were back at it.  The spot we were at was perfect for the girls to play and there was a little sandbar that both Maggie and Molly could swim out to, explore, and then swim back.  We rinsed off as much sand as we could and packed up the car.  It was a great day at the beach and we can't go back...its the next best thing to the real thing!

Zoo Trip take 2

My brother headed up to Iowa with my mom and dad for the day so we entertained Jack, Sam and Julie by taking them to the Brookfield Zoo.  We were joined by Shay, Derrick and Gracie.  It was hot, but fun to run around and see almost everything.  Maggie and Jack decided most of the stops along the way.  We cooled off with a lunch inside and then headed to the dolphin show.  Grace was tired so they left.  Maggie and Molly wanted to make a pitstop at the carousel while Jack and Sam continued on their way around the zoo!

July Recap

Since our computer basically died I haven't been able to upload any pics are update the blog.  When Andy finished summer running camp and got paid we finally gave in and got a new computer which was a long time coming.  Instead of doing several different posts for a recap of July being that we are already into August I am just going to recap the month with pictures and captions!!

July 4th Celebration:
I know I already posted about the fourth of July, but this one picture didn't make the post and I wanted to make sure to share it...it was one of my favorites from the day!

Galena Trip:

We always try to make a trip up to Galena over the summer to spend some time as a family and some time with Grandma and Grandpa.  We spent most of our time at the pool among other little adventures while on our little get away!

Safety Town:
This summer I signed Maggie up for the Naperville Safety Town...it was a week long class where she was joined by...yep you guessed it Lucas and Ethan.  They had a blast and learned something new everyday.  The last day Maggie was able to take Molly and I on a little tour of the "town."

Sarah and Ty's Wedding:
Andy's cousin Sarah got married.  We left the kids (after the ceremony and gigantic family picture) with my parents for the night and had a blast celebrating the wedding with family and friends!  It was also nice to have a night away just the two of us!

Andy's Birthday Celebration:
We didn't do anything major for Andy's birthday...just how he likes it, although we were able to sing happy birthdy and blow out candles!

Maggie's Soccer School:
Maggie did soccer one day a week again this summer...she enjoys it...thought about fall ball, but with the Olympics she has decided to give gymnastics a try!

Uncle Eric's Birthday Celebration:
My brother is here for a visit...a three week visit...he will be between my parents, Chicago, and Indiana.  First stop, Nana and Papa's for the weekend and a big 40th birthday celebration.  Maggie and Molly were so excited to spend some time with their California cousins and are looking forward to their return to Naperville for some more cousin time!



Fourth of July

This fourth of July started out same as usual.  We packed up the girls and headed to the Yorkville parade where we met our best friends, Chrissy, Dave and the kids at our usual spot.  This has been going on for quite a few years now, but its fun to have traditions and to have claimed a "usual spot" somewhere where people know they will find you.  It was hot...really hot...but the kids had fun nonetheless.  They waved, collected candy and sweat a lot. 

After the parade we headed home for a change of clothes and chance to cool off and relax a bit.  Then Andy and I were busy getting things ready for what I would like to call our traditional fourth party.  We were joined by the regulars and a few newcomers and it was just as fun, simple but fun.  We ate lots of food, enjoyed some water fun, sparklers, pop-its and yummy dessert.  Some had to leave early for other fireworks or early bedtimes...Lesli, Eric, Ethan and Maya stayed behind to enjoy the backyard display of fireworks.  Every year our neighbors put on quite a display...with the weather we weren't sure if it would be the same, but I think it lived up to the hype especially with a new set of neighbors and their own spectacle we had a battle going on and it was a sight to see!