Father's Day

This year's Father's Day was a creative one. Amy teamed up with some of the neighbors to make baskets of burgers and fries for their corresponding husbands. There were sugar-cookie fries, cupcake buns, brownie burgers, and frosting condiments, along with hand-crafted baskets. They turned out great.

The kids gave me a hand-painted ceramic picture frame that said #1 Dad with hearts made out of their fingerprints. Amy and Emily were trying to think of a picture to put in the frame. Adam disappeared and came back a few minutes later with a picture of the 2 kids from last fall that was hanging on his bulletin board.

The burger basket was quickly devoured, and the picture frame is proudly displayed in my office.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to our Dads/Grandpas/Great Grandpas!

I'm done with Illinois

Ever since we left Springfield, I have been keeping up-to-date on what's going on in Illinois State Government by reading the State Journal-Register newspaper, and I've had the Capitol Fax Blog on my Google Reader.


I deleted Capitol Fax from my reader list yesterday. I just don't care about what's happening over there anymore. I think it's just another of the 12 steps in my transition to St. Louis.

From This to That

From this: and this...

to this....

Almost there! We can soon evict all toys from the main level to their new home in the finished basement! We weren't planning on doing the basement this soon, but the deal was good, the time was right. The builders will be done Friday after only a few weeks. Gotta love the sluggish economy! People are here on time and ready to work. Not much else going on I guess!

Sunday in the Park

So I (we) have been bad bloggers. It just seems that with school out, all we have time for is running, working, playing outside, and sleep! Hopefully we can catch up this weekend.

Last Sunday, I ran early and we decided to head to Forest Park so that Amy could run and I could have a picnic with the kids and then walk over to the zoo for a while. The weather was perfect and the zoo was packed, but I can't tell you how nice it is to head out with these little guys now. Adam is good at staying close, and we have Emily who acts as a mother hen and is always watching out for her little brother.

Adam being Adam!

Government Hill with the World's Fair Pavilion in the background

Buddies

Space Shuttle

We took a trip to Disney in 2004 when Amy was about 7 months pregnant with Adam. Before our Disney stay began, we went over to the coast to stay at Cocoa Beach for a few days and visit NASA. On the way out of NASA, Emily started begging for a space shuttle toy set. We resisted, but she said that it was really for her baby brother. We ended up giving in, and Emily enjoyed the toy for a few months.

Low and behold, that toy has become one of Adam's two or three favorite things. The cargo bay doors, the rudder, and a few other parts are missing, and some others have been glued back into place. After putting him down for a nap today, I was reminded of a picture we snapped of Emily on the day we bought this toy.

We are headed back to NASA next January, and I think it's time to purchase a replacement model.

Emily in 2004, taking a nap in the car on the way from NASA to Disney

Adam in 2009, taking an afternoon nap with the toy bought for him by his big sister (with Mom and Dad's money, of course)

Last Day of Third Grade

Today was the last day of third grade for Emily! This year brought some new friends, new subjects, and a lot of homework. Em was looking forward to her last day, but cried when school was over.

Emily brought flowers for Ms. Boyer, one of her favorite teachers. We will always be grateful to Ms. Boyer for helping us out before 2nd grade started. Emily and I went up to school to drop off her registration, all of 2 weeks after we moved to St. Louis. Ms. Boyer happened to be in the office, and took the time to talk to Emily about the school and show her around the building.

Ready to go!

Emily and Hailey head off to school

Ms. Boyer (art teacher)

Mrs. Woodard (3rd grade teacher)

Adam and Julia waiting for Emily to come out

Emily and her BFF, Madison, emerge as 4th graders