First Day of School

Today was Case's first day of school for 2008. It is a little bitter sweet...It will be nice to have some one on one time with Madi...but I miss him when he is gone. Wes is going to be taking him to school each day on his way to work...which is an extra bonus for me! Case has the same teacher as last year (Yeah!), but he now goes everyday half day instead of just two days a week. He loves his teacher and came home telling me they learned about upper and lower case and the sound "a" makes when you say apple. I love that he likes to learn and he just loves school. Luckily I will be able to volunteer in his class this year. Madi is doing so much better with other people and I can do some baby swapping in order to volunteer. We are looking forward to a great school year!

Here are some pics of Case before he went off to school...oh and of course Madison too.

I made a cake to celebrate...if you can't tell, it is supposed to look like a book.

Happy 40th Shari

What a fun little adventure I have just returned from. About a month ago, my brother in law Michael and I came up with a plan to surprise my sister Shari for her 40th birthday. I flew in to Chicago last Thursday and Mike picked me up from the airport and brought me back to their home in Naperville. My sister was was on her way home from a hiking adventure with two of her kids and a few other families. They had some really bad weather on their way back and so when she got home she was a little flustered. I was at their house waiting with a big red bow around my neck. She came in to put her purse down and looked right at me and didn't say anything. I asked her what was for dinner and she didn't answer. The rest of the family was just cracking up. She had her back to me and finally turned around and screamed. It was hysterical and a great surprise.

Friday, we had a nice time doing girly things. It started with breakfast in bed for Shari...a Thompson and Lyons tradition. We got pedicures...Mike included. Went out to lunch and did some shopping at a great sidewalk sale in downtown Naperville. Fun Fun Fun!

Saturday we ran a few errands and played games and then that night Michael took us out to a very nice Italian restaurant called Rosebud. Their was a surprise party for Shari at a friends house and many of their friends were there.

Sunday was a lazy morning and then church and then a few hours later it was off to the airport. What a fun time I had and thank you to Mike for making it possible. A special thanks to Wes and Verna for taking care of the kids in my absence.

Everyone loves Shari and I know why...she is the best person I know...Happy Birthday to my wonderful sister and BFF...Shari!

Favorites of the 4th

We just had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. I forgot my camera, so sorry there will be no pictures. I thought that I would just share my favorite parts.

• It's my Mother's birthday on the 4th. Happy Birthday Mom!
• Driving for 3 hours to the mountains with only one CD - Josh Groban's Christmas CD.
• Seeing my niece Courtney...I love you Snort!
• Beautiful weather including rain...Yippee!
• Show Low Parade
• Show Low fireworks
• Wimbledon
• Taylor Rodeo...who knew it would be so fun?
• Taylor fireworks. (you can't beat two nights of fireworks!)
• Walking to Pico nursery
• Eating on the front porch
• Taking a nap
• Playing Mexican Train
• Spending time with family
• Steak, corn on the cob and potato salad
• Feeling pride in our country. God Bless America!

I am sure that I am missing something, but overall we had a great time...I hope you all did too. Happy birthday Mom and the USA. I love you both! (If I get any donated pics, I will add them later)

Madi News

About a month ago I introduced the "little potty" to Madison. She always tells me right when she is "going" by saying..."Mommy Eeew" and pointing to her diaper. That day she would sit on the potty for short periods of time, but I didn't want her running around diaper free so I kept having to take her diaper off and on. She actually peed in the potty that day and was so proud of herself. She exclaimed "I did it!" I was pretty proud too.
But today, we talked about the potty again. She told me that she wanted to go potty, so I took her into the bathroom, took off her diaper, sat her on the potty and she POOPED! Can you believe it at almost 22 months old she pooped on the potty. Again...I am very proud. We are going out of town tomorrow, so I am not sure if it will last, but it would be a happy miracle to have her potty trained before 2yrs old. Here's hoping!
I thought about posting a picture, but that would just be gross!