Memorial Day

The kids and I headed out to Papa and Nana's the day before Memorial Day so we could spend some extra time with them. The weather was beautiful--it was so nice and warm, so we took advantage and headed to a local wading pool. Unfortunately the pool charged everyone $5, no matter if they went in the water or not, so Papa and Nana stood outside the pool fence while I ushered the kids into the pool. Riley was quite the fish, and Jeremy enjoyed going down the slide.

Papa dared Riley to go down head first.

Jeremy takes a more cautious approach.

I don't think he got his hair wet the whole time we were there.

Meanwhile, Riley is quite the fish!

After dinner we met up with one of my high school friends and his little boy and hit the infamous Papa and Nana's park. Everyone had fun, despite the fact that both kids had to use the bathroom--at two different times. Ah, the joys of kids!

Nathan in his Cubs gear--he went to his first game that day.

Nathan checking out Jeremy.

We came back from the park, got pjs on, and Nana and Papa were nice enough to watch the kids sleep for me while I headed back to my friend's house.

The next morning was the parade! Phil was meeting us there--he was taking the train since he spent the night prior hanging out with some of his friends. The train was late, so he missed about half the parade! But the kids had a blast gathering all the candy. And the storm waited until the parade was over before the skies opened.

Riley waiting for the parade to begin.

Jeremy pointing out the fire truck to Nana.

And here's a link to Memorial Days of years past. Crazy how time flies.

Bragging Rights

I finished Jeremy's Christmas stocking, just a few months after I started it. Unlike Riley's stocking, which took me a good 5-6 years, this one was done a lot quicker. It makes me feel good to know that this is the stocking that he'll be using for many years to come.

I think it turned out pretty good, what do you think?

For All the Hockey Fans

We watched the NHL Awards last night, and this skit is by far the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Enjoy!

Last Day of School

School ended here earlier than I thought--I had to do a double-take since it ended in May. The last day was the Friday before Memorial Day. *Back in my day, we went to school through the middle of June!* Anyway, the last week of school was a blur, between both kids finishing up their end-of-the-year activities, bringing home school stuff and just overall merriment from the kids. Jeremy had several end-of-the-year picnics and Riley came home one day covered in Popsicle.

And I've started a new family tradition, one that I endured when I was a kid. The first and last day of school pictures.

She made it!

May 2010

Jeremy's first day in Sept. 2009

Riley's first day, Aug. 2009.

Jeremy had a picnic on the official last day of school. I was a tad disappointed in his teachers this year, but that's OK because our most favorite teacher will be his next year. We spent a lot of time talking with his teacher that he'll have next year (Miss Betty), because she taught Riley last year and knows that we're HUGE hockey fans. So we spent a long time talking about that and how Jeremy is not sad at all about leaving his teachers but that he's more excited about having Miss Betty for a teacher next year.

Can't you just feel the excitement!

Receiving his certificate.

Enjoying the playground before the picnic.

Riley was so excited to be done with school, and we spent her last day hanging out outside after school.

Jeremy and our neighbor waiting for the girls.

So excited to be done!

Me and my girl.

How Jeremy and I spent most of our afternoons--playing hockey.

I also wanted to mention that both kids did a year in review, and here are the highlights:

Jeremy's favorite animal is a moose, when he grows up he wants to be a hockey player, his favorite movie is Toy Story and he feels very happy when his mom plays hockey with him. He also grew 4 3/4 inches and gained 4.5 pounds in the school year.

As for Riley, her favorite thing about kindergarten was "everything"!

Blackhawk Fever

We've been pretty crazed in this house for the last few days, since the mighty Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup! (And I can officially announce this here since I was given word that Uncle D finally watched Game 6 the other night.)

I think this video pretty much surmises feelings felt by many a Hawk fan. And this article is spot on about the coverage on NBC and about Jeremy Roenick.

Phil was able to attend the rally downtown today, and last we heard was that more than two million people were down there! Add the fact that the rally was going on, Bluesfest was beginning and the Cubs/Sox series started at Wrigley today, and its no surprise that his train was packed this morning.

The kids have been super excited, I can't get enough of the media attention given (I made the kids watch the parade/rally on TV today) and we're going to scope championship gear soon.

It's a good time to be a Hawks fan. It only took a few years.

Soccer!

We decided to sign Riley up for soccer this summer, and the season quickly flew by. I was really impressed with her coach--there were several kids on the team who needed special assistance, and he really took the time and energy to make sure the kids were included. We're finding that it's becoming a tad harder for Riley to compete with boys at this level, as boys tend to play more aggressively and don't want to share, but we think it's still a good experience for her.

Here are some pictures from a nice May game and practice. Please notice the kids' attire. I'm not even kidding that it was about 45 degrees and I had to bust out the kids' winter clothes.

Jeremy in his winter gear!

Some of the parents laughed when Riley
was running because her hat kept falling
down over her eyes, yet she still kept going.

Riley really did well during this session. We encouraged her to do her best, and she enjoyed playing against some of her classmates and old preschool friends. Jeremy enjoyed playing with one of his preschool friends whose sister was on another team.

I spoke with Riley's coach after the last game and asked his opinion on if she should play in the fall. I don't want to overextend her, but I think she would benefit from playing again. He said we could request to have him as a coach if we wanted, but he said that Riley did a great job. I said she didn't even play for the last 1.5 years, and he said he couldn't even tell. We're both so very proud of her!

On her last day.

At least her uniform made it easy for us to find her team!

Giving the ball a big kick! (She also has her tongue out!)

Quotable

This afternoon, while Phil was out running errands, I was playing hockey with the kids. (Surprise, surprise. Oh, and on a side note, we signed Jeremy up for skating lessons that begin in July. I'm so excited for him to learn how to skate. And he's all ready for Uncle D's return in August.)

Riley didn't originally want to play, but when she saw us playing for a bit, she wanted to join in. Of course after she started playing, all she did was complain that Jeremy was shooting it too close or that she wasn't ready.

So Jeremy turns to her and says: "Sounds like you don't want to play with me anymore."

I couldn't stop laughing. Words that I've said far too often that are now coming out of his mouth.

And another side note: Jeremy has no taken to sticking his tongue out and lifting his stick after he scores, a la Big Buff during the last round of the playoffs. Hilarious, kid.

Visit from Grandma

Last month we were honored to have Grandma come out and spend a night at our house. As always, Riley joyfully gives up her bed because that means she gets to camp out in Mom and Dad's room.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed the visit, especially the gifts! The badminton set has really gotten quite the workout; so much so that both birdies have broken! But we've attempted to put them back together, and they seem to work just fine.

And of course no visit could be without some hockey. Grandma even got in on the action. Such a good sport! I bet she had no idea her slapshot would be put to use.

Grandma playing with Phil.

I think she even scored against him!

Grandma playing with Jeremy.

Lining up for the shot.

Mother's Day

It seems so long ago (geez, it is almost a month ago?!), but I wanted to share some pictures from Mother's Day.

Both kids made me cards at school, and I love their creativity (although I'm guessing that Jeremy's idea was "stolen" from another kid, but who am I to judge?). Everyone treated me to a fantastic day, with the family letting me sleep in until 9 (to which Phil woke me up at 9 since the kids were hungry and he wanted to get going on breakfast), the kids and I headed to church, he took the kids to buy me some flowers, we had a nice family lunch, and then I took a wonderfully long nap. Phil even made a fantastic dinner of homemade pesto and noodles.

Riley's card and picture frame.

Riley's card reads:
By: Riley Chadwick
You are: beautiful
You have: blue eyes
You have: brown hair
You cook good: mac and cheese
You help me: clean my room
You look pretty when you: wear a dress
Riley Chadwick
I love you!

Jeremy's reads: I love my mom because...
she makes my lunch. -Jeremy

All in all, a pretty fantastic day.