Ice Skating

A couple of weeks ago Robyn went ice skating for the first time. She was invited to be her friend's companion at an older sister's birthday party. We didn't think they would like ice skating and would probably play on the jumpy house in the lobby. Well, the girls decided differently. Thank goodness for pictures because I wasn't there to see her skate for the first time. From what I was told she did great and even skated on her own a couple times. She had such a good time that she now wants to have her fifth birthday at the skating rink. I don't know, we shall see little girl....

Skating with a chair

Waiting for cake/presents

Enjoying the cake -- usually she just eats the icing but maybe this time she ate the whole thing. Robyn likes to surprise me.

A little bit of this and that

Since school has started there has been no trips taken but still lots of things happening around our house. Since Annalise is now in 5th grade she gets to start taking band. The instrument she chose was the flute. The flute she's using used to be her Aunt Becky's. I think finding out that her grandparents still had that the flute clinched her decision in playing it. She hasn't learned any songs yet but she is learning how blow into the instrument. I always wanted to learn to play another instrument other the piano. But there was that little problem of practicing, or not practicing as in my case. :)

Here is Robyn playing old games on our old computer. It's been boxed up for about three years. But this week I took it out of the box in hopes of retrieving some old genealogy files. It was a bit of a challenge as this only has a floppy drive. Thank goodness for friends as one of them had an external floppy drive that she let me borrow. So I was able to retrieve the files without too many tears. Robyn has enjoyed playing on the computer so I need to find a place to permenantly put this old beast. It's definitely more kid friendly than the laptop. Annalise is pushing for us to put in her room. I bet she doesn't realize that if this happens it means Robyn will be in her room even more....

Robyn is modeling my latest sewing creations. I found this neat website (http://www.dana-made-it.com/) that has all sorts of cute projects. One of those projects was the pattern for the skirt. You don't have a regular pattern you print out, instead the author gives you the measurements of each piece. Unfortunately my math skills are not always reliable. The first skirt ended up being too short so I gave it away. But I really wanted to make this skirt so I tried again. This time it turned out. So I'm pleased and even better, Robyn likes it too!

I don't have any pictures of Jeff, but he's still around. :) He's been working hard with his new job and with going to graduate school. On the days he's not helping to coach Annalise's soccer team he's usually still working late at school. We wish he could be home more, but we understand that life is just a bit crazy now!

Rats in the Belfry

I am just feeling a little bit conflicted. A few weeks ago, early one morning Jeff & I both heard chewing in the attic. We've heard that sound before so we knew exactly what it was -- rodents. Jeff has been busy with work and with starting grad school so I ended up calling a pest control guy to deal with the problem. He set traps inside and outside the house and so far he hasn't caught one yet. The good news, though, is I haven't heard any thing up in the attic so chances are they have moved on. As a result, I have mixed feelings about the whole transaction. I'm glad there's nothing up there but I spent money on an exerminator so I want something to show for money I had to spend. Sigh.

* Update -- I think we caught one! The trap has been sprung and it appears there's something in the trap. I've called the pest guy so he can check it out. I have no desire to touch the trap!

And We Started to Melt

Yesterday was Annalise's first game of the season. Unfortunately, it was a scorcher and we were suppose to play at 4 pm. For some unknown reason the games were about an hour behind so they didn't start until almost 5 pm.

Annalise's team banner this year.

Notice how red her face is -- this was before she played in the game.

Annalise is number 8 (back left). I'm not sure what position she was playing at the time -- forward I think. Later in the game she played defense. The heat really got to her because by the half she was in pain.

Robyn had fun at the game. Here is a picture of her taking a picture of the game. This wasn't our camera. Robyn managed to attach herself to another soccer parent. He was really nice and let her take a couple of pictures with his camera.

As a result, she became his shadow through most of the game.

Here's Jeff giving the girls a pep talk during the half. This is his third year in a row being an assistant coach. Even with the heat the girls managed to win their first game. The final score was 5-0.

Go Sharks!

First Days of School

Annalise's first day of school was last week. She is now officially a 5th Grader (with only one more year of elementary school). Robyn insisted that she needed to dress just like her sister -- well, at least similarly. You might have also noticed that Annalise's hair looks straighter, I did try to straighten Annalise's hair. I'm getting better though I have a long way to go before I'm any good . By the time Robyn hits fifth grade, I'll be an expert! Annalise was nervous about starting school. Her best friend moved away over the summer. The first couple of days were sad but yesterday was good so I'm hoping everything will get better.

Yesterday was Robyn's first day of 4 year old preschool. She was so excited. Many of her classmates she knew from last year's class so I don't think she even knew that I had gone. Don't mind the strawberry glasses (or the tattoo for that matter). It was a sunny day so she insisted she needed to wear them, but she did let me hold them while she was in school.

Birthday

Happy Birthday Annalise

in the hospital

July 2009

Today is Annalise's birthday. She is now 10 years old. It should be a fun-filled weekend for her. Jeff's family is coming for dinner and tomorrow I am taking her and a couple of friends bowling. Hard to believe, but it's so true -- kids grow up so fast.

Happy Birthday Annalise!