Pirate Cake!

Michael is one of the students that I worked with this year and now tutor. Last week we read about book about a girl making cakes that were too big and blew up or fell apart so we made our own cake this week. Michael picked it out from my book of pictures. We had a great time baking!

Helping Michael cut the cake to be one of the sides of the pirate's hat.

Michael is frosting the cake.

The finished product! It turned out cute and tasted even better!

We got to their house a little early so while we were waiting Rick took my picture.

** Rick doesn't go with me with everytime I tutor, but this is after he gets off work so he came with. He was so patient and helpful. He took pictures and listened to Michael's jokes and was the cashier when we played store to practice counting change! He is amazing and I am so lucky!

Mettie's Birthday and our Weekend in Indiana!

Rick and I spent most of the weekend in Chesterton with my family! On Saturday we did a lot of yard work. Rick cleaned the gutters on both my parents and grandparents house--so amazing of him! We had a great time and enjoyed seeing all of my family-especially Lynne who came in town for the festivities!

Saturday we went to a open house for dinner. Rick and my dad cleaned up and ended up with the same shirt...what are the chances! My dad changed before we left the house :)

We set up this big tent on Saturday...Rick used the cart to bring out the chairs on Sunday morning! He is always helping out...he barely sat down all weekend!

Happy Birthday Grandma Mettie!

Rick was the entertainment for the kids at the party! Vaughn and Ryana were the passengers in the cart ride. They were so excited--it was like a carnival!

Mackenzie came up for the day too! Just added to the perfect day! Here is a group picture and a special contribution for the Hurckes Family!

Reading Update!

Completed:
A Beginning, a Muddle, and an End: The Right Way to Write Writing by Avi and Tricia Tusa
Rules by Cynthia Lord
The Luckiest Girl by Beverly Cleary
The Facttraker by Jason Eaton
The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman

Currently Reading:
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

I am also going to read as many Rebecca Caudill Nominees for 2009 as I can before school starts. Books in black I have read and books in green I have checked out or am reading.

Alabama Moon by Watt Key
Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle
Black Storm Comin' by Diane Lee Wilson
Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M.M. Blume
A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama by Laura Amy Schlitz
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Heat by Mike Lupica
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Letters From Wolfie by Patti Sherlock
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Oh, Rats!: The Story of Rats and People by Albert Marrin
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm
Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park
Rules by Cynthia Lord
shug by Jenny Han
Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

Joliet Jackhammers!

Rick and I went on a date Wednesday night to a Joliet Jackhammers baseball game. The baseball field is ten minutes from our house. The game wasn't very exciting and very slow moving. We left after 2 hours and it was only in the 5th inning with a 0-0 score.

A view from the outfield of the stadium!

The score board--Silver Cross Field. Silver Cross is the hospital around here. All of the ushers wear scrubs as their uniforms.

The Jackhammers played Fargo!

The third base coach for Fargo--we just thought he deserved to be photographed.

The mascot, Jammer

In between innings there were games for audience members to participate in--this may have been the most exciting part of the game!

The umpire at this game "checked" himself after EVERY SINGLE PITCH!!

Bird Update

As mentioned a few days ago, there is a bird that has made a nest right outside our front door. I noticed her again yesterday as I was watering our flowers. She would get very loud (angry) when I came outside. I realized that there are now eggs in the nest. I wanted to take her picture but she would leave the nest. Here she is in our yard.

When Rick came home he held the door open just slightly while I took her picture in the nest.

These pictures were taken Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. As of this morning (Friday) she is not leaving her nest even when I got outside on the porch...the baby's must be ready to hatch!!

Father's Day!

On Saturday after the softball games we went over to Jack's house to deliver his father's day/birthday present and spend a little bit of time with him. We had a nice time and will be celebrating more with breakfast next Saturday including Jackie and Alex!

Yesterday we were able to spend Father's Day in Chesterton. Both of my grandpa's were there and my dad. The weather turned out to be perfect and the company was great too.

Grandpa Mel and Grandma Donna!

Ryana is Nelly's great-granddaughter. She hung out with us and watched the Lion King...she is beautiful!

My dad and Rick...the two most important men in my life!

Mom and Andrea!

Nelly!

Softball...take 2!

Saturday morning we headed to see some softball games! Megan and Jenna had games so we were lucky to see both of them!

Megan got walked both times we saw her bat, but she was ready to hit the ball if they threw her a strike!

Uncle Jerry giving coaching tips at 1st base!

Cousins: Rick and Megan!

Megan relaxing on her inning out of the game!

Daughter and father

Megan's team won the game by the slaughter rule right after we left to go see Jenna!

I was able to get this picture of Jenna right before she made contact with the ball...the yellow ball almost blends in with her jersey!

Jenna played first base while we were there. Unfortunately, they didn't win this game :(

Welcome Home Loved Ones!

Yesterday completed a pretty perfect week. Rick came home from Baltimore and Andrea came home from Turkey! I made a plan for all of us to meet in between the airports and our house. I was the first to arrive and then Rick. While we were waiting for a few more minutes for the Wiese's Rick got ready to photograph the homecoming!

Waiting for Andrea!

Andrea riding in the front...pulling into the parking lot!

After dinner...a re-united Wiese family. Mom, Dad, Katie, and Andrea

We met this coffee house in Willow Springs. The company was perfect, but the service was far from it. After working sandwiches, the wait was substantial. Rick and Andrea were starving. The food was good once it was served. Then, we needed to have celebratory ice cream for homecomings and jobs, but we would have been better off saving that for another occasion. Again, the wait was very long...the ice cream was not what we ordered, but eventually we did get it. After a quick picture Rick and I headed back to Lockport and the Wiese's back to Chesterton. So glad to have my sister and husband back close to me!

Oh, Happy Day!!

Henry Puffer Elementary School

Today was the day I have been waiting for! I was offered and accepted a job at an elementary school. After many, many nights of applying for jobs and a number of interviews I will be teaching 6th grade at Henry Puffer Elementary School in Downers Grove, IL. This is the same school district I have worked in this year and am so happy to be staying here. It is a great district and one that I even want our future children to attend.


Even though it is 6th grade I will be teaching all subjects. It is a K-6 building. I will be even closer to Rick's work than I was before (we didn't think that was possible) so we will still be able to car pool. The school has an incredible student council. This wasn't something that I required, but it is such a great bonus. The principal even attends a statewide student council conference on occasion so my passion will be understood and allowed to be used! Early next week I will go in to fill out all my paper work and sign my contract, but in the mean time I am thrilled.


With Rick out of town this week I did all of my celebrating over the phone. I did go to try to buy Sharpies (this was the deal I had with myself--no Sharpies until I got a job), but the Office Max didn't have the ones I wanted. I did want some ice cream, but that will have to wait until tomorrow when I get to have ice cream with my whole family--husband, mom, dad, and SISTER!!!! That is right--Andrea is coming home tomorrow!

Here is the website of the school if you are interested in looking around: http://www.dg58.org/schools/hp/index.htm

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet

We have a birds nest right outside our front door. As I was watering the plants this morning I saw a bird quickly fly away and discovered the nest. I would never disturb it, but I did take a picture. Maybe I will be able to see the bird in the nest one day....

Round Lake Picnic

Today Rick and I went to Round Lake for a picnic at Jackie and Alex's. Despite the anticipated rain the afternoon turned out pretty nice. Rick and I got there early to help set up and we were able to play with Alex.

Alex played in his pool--he picked out some worms that ended up in there from the rain.

He was hesitant to sit in the water at first, but he got used to it!

Baby Tay and MiMi!

After the rain all of the kids went for a swim--Sara, Alex, and Anna.

Taylor is Holly and Quinn's daughter (Holly is Jackie's best friend). She has started to roll as you can tell from these pictures! Look at her beautiful eyes!

Alex giving Taylor a kiss! :)

Holly and Quinn!

Alex had a popsicle after almost everyone had left--as usual, popsicle time means no pants!

Thanks for another great summer day!