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!

Summer Reading

Summer is upon me and I have started reading again. I am going to try my best to keep a list accurate for the summer. Here is what I have read since last weekend and am currently reading.

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
  

Currently Reading:

• The Facttraker by Jason Eaton
  

Brookfield Zoo

Last weekend Rick and I joined Jackie and Alex at the zoo! This is the first time we have been able to go with them. It was very warm and Alex was a little under the weather, but we still had a very nice time!

Carousel ride #1!
Rick, Alex, and me in front of the Brookfield Zoo sign


We didn't see too many animals while we were at the zoo, but we did see the Polar Bears and I was able to get some nice action shots. These Polar Bears weren't nearly as big as the ones I saw in San Diego, but they were much more active.

The Dolphins are still bigger than Alex, but not for much longer, he is growing very quickly!

After the Polar bears we took a break and then went to the Dolphin Show. Alex had been talking about the Dolphin Show for a while, he was very excited and this was his first time seeing it. Unfortunately, he wasn't feeling very well and fell asleep before the show--luckily he woke up to see part of it! Here are some of my pictures of the dolphins!

Carousel ride #2 with Uncle Ricky!

Visit with Pa-tough guy and "Nita"

After the zoo we headed over to Jack's house for dinner. Alex was feeling much better!

Alex and Pa

We went to the park after dinner! Alex made a friend named Sara.