Tuesday, June 23, 2009

While I was slaving away....


While I was busy folding laundry in one bedroom... they were busy making themselves "look cool and awesome!" in another! Thank goodness they were washable. This is a ringing endorsement for Crayola Washable markers! (I didn't get the photos of the markers BETWEEN their toes, and on both sides of their hands and arms!)

ohh yes... this did leave marks all over my carpet and bathroom floor

I asked Cole what this said and he replied "How should I know!"

Monday, June 22, 2009

A new chapter in our lives...

Well Summer has FINALLY arrived in Wisconsin and this week we've had some weather that resembles the summer season! Cole finished kindergarten and we couldn't be prouder! He has learned so much. He is reading above what is expected for his grade level, and doing well with addition. He also seems to love historical figures and has enjoyed learning about Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King, Jr. He truly enjoys school and had a terrific first year. His report card was excellent and his teacher had wonderful things to say about him :) Look out first grade here comes an Armstrong!
Gavin continues to attend The Goddard School where he as well is always surprising us with his knowledge! We love it there and he will continue to attend their summer program 3 days a week. (Cole will be attending Y- Day Camp) He recently helped raise money for St. Judes Children's Hospital by participating in the St. Judes Trike-A- Thon. This is the 3rd year running the kids have attended. We continue to try to instill in them the importance of charity and helping others who are less fortunate.
Summer is proving to be busy already! Cole ended a winning season in soccer and with only a week off started Little League. This year his team is the Cardinals, complete with a wonderful bright red shirt that I will probably have to wash solo all season!
Both kids finished up their swimming lessons and we decided to enroll Cole in another session, we hope by the end of summer hewill be able to swim. Keep your fingers crossed! While Gavin can not swim he is much more comfortable in the water, and doesn't feel the need to become your second skin when you take him into the pool! Hopefully next year he can take lessons again and actually learn to swim.
In other, and less happy news: for those of you who have not heard, the company Todd works for is folding. His last day will be June 30th. He has been there 8 years, the last several in the Marketing Department as the Brand Manager. The task of finding a new job is underway and until then I guess he will split his time between being Mr. Mom and Mr. trying to find a job is a full time job as I will be working as many extra shifts as possible. We do have plans to move back to the Indy area and are getting ready to put the house back up on the market. We are entering a new chapter in our lives, and face a challenge ahead but I know we can do it, and have faith we will come out of this experience stronger than ever. For 15 years Todd has been trying to get me to live on a budget, he jokes that perhaps now I'll finally learn to do it!
Well, this summer is definitely going to be a busy one... Cole will be turning 6 this week! I can not believe it! Despite Todd's "job situation" we decided to let him have a small party anyhow I'll be posting the pics as soon as I get a chance!

Bye Bye Blond!


I've traded my blond tresses in for a darker doo!
Although no one's ever around to take my photo...So I was forced to DIY!

All I want for Christmas....


...IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH!

Todd's 34


Desiree and Julia enjoying the game.


What a guy! Because I had to work the night before Todd (with a little help) made his own cake!

Bottom of the ninth... Gavin puts on his rally cap hoping for a victory

Aunt Amber and Cole chillin' at the game

A really awesome shot of us at the game!


Todd with his gifts from the boys

There happened to be home game on Todd's birthday and some really great seats also happened to be on deep discount so we chilled and grilled at the house then headed to Miller Park to watch our favorite baseball team!! It was a night game and the kids stayed up WAY passed their bedtimes. It was almost midnight by the time we got them home and into bed but I think everyone had a good time!

Hike Hike






This was Gavin's first experience with peeing in the great outdoors... he loved it!


Picnic lunch

Todd took Cole to one of the state parks for a day of hiking, a couple weeks later we took both kids hiking and had a picnic lunch. They had a really great time, and slept well that night!

Puzzle fun

Gavin has really gotten into puzzles lately. Here he is after he put together this huge 3ft puzzle together all by himself! We were so happy and proud for him!


Saturday, May 23, 2009

I love my boys....




Museum Fun

Todd had some work to do around the house today so I decided to take they boys to the Children's Museum for the morning. They really had a great time!
Gavin rings up some groceries

Cole changes a muffler


Fork Lift Operator...

Future bankers....


Cole and Gavin check the engine and dip stick

Out to sea

Cole the Fireman

Cole and Gavin climb the mini rock climbing wall

Cole delivers the local sports news

Gavin gives us the weather

Lazy Days

Believe it or not my cat spent 8 hours curled up in this plastic bag the other day!!!! What a nut! She crawled in here as soon as I put the bag on the bed around 9:30 in the morning and didn't come out till well after dinner!



Gavin and Mommy spend an afternoon at the zoo

With Cole still in school Wednesday and Thursday are Gavin and my days to hang out together. The weather is finally warming up so we headed out to the zoo last Wed. Gavin had a great time visiting all his "zoo friends" as he likes to call them!

Gavin feeds a goat at the petting zoo

Gavin's first ride on a pony




Gavin gets face to face with a monkey!


Gavin visits the flamingo's in their recently redone home

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day 2009


All of us looking fabulous Mother's Day 2009


The day started off with a wonderful breakfast in bed, which according to Todd was "all the boy's idea" and the one thing they were really adamant they do for me! They served it on a tray complete with a bouquet of bright, spring flowers. Each of the boys made cards for me detailing why I 'rock" as a mom! Cole had made a heart shaped pin and cook book at school and Gavin had made a small foam photo frame you hang on the fridge.














This card is from Gavin





















This card is from Cole




We spent the AM playing and then the boys took me to a champagne brunch around noon that had plenty of lunch type items on the buffett as well. It was truly delicious!
Spring Mother's Day bouquet the boys picked out for moi!
Mother's Day Cookbook from Cole and his classmates



A pin Cole made out of clay at school