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!