CenterGroveOrchard-2009

Giant trampoline...

Safe in the brick house-3 little pigs!

John Deere poster child-tractor races!

Mommy and Mckenzie-corn pit!

The corn pit!

For the last 4 years we have followed a family tradtion by going to the Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge, Iowa. It is a wonderful place to take the kids and only gets better as the years have gone by. They keep adding things to it every year and we have so much fun. We usually go a least twice in the fall. Mckenzie was just a baby last year. So this year was a lot more fun to watch as they ran around this farm. They have animals-horses, pigs, goats, chickens and elk that they raise. The 3 little pigs houses-straw, twigs and bricks(Riley really enjoys that part.) The corn pit, the giant trampaline, tractor races, tractor rides., pumpkins, apples. And then they have yummy food-cider donuts, apple cider, fudge, soups.,etc. We have a great time. More information can be found at http://www.centergroveorchard.com/ .

Trouble with Teachers....

I'm a little surprised by this weeks e-mail from Riley's school teacher. I typically get a weekly e-mail regarding how he is doing since he is considered "special" since he has an IEP(Individual Education Plan). This is due to his language delay. He has made huge strides in his speech and comprehension. But this week it was about his behavior. He has been, as the teacher regarded it "defiant"! What! Are we talking about my kid? Sweet innocent Riley? Yes, it has come to pass my mother says, he truly is my child... So she basically tells me, the teacher, that Riley refuses to do what she asks. He has an another agenda. Not sure what that means. He's five. So I tried to let my bristles go down before I respond to her e-mail , asking her to explain the situations that he is being defiant. And ask her what she is doing or wanting us to do to help the day go easier. Because honestly , he does pretty well at home. He's usually very helpful and follows my directions. So I'm not seeing the picture she is relaying. Also, she says he's been in the nurses office alot. Well, that is true. I have had 5 nurse visit slips in one month. 2 incidents were on the same day. So my kid is slightly accident prone, nothing new there. So I responded by saying, if he's not bleeding don't let him go. Brush him off and continue with the day. I haven't received a reply yet. Kind of scared to. Do you think I'm taking this wrong?

Bathtime bumbles...

We love baths at our house! Especially with bubbles:) Riley can stay in the tub for hours and Mckenzie gets on her tummy and does this "swim like a fish" thing! Plus if it gets really soapy, they slide around like little seals. They have a lot fun and make a BIG mess!

Chicago chaos, the meat market, and I just want to go home!

Thought this funny, this is in Iowa, who knew we had a Wyoming here!

Yummy! Haagen Daas Ice Cream on the Pier...

Chicago Skyline...

Navy Pier! The girls...

Andrea, Mara, Me and Silara-Chicago skyline!

We stopped at the Chicago Temple, the girls needed some new G's!

This weekend I joined a handful of girls from the state of Iowa and we attended The Mid-Singles Conference in Chicago. We left Friday and arrived for the BBQ and dance at a really cool old golf club on Lake Michigan. It was actually the place where Pres. Obama got married. I would like to point out however that anyone who knows me and thinks I am a bad driver needs to drive in Chicago. They are insane! Now-the meat market! This is how I felt, it was like a heard of cattle being shuffled in and out. Over 200 people showed up and you could see everyone sizing each other up! It may have been that I was sick and I wasn't really in the mood to play the game, but for the most part I did not enjoy myself. Saturday was a little better mostly cause the girls and I left the rest of the group and did our own thing. No boys allowed! We walked Lake Michigan's beaches and went to a Latin Festival and then The Navy Pier which was my favorite! We went to Bubba Gumps for lunch. That was yummy. And just took in the sites. Sunday we went to church and then we headed home. But we almost didn't make it home. Since my car decided to start acting up. First it was electrical messages that started to show up and then one by one, my car started shutting down. First the air cond. and then the radio went. I'll I could think was, I want to go to sleep, in my own bed. Please, please keep running. We didn't even make it to Cedar Rapids. The car just stopped! By then I was in tears. We had to call a tow truck to come and get us out in the middle of nowhere. And then we had choices, do we stay in a hotel and hope they can fix my car or rent a car. Well, the tow truck took us to a dinky little town but we didn't have any way to get to the Cedar Rapids airport to rent a car, so a friend gave us a church members number who lived int he area and he came and took us to the enterprise rental place. Finally at 1:00am we rolled in. I was so grateful to be home. The only thing is my car is still stuck in Anamosa. And my Alternator needs to be replaced, oh joy! I'm not thinking all this running around to find "the one" is really worth it. If someone doesn't see your worth and isn't willing to take a chance than I am throwing in my hat!

Back to School!

Riley standing in front of his school!

See we are excited!

A new school year has started and Riley had his first day yesterday. Riley is going to Ballard West in Slater for Early Kindergarten. He goes everyday from 8am to 3pm. He has a locker for his coat and backpack and and his own desk. There are about 12 students in his class. His teacher's name is Mrs. Johnson. He also rides the bus. Riley really likes going to school!

Thai Flavors!

Pad See-Ew

Shrimp Wonton Soup

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

So on my own this weekend, I decided to broaden my horizons with Thai food. So I checked out the Thai Flavors Restaurant in Ankeny. Yum!!! It was a quiet little place with a nice atmosphere and great food.

Climb, monkey, climb!