Parent-Teacher Conferences

We had conferences this week and we received good news on Allie's progress. She's reading at the highest level, along with 4 other students, in her class. She's mastered all the necessary words that a kindergartener should know and has moved on to learning 1st grade words. She's a good listener and a kind friend. We are so proud!

The Morning News with Allie

Here's your Friday "Morning News".

This one is dedicated to my mom, whose birthday is on Sunday.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Our Trip to Chicago

We spent the weekend in Naperville, Illinois, visiting the McDonald family and celebrating little CJ's first birthday. It was an interesting party. There were the usual things you'd find at a one year old's birthday party...balloons, cake, clowns, pinatas. And there was something not usually found at a kid's party, namely a quarter barrel keg of Bud Light. I think it was there to keep all the dads, grandpas, and husbands happy (not to worry, there was wine for the moms, grandmas, and wives).

The birthday boy, CJ, is the youngest son of Sean, Jason's friend from his hometown of Streator. Here's a picture of CJ, enjoying his birthday cake. Doesn't that look delicious?

Jason was able to catch up with another high school friend, Mouse. Here's a picture of Mouse, Sean, and Jason. I must say, Streator does produce some handsome fellas.

Mouse has a couple of kids too. One of which is the cutest little girl I've ever seen, next to my own of course. Here she is with Meredith and Allie and their many balloons.

Speaking of balloons, CJ's Grandma Denise spent a lot of time blowing up balloons. CJ's other Grandma, his Mom, and I spent a lot of time arranging the balloons in just the right spots. Here's CJ's big brother after the kids managed to tangle up all the neatly arranged balloons in to one big balloon knot!


We had a great time and we thank the host and hostess for inviting us to visit! They are like family to us...the weird cousins that you don't talk to much, but family none the less.