The Rothleutner's

Ground Hog Day

2012-02-02T19:00:00.013-06:00

Gracie learned a new song at school today....sums it up nicely :)

Tacky Dress Day

2012-02-01T11:00:00.003-06:00

Today was Tacky Dress Day at school. Gracie was VERY EXCITED to go to school mismatched & with crazy hair!!! And a volunteering perk for mommy...I got to dress tacky too :) We sure had a fun day!!!

Spring Fever

2012-01-31T16:00:00.001-06:00

Flirting with fifty & almost February!!!

The Hat By Jan Brett

2012-01-31T10:00:00.003-06:00

Today Gracie's Kindergarten class performed their first play....The Hat By Jan Brett. It's a cute story about a Hedgehog (Hedgie) who steals a little girl, Lisa's, woolen stockings off of her clothsline. And then the fun begins...as many animals laugh & make fun of Hedgie after he pretends he's wearing a new hat. But in the end, it is clever Hedgie who has the last laugh. Gracie was a gander (fancy name for a male goose). She came on stage...the loudest gander of all "honk, honk, honk" & did a wonderful job with her lines. Her favorite line was "The hedgehog has flipped his gizzard!!!" In the end, all the animals decide Hedgie is pretty smart & are wearing Lisa's woolen stockings to stay warm in the winter. We are so proud of our little gander performing in her first play...so fun!!!

Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!

2012-01-30T12:00:00.002-06:00

Three cheers for Kindergarten North & Catholic Schools Week

Beauty & The Beast

2012-01-21T11:30:00.002-06:00

After a fun-filled morning playing in the snow, we headed to the movies to see the much anticipated Beauty & The Beast in 3D!!! And of course some movie snacks too...popcorn, m&m's & slurpees. And Disney did it right with yellow & blue 3D glasses monogrammed with Beauty & The Beast. The girls were very excited to bring them home. And as the credits were rolling Josie yells very loudly "Can we stay & watch it again!!!" It was a 5 Star movie for her :)

Snow Angels

2012-01-21T10:30:00.000-06:00

Our little snow angels :)

Sledding...Whee!!!

2012-01-21T09:30:00.005-06:00

It is a winter wonderland in Chicago after Friday's snow storm. After it was all over & done, we ended up with 6-8 inches of snow. Of course, the girls were very excited about all the snow & this morning wanted to head right outside to go sledding & play in the snow. Josie kept saying over & over "this is so much fun!!!" As for Gracie, she just wanted to be covered in snow :) Their smiles & giggles said it all...yay for a fun-filled snow day!!!

Packer Pride

2012-01-15T19:00:00.002-06:00

Well the Packers didn't have their "A" game today...ugh what a loss!!! But at least we still had a good time watching the game. Daddy left for London today so mommy planned a GIRLS NIGHT PACKER PARTY!!! We enjoyed mini tacos, mini pizzas, applesauce, popcorn, m&ms's & juice boxes. The girls cheered for the packers, danced for the packers & practiced all their football signs for the packers. But it wasn't enough :( Gracie asked a lot of questions during the game. And told me "Mommy, I like to watch football but I don't want to be a football player as they fall down too much!!!" That sums it up perfectly!!! Better luck next year....Green Bay Packers!!!!

Catching Snowflakes...Ah Ah Ah!!!

2012-01-12T16:30:00.001-06:00

If all the snowflakes

Were candy bars and milkshakes

Oh, what a snow that would be!

Standing outside, with my mouth open wide

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

If all the snowflakes

Were candy bars and milkshakes

Oh, what a snow that would be!

Picture Perfect Day

2012-01-10T10:00:00.002-06:00

Another beautiful day in the Windy City & a perfect day for a run along Lake Michigan!!! Who would have thought this would happen in January?!?!? A little bit of spring in January...love it!!!

Pure Joy

2012-01-09T22:30:00.008-06:00

Tonight I went to meeting at Gracie's school. When I left the house, daddy was reading the girls a book & then they were heading to bed. Waiting for me on the counter when I came home was a wonderful surprise...2 beautiful notes from my girls. Gracie wrote "I missed you mommy" with a picture of her & I. How sweet!!! Not to be overlooked, Josie wanted to leave me a special note too. Daddy said she scribbled "I love you mommy!!!" in her own special way :) I loved them both so much that I had to take a picture. It's the little things that make being a mommy so special. I'm still smiling today :)

Gracie & Lanie

2012-01-09T15:30:00.001-06:00

All ready for Dance Class in their matching leotards...oh so cute!!!

Happy Birthday Bob

2012-01-06T23:00:00.005-06:00

Celebrating my brother's birthday with sushi & wine...oh what a fun night :) Happy Birthday Bob!!!

January Spring Fever

2012-01-05T16:00:00.002-06:00

Swinging at the park in January & it's almost 50 degrees!!! We are enjoying some spring fever in Chicago & loving every minute too!!!

2012 Rosebowl Champs...Oregon Ducks!!!

2012-01-02T19:30:00.007-06:00

Touchdown Ducks...yahoo!!! And a group effort for the touchdown sign :) Way to go Green & Gold!!! The girls enjoyed watching the game with daddy too. Let the partying continue at our house :)

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T12:00:00.000-06:00

Still partying at our house :)

American Idol 2024

2011-12-27T20:00:00.002-06:00

Watch out for The Rothleutners...maybe they'll let them do a duet :)

Bonus...Ice Skating At Wrigley Field

2011-12-27T16:00:00.001-06:00

Ice Skating At Wrigley Field

2011-12-27T15:00:00.002-06:00

Today we took the girls ice skating at Wrigley Field. And it was their first time ice skating too. Mommy, Daddy & Nana Marci hadn't been ice skating in years either but once we got our skates on you would have never known :) Josie just glided on the ice & kept saying "I'm skating...I'm skating!!!". Gracie kept saying "I know I can do it" & before long she was saying "I can do it...I can do it!!!" Both girls didn't want to get off the ice...such a fun day!!!

Merry Christmas To All

2011-12-25T21:00:00.001-06:00

And To All A Good Night

Thank You Santa!!!

2011-12-25T09:30:00.005-06:00

Good thing they were on the "good list" as Santa delivered this year with the much anticipated & talked about Disney Barbie Princess Castle...ohhh let the fun times begin :) Thank you Santa!!!

Ho Ho Ho...Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T09:00:00.001-06:00

Love, Gracie & Josie

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T20:00:00.008-06:00

Enjoying Christmas Eve with the Rothleutner, Stephens & Winters families :) Our 4th year in a row...always a good time :)

Hungry Reindeers

2011-12-24T12:00:00.003-06:00

Time to sprinkle the reindeer food in the backyard...they'll find our house for sure now :) See you soon Santa!!!

Giant Ginger Bread Cookies

2011-12-24T10:00:00.002-06:00

Today the girls decorated Giant Ginger Bread Cookies...thanks Trader Joes!!! And they each expressed their own personal baking style :) Gracie was much more particular with how her's was decorated & Josie enjoyed pouring lots & lots & lots of sprinkes on top hers!!! Can you tell who's is who's?!?!

2011 Lincoln Park Zoo Lights

2011-12-23T19:00:00.001-06:00

Our Annual Family Photo & a must every year :)

Good Night Moon

2011-12-23T11:30:00.001-06:00

Today we enjoyed an early Christmas Present with Nana Marci...we went to The Musical Good Night Moon at The Chicago's Children's Theater. It was a an adorable musical to the very popular book. Great singing & dancing too!!!

One More Christmas Tree

2011-12-21T13:00:00.003-06:00

And one more trip to Home Depot...Thanks Papa Will!!!

Letters From Santa

2011-12-19T16:00:00.001-06:00

Today the girls received letters from Santa Claus :) And good news...they were both on the "good list"...yay!!! They also received packets of reindeer food & they are to sprinkle the food in the yard on Christmas Eve so that Santa & the reindeer can find our house. Gracie's letter told her to not stay up too late on Christmas Eve & Santa asked Josie to make sure to leave him some cookies & milk. Only a few more days...Santa we are ready!!!

Clowing Around

2011-12-18T17:00:00.004-06:00

Zoey's birthday party was a clown & circus theme. Nana Marci made all the girls clown outfits...thanks Nana Marci!!! So fun & so cute for the party!!! And WE ALL enjoyed clowning around with all the clown assessories. What a fun birthday party :)

Happy 4th Birthday Zoey

2011-12-18T14:30:00.003-06:00

The girls enjoyed helping cousin Zoey celebrate her 4th Birthday!!!

8th Annual Rothleutner Holiday Party

2011-12-16T23:00:00.001-06:00

A good time was had by all :)

Rise Up Shepards

2011-12-15T11:00:00.001-06:00

A little taste of Gracie's Christmas Concert :)

Gracie's Christmas Concert

2011-12-15T10:30:00.001-06:00

Gracie has been practicing all week for her Christmas Concert at school. And today we finally got to see her class perform...ohhh the sound of those little voices singing Christmas songs : ) After the concert we went to her classroom for an after party with all of her friends. Tis the season for so much fun with our little ones :)

Annual Kiddie Holiday Party

2011-12-14T19:00:00.003-06:00

Every since our little ones were babies we've been celebrating the holidays together. And our group has expanded with the addition of many little siblings along the way :) This year we celebrated at Kid City where we played, decorated christmas ornaments & enjoyed festive snacks. We are so lucky to have such a fun group of friends. And it's always fun to see the little ones all decked out in their christmas attire :) And of course, the mommy's too!!!

Tapping To Cotton Eye Joe

2011-12-12T16:30:00.002-06:00

Tippy Tap...Tippy Tap

Gracie's Ballet Recital

2011-12-12T16:00:00.001-06:00

Today Gracie had her dance recital...she is now doing ballet, tap & hip hop. And becoming quite a "little dancer" too :)

Holly Jolly

2011-12-12T09:00:00.007-06:00

Josie's been singing Christmas songs around the house...Holly Jolly...Fa La La La La La La La La...love it :)

Rudlolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

2011-12-11T12:00:00.003-06:00

Gracie singing one of her favorite Christmas songs Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer at a birthday party this weekend. Sneak peak since I wasn't able to post it in it's entirety. What a solo & looking good on the microphone too. Our little singer :)

Dancing Tree Dancers

2011-12-10T20:30:00.000-06:00

Now performing...Gracie, Josie & Zoey :)

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights

2011-12-10T20:00:00.004-06:00

Tonight we went to the the Lincoln Park Zoo for one of our favorite holiday traditions...Lincoln Park Zoo Lights. Cousin Zoey joined us for her first Christmas zoo light experience...oh so fun!!! Even though it was only 25 degrees we all bundled up for a fun holiday night. Highlights of the night...hot chocolate, decorating gingerbread cookies & of course the dancing trees :) A good night for all.

Holiday Fun With Friends

2011-12-07T17:00:00.002-06:00

Our holiday tradition would not be the same without sharing it with our favorite & festive friends...Jack, Taylor & Bennett :)

Ho Ho Ho

2011-12-07T16:30:00.003-06:00

Santa said he remembered them from last year?!?!? Well, it is Santa Claus. And the same Santa as last year too :) He was calling them...his little candy canes which the girls seemed to like.

Annual Trip To Bloomingdales

2011-12-07T16:00:00.002-06:00

Every year we go to Bloomingdales on Michigan Avenue to visit Santa Claus. The excitement of getting our list together for Santa so we can tell him exactly what we want & of couse that we have been very good this year too :) Here we are arriving & enjoying all the holiday decorations. Such a fun family tradition!!!

St. Nicholas

2011-12-06T19:00:00.001-06:00

St. Nicholas came & left the girls cozy slippers for the winter :)

2011 Fall Photos...Bonus

2011-12-03T13:00:00.000-06:00

Top Fall Pick :)

2011-12-03T12:30:00.000-06:00

2011 Fall Photos

2011-12-03T12:00:00.002-06:00

It's Pink...It's Perfect

2011-12-01T19:00:00.000-06:00

Look who got a tree for their bedroom :)

Oh Christmas Tree

2011-11-27T12:00:00.005-06:00

As in our usual family tradition, today we went to Home Depot in search for the "perfect" Christmas Tree. The girls were very excited to go "tree shopping" & of course to help us carry it home. The beauty of living only 2 blocks from Home Depot :) As always, we look for the biggest Christmas tree we can find. We did get a little side-tracked when the girls decided to look at the smaller trees..."please can we get this one too!!!" Ultimately we ended up with an 11 foot Frazier Fir. Oh is she a beauty!!! Let the decorating fun begin.

Kitty & Doggy

2011-11-26T15:00:00.002-06:00

Sporting their new winter coats & hats. And also enjoying meowing & barking as we walk down the street...oh so fun fun fun!!!

Happy Joes Dance Party!!!

2011-11-25T16:30:00.000-06:00

Happy Joes

2011-11-25T16:00:00.001-06:00

A fun-filled outing at Happy Joes with the Stephen's boys :)

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T12:00:00.001-06:00

Gobble...Gobble...Gobble!!! Love, Gracie & Josie

Tip Toes

2011-11-18T10:30:00.002-06:00

Dancing on her little tip toes...way to go Josie!!!

Josie's Ballet Recital...CindeRELLA

2011-11-18T10:00:00.001-06:00

Today Josie danced as one of her favorite princesses in her ballet recital...CindeRELLA. Oh how I still love how she emphasizes her name when she says it :) She was very excited to dance for mommy, daddy & uncle bob. And we were very impressed with her dance moves too. She can sure walk on her tippy toes very well & very fast too!!! She's becoming quite the little dance :)

Thanksgiving Prayer

2011-11-17T14:00:00.003-06:00

Thank you god for all that grows
Thank you for the skys rainbows
Thank you for the stars that shine
Thank you for these friends of mine
Thank you for the moon & sun
Thank you god for all you've done

Amen

Gobble Gobble Gobble

2011-11-17T13:30:00.009-06:00

Today was Gracie's "Thanksgiving Feast" at school. One family cooked the turkey & other families brought in all the fixings & decorations. The spread was amazing with turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberries, cresent rolls & LOTS & LOTS of desserts. And after practicing a special turkey song & a prayer all week, they performed for us too...all decked out in their turkey headbands!!! It sure was fun to eat lunch with all the little turkey's. We sure are thankful for our "little turkey" :)

Perfect Fall Day

2011-11-15T16:00:00.007-06:00

Today was sunny & sixty degrees...a perfect day to head to North Pond to play in the leaves. Oh did we had fun gathering, throwing, jumping & laying in the leaves :) We love fall!!!

Sweet Dreams

2011-11-12T20:00:00.002-06:00

Takeda Team Event

2011-11-11T20:00:00.006-06:00

This weekend we went to Lake Geneva for Kris's Takeda Team Event. A nice little family get-away with the girls & oh so fun too!!! Friday night was a team-building dinner party...the adults worked together to make a pasta feast while the kiddies made pizzas together. Equipped with aprons & chef hats the girls decided to be really creative & made a CHEESE PIZZA :) It was delicious. Too bad Josie's chef's hat kept falling off :( And for dessert they had an ice cream sundae bar...build your own as well. Needless to say the girls were in heaven :) And they received gold medals for their pizza making skills too...yay!!! What a fun weekend with Kris' second family...Takeda Pharmaceutical:)

Ribbit Ribbit

2011-11-11T10:00:00.006-06:00

Today at ballet the girls practiced their "saute" by jumping over frogs...so cute :) Josie decided to add a few froggy sound effects to her solo...Ms. Lynn seemed to enjoy it too!!!

Spirit Day

2011-11-11T08:00:00.002-06:00

Today was "Spirit Day" at school. You could wear your favorite sports team jersey or school jersey. Oh what a choice to make...ultimately Gracie chose her new PINK St. Clement football jersey....Rothleutner #5 :) She wore it well!!!

Helping The Homeless

2011-11-10T09:00:00.001-06:00

Today Gracie's Kindergarten class helped make lunches for the homeless. Before going to school, she was telling me that there are some people that are poor & that they were going to help make them lunch so that they wouldn't be hungry. "You know that some people don't have food like we do" she said. She was also very excited as they were going to put a pair of socks in each lunch bag "as some people don't have a lot of clothes either, mommy" she went on to tell me. The innocence she expressed as she told me what she learned about poor people at school just melted my heart :) And to make it even better, I was one of the mommy's that got to help them make the lunches. Each child decorated 2 lunch bags & then headed to the assembly line...sandwiches, fruit, chips, hard-boiled eggs, a candy bar, a drink & of course that special pair of socks to help keep warm this winter. It was really neat to see 5 year olds so excited about helping those that are less fortunate. Two lucky people will be receiving the special lunch bags that Gracie so thoughtfully prepared today. It really does feel good to give back :)

Friends Forever

2011-11-02T19:00:00.005-05:00

Today Taylor & The Peterson Family moved to a new house. Luckily for the girls (and the mommy's too) it's still in the neighborhood & only a few blocks away. This picture was taken of them at the end of the summer...oh the memories they will have someday looking back at all the fun times they shared growing up together :)

Last Year's Fall Favorite

2011-11-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

This pictures always makes me smile :)

Halloween 2011 Bonus

2011-10-31T22:17:00.001-05:00

Trick-Or-Treat

2011-10-31T16:00:00.003-05:00

Halloween 2011...what a fun night!!! The girls were very excited to dress up as their favorite princesses. Gracie decided right after Halloween last year that she wanted to be Rapunzel & she never changed her mind. She thought that she would make a good Rapunzel because of her long blond hair :) Josie debated for weeks between several princesses but finally decided upon Belle. She was especially excited about her princess shoes as they lit up...so cool!!! Mommy & Daddy joined in on the fun too as Snow White & Grumpy. Halloween was a success in their eyes as we came home with LOTS & LOTS of candy!!! A fun family night for all!!! Happy Halloween :)

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T13:30:00.004-05:00

Princess Greetings from Rapunzel & Belle

Halloween Dance Party

2011-10-28T14:00:00.004-05:00

Dance, Dance, Dance

Gracie's Halloween Party

2011-10-28T13:00:00.001-05:00

Today Gracie had her Halloween Party at school. She was able to take her costume to school for her class party & the annual parade around school. One of the "perks" of being a room mom is that I got to go to her party & parade...yay!!! I don't know who was more excited me or her :) I helped all the little girls get dressed in their costumes & walked with her whole class through the school parade. So of course, I took pictures along the way :) My favorite picture of the day is the class photo of them all dressed up in their Halloween costumes...so cute!!! At their party they enjoyed carmel apples, candy corn rice cripy treats & apple cider. The party ended with a dance party to some Halloween Classics...the monster mash, the addams family & thriller. What a fun day!?!!?

Annual Halloween Party

2011-10-27T18:00:00.008-05:00

Today we celebrated Halloween with our playgroup...it's so fun that we've been celebrating together for 4 years!!! We always looks forward to our annual party & to see the little ones all dressed up in their favorite costumes :) It's our tradition to take a group photo & this year went better then usual...yay!!! Can you see my 2 little princesses??? Hint....they are dressed in their respective princesses colors of purple & yellow. A very cute Rapunzel & Belle.

Gracie's Getting Batty

2011-10-26T15:00:00.005-05:00

Sporting the bat headband she made at school today...ooohhh she is so proud!!! She walked all the way home with it on & requested a picture of herself too :) She's the cutest bat I've seen!!!

Flashback...October 2004

2011-10-23T21:58:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite pictures from our honeymoon...Venice 2004

Happy Anniversary

2011-10-22T20:00:00.004-05:00

Toasting our anniversaries with The Kipatricks...it's so fun that our anniversaries are a day apart!!! Cheers to many more years ahead for both of us :) Happy Annivesary to us !!!

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-16T13:00:00.000-05:00

A fun-filled family day at the pumpkin patch...with Cousin Zoey & Aunt Katina & Uncle Joel too.

Smiling Sisters

2011-10-14T16:30:00.001-05:00

One more of my favorites :)

Fall Photos...In Our Backyard :)

2011-10-14T16:00:00.001-05:00

Enjoying our hallween decorations in the backyard...photo time :)

Chicago Marathon

2011-10-09T09:30:00.002-05:00

Today we walked 2 blocks from our house to watch the Chicago Marathon. Our babysitter Liz was running in the marathon so the girls were very excited to cheer her on. Gracie & Mommy made a special sign for her & Gracie proudly held it up the entire time. And when Liz ran by us at mile 9 she stopped for a quick photo with the girls. Thanks Liz :) Mommy may run the marathon next year :)

Dieder Farms

2011-10-05T18:00:00.003-05:00

Today we took Papa & Nana to our favorite Pumpkin Patch...Dieder Farms. After a fun-filled day of exploring the pumpkin patch & riding the amusement park rides the girls picked out their favorite pumpkins to take home so we could decorate the backyard. A quick photo with our pumpkins was a must but all Josie wanted to do was sit on her pumpkin :) It made taking a family photo quite interesting!!!

Sisterly Fun

2011-10-01T19:00:00.003-05:00

Just an ordinary Saturday night at The Rothleutner's :)

Gracie & Lucy

2011-09-28T21:19:00.006-05:00

Lately Gracie has been asking us if she can get a dog :) So when her teacher asked her class to bring in a photo of their pet or a pet they wanted to have she was very excited to bring in a photo of a dog. Every day she has been coming home & talking about the different pets that you could have...fish, cat, dog, horse etc. And all the responsiblities that go along with having a pet. But she has been very clear that she would LIKE a dog. When we were shopping the other day she found this adorable baby golden retriever. She really wanted to bring it home as her pet. Hmm...maybe this cute little dog will satisfy her desire...so mommy bought it for her :) She named her Lucy & she is now a part of our family. Gracie takes her almost everywhere she goes & mommy & Josie get to take care of her when she's at school. She will even tell me what to feed her. She sleeps with her too & when we go in to check on her at night they are cuddled up together. I have to say it's quite cute!!! Ahhh...Gracie & Lucy are BFF's!!! And for now she is content :)

Josie...Future Lead Singer

2011-09-26T19:00:00.011-05:00

Josie loves to sing, dance & perform for anyone that will watch her. One of her favorite songs to sing is the Abc's. Tonight she used her new trumpret as a microphone. Looks like she's taking after her mommy with a solo on the microphone :) Be warned you may get a little dizzy!!! But she sure looks cute!!!

Yo Gabba Gabba Live...It's Time To Dance!!!

2011-09-24T17:00:00.000-05:00

Tonight we took the girls to Yo Gabba Gabba Live. As we entered the theater Josie started singing "Yo Gabba Gabba" over & over :) She was jumping & squeeling with excitement as this was her first "live" show. Gracie was all about buying the cool "glow stick" to wave around during the show. So of course, they each got one & waved them all around as they danced in their seats & in the aisle too. "There's A Party In My Tummy" & "Get The Sillies Out" were their favorite songs. A very fun night was had by all :)

Movie Night

2011-09-18T19:00:00.003-05:00

After an eventful day of watching football with daddy, the girls decided it was time to relax with a movie. So we turned the playroom into a movie theater & they enjoyed one of their favorite Barbie movies all snuggled up in their new princess sleeping bags. They turned off the lights & enjoyed their favorite movie snacks...popcorn & m&m's. A great way to end the weekend :)

Football Sunday

2011-09-18T12:00:00.009-05:00

The girls were very excited for FOOTBALL SUNDAY at our house. They kept asking when the games were going to start & 12 o'clock could not come soon enough for them. Hot dogs & chips for lunch & chili cooking on the stove for dinner...yummy!!! Sporting their Bears jerseys & rooting for them with daddy!!! Although Josie kept saying "Go Packers!!!" Very cute :) Too bad the Packers & the Bears were on at the same time today. Overall, a great day for football!!!

Harvest Days...Bonus Pictures

2011-09-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

Harvest Days

2011-09-17T13:00:00.003-05:00

Today was our 4th annual trip to Harvest Days at The Lincoln Park Zoo. Our first trip, Josie was 2 months old & we have gone rain or shine ever since as it's a great family day!!! First up, we head to the pumpkin patch where the girls pick out their "perfect" pumpkin. Next up, we head to the decorating station to pick out the design of choice. Funny that they each picked out the same design as last year. Gracie chose Mr. Jack-O-Lantern & Josie Ms. Kitty Cat.

Welcome To St. Clement

2011-09-14T20:00:00.002-05:00

Tonight was the Fall Welcome at Gracie's school. It was the kick-off to the school year & parents were able to visit the classroom to talk to the teachers & see the work the kids have done in their first couple weeks of school. The first thing I saw when I walked into the school was a bulletin board with all the new students along with their picture & a list of their favorite things.

Gracie's favorite things were as follows:

Favorite Color: Pink & Purple
Favorite Food: Hot dogs
Favorite Book: Princesses (of course!!!)
Favorite Sport: Bowling
Favorite Winter Activity: Sledding
Favorite Summer Activity: Pool & Beach
Favorite Subject In School: Learning how to be kind to others :)

Looks like Gracie is off to a great start :)

Dance Dance Dance!!!

2011-09-09T16:00:00.003-05:00

The girls started their dance classes this week. Josie started her 2nd year of ballet & was so excited that she had to try on her new ballet leotard the night before class & twirled round & round the room showing off all her moves. Gracie started her 4th year of dance & will be taking ballet, tap & hip hop. She was most excited about her tap shoes...boy can she move those feet & make quite some noise too. We look forward to lots of dancing at class & our house too :)

Gracie's Wibbly-Wobbly Tooth

2011-09-06T15:00:00.001-05:00

Gracie has had a wibbly-wobbly tooth for a few weeks now. And we have been anticipating when the day will come & where she will be when the "wibbly-wobbly" tooth falls out . Today was the big day!!! Gracie was eating her lunch at school & after she ate her applesauce & was taking a bite of her cheese...pop...out came her tooth!!! No worries...as Gracie knew exactly what to do. She told her teacher & they took her to the office to get a "special" container for her tooth & a sticker too that she wore the rest of the day which said "I Lost A Tooth". It was the first thing mommy noticed when she picked her up from school. And the tooth fairy came to our house & left her $10...a big cash prize for the first tooth . Target here we come...

Our Little Preschooler

2011-09-06T08:00:00.005-05:00

Today our little Josie started preschool...Wow time sure does fly by!!! She was very excited as she was well equipped with her new princess lunchbox & princess backpack. Her first day went really well...no tears when I dropped her off & a big smile when I picked her up :) As soon as she saw me standing outside she came running & gave me lots of hugs & kisses. Her favorite parts of her first day were...painting, singing songs & eating lunch. We are so proud of our little girl. Good luck in preschool Josie!!! Although she did say that next week she MAY "stay home" with Mommy so let's hope next week goes well too :)

Smores

2011-09-04T18:00:00.001-05:00

Our Little Fisherman

2011-09-04T16:00:00.005-05:00

While in Michigan, Gracie went fishing for the first time. And she REALLY REALLY wanted to catch a fish. Yay...mission accomplishment as she caught her first fish & she & Elyse decided to name him Tom. After showing him off to everyone & touching him too, they decided to let him back in the water to swim :) She says she's ready to catch another one next summer!!!

Good-bye Summer

2011-09-04T12:00:00.003-05:00

We said good-bye to summer as we know it Labor Day weekend. What a fun time we had with our friends The Hoffman's in Michigan. Gracie, Elyse & Josie sure loved hanging out at the lake. I sure wish I could have heard what they were talking about while enjoying the view in this photo...so cute!!! Thanks Dan, Kristen, Elyse & Adele for a fun Labor Day :) A perfect ending to summer.

Kindergarten According To Gracie

2011-09-01T15:30:00.001-05:00

Video taken after Gracie's first day of school :)

First Day Of Kindergarten

2011-09-01T12:00:00.001-05:00

Today was the BIG DAY...Gracie's first day of Kindergarten!!! She was very excited to go to school & to wear her jumper (oh the memories for mommy of wearing her catholic school uniform). And she looked absolutely adorable too!!! She was all smiles on her way into school & on her way out of school too. So a very successful first day...good luck to our little Kindergartener :) We are so proud of you!!!

Highlights According To Gracie:

*Eating lunch in a place called "the cafeteria" & enjoying the school's milk carton too :)
*Recess on the rooftop....she says "it was so cool!!!"
*Meeting some new friends & playing tag at recess with them
*Taking a tour of the school & staying quiet in the hallway
*"If you are not nice you have to have a "timeout" until you are nice again:)

Kindergarten Drop In Day

2011-08-31T09:00:00.007-05:00

Today was "Drop-In Day" at Gracie's school. So mommy & Gracie went to school together (so fun for mommy!!!) to meet her teachers, new classmates & get familiar with the room. She was very excited to find her cubby & her desk too. And she was very excited to see "her name" on many things in the room :) Next up...we went to a picnic in the park with all of her classmates. While Gracie made new friends, Mommy & Daddy mingled & were pleased to meet so many nice families too. Tomorrow is her first day of school & we are so excited for her & us too :)

Beach Day

2011-08-29T13:00:00.008-05:00

Next stop...Chicago's North Avenue Beach for some fun-in-the sun with The Bough's & The Peterson's!!! We love summer in Chicago :)