The Season of Basketball

Basketball season is soon to be over, only 1 more game left to go. I've managed to see him play twice. Phil usually takes him. We haven't tried having ALL of us go with Ruth being so busy. She would probably want to play on the court as well and chase the basketball. Here are a few pictures I took of him playing.

Party Girl

Kindergarten has been full of birthday parties for this girl. About one or two a month, an invite will come home Clare's backpack. What kid doesn't love a birthday party. Here she is holding a gift that she wrapped. This afternoon she was headed to a classmate's party.

Date Night

Last night my school had their holiday party. Thanks to my sister in law, Sara, for watching the kids, Phil and I were able to go. We had a nice dinner and a fun time with the people I work with.

100th Day

Clare has been preparing for the 100th day for a few days. She had to glue 100 items to a large construction paper t-shirt (which I failed to take a picture of), bring 100 snack items, practice writing her numbers up to 100. Her teacher is in her late 20's or early 30's and has been an awesome teacher for Clare. She surprised the kids by dressing up like a 100 year old woman. Clare said she had gray hair, wore glasses, walked with a cane and wore a housecoat all day. She brought home a few fun activity sheets that she worked on during the day.

Counting mini marshmallows, Ruthie ready to sneak one. HA!



Before bed, I read to Clare The Night Before the 100th Day of School by Natasha Wing. This author has many other books with the title "The Night Before..." Over the years, I've managed to have quite a collection.

Happy Retirement

My mom retired from her job as City Clerk from Ottumwa on the 15th. She has been dedicated to her job for the past 43 years. My family hosted a retirement party in her honor. Family and friends came down to the Knights of Columbus to say "Thanks" for all she did for the city. One may ask, "What does a city clerk do?" Well, after 43 years of experience, she knows the ins and outs of the city when it comes to laws, permits, and regulations. She prepares the Council agendas from information provided by city department heads, city administrator, council and mayor. My mom also prepares agendas, transcribes minutes and retains records for the Ottumwa Civil Service Commission and Ottumwa Board of Health. Her office also supervises the regulation and the issuance of various required city licenses and permits, and maintains a register of said licenses.

I have many fond memories of "playing" in my mom's office while she was at her Tuesday night Council Meetings when I was younger. I would play on her manual type writer and also punch in number to her adding machine. That was so fun when I was 10 or so. Many of her co-workers watched me grow up and have became family friends. Sad to say that those co-workers are no longer working at City Hall.








Chris and my Uncle Mike


Chris with my grandma's younger sister, Betty.


My cousin Michelle helping out with the punch and serving the cake.


Chris and I with our grandma. Doesn't she look great for being 89 years old?


My grandma's youngest sister, Rita, my grandpa, and Ethel, my grandma's SIL


Ruthie actually did great at the reception. No major meltdowns for the 2 hours she was there.


Clare and my nephew Brett. Looks like they are guarding the big pile of cookies behind them. HA


One of my great friends from high school even stopped by. With me only coming home a couple of times a year and it usually being a holiday, I don't see Belinda very often.

Brotherly Love

Homework time--Andrew helping Clare classify animals with her reading homework.


Then, Ruthie quickly runs to grab materials from Clare's reading bag. Luckily nothing was riped.


Pushing the strollers around in the house with Ruthie Isn't this cute?? When he is 25 he probably won't think so.

Busted

Ruthie and I went upstairs to do some laundry. Well, Ruthie quickly took off. After I put a load in the washer I went to find her. I found her in Andrew's bed. Then I went to put in another load of clothes in the washer. Again I went to find her.



From her look, you can tell she was 'BUSTED'.


Ruthie can climb the bunk bed ladder to Clare's bed. We didn't get it down in the morning. Any chance she can get, she'll climb up there. What a little monkey she is!

ImaginEve

On New Year's Eve, Phil and I took the kids and my nephew downtown to the Hy-Vee Hall. An event called ImaginEve was held for children to have fun on the last day of 2010. There were about 15 different bounce houses and other fun activities for children. Here are a few photos of the kids bouncing the night away.







Ruthie liking Clown Callie's magic ball. She wasn't scared of the clown as she is of Santa and the Easter Bunny.