WOW... Busy Life

Instead of apologizing for my lack of posting, I am just going to let you know whats been going on.

I started at Tahoma JH, and absolutely love it there. I now that I have said that before, but it is still great. Though I work every other day, I am still so busy. My favorite busy time is playing with Isabelle, of course and I could go on and on about her... and I will later. But other things first.

I am tutoring now (three nights a week), doing an after school science study club (once a week)... and the biggie... the district has asked me to be the head gymnastics coach... I know, crazy huh?? I applied for assistant, but they want me as head coach... what are they thinking? Though I am having mixed feelings about that and all that head coach entails, I am excited for it. Being head coach means tons of meetings (pre season, post season and through the season meetings), learning all the routines, rules and regulations, having to make cut, etc. The major downside to this is that the district doesn't have its own equipment or place on campus to practice, so we have to find a place and lease time and space. The season starts next Monday, and that is not figured out yet. The other piece that is being discussed still is the time of practice, and as of now, that is looking like 6am every morning. Looong days ahead. Then there are the meets. When they start, they will be held at 7pm and they usaully run up to 3 hours. I am looking forward to late February already. ;)

On top of all this, with the holidays approaching, dinners and get togethers are being planned which is leaving little time for relaxing. Working every other day is such a blessing in diguise!!

We are also thinkging about a little remodel... no, not the kitchen like we really want, that is going to have to wait a few more years I think... No, this remodel is small. We are going to get a wood buring stove so that when the power goes out, we can still have heat. The remodel part is getting the chimney to match up with the stove. The contractor is coming out next week to take a look at the job ahead.

Now on to my newest favorite topic... Isabelle. :) She is doing wonderful, now 6 months old and wearing 9 month clothing... though some of that is too small for her. She is laughing, rolling over and is eatting peas. The peas of course are gerber, and are mixed with baby rice cereal. She is such a funny eatter, she loves to eat andeverytime the spoon goes in her mouth she says 'Mmmmm.' Tonight we start carrots. Instead of a green baby, we will have a oragne one. ;) She has such a wonderful personality and is a party girl... If there is something going on, she is right in the middle, watching everything go down.

Pictures to come soon.

FOOD!!!

At 5 months, the doctor said that we could start Isabelle on solids.... baby solids. So we started with some rice cereal. The first few dats she didnt really like it, more that she didn't have the swallowing thing down. Now she scarffs it down (and plays with her food).

Update on Pics

Ok, so I have been doing a bad job updating... and not because I am busy really... more that I have been having a ton of fun. Working part time is great; gives me tons of time to play with Isabelle, take tons of pictures of her and go through her clothes, which she is out growing on a daily basis... literally! I am also getting more organized in our house... Surprise, I know! But I make piles of stuff, then go through it, toss a bunch and put the stuff I am going to keep in our spare room. Ok, so that room is getting cluttered, but the rest of the house is getting uncluttered. :)

Enough chatting... here are some new photos

Playing with daddy


Singing to me






KITTY!! So excited!




Ready..Set...GO!



Sharing hats with daddy










Five Month Birthday!!

Tahoma

My new school and district are WONDERFUL! I did enjoy my time in Federal Way, learned a lot and gained some important friendships. But Tahoma is amazing! Really!! If you ever want to check out the district the website is www.tahomasd.us

Teaching half time is great, the kids are good... they are kids, you got the talkers, the quiet ones, the smart ones, the lazy ones; you know what I mean. The commute is beautiful... 10 min, 15 if I am following a big truck of school bus. I work with a great science team! They truly are a model of how a team should work. I am in heaven. There are still electives in this district!! foriegn language, art, music, shop, home ec., for starters.

My Classroom is another marvel: It is a true lab with many sinks, tile floor, 10 student computers around the room all accessable to teh internet. There is a teacher computer, but we are each getting a laptop in the next month. There is also a projector in everyroom, which saves us from using the overhead and the white board... kids in the back can see now. ;) All the math teachers have active boards... not real sure how they work, but our math teachers love them. The whole district is going electronic... If kids are absent, there is a website they go to for all the missing assignments and the documents which they can downlaod and still do, no matter where they are.

Visitor from Florida

Eric's Grandfather came for a visit a few weeks ago, all the way from Florida. He was only here for a week, which was short, but he got to see his newest addition in the list of great-grand children. Here are some photos from his visit.

hawaii

No, we didnt't go to Hawaii.... But Aunt Karen and Uncle Charlie did, and they brought back the most adorable, matching dresses for Sophia and Isabelle. Enjoy!

SUMMER FUN!!

This summer has been a great time of fun so far. Now that Isabelle is holding her head up better, we can go to the park for walks and have coffee with friends and play dates with her cousin.


Shs is talking up a storm now, of course, in baby jabber and smiling all the time.



I can see my foot and I know it is mine, I just don't know how to get it, or what to do with it.




Cool reflection shot.



My pretty fower dress... for 6 month olds... It is too small for me now, and I am not even 4 months yet.








Precious feet





We went to Eastern Washington with some freinds to their vacation house.... it is near the Columbia River. We went to a park nearby and whisl Isabelle stayed on the shore with us, some went out on the innertubes that followed their speed boat. What a BLAST!! Above, Isabelle is ready to go to the park.




Isabelle is riding in her new off-roading stroller!! It is sweet, highly recommend the three wheel strollers with bike wheels... regardless of what you walk on.




Lounging with dad.







Pam and Bruka.... The only way to boat. :)


We also went to Lake Wilderness with cousin Sophia and her mom. This was the best shot we got... on a swing. All the other shots were so blurry.





Pt. Defiance Zoo was another fun day we had. Isabelle and I joined a college friend and her son at the zoo. We saw monkeys, elephants, the Beluga Whale and well, I could go on, but a zoo is a zoo... Lots of animals!

Speaking of Monkeys...

How sweet.... holding hands














We also went out with my freind Angie for coffee.



But this summer is not over... we are heading up to Green Lake this coming week, and a couple of other places for some nice walks. Maybe we'll see you out there. :)

Photos

Look... She's already reading. So smart!

I know it has been about a month since my last post, but being a mom is not only fun, it is time consuming, (as is working in the yard - when the weather permits; I am working on a flower garden in the front).

I won't talk alot in this post and just show off Isabelle, who is now 3 months old.

Head holding

Chunky girl

Dancing, just like the shirt says. Isabelle LOVES music and moves and smiles everytime she hears it.

Couple bath shots

Look at the hair... hahaha

Daddy's Little Girl

Baby Feet... Aren't they just precious?!

This sweater and matching booties were mine when I was a baby. My mom kept a bunch of my baby clothes for my daughter. There are some adorable outfits and dresses... And yes, Isabelle will wear all of them... of course - if she fits in them, she is a little chunk, but it is so cute!

Thank you mom for saving my clothes!!

Nautalus loves to be nearby, especially for photos...

Little father / daughter time. :)

4th of July - we didn't do anything big, just stayed home, watched the shows on TV... but we did dress Isabelle in some stars.

That's it for now, of course there will be more.

Gotta LOVE digital. Imagine the cost and storage if this was all done by a film camera. ;)