Five Years

Josh and I celebrated our fifth anniversary yesterday. Hard to believe we've been married for five years, and together even longer. A lot has happened in the last five years, both good and bad, and we've gotten through it together.

We spent our anniversary at Pee-Wee bowling...I tried to post a video of Ellie throwing the ball into the lane next to hers, but for some reason it wouldn't post. The video is very Uncle Don-like, but it is hard to hold the camera still when you're laughing so hard. I'll give it a shot again one of these days.

After bowling we went to La Crescent where Ellie walked in the Applefest Kiddie parade with the kids from her preschool. It was a short parade, just a trip around the block, but the weather was warm, and the meeting spot was the blacktopped school parking lot. Needless to say, both of us were sweating.

Josh and I rounded out our day with a trip down memory lane as we attended the wedding of one of my high school friends. I'll never forget her anniversary. The reception was at the Waterfront, and they had the UW-L Screaming Eagles band perform in front of the deck. It was pretty awesome.

The only thing I'd change about yesterday is the fact we didn't have any pictures of the two of us taken...oops! We have many more years for photos though!

Pee-Wee Bowling

We decided to bring Ellie to Pla-Mor lanes this morning for Pee-Wee bowling. I think it goes without saying that she had a fantastic time. Because she only rolled a 38 we will be practicing day and night until she can break 100.

Just a quick update..........there is nothing new to report. So, without further delay....more pics of the kids!!

Preschool

Ellie started preschool today!!! We dropped Jaymeson off at Kimmy's this morning, and when I got back in the car she said, "Just the girls going to school. I'm so excited!!!!!!" Except "excited" was screamed in a super high, drawn out way. It was great.

Got some pictures of her on the bench outside of school, as she found her cubby, by the welcome sign, with her teacher, and again as she waved goodbye to me from the waving window. Managed to hold the tears back until I shut the car door, and lost it.

It was one of those moments that made me realize that my baby is growing up, and reminded me that my dad isn't here to share it with us. Bummer. I reached for my phone to call him, but knew he wasn't there. Wanted to call someone, but figured my mom was sleeping in on her day off (she picked Ellie up at school), and that it was 6 a.m. in Idaho. Way too early to call Stephanie. The tears blended with the raindrops on the windshield and I made it to school, where the kids asked if I had allergies. I told them of my ordeal, and they all said, "Aw."

My mom and my grandpa picked Ellie up from school. She came running out yelling, "Great Grandpa!!!!!" The teacher said she had a great day, sent home a calendar, and Ellie got dropped back at Kimmy's. Ellie will be the "Special Helper" on Sept. 23rd. She gets to bring three things to share, and the daily snack. She's pretty pumped, and said it was a great day. What a big girl.

Just an update

Everything here is good. We took Jaymeson to Urgent Care again last night because she was fussing and just not acting like herslf. We found out that she has thrush. They said it is pretty common after being on antibiotics, and gave us a prescription that should get us through the next two weeks.

We all had a blast at Sesame Street Live on Friday night. Ellie used her free pizza certifcate that she earned through the library's summer reading program, at Happy Joe's before the big show. Both girls really enjoyed themselves.

Last night we attended the parent meeting for Ellie's preschool. She gets to go on Thursday for a little orientation, and drop off her school supplies. I was able to switch the day she visits to the 4th, rather than the 2nd, so I'll be able to drop her off for her first day. We're very excited for her, but sad at how quickly she's growing up!

We both head back for meetings tomorrow and Thursday, will enjoy Friday at home (or at least part of it), and then head back to school on Tuesday. We're going out with some friends on Friday night, attending a wedding on Saturday, and Monday is the Labor Day parade, also known as the Candy Parade in these parts. Should be a good end to the summer!

The end of summer vacation

Well, summer vacation is wrapping up, and it is almost time to head back to school. Besides Josh and me, Ellie will be heading to Peli Preschool in La Crescent this year. She has all of her school supplies and school clothes, and is anxious to start. She'll go on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-10:30.

Josh is at a meeting today, and we go on the La Crosse Queen tonight as part of his new teacher orientation. I thought it was the Island Girl, but was wrong. He has meetings tomorrow as well, and I have meetings all day Monday. We both have inservice Wed. and Thurs. next week, and Friday off. We have a wedding and some other get-togethers with friends planned over the long weekend before school starts.

I'm going to try to attach a video of Ellie making Jaymeson laugh. It is very cute! I love the belly laughs!!!

Keeping the gallbladder...for now

Josh and I went and met with the surgeon this morning. She basically said that at this point if I can tolerate the "attacks" it would be better to just deal with them, then deal with the risks of surgery. I'm okay with this since recovery would be about two weeks, meaning I would use all of my sick days right at the beginning of the year.

She said she can't guarantee it is the gallbladder, although many symptoms point in that direction, as well as the gallstone. She mentioned it could be a muscular/skeletal thing from holding Jaymeson wrong, sleeping funny, etc. So, we'll see what happens. If things continue and I feel like I can't deal with them anymore then they'll take it out...it is pretty much my call.

On a family note, Jaymeson is getting her third tooth. It is on the bottom left-side. She seems to be getting over her ear infection as well, which is great. We tried to go to family night at the pool on Sunday, but some kid tossed his cookies before we could even get our feet wet, so they closed the pool and sent us home with some passes (note: pool closes Aug. 24th, passes given Aug. 18th...not a huge time frame). We're going to try again this afternoon, but seem to always go when there are "accidents" in the pool.

Ellie is very excited for Friday when we get to go to Sesame Street Live! at the La Crosse Center. Josh and I are going on the Island Girl on Thursday as part of his new teacher orientation stuff, so that will be fun. Josh heads back for school stuff Thursday and Friday this week, and we both officially start Wed. next week. My teaming partner, Katie, and I were asked to mentor the new 5th grade teacher, so we're pretty excited about that. Other than that...not much going on!