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My Little Super Heroes

 Super Penn State Man!  Rachael helped Daniel dress as super hero today.  I like the stick, dish cloth cape, and dress belt. So creative!

Super Woman!  Rachael at the Mall of America...the MAC counter had a big display, so she had to stop & pose!


Today we just rested & tonight were able to Skype with cousin Jordan & Auntie Amber!

Sick. Sick. Sick.

Yesterday began another HUGE snow storm.  Daniel & I went to church at 10am Sunday & as we were walking in the first snowflake flew.  Our church has tons of floor to ceiling windows so we could see the snow piling up outside in an hour.  It took us 30 minutes to drive home in the snow, which usually takes 10 minutes.  It was CRAZY how fast the snow came down & piled up.  We were happy to be home.


Last night Rachael started crying & complaining about her ears hurting.  Normally I would take her to the ER & get it checked out since she was in so much pain, plus the bad cold & temperature.  Unfortunately, there was no way we could drive anywhere, so we waited out the night & went to the minute clinic in the morning.  She has a double ear infection with her right one near rupturing, plus a sinus infection.  I have a sinus infection & ear infection in my left one that I've had surgery on.  


We both feel miserable & the snow WON'T STOP!!!  We both got prescriptions so hopefully we will start to feel better soon.  She has to stay home for a few days with the cough.  We're definitely stir crazy being stuck at home, the next few days might be tough!

Uncle Rusty, Auntie Emily & Miss Avery Visit!!!

 Avery is 4 months younger than Daniel & much bigger....she is ADORABLE!

 Rachael ran to her Uncle Rusty as soon as she saw him & jumped up into his arms.  Even though she was sick, she wanted to go to the Mall & meet up with them.

 Uncle Rusty, Daniel, Rachael, Auntie Emily & Sweet Avery

 So happy to be in her Uncle Rusty's Arms!!!

 Hugs all around.  Avery hugged Rachael & knocked her backwards....she may be younger, but weighs the same as Rachael does!  Too Cute, Rachael loved her so much.

It was hilarious watching Rusty try to fit into the Train Ride with Avery, Rachael & Daniel.  He is TALL & that ride isn't exactly designed for people his size :)

We haven't seen our friends' Uncle Rusty, Auntie Emily or little Avery in over a year.  They live down in Iowa City, so it's not easy to get together.  It just happened that their niece was playing a Volleyball tournament at Apple Valley High School, just down the hill from our house!  Saturday Rachael wasn't feeling well at all, so just Daniel & I went down to the high school to say hi.  Avery & Daniel hit it off & played together.  


Later, we met them at the Mall of America where we did some rides & ate some dinner with them.  The kids had so much fun.  We will definitely make a better point of visiting each other more often!

Visiting Schools....

We are on a hunt for a school for Rachael right now.  We passed on our Church's Private School, Faithful Shepherd, so this past week we've gone to all of the others in our area.  With grants & tuition assistance, I know I can make it work wherever we decide.  It is extremely important to me that she gets the best, well rounded education possible...to me, that includes a Catholic Education.  

This is a picture of Rachael at All Saints in Lakeville.  First of all, it was the craziest foggy day since the temperature was up, snow was melting.  I could hardly find it since it's up on a hill, it was hidden in the fog!  


I've spoken with other parents from Rachael's preschool class also looking for a grade school.  All of them have said to take the tours, but you will know "the right fit" for your child.  The first 4 schools, were definitely NOT the right fit. As we would walk out, I would ask Rachael what she thought or how she felt about the school.  Most she just said NO, or I didn't like that one.  Usually I agreed, but didn't let her know.


Friday we visited St. John the Baptist in Savage.  We know a sister of a classmate of Rachael's who goes there, so we'd heard a little bit about the school.  We walked through with the Assistant Principal, Mr. Smalley.  The school felt perfect.  The kids were happy, it wasn't cold & sterile feeling like other's we've seen.  Students said hello to Mr. Smalley as we walked by & he knew them by name.  The children have Mass on Thursdays, they teach the Kindergarten Classes the prayers.  They have older "buddies" who come & read to them sometimes or do projects with them.  Conveniently, they have busing to school, which others didn't have.  Also, Rachael's Auntie Kelly went there! And it was the most affordable & has the highest grants & tuition assistance available.  God sure provides!


We don't have our mind 100% made up though.  We visit the public school soon, so we will see how that goes.  Whatever we decide, I know I can make it work if it's the best thing for Rachael.  

Play Date with Sami & Mira!!!

Last Thursday, February 17, after preschool we had a very fun play date at our friends' Sami & Mira's house!  The big girls planned a fashion show for us, complete with make up & outfits.  


The little boys pulled each other in the Lego wagon & just learned how to play together....we're still working on sharing with those two!

 Mira & Sami

 Best Buddies, Sami & Daniel

My Big Boy will be 2 1/2 on February 28!

My Big Girl will be 5 1/2 on February 26!

Poopie in the Potty....

For those of you who are parents, you will understand the extremes you will go to to try to potty train your child.  I potty trained Rachael & Daniel was supposed to be someone else's job.  But, it is what it is & we're learning the "boy way" little by little.  


Daniel gets a gummy worm for each time he goes "Wee Wee" & two gummy worms for "Poopie."  Today, was the 4th day in a  row of Poopie in the Potty!!!  So, while grocery shopping I picked up a cake & had to ask the bakery lady to write "Poopie in the Potty!"  I got some weird looks but knew that this would definitely motivate my cake loving boy.


Tonight we had his favorites, Sundried Tomato Chicken, Ravioli, Garlic Bread & Surprise Cake.  He obviously dove right in for the cake...

I am so proud of my big boy & hope this trend continues.  Not having to buy diapers anymore would sure save a lot of money!!!

Valentine's Day....

First, Happy Valentine's Day to you all.  Today was a very busy day & a tough one for us.  I'm not sure if it was the day or just everything going on, but there were certainly tears off & on today.


Yesterday we went to Faithful Shepherd, a private Catholic school I was sure I was sending Rachael to.  It was for prospective Kindergartners & their parents.  A few of her friends from Preschool were also there.  After the program & tour & meeting the teachers I quickly realized that it was NOT the school for Rachael.  So, today I made calls to all of the local Catholic Private Schools & the Public School.  We have meetings set up everyday this week.  Hopefully we find one that is a good fit.  I am a little late in the game now, so she may end up in Public for Kindergarten & then 1st grade we can move.  So stressful!


This morning Daniel & Rachael had a modeling job at Lifetouch in Eden Prairie.  They did great & hopefully we will see some of the pictures up & on promotional coupons & posters soon.  These are for JC Penney.  The kids had a wonderful time & did a great job.


Today, Rachael's class went on a field trip to the Mall of America!  They ate lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe, then went to Under Water World.  They had so much fun & Rachael was in a group with her two best girl friends in class Ema & Maddie.  Their chaperone, works at our church & happens to be her teachers son.  He is all tattooed & pierced & the first time I saw him interacting with the preschoolers I was a little hesitant, but he has the biggest heart & really loves the preschoolers.  Rachael has a HUGE crush on Travis.  Everyday when I say, "what'd you do today?"  She tells me whether or not she saw Travis & then follows up with what they did.  She said having Travis with her was the best Valentine Gift Ever.  Oh to be 5.


Daniel & I spent the afternoon at the zoo.  Even saw the new baby dolphin!  We had a great time.  

 In a cave of fish

Her field trip/valentine day outfit

Outings....

 Rachael got to go to the Little Gym with her friend Ella the other day...so much fun!  I can't believe how much she's improved since she started there at age 2.  It costs so much money though, so we just can't afford it anymore.  Ella has 2 more "bring a friend" classes, so Rachael can go back a few more times!

 Friday, we met our friends Mira & Sami (mommy Lina) at the Rainforest Cafe at the Mall of America.  We had a wonderful lunch with the kids, everyone was so well behaved, I was so proud of them.  Above is Sami when the Rainforest has their loud "RAINSTORM" complete with lightning & thunder.

 This is Daniel when the Thunderstorm started.  He was seated in a highchair next to Sami.  Sami liked the storm but Daniel got VERY upset.  I had to hold him, he covered his ears & buried his head in my chest.  Poor guy, the storm went off twice while we were eating.

 Rachael & Mira sat together & had "girl talk" which they wouldn't tell their mommy's about!  They ate great & had so much fun playing games in the kids' menus together. 

 This is Daniel riding on the train in Nickelodeon Universe.  Sami & Lina were next to him, but I wasn't quick enough to catch a picture of them.  Daniel LOVED the train & said Choo Choo the whole time.  Mira & Rachael did the little roller coaster & the bumper cars together.

 Sami hugging Rachael & not wanting to let go when it was time to leave.  The kids have such a great friendship now & we try to see each other every Friday after Mira is done with Kindergarten!

Last night, Rachael & I decorated cookies & made treats for some of our neighbors.  I did the icing & Rachael did the decorating.  We made some beautiful plates full of goodies & one big basket for our neighbor who lost her husband not long ago.  Rachael wanted to make sure she felt loved on Valentine's day....what a great heart she has!

BIG NEWS

Boy oh Boy, do we have some big news.  I have been in semi-potty training mode, just asking Daniel if he wanted to try to go & if successful he got a tootsie roll or gummy worm.  He was still in diapers full time & refused to poop in the potty.  I just didn't feel like pushing him or pressuring him.


Well, like someone flipped a light switch, yesterday Daniel pooped in the potty for the first time!  He went pee 5-6 other times throughout the day & kept his diaper dry.  He also peed standing up 2 times...I'm no expert at peeing standing up so I'm doing the best I can teaching him :)


So. today after dropping Rachael at preschool, Daniel & I made a special trip to Target to pick out some "big boy underpants."  He picked a pack of Mickey Mouse briefs & cars boxer briefs.  Below are some pics of the proud boy....

 Doing a little gymnastics in his new underpants...so happy!

 Showing off his muscles & his Mickey Underpants!

His favorites, his car & truck boxer briefs.  What a big boy!

So, we also bought some pull-ups since I know we're not FULLY trained.  We decided to go to Perkins for dinner to celebrate how great he has been doing.  While waiting for the food, he told me he had to go, so we rushed into the restroom.  Keep in mind, he's never gone in a public restroom, and not on such a BIG toilet.  But, he went, no problem, and was dry when we got home!

Also, Rachael is doing great at school & brought snack in yesterday & was line leader.  She talked about a boy named Jack, who always gets picked last for everything.  So, she decided that when it was time for her to pick the line, she was going to pick Jack first!  She came home so proud because she saw how happy Jack was.  I am so proud of the big heart she has.  

One final piece of big news!  I've had two interviews this week.  One with a very small office for part time morning hours M-F & One with a great Store, Hot Mama, in their Corporate Office.  I have a second interview with Hot Mama on Tuesday....that one I'm most excited about, but we'll see!!!

Super Bowl!!!

It is time once again for the super bowl.  Last year the Vikings came so close to the big game, but blew it.  This year, we are cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers!!  Normally we love the Philadelphia Eagles, but Pittsburgh being a fellow Pennsylvania team, is a close 2nd.    Problem is Auntie Becky & Uncle Nick are die hard Packers fans.  Nick grew up in Green Bay & worships his team every Sunday.  They even went to a Green Bay game with her sign that read "I love you Nick Collins #36" and she got a little wave.  Her husbands name, is also NICK COLLINS!

Daniel is cheering for the packers & has an adorable Packers Onsie.  The rest of us will be cheering on the Steelers!

Rachael's class individually voted who they thought would win the Super Bowl.  Rachael chose the Steelers, along with her teacher &  her friend Maddie.  The rest of the class chose the Packers.  Whichever team is wrong, has to bring snack.  

Love,

rachael