"Master" Fran

I graduated with my "Type 75" a masters in school leadership and administration on May 7. It was a long awaited day, filled with lot of smiles and even a few tears. Although the program was "only" 2 years, it was not an easy accomplishment. Thank you to everyone (especially to Kenny and the girls) for helping me through it. Thank you also to my family who watched me receive my diploma that day and then helped me to celebrate after with a great dinner at Francesca's. Here are a few pics from that day:

Easter 2011

We had a great Easter this year. The girls were eager to wake up and find their baskets.

After Church, we headed to Peter and Shari's in Wisconsin for a great brunch with the Engstrom family. The girls love spending time with their cousins. We all had fun decorating cookies and Shari even created an egg hunt filled with coins and chuck e cheese tokens! So cool!

Swim Class

The girls have been taking swimming class (well Talia has never stopped since last summer, but this was Giana's first class) since the spring and both are doing really well. Talia is a "ray" and was initially scared about going into the big pool, but now she is able to swim all the way down to the deep end! She is so proud of herself.

Giana needed a little coaxing to get into the pool, but is doing well paddling her arms and kicking her legs.

We are trying to get her to put her head in the water, which is not easy for her to do.

Good job Girls!

Talia turns 5

I actually wrote this post back in April but never posted it. Here is a bit about my "baby" girl as she turns 5! Wow!

-Continues to think of others before herself—great sense of global service and kindness towards others

-Goes into other room to jump up and down when she wins a game, b/c she didn’t want to hurt her dad’s feeling b/c she won a game of Life!

-Wonderful big sister to Giana-pushes her on the swing, shares her treats and snacks, helps her get dressed, sings with her/to her after she goes on the potty, holds her hand in the car

-Major attitude—five going on fifteen!!! She rolls her eyes, and says, “rurh, mom” all the time!

-Still sucks her thumb, although needs to stop, as it is now starting to change the shape of her mouth; when the dentist told her this last Monday, it was so sad to see the tears slowly roll down her cheek; still loves her blankie

-Reading--full on. Picks up new books and reads her little heart out. Although can get discouraged easily, as she feels like other kids can read better, faster, etc…

-Picky eater—likes noodles (but mainly with butter), chicken nuggets, hot dogs, popcorn chicken, jelly sandwiches, fries, pudding, yogurt, many fruits and veggies, provolone cheese, many breakfast foods—muffins, pancakes, waffles, etc. smoothies, milk, and that’s about it…..

-Still loves dresses and getting dressed up

-Is into fairies, barbies, board games (monopoly), still loves to color and do art, activity books, Disney channel

Happy Birthday Talia!

Blankie Ride

Giana loves going for blankie rides just as much as Talia did. It is so cute to watch her drag the blanket to Kenny and ask for him to give her a ride. She loves it!

St. Patrick's Day

I tried to get them both to smile...and this is what I got! Hope that you had a great day!

Still Sweet

here are some more pics of the girls so sweet and happy--