more projects...

What would life be without a project at the Riese household. Yes, we have began yet another project. The cement patio that was sloping into the house is completely out! Mark, with the help of his uncle, great uncle, and cousin have removed the patio. Our house is the talk of the neighborhood with a huge pile of dirt and a great big red roll-off taking up what was once our driveway. A big thank you to Aunt Diane and cousin Seth for helping watch the kids so the men could work.

The girls finished up their first round of swimming lessons last week. We are taking this next session off but both girls will be repeating their current classes in August. Mack is SO close to passing... just needs to do 3 seconds of floating unassisted on her front - she has the back side down. Schuyler needs to "master" her front and back crawl. Her class is rather challenging. This week we had no activities due to the holiday weekend! It was nice! I stayed at home with the kids Monday and Tuesday. We enjoyed swimming at Grandma's one day and a play date at our house with a friend of Schuyler's - complete with the slip and slide, baking cookies, and water color painting! What a fun time.

Mack had her 4 year old well child check up last week. She is still 50% for height and weight. Dr. asked her to play catch and I think he was surprised at her throwing ability. I mentioned to him we would be back in a month since Eli is still not using many words. He decided to check his ears. Sure enough, he had wax the size of my pinky blocking both ears. He was hearing but probably muffled. We are hoping for a language explosion = )

Speaking of Eli, he is officially adjusting to his toddler bed. With either Mark and I home this week, we thought it would be good timing. It is proving to be a difficult adjustment but we are making slow progress.

Hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th. We are heading to a friend's cabin with the kids for some fun in the lake and some and of course fireworks. We are truly blessed to live in a place with so many freedoms!

Look what Mack got for her bday!! Her first digital camera! I've created a mini me = ) And, a sweet picture of my mom and her!

birthday, Eli graduates, and a bump on the head

Well, how is that for an interesting title? We made it through all our birthday celebrations! I have one word to describe it "pinkalicious"! Yes, she got a pink dress, pink flip-flops, pink tank top, pink swim suit...among the other great gifts she is enjoying. Oh, how could I almost forget... the pink princess cake! Did you know a soccer ball cake pan can be made into a ball gown for a princess. Yep! It was pink too!

Miss Schuyler got a boo-boo on her head. We stopped over at a friend's house on Tuesday night. Their daughter and our 2 girls were playing downstairs when I hear a cry and their daughter racing upstairs saying Schuyler fell off the bed and is bleeding. So, down I run like a bat outta you know where. I see her cyring on the bed with blood in her hair and on her shirt. I scoop her up in my arms and yell for Mark b/c we all know this mom freaks out in these kind of situations. Luckily, my friend is a nurse. She takes control, cleans off the wound, applies ice and eventually stops the bleeding. We are fortunate this time. It's a decent gash and had it not been in her hair line, we would have probably gone to the ER. Actually, I still wanted to take her to the ER but my hubby talked me out of it, rightfully so (at least this time).

Eli has been visiting the Montessori. Tomorrow he will graduate from Linda's and begin the Montessori on July 7th, after the summer break. It's another bitter sweet moment. Linda is like my 2nd mom and I couldn't have asked for a better person to teach, love, and look after our dear Eli. I know this is not goodbye as the kids and I will continue to stop over and visit the babies. But, I will miss seeing her on a daily basis. Eli had an okay visit on Tuesday. He would not let me very far out of his sight. He did display some of his furniture moving and climbing abilities : ) Today was a bit better. Everyone was outside either playing on the playground or doing patio work... gardening, water work, washing windows, scrubbing work, crushing egg shells for the garden, cracking nuts for the animal feeders, etc... Half the time he didn't know I was there. But, Schuyler was right by his side introducing him to all the children and showing him the different work. She was a very proud big sister! Eli had so much fun, he didn't want to leave.

We are on the hunt for a new refridgerator! Ours is leaking. We know the style we like but are limited b/c of the width. I hope we find one very soon. Actually, Mark has done all the research and shopping around.

Since I have not got to any pictures of the bday party, I'll show you a little of what I've been up to. Soon, my family life and photography life will live separately as I'll be unveiling something new. But, until that time...

Happy Birthday Mackie-Doo-Roo

Happy 4th bday Mackie-Doo-Roo! We LOVE you! I know so many times when I speak of you, I refer to those challenging qualities. But, those challenging qualities will serve you well someday if we channel them correctly. That, will be up to us, mom and dad, and only time will tell! What are those qualities you wonder? The stubborness you had since the day you were born. Those days when you refused the bottle and would only nurse. I remember last year when you wore underwear, a swimsuit bottom and a skirt. You were bound and determined to wear a swimsuit! You have a flare for drama and a little fire in you. You also have a very kind and sweet side. You are the first to rub my back and take care of me when I don't feel well. You say things like, "I don't want Sadie to get old". You have a love for all things beautiful. Your smile can melt our hearts!

Here is a great quote I found, and how true it is!

"Even though you're not the oldest, Or the youngest, you see, Being in the middle is a really neat place to be! The middle of a sandwich Is the most important part, And in the middle of your body, You will find your heart. The engine in the middle Is what runs a good machine; And our family wouldn't be the same Without you in between."

We our going to take little miss muffet out for dinner tonight. On Sunday, she will have her friend bday party and the family bday party. She took oatmeal applesauce cookies to school to share with her friends. Updates and pics to follow next week=)

Another one bites the dust

We said good bye to another bunny. The kids found a beheaded bunny on our side yard. I'm not sure what happened. It's not the mower or he would have looked much worse. Below is the first time the bunnies left the burrow. This little guy was curious. I'm guessing he's the only one left alive.



And, Schuyler lost another tooth last week at school. We're still waiting on those top one's to fall out. Mack was sad and feeling left out so she drew a picture for the tooth fairy and left it with Schuyler's tooth. That sweet fairy left a quarter for that picture and sweet little notes for each of the girls =)



Life seems crazy busy here. It was only a matter of time before it madness resumed. Last week, both the girls began swim lesssons. They are both becoming strong swimmers. Schuyler has to work on doing soft strokes and keeping her body in a line. Mack is the first to volunteer in her class. The girl still has no fear!

Friday was a fun day for me and the girls. I went with their class to the nature center and we had one of Mack's good friend's, Shaine, ride with us. Afterwards, we went to Star City Shores for some swimming. We had the Director's (of the Montessori) twins, age 9 1/2, join us. Schuyler was tall enough to go down the big slides by herself. We spent 3 hours there!! I had some tired girls the next day!

Happy belated father's day to all you out there. Mark's present should be arriving today (yes, a few days late)! I made a collage. We spelled "Daddy" in the driveway with big bubble letters and a little chalk work. I had each child take turns laying next to the letters. It's probably hard to invision so I'll see if I can't post it sometime.

My grandma celebrated her 80th birthday with a good portion of the Schlattmann clan in attendance for a dinner Saturday evening. Grandma - I know you don't read this but I hope you had a happy birthday! Look at the beautiful generations you have made!! Her official bday was yesterday.

Lastly, happy bday to my husband, who is spending the day with our son who had a temp of 103.3 yesterday. Despite the circumstances, I hope you are having a good day!

Schuyler had a temp of 103.2 on Sunday and I stayed home with her Monday. Now, Eli has it. I hope we don't pass it around! Mack's bday is Friday and her party is Sunday! Guess will be taking our Vitamin C and Echinacea!

busy again

Well, we knew our break would be short lived. Starting next week we resume back into full swing! Our schedule will be something like this: Monday - Mark's golf league, Tuesday - girls' swim lessons, Wednesday - tball practice, Thursday - girls' swim lessons, Sunday - church and tball game, plus my ocassional photo shoot and our never ending projects - putting a fence up and tearing out the back patio and putting in a deck!

So, Schuyler had her first tball practice on Wednesday. Take a guess at what color there shirts are.... YELLOW! She is pretty darn excited about that! Practice actually got cut short due to lightening. The first game this weekend should be quite the interesting one as it sounds like this is the first year for all with the exception of 4. Speaking of games, Schuyler got to enjoy 2 baseball games this last week with Grandpa Riese at Salt Dog Stadium. She was on cloud 9 and was quite the little sport with her cap on!

Here is a picture of her proudly displaying her Kindergarten diploma and present from the end of year celebration. The class got a shirt saying "Child's View Montessori, 2008 graduate". As always, it was a fun celebration filled with dancing, singing and great food! Schuyler, we are so proud of you and all you have accomplished during this year! You have such strong determination that will take to you to where ever you want to go!


Here is our little stud muffin! This boy wants to be just like daddy. He's got daddy's sunglasses on and he just needs a club in his hand = ) (Never mind the filthy white onsie and food on his chin!) Eli loves to mow, too! He gets so upset if daddy's mowing without him. He will mow along side with his toy mower for a while but he really likes it when daddy holds him and mows!






As for our bunnies, they have all left the burrow. Unfortunately, we have found 2 more dead bunnies bringing our death toll up to 3. We still have not told the kids. But we have seen 1, possibly 2 (can't tell if it's the same one), out and about.

Oh, I finished Mack's new dresser which she loves! It started as baby blue and is now a beautiful white dresser with pink draweres. And, we found pink crystal drawer knobs at Target. (Well, not real crystal but you get the idea). It's just perfect for McKenzie and she loves it. Now, I can actually put their clothes away!

our neighbors are moving

My heart is heavy today. The T family officially stayed their last night in the home on Wednesday and said goodbye to it yesterday. One hour later, the new family was doing there walk through. The T family, Pam, Emma, Hunter, and Ashton will be joining their dad in San Diego tomorrow. For that, I am grateful. When you move into a house, you don't get to choose your neighbors. You choose the house and try to scope out the neighborhood but you never know exactly the whole package. Not only have our kids (who are all very close in age) become friends, but I have made a friend who I will greatly miss. I don't like goodbye's. I'm sure there will be other great neighbors in our lifetime, but the T family holds a special place in our hearts.

Unfortunately, we also have another set of neighbors moving. Lee and Jenny. I'm sure we'll still see a lot of them since their daughter and grand-daughter are moving in.

On to brighter topics. How about baby bunnies? Yes, we have baby bunnies and the kids enjoy watching them grow. We almost took them to the animal rescue shelter b/c we thought mama had abandoned them. However, she still occasionally comes around. 2 have left the burrow to explore. Unfortunately, one of them died and I returned the other one to the burrow (with gloves on of course). The kids do not realize one has passed. I don't think we're going to mention it.

Eli is continuing to climb. He is very ingenious when it comes to this. I came in one day to find him on his dresser waving a cd around in the air and McKenzie laughing at the whole scene. He had pushed a toy up to it and then pulled out one of the drawers just enough to make his own staircase!! Gray hairs will be appearing all over my head soon!

Tonight we will celebrate Schuyler's kindergarten graduation and the end of year celebration at the Montessori. It is always a fun time. We will continue to work on the fence. Yes, this previous weekend we lost the north side of our privacy fence to the wind. It was on the project list, we're just doing it a little sooner than anticipated.

Did you think I would forget a picture? Check out this sweety! She has a little spirit in her that reminds me of Mack. Who doesn't love a little girl in curly piggies!

I don't have an off button!

Is this the PERFECT shirt for Mr. E or what!! And, just look at his eyes and smirk. He's up to something! Thanks Grandma S - it fits him to a "T". If you think about it, there are some good qualities in computers that would be nice to apply to humans. Yes, an off button or power down function would be great for children. More memory! There are times when I need more memory. Wouldn't it be great if you could just go and buy some, or just upgrade! How about back-up capabililities. Oooops I overlaid that piece of information, I'll just go to my back-up copy.


Eli has also been battling a cold and teething. He had watery eyes for a few days followed by some crusty eyes and nose drainage. He is getting the last of his 4 teeth - all at one time! They are the ones inbetween the molars and incisors. The left top one busted through yesterday and there are big red bumps on the other 3 so it's just a matter of time. He has decided to share his crusty eyes with mommy = (

Here's miss Mack! Instead of shin guards, she wears them as knee guards. She is so funny. She really enjoyed the dress rehearsal and watched so well. However, the day of the dance was a different story. She was determined she was going to sit in the front, where we had sat for the dress rehearsal. I tried to explain the facts and concept of assigned seating. I tried bribery. I failed on both accounts. So, we had a gentle reminder from the people that seat you that I would need to take her out if this occurred during the show. Well, duh! I took her out and eventually brought her back in and she had made the decision to sit (in our seats). She also had a historical comment at the end of the first Act. The performers were doing a modern, conceptual dance where music only played for the first half. There were people running around the stage, sleeping people being dragged across the stage... you get the idea. Not your typical dance. Anyhow, Mack says, "What is this? This isn't dance!" Of course Mark chimes in, good question.

And, speaking of dancer, here was a quick shot of her before her class pictures. The recital went well! She gets up there and has this HUGE smile and you can tell she really enjoys it! Schuyler is also very funny! After Idol on Tuesday's, there is a show called Hell's Kitchen. It's a basically a cooking contest and the winner becomes a chef in a new restaurant. Well, I usually am pretty good about turning the TV off after Idol but one day I forgot. I noticed it was on and went to shut it off. Here's what Schuyler said, "Mom, I want to watch Kitchen. It's actually called Hails (Hell's) Kitchen. But, Hails (Hells) a bad word so I just call it Kitchen). I wish I could imitate how she says "hell". She adds a little southern twang to it!

The girls had dentist appts and we are proud to report we have 42 teeth or so and still not a single cavity = ) Schuyler has another loose tooth. Her top one has been ever so slight loose but her bottom incisor is MUCH more loose!



Enjoy the memorial day weekend. Schuyler is having a friend spend the night tonight and Monday Mark and I are playing in a couples' scramble. That will be interesting since I haven't touched a club in forever!