Congratulations Grandma Mary

Today my mom is officially retired from the Girl Scouts after 21 years! On Monday, Rachel and I traveled to Freeport, IL to help celebrate at the retirement party. I know she is really looking forward to having all this free time for projects, activities, and most importantly getting to spend time with Rachel :)

New Windows

This year we decided enough was enough with the old, cold, drafty windows. We are in the process of replacing all 16 windows on the first floor of our house. My dad graciously offered to install all of them and came down last weekend to start the demolition & replacement. We believe the old windows were the originals that were put in when the house was built 80 years ago! They operated on the weight & pulley system. When we pulled off the window stop, we also found there was no insulation in between the walls & trim. My primary job was to clean all of the storm windows and new windows as my dad was putting them in. Rachel wanted to be right in the middle of the action and help. Thank you so much Dad for all of your help and hard work!

Before

After

It's Potty Time!

Rachel went on the potty for the first time (at home) today! I think she has gone a few times at daycare already, but I like to recognize these "big" milestones when I get to observe them myself.
She has been showing interest in the potty for the last few months now, but never really wanted to try it. We have all the "training tools" you can imagine! Elmo Potty video, Elmo Potty book, other potty books, and even special kids toilet paper with puppy paws on it that lead to a picture of a puppy so kids know how much toilet paper to use - crazy! Now we'll have to come up with some type of reward system as well so she can be really excited about it. Hopefully, we'll soon see the transition out of diapers!

Summer Fun!!!

Since it is the last official weekend of the summer, I thought I would post some of the fun things Rachel did this summer.


THE ZOO
This year we bought a zoo pass, which allows us to visit the zoo as many times as we want for the next two years! It works out really well, because we can make several short trips and concentrate on smaller areas rather than trying to cram it all into one day. They had a special exhibit this year called "Birds from Down Under". When you get into the exhibit, they give you a food stick where you can have the birds come right on your hand and feed them. Rachel was pretty excited about this...............until one landed on my hand. She didn't want to get too close, but still was jumping around and screaming "Birdie."



Another big event Rachel tried at the zoo this year was the pony rides! Rachel LOVES horses, so of course the second she saw the ponies she wanted to ride them. This again turned out to be another experience where it was better to look than try. Once we got in there, she was a little uneasy and not sure she wanted to go through with it. She did make it through the whole ride, but isn't really interested in trying again. Maybe next year!

BAY BEACH
Grandma Kate, Poppy, Rachel, and Christopher took a day trip to Bay Beach in Green Bay. Grandpa Al also joined in for a fun day of rides, games, and lunch. Bay Beach is a kids amusement park in Green Bay where the rides are only $.25 each! It is owned by the city, which is the reason why it remains so affordable. My brother and I used go there every summer. I think it is really neat that now my daughter can enjoy this place as much as I did as a kid!

BREWER GAMES
We did make it to a few Brewer games this year with Rachel. Typically, we sit in the upper deck, where it can be difficult for Rachel to see what is going on so keeping her interest is a challenge. One night we did receive tickets from Brian's work that were just a few rows behind the visiting team dugout. It was so much fun to be so close to the action! Rachel really enjoyed watching the players, cheerleaders, Bernie Brewer, and of course the World Famous Racing Sausages!

Rachel's First Haircut

Today we took Rachel to get her first haircut! I was a little hesitant at first because I want her to have those long beautiful curls, but lately it has just been looking very messy. It was definitely time for a trim & shape. We went to Tadpole's - which is an awesome children's clothing boutique right here in Delafield. They also have a kid's "salon" right inside called The Lily Pad. Rachel did great! No crying, squirming, or trying to cling on to mom. Once the lady was done cutting, she also gave Rachel a style. She scrunched the curls up so cute, put a small braid in the front to keep the hair out of her eyes, and finished off with a pink butterfly clip and a little glitter spray!

She also gave us a small bag with locks of hair for Rachel's baby book. They add their own special touch by putting in a card with the store name & logo so you remember where she went. It also has a cute saying "A first haircut is special to Mom and Dad. We are glad you came to The Lily Pad. Here is a lock of hair for your baby book. From time to time, go back to look." and of course, tied with a pink ribbon. So cute!