Emotional Me..

So today was a day that I easily got tears in my eyes? Why? I first heard on the radio this morning that a toddler was found in Andover face down in a pool.

Here is the story:
ANDOVER, Minn. - A 17-month-old girl has died after being found unresponsive at the bottom of a swimming pool in Andover Thursday night.

Gabrielle Marie Sandberg was found just after 8 p.m. in a pool at a home in the 13000 block of Bluebird Street Northwest. Property records show that the home where authorities say Sandberg lived has a pool.

Paramedics performed CPR on the little girl.

She was taken to Mercy Hospital and died Friday morning.

The Anoka County Sheriff's office is investigating the drowning.


My heart hurts for those parents, what a tragedy. I can't imagine.

Then Kali had a preschool program this morning to say good-bye to the school year. As Cody, Andy, and I were walking down the hall we saw the four year old class graduating with little hats getting ready for kindergarten and I got choked up..could my little girl be almost this old? After minutes before hearing this sad story on the news as I walked down the hall, I was just so grateful for all I have been blessed with. Today, just reminded me to count my blessings..make sure you count yours, too!


Here are a couple of pictures of Kali at her adorable program. It was precious. She sang and danced with her teachers and school friends.

The Heat

This was for real...Andy got wet!!



It is amazing how hot the weather has been here lately. I mean we set a record the other day at 95 degrees! It was hot! Kali and Cody are really looking forward to summer and love to spend every minute outside. I love they would rather ride bikes, play on the playset, or run through the sprinkler or water table than watch TV. It might be a little bit because that is what we as parents have encouraged them to do, but whatever the reason....we are all very much looking forward to spending the days outside in the beautiful summer sun!

Kali & Molly

This is a shot that was taken at daycare of Kali and her good friend Molly. They have been great friends since Kali started at Lisa's when she was 13 months old and Molly was 10 months.

Spring Carnival & Picnic

Today was our church's spring picnic and carnival. Kali and Cody had a wonderful time playing all the little games like pick a duck, fish for prize, and the football throw. They got some candy prizes, Kali got her face painted, and they got these cool balloon hats made for them!

Tools

Cody is such a boy. Whenever Andy is fixing or working on anything he is right there helping him. The other day Andy was in the garage working on something and I walked out to find Cody in Andy's tool box working on his own little thing. I had to take a few pictures to capture him working so hard!

Field Trip to the Zoo

Today Kali's preschool had a field trip to the Como Zoo. The perfect day, 80 degrees and sunny. She was in heaven getting ready for the zoo. She was so pumped to ride the bus. I just looked at her and thought, "Wow..you are getting so big!"

We got there and walked around and looked at all animals, had lunch, and even got to go on a few rides. We spent some time with her friends Lauren, Wyatt, and Will.

Some of the best quotes of the day were:

"Wow, Mom we are really on a bus!" I am big now like Lukey and Becca ( Lisa's kids)

"The bus doesn't have seatbelts? Really? "

" All the animals were my favorites!" When asked what was her favorite.

" Why is that bus stopping? Why are people getting off it?? What is going on?"
( One of the other buses that went to the zoo from preschool broke down on the way back, so they moved all the students, teachers, and parents off that bus onto one of the other 3 other buses on the way home. It was pretty crazy!)

" Mom, this was a really fun day! Can we come back with Daddy and Cody and see the Polar Bears ( new exhibit opening the summer) in June? Cody could go on the rides with me this year!"

After getting off the bus we went out for ice cream. It was a wonderful day!




Kali's first trip on a bus



Kali and her friend Lauren giggling on the windy bus ride


Kali and Mom ( and a snow cone!)



Kali checking out some of the animals






A few of the rides






Kali and her friends




Kali and her teachers, Ms. Sue and Ms. Tara

New Playset

So Andy and I have had big visions of our backyard. We had been searching for quite sometime for a play set to buy to have in our backyard. We really wanted a Rainbow one, but they are pretty pricey, so we had been searching on Craig's List. Well, about a month one came up less than a mile from us, so we called on it and they already had 17 calls on it. We were the first to go and look at it and bought it. Andy since has stained it and leveled out the backyard and added the wood chips. It looks great. We still have a long way to go on the backyard with bushes, landscaping, a fire pit, trampoline, deck, etc..but it will all come in time.

In the meantime, our kids love their new play set. Kali said the other day.." Mom, it is kind of like having our own park in the backyard!"

Cody says everyday, " I love our play set!"