Balloon Fest and Bloon Fish

Reed, Willa and their parents met some friends at the Jamesville Hot Air Balloon Fest over the weekend. The kids had never see hot air balloons before and were in awe of them!  They also were treated to one carnival game and "sure-shot" Reed sunk a ping pong ball into a fish bowl! So we brought home the newest member of our family, a goldfish aptly named Bloon. 

The Last Day of First Grade

Reed's last day of first grade was on Thursday last week and he was sad to see it end.  Reed had an amazing teacher and wonderful friends in his class this year and truly became a reader over the course of the year! Reed's sadness over the ending of this outstanding year was tempered a lot though when he found out he is slated to have another great teacher next year and that his best buddies will be in his class again!  

Swimming Lessons

Reed and Willa are taking swimming lessons taught by Miss Serena and they are learning many new skills.  Reed's enthusiastically working on rotary breathing and his crawl, breast stroke, turns and surface diving. Willa's a little more hesitant occasionally and is working with a kickboard, jumping in to the pool and blowing bubbles.

A Berry Happy Father's Day

Reed and Willa celebrated their amazing dad by taking him strawberry picking at Navarino Orchard and then to Beak and Skiff for some refreshments.  The berries were sweet but these kids' dad is the sweetest! Reed and Willa's mom also took their dad out for dinner to celebrate Father's Day the night before it while the kids were up at Nana and Pa's house and here's a rare photo of just the two of them 💗

Koala Room Graduation

Willa and her Koala classmates had their "Moving Up" ceremony last week. Reed spent two years in that class and Willa still has the summer ahead of her in the room.  It's such a special place and will hold a special place in our hearts always. Koalas Forever!  

These Two Kids...

...are the best of friends and will be forever! 

Willa in the Windy City

Willa and her mom embarked on their annual "girls weekend" to visit their dear friends in Chicago. After a smooth flight and Willa's first taxi ride,Willa learned to travel the city sidewalks on a scooter and played in fountains and parks (Millennium Park, Margaret Daly Park and Cloudgate are some favorites).  She celebrated a special birthday at an amazing cooking party at Kids' Table and then enjoyed a night in with her friends while her mom and her best friend went out for a night on the town. Everyone had fun supporting the Lincoln Park Zoo by running in the "Run for the Zoo"; the grown-ups ran a 5 K and the girls raced in the Safari Stampede.  Our amazing trip concluded with a rainbow escort as we flew home!