What's New with Abigail?

I thought I'd take a minute to update on each kid.  First up is Abigail.

Abigail is loving Kindergarten!  She is a little sponge.  It's amazing the things she's picking up. We officially have a reader.  She gets a leveled book in her classroom and she's one of the top readers in her class.  Not to brag...but I have to brag about my kids!  She's reading at about a 2nd grade level.  I give her teacher so much credit...she has her students loving to read.  She actually has her students loving all things "school".  Abigail has had a great year so far! In fact, this is the Valentine we got from her on Valentine's Day:

(Dear Mom and Dad, I love you because you take me the swimming pool.  You make my favorite dip.  I like that you brought me to this school.  Love, Abigail Wennerstrom)

 

 

Abigail is still in dance, which goes until May.  She picked theatrical jazz this year and is performing a number from Newsies for her show in May.  She's not loving dance so I'm thinking we may have reached our end of the line as far as dance goes with her (fingers crossed).  She also started cheernastics (cheerleading and gymnastics) and likes it.  However, what she really wants to do is take piano lessons and singing lessons, so we (and by we, I mean me) are looking into piano lessons or singing lessons this summer.  Our town does a musical every summer so I think we are going to let her audition for that too. She is also in swimming lessons right now which she loves because they are taught by her music/gym teacher so she thinks that's pretty cool!

 

Abigail has lost 2 teeth, but has 1 or 2 more beginning to wiggle.  That's a topic of conversation at dinner every night.  We know how many teeth EVERYONE in her class has lost!

 

Here are a few recent pictures of Abigail (that I happen to have on my computer since I'm at work):

 

Swim Lessons

Spending Valentine's Day at Monkey Joe with Lucy and Leigh

At the Llama Llama performance at our library

Dancing on our new gift from Uncle Al and Auntie Gam

 

 

 



Celebrating the bride to be!

A few weeks ago, we had a day to celebrate my lil sis...the bride-to-be!  We started the afternoon by going bridesmaid dress shopping!  We found awesome dresses and the best part is everyone designs their own!  Then we wanted to celebrate my sis!  We started off with drinks and apps at the Four Seasons!  Then, we headed to the Signature Room at the top of the Hancock!  Believe it or not, I've never been there even though I have lived here for 35 years!  It was an awesome way to celebrate Kate!  We ended the night with a fun dinner at Quartino's!  The time you are a "bride-to-be" is so short...I hope we get lots more days like this in the next 9 months!!!!  Oh, and the last picture is classic "Muskovich" sisters!  Get a few drinks in us and we decide we should repierce Kate's ears before her wedding...while at the Signature Room!!!  Shenanigans like that are my favorite....sisters are really too much fun!  Cheers, Kate!!!!

Daddy Daughter Dance

Tonight Rob and the older girls had Daddy Daughter Dance at school!!!  It has been all they have talked about for weeks!  Before they left, Rob gave them corsages which was the cutest thing ever!!!  I can't wait to see pictures from tonight!!!

I had planned on taking Libby out for the night, but with the snow and me not feeling good, we may just end up cuddling at home!  But we had a mini photo session while we ate dinner...and I'm not one for posting many pics of myself, but Libs personality just comes out in her pics...especially that she still kisses with an open mouth...super gross but oh so cute!!!!!

"Extreme Weather"ed In!

We are at home for the 2nd day in a row (and 4th day this school year) for "extreme weather"....it's COLD outside (or so I'm told).  Yesterday I made everyone get up and dressed like a regular day...but today I caved and let them have a pj day.  We have played every game, used every toy, done every craft....so today I hooked up our Wii for the kids!  They have found the joy of Mariokart, Just Dance, and A-Z Elmo (hey, I'm still a teacher).  Not only are they having a blast... But they are also in the basement which means quiet up here!  I wont be as happy in June when we are still in school and I now have to miss the 1st day of my girls trip, but today I'm a pretty happy mama!  And thanks Uncle Al and Auntie Gam for the tv in our basement!!! :). Stay Warm!

Staying Warm

After a long day at work, who wouldn't want to come home to this cuddler!  She is a MAJOR Daddy's girl!!!!

We are just trying to stay warm and busy during another 2 days off from school!  I have no idea why people live in Chicago in the winter!!!

Please hold....

Due to a broken laptop, no pics will be posted until I take it to get fixed.  I promise I'll finish Christmas as soon as I have a chance!!!!

Christmas Eve 2013

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas this year!!!  We knew it would be crazy with our running from house to house and all the kids...but it was actually fairly calm and wonderful!!!! 

Christmas Eve was at my parents' house as always.  Vern wasn't there this year (Boo...We missed you Verno) and the Blandfords were not in town to stop over...we missed their annual stopping in for champagne and gifts.  But it was Leigh's 1st Christmas and Libby's 1st Christmas when she was "involved"...so it was a really special Christmas for us!  This year, we opened up gifts all day.  It was great...open a gift, play, eat, and drink...open a gift, play eat drink...repeat!  And since every gift we give in my family has a story, it left plenty of time for stories!  And of course, there is our amazing crab leg dinner!  Yumm-o!  Here are some highlights of the year.  The theme of this year was definitely "Everton"...as you will see.

 

The girls with their daddy...melt. my. heart.

 

 

Leigh's 1st Christmas!

Nothing says Christmas like Uncle Joe taking a breathalizer.  It was Rob's man gift this year...and just like a kid, they couldn't wait to open up their gifts and play with them!

Abigail went from her Hello Kitty robe to skulls (Monster High)! 

All Caitlin wanted was a boy twin doll to match her girl doll..and a double stroller.  Grandma and Grandpa came through with her boy twin...this was one happy girl!!!!  His name is...Daddy.

Libby's Klip Klop stable.  She loves it..as do all people ages 1-81 who visit our house.  Big hit!!!

Grandpa with his gifts from Santa's Workshop.  This year, Abigail and Caitlin shopped at Santa's Workshop at school.  Abigail did it all by herself so I had no clue what she bought.  She stuck with an ornament theme...it was so sweet!!!  And Caitlin got grandpa socks with "toes" which were bought in the ladies section!  It was great!!!  Grandpa even wore them when we went to the zoo later!  ;)  Uncle Vern got BOD body spray which he MUST wear on his wedding day!!!!  I LOVE Santa Workshop gifts!!!!  Best $40 ever spent!

Have yourself a very Everton Christmas.  The boys decided they are die-hard Everton (soccer team out of Liverpool) fans...so there were Everton jerseys, scarves, and koozies!

 

And as I say every year, so sorry for those who didn't make pictures!!!  Apparently the boys and kids get lots of pictures...and the girls who, let's face it, do 98% of the work for Christmas don't make any pictures.  They were probably busy working!!!!