Time for a pedicure?

Alright, it’s that time of year once again!!! And based on this email that someone passed along to me I think we need to be reminded of a few things. So my sisters, PLEASE, raise your big toes and repeat after me below…. The Open Toed Shoe PledgeAs a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules I when wear sandals and other open-toe shoes: **I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. **The sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps. **I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free.I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe. **I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow. **I will shave the hairs off my big toe. **I won’t wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother or sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there. **If a strap breaks, I won’t duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it. **I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl’s if my feet need him. **I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids’ sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle. **I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages. **I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet look good. **I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them. **I will promise to go my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $20 and worth EVERY penny). **I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear… nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals. ***Don’t keep this to yourself - pass it on to other sisters.***

Seinfeld Post

What is a Seinfeld Post, you ask? A post about nothing! Just like the show was about "nothing"! But I can't disappoint my loyal readers! (HA!) It's been crazy busy around here, so I haven't had a lot of time to post anything here. So this will just be a quick post to keep you updated on what is happening around here. I started a part-time job a few weeks ago. I'm working in the office for Quint City Stone. Just helping them keep up during their busiest time of the year. The best part is that I set my own hours, so I still have plenty of time to do things with the kids. :) The owners are our neighbors so they understand my priorities, and are very laid back! So far I'm having fun. The paycheck doesn't hurt either. This week is extra crazy with both Katie and Jacob starting swimming lessons. Of course they are in different levels, so their classes are at different times, but at least they are back-to-back. The lessons are at a private home in a beautiful neighborhood in Long Grove. So, while Jacob is swimming, I am planning to walk the area with my friend Kim, whose son is also in the class. Then while Katie is in class, we will go over to the neighbor's (another friend!) to play for awhile. Luckily this insanity is only 4 days a week, for 2 weeks! Patrick is keeping busy at work as usual. Luckily he is still able to get home at a decent time most evenings, even with the extra responsibilities of being a partner. In my spare time, I'm trying to get us organized and start packing for our cruise. If you think you're sick of hearing about this now, wait until we get back!! Be happy that I won't have internet access on the ship (because I won't pay the outrageous rates). As soon as we return I am sure to bombard you all with every last detail of our adventures! Consider this your one and only warning! LOL Well, time to get back to the cleaning and the laundry and the fighting kids! It's gloomy outside and that always seems to do something to their attitudes! Bye for now!!

What a day!

Well, sorry for the delay in this post. The "Blogger" was giving me a hard time about loading this many pictures! I had to try it a few different times before I could get it to work!

May 22nd, 2007 - What a busy, busy day for the Parker family!

Our day began bright and early. We had to get Jacob to preschool by 8:15 to prepare for his end of the year program! I can't believe it's over already! Jacob had a excellent year at preschool, and he is doing very well. He thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think he's a little sad that he has to take a summer break! The program was really cute, and Jacob sang his little heart out. He was very animated, and really got into all their songs!

When the program ended, I dropped Jacob & Emily off at my friend Betsy's house. It was time to catch up with Katie's class on their last field trip of the year! This picture is Katie with her "bestest" friend, Katie Rose! She is Betsy's daughter. The two met their first year in preschool, and have been best buds ever since! Here they are at VanderVeer Park. They got to do some fun nature activities with a guy from the park and then we enjoyed a picnic lunch.

The fun continued at "Rocket Park". The kids really wore themselves out. It very warm that day and if felt good to be outside! Katie didn't want me to leave her sight. She loved having her own mommy along.

This was the only field trip I was able to attend. I'm glad this was the one. It was so fun to see her running and playing with all of her little friends. I can't believe how much she has grown up this year! As of this writing, she has officially "graduated" from Kindergarten! I now have a first grader!

And finally, we ended our day celebrating the Birthday Girl! Yep, Miss Emily is now TWO years old! We took her to Red Robin for burgers & her favorite, french fries! Then back home for cake and ice cream.

I'm not sure where the time has gone! I'm so proud of my little girl! She is getting so big, and so independent! She tries to do anything and everything that she sees her sister and brother do. Sometimes this is good, and sometimes this is scary! But it's always cute, and always an adventure!

She is developing quite a vocabulary, and there are no words to describe her personality! She is sweet & loving, funny & sassy, kind & generous. She makes our family complete. I truly feel she is the thing that bonds all of us together. Some people used to ask us why we would want a third child, since we already had "one of each"? I think they must be crazy to ask that question!! One look at her, and you can't help but be captured by her gorgeous eyes, and her sweet smile! We love you, Emily! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!