Birthday Getaway Weekend

We asked Kaitlyn if she would rather a birthday party or a trip of her choice for a weekend. She chose a trip the beach (yay!!!). We had a BLAST! Daddy got a 2 bedroom condo on the beach at a resort filled with a ton of pools and water activities. We picked a weekend where daddy and mommy had Monday off so it was a nice 3 day weekend. 

We left early Saturday morning and checked in and then went straight to the beach. Kaitlyn was in her element. She is truly a beach girl. We played at the beach and in some of the many pools. We couldn't have asked for better weather- 89 degrees and sunny! That evening we went to dinner- 'birthday girl's' choice: Italian (spaghetti and meatballs!). After dinner the kids went to bed and slept like rocks!! 

The next day was a little cooler and cloudy so we decided to hit up the local outlet stores. The birthday girl scored with a new pair of sneakers and a Disney blanket (Frozen, of course). We also made a trip to the aquarium and saw real live mermaids! They did a underwater show that was so cool. After the aquarium, it was back to the pools to try the water slides and practice our jumps! 

That night, we took a walk on the beach with flashlights to find seashells....and for Mikey to find rocks! 

Monday morning we woke up bright and early and went straight back to the beach. We took advantage of all of our time in the morning there and back at the pools- lazy river! Then we packed up the room and checked out. Before we left the beach, we found an amazing place to play some miniature golf (putt-putt as mommy says!). It was so much fun!!! 

It was an amazing, fun weekend for our amazing, fun birthday girl. Thank you so much, Kaitlyn. We love you!!!!!

Kaitlyns Field Trip to the Pumpkin Farm

Today I was able to take the morning off and attend Kaitlyn's field trip with her preschool class to a local pumpkin farm- the Bush-N-Vine. We learned all about the pumpkins and strawberries they are growing now, we got to take a hayride to see the beaver dam and learned all about the beaver family that lives on the farm and we also got to visit the beehive!! Such a fun morning with my girl. 

Visit to our local fire station

We had a pretty awesome visit to the local fire department. Mikey was thrilled. Can you guess what he wants to be for Halloween??

Mike was listening so intently to the firemen talk about their jobs. 

Discussions of a 4, almost 5 year old.

This morning walking to the car:

Oh.....my......goodness!!! The grass is all wet. Who did that? Jesus or somefin???

Thank you for staring my day with a a smile Kaitlyn Burke. 

Working girl

I've come upon a bittersweet period in my life. I've enjoyed 5 wonderful years staying at home with the 2 best kids ever. We've really had a blast and I've loved every single minute of it. 

Last year, I was presented with the opportunity to be a substitute interpreter in one of the local school districts and I really liked doing it. I was able to so something that I love and still be home the majority of the time with the kids. A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to come on board full time. It was such a hard decision for me since I was hoping to get this opportunity only I wanted to do it a year from now. Mike and I did some hard thinking and we've always believed that things happen in our life for a reason and this job offer was no different. So, I started working full time. I'm able to go into work at 7:30 and be home by 3:00 which is amazing. I still have the afternoons with the kids and next year, I'll be working Kaitlyn's hours with school. It's really a win-win for our family. 

In the mornings, I work with a awesome 7 year old named Anna who has 2 cochlear implants. She is really great and only needs me to help a little with math and writing (that sentence structure for deaf kids can be a beast!). Afterwards, I go assist in a special needs classroom with 4 deaf and hard of hearing students. 

So far, so good and I really love what I do. It's icing on the cake that it doesn't take away from too much time with my babies!

Fall sports season has arrived at the Burke house

So, just in case you thought we didn't so enough around here- let's get ready for baseball and soccer season! Mikey is playing T-Ball again and we're so lucky, he's on the same team with the same coach, Coach 'K'! Katie started playing soccer with a new league and she we're so excited. She has practice once a week and actual games on Saturdays. 

Go Hot Rods and Tigers!!! And go #3!!!

Back to school

It's that time, folks!! Mikey and Kaitlyn are so excited to go back to preschool. They are returning to St. Philip Neri preschool which is also where we attend Mass.  Mikey will be in the '3's' class with his teachers Ms. Erin and Ms. Kristen and attends school on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Kaitlyn is in the '4's' class and her teachers are Ms. Sandi and Ms. Barbara. She attends school 5 days a week (agghhh!). I've also agreed to be the Vice President of the PTO. We're super excited to see what this year being us all. 

Gymnastics....for 2!!

Since Mikey was just sitting and watching Kaitlyn during her lesson, and it was a girls/bits preschool class, it just made sense to let him join in the fun too! 

This last picture was Mikey's last day of gymnastics. Big sister has been invited to the intermediate level and this means no more preschool boys class for us. It's ok though, Katie is going to teach Mikey her skills and he's happy to just watch for now!!