Birthday Videos

There was so much video footage of Emma's birthday events that we've just now loaded them for you to view! It took Scott several hours to watch the various clips and pick three to post on our site. The first video is of Emma exploring her birthday presents after waking up from her nap on her actual birthday. The second video shows her excitement upon opening her Radio Flyer wagon at Grandma and Grandpa's house. In the third video, we sing Emmy "Happy Birthday," and she investigates her birthday cake with hesitation. Happy viewing!

1st Birthday Party

Emma's birthday fell on a Thursday this year, so we celebrated the day as a family of three. Her Grandma and Grandpa Schultz hosted a party for her the weekend after her birthday. It was a wonderful time with lots of food, presents, and laughter! She got so many cute clothes, a Radio Flyer wagon, Little Peoples Noah's Ark, xylophone, books, puzzles, blocks, and much more from her family! Thanks to Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Chad for taking photos during presents and cake! Prepare yourself for a fifty-picture slideshow!

www.kristenfoley.com

SMART Board™ technology is a new trend in today's classrooms. Unfortunately, many teachers are unaware of the full capabilities of this educational tool. I have been using a SMART Board™ for three years now and began professional development for District 87 and the Regional Office of Education on interactive whiteboards over a year ago. It's been my honor to help my fellow teachers tame this new frontier. I recently became a certified SMART Board™ trainer and launched a new website to promote my SMART Board™ consulting services. Visit http://www.kristenfoley.com/ to learn more about my presentation experience and what previous participants have said about my workshops. Feel free to pass along my name and site to any potential SMART Board™ users. I intend to blog a few times a month on the topics of using a SMART Board™ in the classroom, special features of SMART Notebook™ software, and great websites to use with a SMART Board™. Any feedback you have would be appreciated as I embark on this adventure.

Precious One Year Photos

We took Emma for professional one year pictures the week after her birthday. When you purchase a lot of photos, you get a CD with the images to use digitally. Emma did really well interacting with the photographers. But she kept putting her fingers in her mouth to feel her sprouting teeth during the shoot. They were able to capture some wonderful images. She looks so different in each one. We think our babe is absolutely precious!

Emma and Gwen

Scott recently reconnected with a college friend who lives in town with his family. Kevin brought his almost three-year-old daughter, Gwen, over to play. The guys took the girls on a walk and to the nearby playground. It's now a weekly get together for them. Gwen is super sweet with Emma! Kevin took the second picture of the girls clapping hands at the park.

Miller Park Zoo

We ventured to Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington on Emma's birthday. She loved the wallabies, lemurs, leopard, tiger, sun bears, river otters, gibbons, birds, two-toed sloth, alpacas, goats, meerkats, tortoises, and much more. A zookeeper let her touch a small snake! Emma wanted to squeeze it, but Scott was right there to intervene. She enjoyed it all, but was briefly unsettled when a sea lion sprang from the water, landed on a rock, and barked loudly several times. Scott tried to explain to her that the sea lion was singing, "Happy birthday!" On a side note, we are quickly realizing that taking photos with a more mobile little one is a challenge. Half of the pictures we took show Emma squirming to get out of our arms. She's growing up and becoming more independent!

One Year Old

It's been ONE whole year! Here's a look back at the past month!

Emma and Joan

Emma had a friend over for dinner and playtime last week. Joan is a little older than Emma and is teaching her how to walk and talk. Emma was fascinated by Joan's skill! We will all be sad to see Joan and her parents, Jude and Alisha, move to Mississippi in a few weeks. Best wishes!

Story Time at the Library

Scott and I took Emmy to the local library for the family story hour. It's geared toward little ones under the age of five, so there were lots of babies and toddlers to watch! The theme was "Let's Dance!" Two books were jubilantly read aloud, and the kids danced to several songs including "If You're Happy and You Know It," "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," and "Hokey Pokey."

Ewing Manor

One morning last week we took Emma to Ewing Manor in hopes of taking some photos of her on the gorgeous grounds. As we strolled up to the gates, we noticed a photography policy. The two-sided, single-spaced, 10-point font document explained that even amateurs were not allowed to take photos on the grounds without an appointment and fee. Scott inquired with the kind manorkeeper about scheduling an appointment to take a few pictures of our soon-to-be one-year-old. His sweet talking worked wonders as we were granted immediate permission to click away. We did our best with the rising heat of the mid-morning, off-limits grass with fresh fungicide, and a baby interested in feeling the textures of the ground and picking up the most minuscule leaf. She's our beautifully curious baby doll!

Just My Size

During our extended stay at Grandma and Grandpa Schultz's house a few weeks ago, Emma discovered how to climb up into this wicker chair, which was mine as a kid. It is the perfect size. We brought it home for her to enjoy. Notice her puppy dog face in the second picture. Grandpa Mike taught her this trick. We hope to take a video of it to share soon. By the way, this is our 200th post on Fun with the Foleys!

Happy Birthday to Emma!

Emma was born on July 9th at 12:01 p.m. one year ago! Can you believe it? Our baby became a toddler in the blink of an eye. We celebrated this milestone with a trip to Miller Park Zoo, a three-hour nap, presents from Mommy and Daddy, lots of birthday phone calls, and topped it off with a sliver of cake. It was a trial run, and Emma loved the sugary treat! The big party is on Saturday at Grandma and Grandpa Schultz's house. I have a lot of pictures to download from my camera from today, so look for future postings on Miller Park Zoo, presents, and cake.

Constitution Trail

A former train route, the Bloomington-Normal Constitution Trail is the perfect area for taking a walk on a hot summer day. The shade of the surrounding trees creates a cool atmosphere for a little jaunt. On this day, Scott went for a run and I pushed Emma in her stroller. There were so many bicyclists, roller bladers, runners, and walkers to watch and smile at.

Little Firecracker

Look at this little Fourth of July firecracker! Emma was a good sport with posing for pictures, but didn't want to wear a bow or hat. The second I put one on, she pulled it off. Surprisingly, we have a few photos with the accessories.

Clearwater Park

We ventured to another park in town this week and had fun playing on the equipment and watching the other kids. The little ones are so sweet to Emma and like to show off their climbing, swinging, and running skills. She beams at their talents and makes attempts to mimic their moves.