Full Speed Ahead

Whewww.  We hit the floor running.

School started for Lina and my mom came to visit.  It was a week full of getting up early, some playing, and figuring out our new routine.

Lydia, for whatever reason, has been a real stinker to my mom the last two visits.  It's actually quite awful.  This visit was so nice and Lydia didn't have "stink face" once- other than her normal little quirks here and there.  Grammy came with a suitcase full of crafts and Lydia enjoyed doing most of them.  Thanks for the visit, Mom.  I enjoyed the helping hand and your company.

Lydia started school also.  They call it 4 Day 4s.  She goes M-Th from 9-12.  While Monday was met with tears and no excitment to go, Tuesday was better.  Thursday morning she said, "I have to go AGAIN?"  She was plum tired (to no fault of her if she would just stay in her bed all night and just sleep- this waking up between 2-4AM is wearing her and I OUT).  Friday we went and played at our favorite splash pad....all by ourselves.  Today she slept till  after 9AM and is still in her jammies here at 1:00.

Lydia finding her name.  Her class is dinosaurs.  She is not sold on that yet- kind of hoping for more of a ladybug or something.  : )

Lydia will take dance on Saturday mornings this year.  Her little friend, Leah, will also.  That will be fun.  I am not thrilled with Saturday morning out and about, but it was the only class that worked for our schedule. 

Lina is doing well.  This week they did some fun penguin activities after reading "Three Cheers for Tacky" including a black and white snack day and a mismatched/tacky dress day.  Here is long legged Lina all mismatched.

I have always believed after being a teacher and seeing kids so exhausted from all the activities they were doing that when I had kids and they started activities- it was one activity per season- of course with special circumstances (like a shorter trial season activity or Scouts) we would see how it goes.  Last year we did nothing after school except for piano and choir.  Wellllll this year will be different.  Lina has expressed on more than, oh let's say 100, occasions that she would like to try gymnastics ("because I was born in Russia- I am pretty good at it"- lol).  So we are doing that on Tuesdays with open gym on Friday nights (that we'll do if we have no other pressing plans although after last night I am pretty committed to getting her there- it was impressive and she LOVED it and slept for 13 hours!!!)  Monday and Thursday afternoons  (for :40) through October she'll swim on the "WP Pirates in Training" team.  Her PE teacher is the coach and she is fabulous.  There are only a handful of kids so it's nice swim instruction if anything.  Lina enjoys it.  Wednesday nights we'll be at church.  Lina has choir and then I am leading a Bible study and the girls can go to the kids club where they do a lesson and activity.  Then every other Monday afternoon is Brownies.  I am only helping with the cookie hoopla.

So it's busy, but good.  I just need to be a dinner planner and prepare ahead.  Once 3:00 comes we are out and running.  Sweet Lila is always in the car.  I hate it for her.  But we play all morning and Friday we just chill out.

Last week and this week will be full of some PTA committments I made.  Merchandise has become my "baby".  It just takes time and while people try to help- miscommunication happens and now I get to tell people they can't have a certain shirt, etc.  Oh well. 

Bob is good.  His truck is still hanging on.  He is looking for a "new" Tahoe and has a possible lead so maybe this week.  He is real busy at work which is nice.....money wise, but wearing him out.

School Bells Are Ringing

Lina and I were out the door about 7:55 this AM.  Lina came with me to set up the "Boo-Hoo Breakfast" at school this am before heading to her 2nd grade classroom.

Right to work.  : )

The breakfast went well.  I love being able to tell moms- "I get it" and being able to share with them that it's going to be ok- of course the above being shared while I have tears in my eyes. I am SO SO happy for Lina.  It's going to be a great year!

I suspect early to bed tonight.....I am anyway!

MUST. LEARN. TO. TRUST.

I am knee deep into PTA at BE- and while I enjoy it these past few weeks have been full of planning and DOING. Last night the 6 ladies of the Executive Board (I have signed on for Corresponding Secretary) hosted a social for the faculty and staff. We had over 90 folks come and it was a BLAST!! We presented the folks with new t-shirts and they loved them.

During the event we thought it would be fun to "magnet" the new Principal's truck.  He was a good sport and found it to be in good fun!  He's really a great guy.  I am so excited for the school itself.

At the event the 2nd grade teachers were there.  NONE of them mentioned having Lina.  That surprised me.  I knew Lina wasn't in the class I didn't want her to be in so that was good- but still I was curious.  I wrote a letter requesting two classes in the Spring.  Gave to Him and prayed.  I was doing fine up until last week.  Just so anxious.  I hate the way the school shares the info- putting lists on window as you arrive for Meet the Teacher. 

Last year our prayers were answered by having Ms. H.  Loud and clear AGAIN prayers answered.   Lina is in a 2nd grade class with 2 of the most loving, precious, fun ladies!!  They job share.  One teaches M/T the other Th/F and they alternate W.  They have been doing this for 10 years, a well oiled machine, and apparently everyone loves them.  Mrs. M/M they are referred to as!  Adorable.  Lina was so excited.  And it gets better- there are about 4 of the sweetest girls and friends from last year in this class!!  I have agreed to co-room mom to this class of 15.  It's going to be great.  Aren't they just adorable?

One shot of classroom:

First day of school......Monday.  Baby big girl heading to 2nd grade.  Sigh. 

Summer Sun Winding Down

Dianne and her family drove down from NY this week.  They are staying about 3 hours away.  We made a little beach get-away of it and visited with them this week.  Always good to see them.

We hit the beach at 10:30.  We left the beach at 4:45.  Lina was either under water, riding waves on her boogie board, or getting beat up by waves.  Lydia was either screaming at the waves, screaming about the sand in her bathing suit, or had one of running up to the showers/pool.  Such different ladies they are.  Lila was either playing in the sand, enjoying the water WITH daddy, or taking a snooze.  We all got a little too much sun, but not terrible.

Me and my Best

Get THIS sand out of my suit.

The more sand the better.  Everywhere.

Pretty sure she has gills and IS part dolphin.  Crazy girl.

My precious family!

5 little miracles!

Life Changes

For a few years now we have enjoyed Jeremiah Ice with our dear friends of the Ramiz familia.  We meet there and enjoy the gelatis, tree climbing, bug searching, laughing, memory making.......and we did one last time before those "birdies" all leave the nest. 

Poor Carmen and Tony- it's like ripping off a band aid for them- Amanda is moving to Boca Raton to teach 2nd grade.  I am SO SO proud of her and so excited for her.  Ironically this is the school/church that they moved from and came to Orlando and then Amanda was in MY 4th grade class.  Whooosh.  Time.  Martin just finished 2 years undergrad at a local community college and is now in the Athletic Training program at UCF.  We're so excited for him!  He worked hard for this.  Laura is also going to attend UCF.  She isn't sure what program quite yet- Ithink she is leaning toward Hospitality.  I am so excited for Laura and Martin as they begin their years as Knights and Bob is looking forward to new tailgaters.  ; )

I joke with Carmen that she needs a dog because we are not having anymore children. 

Here are some pics from our "last ice night"

Martin and Lyd

If there is a tree this monkey climbs it.

Christmas card 2010?

Youngest to Oldest

Sweet friends!  We love you!!

Well Hello There!

Well, look at me a post before August.

We hit summer with full force and I haven't looked at this blog ONCE.  : )  Not that we are terribly busy, but I am totally enjoying a non schedule and really, so are the girls.

BUT I will recap for memory sake June and good golly July.

1st grade came to an end and was met with many tears....myself included. 

Here is Lina with our sweet Ms. H and principal Mr. Moore (who is leaving to be a principal in the Grand Cayman Islands).

While Lina was finishing up her last school day- Lydia and I were busy decorating and getting ready for the beginning of summer once we came home with Lina!

Lydia took swimming lessons for 2 weeks and is a complete fish now.  I wanted Lina to join the swim team, but her answer was, "I always lose".  She is good swimmer just not a fast/strong stroke swimmer.  Last year her school had a non competitive swim team and I hope they do again this year.  I'd like her to try it and then next summer do the one for the city.  We'll see.  She does NOT like to lose but when you are the one who observes and THEN gets started on what's in front of you- well you aren't going to be first, Sister.

Lina and Lydia went to an art camp for a week also.  It was with Lyd's 3 year old teacher and we are pleased to know now her 4 year old class teacher.  So that was neat.  Girls came home with some really nice projects.

Other days of June were filled with swimming, playing, and just hanging out.  Lina sleeps till about 9:00 every morning.  I can't wait till she is a teenager.  Silly girl.  She loves her sleep.

We did have a little baking birthday party for Lina at Carmen's house.  (Side note- THIS is what Carmen needs to be doing- she was so great with the girls and the girls enjoyed themselves so much).  They made 4 different batters, swam a bit, decorated cupcakes, ate lunch, and left with all kinds of fun baking treasures.  It was a great birthday party and I am thankful for friends who want to help like that!

July 1 was Lina's 7th birthday and she and I enjoyed a morning at SeaWorld.  We surprised her with a dolphin encounter/tour.  It was pretty cool and has only fueled her passion for these amazing creatures and her desire to be a dolphin trainer one day.

So.  July.  We had the 4th of July was kind of uneventful.  We had dinner down at church with the Poole's and then went to the rooftop to watch the fireworks from Lake Eola.

Here are the little firecrackers

Not as thrilled about the festivities as big sisters.

Bob and I celebrated our 11th anniversary....with Tom and Ginger and their brood.  Bob's mom had quadruple by pass 2 days earlier and Robert moved into an assited living facility.  It was a rough week.  It kind of continues to be rough.  Not easy for anyone.

I started a Bible study this summer on Tuesday nights.  It's Beth Moore's Esther and it's been great.  I really look forward to the discussion, the homework, and video presentation.  I needed to get my rear back in the Word so it has been great for me.  We have 20 ladies that come.  It's great!  We are going to start Moore's Fruits of the Spirit in September.  Good stuff!

Lila was discharged from physcial therapy.  She is still a peanut.  We have had various blood tests done and all comes back negative for anything to be concerned about.  Still wish she had more meat on those bones.

Lydia has inherited the cholesterol gene.  Let's see....me, Bob, her grandparents (maternal and paternal), and great grandmother all had this nonsense......and her level is over 300!!!  Awful.  She is seeing an endocronologist in August and a nutritionist.  She is not a big eater as it is and we don't even eat fried foods.  So big changes heading our whole grain way.  : )

I have started to take losing weight seriously.  I did this Medi weight-loss and dropped 10 lbs the first week.  I am SO tempted to go back, but right now the $$ isn't right and I don't have the time to go to the clinic- I'd rather go to the Y which we have been doing.  I have lost 14 lbs and have hidden the scale for awhile.  I weigh myself like 6 times a day.  Becoming a little obsessive.  Such a pain.  I hate messing with weight loss.    I'd love to lose 50 lbs, but will be pleased as punch to lose 40.  AND I hope to do this by my 20th HS reunion in October : )

I am SOOOO excited about the upcoming school year (except if Lina gets this one teacher- then I will be homeschooling- maybe- just pray that my girl is placed with the right teacher).  We have a new principal is AWESOME.  We made muffins one morning and brought them up to school...with some chocolate milk.  He just talked with her and then finally asked her who I was.  It was so sweet.  He is great and has great plans for our school.  I have also signed on for another year of PTA Exec Board.  It's a great way to know what's going on at school, knowing who I want my kid to play with, knowing the teachers, and just generally being involved with the school.  The Board is great- 6 ladies- 5 of us are real active in our churches and Christian ladies.  I love finding Christ in places outside of church.  I worked with another mom and we designed new school shirts.  I need to get my tough skin on now though because if someone doesn't like them- it will tick me off.  : )

Girls are in VBS this week.  We worked on developing our own and I'd say it's going great.  "Fruits of the Spirit" has been great.  Some great people have really stepped up and made it a great week- efforts certainly have been blessed.

Ok.  All caught up on summer.  And there is a little more than 3 weeks left.  WHA????  3 weeks!!  We are looking forward to a beach getaway (Dianne, Scott and kiddos are coming down and we are going to them) and my mom coming (MOM- did you get your ticket yet???)  School starts on the 23rd for Lina.  Lyd starts the following week.  My baby girls....growing up!

Birthday Pedestal and Jealousy

Lydia has had a pretttty great weekend and tomorrow she comes off her pedestal.  We had her family/friends party this afternoon.  I did not plan well and made all kinds of rookie mistakes regarding time.  We asked everyone to come over at 11:30.  I had to call Carmen to rescue us to pick up meat at restaurant- 4Rivers beef brisket and pulled pork.  At 11:30 I was still in my pajams and hadn't made frosting yet for cupcakes!

Thankfully everyone was a little late and I wasn't totally rude still getting ready.  Our spread consisted of: above mentioned meat, pigs in blanket, watermelon, my new yummy grape salad (which is so far from good for you- cream cheese/sour cream, sugar, walnuts, and grapes- YUM), garlic bread, corn pudding, baked beans, olives and pickles, and for dessert vanilla/strawberry cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting and gelatis from Jeremiah Ice.

Lydia got to open more presents and really got a kick out of her Barbie motor bike, new outfit, Tianna towel, Princess and the Frog cook book (from guess who....Carmen- so perfect).  While opening presents big sister was outside pouting, by herself.  Lina could not bring herself to be happy for her sister at all this weekend.  Makes me sad.  I tried- yelling at her : ) - didn't work.  We talked about it- didn't change.  We even prayed about it Friday night and again tonight.  I don't get it.  They can play so nicely together all day, but then to show joy/be happy when someone you love it happy- nope.  This summer I need to work on that little relationship.  That and manners.  My girls' manners have really digressed and there is nothing I can't stand more than a child with poor manners.

Lina has 4 days of school this week and 3 next.  THEN it's summer.  Lydia gets to go to Summer Fun at her school this week from 9-1.  That will be fun for her.