November 2010

Yesterday marks one year since my Grandpa passed away. I can't believe it's been a year. It still seems like he'll call at any minute, or that I'll get a newspaper clipping from him in the mail. My mom called and sang me Happy Birthday on the phone on my birthday (well, she tried to sing a week early, actually)- and that's sweet... but it's his job. I think regularly as I'm watching Alex, how much they would enjoy one another- I can totally picture grandpa sitting at the dining room table with Alex on his knee, singing and doing his Donald Duck impersonation. I have a vision of him hugging Abby, SO proud of his granddaughter as a new Girl Scout. Then I remember. He's not there. Hell, the TABLE isn't even there any more. I have to keep reminding myself that he's here-there-wherever- he's watching us, and I know that he's singing to Alex and laughing with him. I know he's proud of Abby and all she does. I just miss him so much.

Abby's doing wonderfully in first grade. All "threes and fours" on her report card (that means she is 'meeting' or 'exceeding' expectations for first graders in ALL areas). We started up a Girl Scout troop and Abby is a Daisy Scout. She's loving it and so am I (as a leader of course- I SO have volunteer-itis). We're both making friends and learning a lot. <3

Alex is growing like a weed. He's up to 30 pounds at 14 months old! He's wearing mostly 24month size clothes. He has yet to walk, that lug. He says "Ah-ee" for Abby- ALL THE TIME. LOL He says Dah/Dadadada for Chas. He says Ewee for Kelly. He says EEEE for kitty and leaf and tree. Cutest is "MOO" for moon. <3 Not sure if he says anything for me. He says "mamamama" but it seems random. He says "oooh-eee" and I think maybe that's for me sometimes? Anyway, it's fun to listen to him. :)

Thanksgiving this week, then three more weeks of school before Christmas break. Where does time go??

Catching up...

OK, so a friend of mine was teasing me for NOT blogging all summer- what can I say, I do better when I'm on a schedule and in a routine!! :)

So, to catch up:
We had a super busy summer- lots of fun!! We went to museums, playdates, farms, parks, beaches, and grandma's houses. :)

My big girl turned five, had an awesome birthday party, and danced her heart out in a very cool recital.

My boy went from bump on a log to motor-scooter, crawling ALL OVER THE PLACE. Chubbers holds his spot in the 95th percentile. Yes, looks like my 8 pound 35 weeker is staying at the top of the charts! Can't believe my baby is ONE YEAR OLD!!

Abby started kindergarten, and after 3 days was splitting her time between K and 1st grade. Two weeks of this and she's now a full time first grader. My barely 5 year old, a first grader. WOW! Doesn't time go fast enough as it is?? So super proud of her though!

I'm teaching at a new school (new to me, that is). I'm happy to be back in an elementary school, excited to be in the same building with Abby, and thrilled at the camaraderie of the folks I am working with. The energy in this building is FABULOUS! I couldn't be happier. :)

I've blogged a lot about my journey to healthy... well, I must say that the train has derailed. I find it easier for me to control my eating when other parts of my life are out of control (like, I can control this one thing, KWIM?)... Well, things are going well, and I'm having trouble pulling the healthy thing back together. I'm embarrassed to say that I've gained back most of what I lost over the last year. :( I'm happy at work and in my family life right now, and it's hard to convince me to go to the gym, when I'm so looking forward to rehashing the day with my hubby, helping Abby with her homework, and snuggling with my baby. Miss an hour+ of this at the gym? :( I know I *SHOULD*... I know I *CAN*... Just gotta get there. *sigh*

If you've read this far, GOOD FOR YOU - and THANKS!! <3

Scrappy Sunday?

I missed last week because it was Easter and we were getting ready to go on vacation. I've been out of town all week (DC with the family- pics later!), and I'm not sure I'll get to scrapping today either. I hope you are all doing well, and I'll post pics (and maybe some scrap) later when I get a chance!! :)

Aquarium! :)

So Wednesday of break week, we went to the Aquarium with a bunch of SEAM mommies. Abby and I hadn't been in about 2 years- she doesn't even remember! We had a great time. :)

CIRCUS!

So, it's mid-winter break... aka used to be president's day, but we get the whole week off... ten days when you factor in our recent snow day. ;)

Sunday night, I saw a message on my mommy board that a friend had circus tickets she wasn't going to use- up for grabs! After some pondering and a call to Chas (at work), I decided that Abby and I could go alone, and the boys would stay home.

Monday morning, we met up with Lori to get the tickets and drove to Stone Mountain. We had a great time at the circus, Abby loved the surprise, and it was a great way to kick off our "stay-cation". :)

SNOW DAY!!

So, this coming week is our "Mid-Winter Break". Just so happens that I was out sick two days last week. So imagine the surprise when school was called off on Friday as a SNOW DAY! That means I only worked two days last week and now we have ten days vacation. LOL Lovely. :)

They always SAY it'll snow, and either it doesn't, or we get freezing rain, or maybe some flurries... But this time those blasted meteorologists delivered! They said 3-6 inches for our area, and guess what? We got about 4 inches!! Amazing!!


We had fun playing, well, for short stints. We don't have proper snow play attire. LOL Here are some cute pics of the kids- from day one and day two respectively.
Fun times. :) Can't wait to see what the rest of winter break brings us! :)

The Holiday season is upon us

Since Thanksgiving, life has been so hectic. Never a restful moment, seems like. The first Saturday of the month, we had breakfast and pics with Santa at Abby's school, and a birthday party in the afternoon. We did some Christmas shopping and by time we were making it home, the streets were barracaded for the local parade. We ended up sitting in the car watching most of the parade by the flashing blue light of the cop car nearby. LOL This past Saturday was Abby's first dance recital. (Yes, I need to add a pic here. For the time being, see my facebook album!) Somehow her 90 second performance turned into an all day ordeal. Started around 10 curling and pinning up her hair. Then makeup. We got lost on the way there (damn googlemaps!) and had to stop and ask for directions. Made it right at 2:30 (her call time), watched the 21 act recital. Waited for the craziness to die down- then took some pretty pictures before leaving. Stopped for dinner on the way home- let Abby pick, so of course we went to Golden Corral- her FAVORITE restaurant. LOL By time we got home it was after 7!! Good grief! Yesterday we took holiday pictures in front of the mantel. Can I just say THANK YOU PHOTOSHOP! Getting a silly 4 year old to look at the camera, two adults to look "normal" and a baby to look in the vicinity of the camera while not crying... All while operating the timer feature on the camera... Fun, let me tell you. And nearly impossible. Again, thank you photoshop. LOL

This week should be a LITTLE calmer. Aw, who am I kidding? We have a dinner date with the mommies on Tuesday (Family night @ Chic-Fil-A)... Teacher conference on Wednesday afternoon. Got to figure out gifts for Abby's teachers. Finals and grades due at school by the end of the week. Must get Christmas cards in the mail! Then VACATION! We'll spend the weekend cleaning, shopping, wrapping, maybe baking? On Monday is Alex's 4 month check up. Tuesday is our playdate (which looks like it will have MANY people in attendance, including Abby's best friends (twins) from school with their mom!). Wednesday, I think we're going to see Princess & the Frog (new Disney movie), Thursday is Christmas Eve, and Friday is Christmas! Wow! The following week we're going to Florida (well, the kids and I are).

I'm going to need a vacation after our vacation! :)