Great School & A Change Is A Comin'

The other day I talked about my kiddies 1st day of school pictures. CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THOSE PICTURES. This week has been a busy one, I now have a 2nd grade daughter and 3rd grade son. Look how much they've grown! How does that happen? 

(yes, I am aware that I need to sweep my dusty porch!!)

I may have said this before but I'll say it again, I love the kids school! They get 2 days of P.E. each week, prayer before lunch over the loud speaker (yes this is a public school!), and the best teachers a mama could ask for. Both kids have been blessed with great teachers and a good group of kids in their classes. The biggest advantage to living in a small town is that I am close personal friends with much of the teaching staff, so I always know what's going on regarding my kids education. 

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Health update: My hubby has been doing pretty good with his health. His heart is strong and his little health scare has created great changes in our home. We are still eating very healthy, my husband has dropped 40 pounds! (way to go sweetie!) I have dropped 15, sure not as impressive but I am working hard on it (most of the time). 

(no that is not us, but I thought if it was a real picture of us running it might scare you! AHHHH! Image me 50 pounds heavier and my hubby would NEVER wear spandex pants!!) 

In the next chapter of our healthy lifestyle/weight loss journey we will be doing a full body detox. I am scared out of my mind! We have never done this, I have no idea what to expect. So in preparation of this body cleansing I ate some cheesecake... What? I figured if we're going to detox might as well say good bye to an old friend, ha ha.

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I hope you have had a great week. I hope to fall into my back to school rhythm very soon where I can juggle all these house hold chores and get back on track with my playstation Zumba (oh yeah, I do that. LOVE IT!) Well, I must be off. My Friday night glass of red wine is calling my name. 

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time... 

30 Days About Me (A Photo That Makes Me Happy)

School Days

With school getting ready to start it has me all nostalgic about 1st days of school from years past. It seems like only yesterday my munchkins were tiny babies wrapped up in my arms. This year my daughter will be in 2nd grade and my son in 3rd. It just goes by too fast! 

These pictures make me smile, we always commemorate the first day of school with a picture. It makes me happy that they both love school so much and that they look forward to each new year. 

Fall 2006

Fall 2007

Fall 2008

Fall 2009

Fall 2010

The munchkins go back August 18th this year and we will once again take our annual picture. And these are pictures that make me happy. 

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

Is It Summer Yet??

School is on it's last week for the kids. Their excitement is cracking me up. I remember counting down the days as a kid for school to be out. 20 more days left! 8 more days left! 3 MORE DAYS LEFT! I must have driven my mom crazy.

Last summer the kids had a great community pool within walking distance, the summer before we had our own above ground pool, this summer... nothing. What will my water babies do?! I'm such a spoiled brat when it comes to water. I have always had a pool, or lived close to the beach, or had a best friend with a pool :) Not sure how we'll survive. Yes, I am aware I'm whining, sorry.

So what am I going to do to keep us all entertained when the sun is hot and boredom has kicked in?

We have a few trips planned, the biggest being to Disneyworld, and a couple little trips to visit my parents. Other then that we'll be at home. My goal is to not let the kids get sucked into the "boob tube." I really don't want their brains to turn to mush from staring at the screen for 15 hours a day. Oh, trust me, there will be days when i'll say "just go watch the TV for goodness sake!" But what will I do during the idol times? Hum... I think this will have to be my most creative summer yet. I'll let you know what we do to keep busy, once I figure it out that is.

Have a super fabulous summer everyone!

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

Others Who Chatter... School Lunches

There are times when I am reading blogs that I stumble upon a post I just HAVE TO SHARE. Do you ever have those moments? "Wow, this is such a great idea (or tip, or advice) I wish it was on my blog!" Well, I am going to put some of them on here from time to time. *with permission of course*

This idea is from jam jar boogie in a post titled How to change your life with 2 loaves :

Is it lunchtime already?

That's homemade plum jam by the way. Want one?

Or the ham and cheese version?

This is what 15 mornings of peace look like.

A few years ago, (just after the school year had started), my friend called me up for a chat. She confessed that she was making a week's worth of PB & J sandwiches to freeze as we spoke on the phone. She said "There's just no other way we can get out of the house in the morning." I thought it was the grossest thing. I mean, please? Who would eat a frozen sandwich?

Oh guess what? Children do! Children who are hungry and trapped at school and have no other choice do! Yippee!

I started doing this soon after that phone call and have never looked back. Besides, Evan refuses to carry a lunch pail to school (7th grade) and there goes any hope of keeping a lunch chilled properly. But a frozen sandwich doesn't spoil between 7 am and 12.

I feel so smug to have 15 lunches ready to roll. So I wash an apple or two and find some pretzels or raisins. Ta-da! Lunch. And the minute someone complains? Well---it's make your own darn lunch, smarty pants...

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See! Isn't that a super awesome idea? Next year I will have 2 munchkins in all day school and will be making a LOT of lunches. This idea is going to save me a ton of time. Thanks Ella for this fabulous post, and for allowing me to "borrow" it :)

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

Kindergarteners & Nutjobs

What do you think about all the Pomp & Circumstance surrounding Kindergarten Graduations? The munchkin will be finishing up his kindergarten career this Friday, and while I am incredibly proud of him, I don't understand why these little people are being treated like they graduated college?! They have special outfits and hats they need to wear, they have a class party. That's all fine and wonderful. I am talking more about the overboard moms:

Graduation invitations to everyone in suburbia, catering companies called, party planners, photographers, everything! Some women have been planning their child's kindergarten graduation party for months! Doesn't that seem a little excessive to anyone but me?

My little man did a great job in school this year, even changed schools halfway through it. I am amazed at all he has learned and how hard he has worked. I have a great bag of goodies for him to celebrate including a bunch of books for summer reading, activity books and a few action figures he's been wanting. But what he'll also get is a very proud mommy and daddy!

I want my munchkins to know how important school is, but I also want them to understand there is more to come. I will throw the BIGGEST college graduation party you have ever seen, and you're all invited! But, not this year. Not for a 6 year old. Goodness.

What are your thoughts? (please take no offense if you planned a ginormous kindergarten grad party, every one is free to do whatever they want... i just might think you're a little loopy that's all, ha ha)

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

First Days & Sick Days

My poor little mini-munchkin is sick. Not just "kinda sick" No... seriously sick, maybe a trip to the hospital is in our future. She is miserable. I hate how helpless I feel. She has a stomach bug that won't go away. Poor dear can't keep anything down, not even water. Her little blood shot eyes are killing me :( Luckily she has only shared her virus with me, (i'm not near as sick as her. Can a mom really get a sick day anyway?) the munchkin and my hubby are still feeling fine. I hope they don't get this, that's all I need: A sick whiny husband and 2 barfing kids. FUN! Pray i keep my sanity if it reaches that level.

The house is coming together, finally! Once we haul all the empty boxes out of the dinning room this place should look great. Still haven't seen any scorpion or rattlesnakes. (THANK GOODNESS!) I am preparing myself though, if I see one and start screaming there will be no hope of the kids feeling comfortable here. Why do we women have to always be so strong??

On a happier note, the munchkin is currently at his first day of all day kindergarten. I am so proud of him, he showed no fear, no hesitation... Just marched on in there with his head up. I wish I had that kind of confidence all the time. It looks like he'll fit in just fine, and since he found out there are other boys in his class who love "Star Wars" he was happy.

The mini-munchkin and I just finished lunch, she actually kept the scrambled eggs down, so maybe there is hope for a recovery :) But, now she is napping, the house is clean, laundry is going, and I miss my little man. I thought I would enjoy the quiet, nope. It's too quiet without him running down the hallway yielding his Light Saber.

Also on the subject of "firsts." Today my hubby started his new job. He's called twice, which means he is bored and they don't have too much for him to do just yet. He never calls home unless there's nothing to do, so I hope for his workaholic self that he finds something to do. I, personally, LOVE days when I have nothing to do. But, then again... It never happens :)

OK I think I have jibber jabbered enough for now, hope i didn't bore you too much. And have a great week everyone!

Ta Ta for now