School, Back in session..

Phoebe and Victoria survived the first week of school. This will actually be the first FULL week, as they only went last week Wednesday-Friday. Phoebe is in the 10th grade at East Coweta High School. She is taking advanced Literature, Algebra 2, Spanish 4 and an AP World History (she will be able to get college credit after passing an exam). Her plate is very full this year, she has mentioned to me that swimming may not be possible. Phoebe worries like an adult and wants to make us so proud. She has never disappointed me, but only made me extremely proud to say I am her mother. If she thinks swimming will be too much, I will support that decision. I told her I will support her with any decision (within reason, of course).

Victoria started middle school this year at Lee Middle School. She wasn't a bit nervous about her first day. I can still remember my first day. I was so nervous, I made myself sick, literally. Anyways, she is taking the usual load, with the majority of the classes being gifted. She is interested in Drama, which I think is a great idea. As far as athletics, they don't allow 6th graders to participate in the athletic program until 7th grade. That gives her another year to decide if she wants to play sports. I didn't play sports until I entered high school. I believe in letting your children make those deicisons, as forcing them into anything may backfire. She can be successful either way.

Madelynn and Colin are still hanging out around the house. Their school doesn't start until after Labor Day. Madelynn is ready to start. Just this morning she asked me when she was going to school. Kindergarten.. I can hardly believe she will be an official kindergartner. I will post an update after she starts.

Colin- well, he is doing AWESOME with the potty. I have had him in underwear for the past couple of days, with no accidents. I took him out to run errands yesterday, and he sat on the BIG potty at Barnes and Noble. I was so proud, so was he. He ran out of the bathroom yelling, "Phoebe, Victoria, I go pee pee on the BIG potty!" Loud enough for all to hear. I thought it was super cute. School- he's not excited about it. I asked him yesterday if he wanted to go to school. He replied, " I no want to go to school." I then said, "Are you ready to meet Ms. Julie and Ms. Pam, your new teachers?" He replied, " I want to see Ms. Janet and Ms. Cindy." (They were his teachers last year) We'll see how it goes, I will post an update.

Everything else is about the same around here. Oh yeah, Victor and I finally broke down and bought a new car to replace his 1996 Explorer. We have been thinking about it for 6 months or so. We purchased a 2009 Sonata. It gets 32 miles to the gallon, compared to my Suburban at 17. If it only seated 6... Well other than that, we are just working and raising our family. I hope we can get away (Victor and I), sometime soon. International airfare is just ridiculous right now, but we'll see. My mom landed a deal with Spirit, $1.11 each way from Ft. Lauderdale to Atlanta. If I find something like that, we'll definitely be traveling somewhere.

Have a great week!

Back to school..very soon

Well August is here, which is so hard to believe. We have all of our family back together. My mom left last week to return to Florida, a sad moment for us of course. We wish she were so much closer... Victoria returned from Florida last week, she had a great time visiting with her Grandmother and other family members on her Mother's side. I took her school shopping today and for her back-to-school haircut. This was the last day of tax-free shopping, which wasn't my motive for going today; I just thought Sunday morning, before church let out would not be too crazy. I was right, it wasn't. We went grocery shopping afterwards, then came home and made dinner. We've just been hanging out around the house, not a whole lot of activity around here.
I had a huge order for hair bows come in last week, which I have been working on between house cleaning, work and getting kids ready for back-to-school. I will try and have it done tonight. I also have 2 large upcoming "shows", that require about 100 bows each. I will be busy for the next month or so. I am also about a month away from beginning my full-time hours at Publix. I have been contemplating selling my ribbon inventory. I really don't know though, it's nice to make a few extra thousand dollars here and there. I will have to see how it all works out in a few months and make a decision.

Have a great week!

Happy Birthday Colin!

Colin officially turned 3 on July 12.We decided since my mom and Phoebe weren't flying in until the 17th, we would celebrate a week later. We had the party at a local pizza place and had a clown come to entertain the kids. Tater the clown, what a name. It reminds me of "Mater" from the Cars movie. She was something else. The face painting she did on the kids was amazing. When she arrived, she came over to Colin to let everyone know he, in fact, was the birthday boy. He turned and gave her the back of his head. It was if he thought that would make her go away. She was very good though, and took the hint. Surprisingly, Colin did allow her to paint his face. He wanted to be "TigerMan". The party went well and I think the guests enjoyed themselves.

My Mom, Phoebe and Madelynn are headed up to TN to visit with my Grandmother. The decision to take Madelynn didn't happen until yesterday. She is a big girl and loves to spend the night with Abuelita, and LOVES my mom (her Grandmother) more than anything. I think she will do great and I want her to spend as much time with her Great-Grandmother as possible. Colin wasn't too happy about them leaving, but he is still too young to travel away from home without mommy. Not to mention, my mom couldn't really enjoy her time with her mom. Colin wants her undivided attention when they're together. She couldn't feel more honored to be loved by such sweet children. I thank the Lord everyday for my family, we are truly blessed.



Have a great week all!

Painting, bowling and hurt kitty...

We had a good week. I finally started painting Phoebe's room. She decided back in the spring, that she was ready for a new bedroom set. She also wanted a new color scheme in her room. Her room was a pink before, with a twin sized bedroom set. She had indeed, outgrown that set. We bought it when she was 8, so it was a bit juvenile for her. The sad thing was, I didn't have a need for it. Madelynn already has a set and it was "girly" looking, so I couldn't use it for Colin. So, I decided to sell it. That was 2 weeks ago, and I just started painting yesterday. Her room isn't very big, so I did get it done in 3 or 4 hours. I just have the closet left to do. The furniture should arrive next week. She'll be home Thursday, and her room will not be ready. She may have to sleep on the sleeper sofa in the basement's living room.

We have been getting together with a friend of Madelynn's from school every week, Andrew. He has a sister a year older than Colin, and they all play together so well. His mom couldn't be any nicer.We decided to take the kids bowling last week. This was Colin's first time ever. The kids enjoyed it, they got a little anxious between turns.

Allie-Belle, our frisky feline, managed to injure her foot the other night. Every morning, she gets up on the rocking chair on our front porch and looks through the living room window, once she hears us "stirring". This is how she greets us every morning. Well yesterday, I found it odd that I hadn't seen her peeking or heard her meowing. When I opened the front door, she came in, hobbling. One of her back paws was swollen 4 times the normal size. I inspected for a bite mark or cut, but nothing. I know there are those folks who would have rushed their pet to the vet and received "emergency care", I on the other hand, am not that person. I would have taken her had I felt that it was life or death situation. I am happy to report that her swelling has come down and her mood is much better. She was even jumping to play with the string on my ironing board.

Have a great week!

Is July here already?

It doesn't seem possible that we've already celebrated the fourth of July. The year is half way over, it doesn't seem possible. School will be starting in a month. Time flies when you're having fun. That's what they say..I say, "Time flies when you are busy".

Colin will be celebrating his 3rd birthday next week. That really doesn't seem possible to me. He is talking so much now. Potty training will be on our agenda here really soon. I have already decided to take a laid back approach and ease him into it. He really has no interest in the potty. I will give it a try for a week. If he doesn't catch on, then we will revisit it again in another month or so.

Madelynn has started taking ballet. She seems to enjoy it. This week she is also going start swim lessons. Maybe she'll follow in Phoebe's footsteps. She loves the pool. Colin, too loves the pool. He likes to hold on to Mommy a lot, so I am waiting another year for him to take lessons.

My mom will be visiting soon, we can't wait. We love having my mom here.. I hope she'll retire in the next few years and make Georgia her home. There's nothing better than spending time with Mom. Phoebe is flying in with her, so we are looking forward to seeing them both. Victoria is staying a little longer with her Grandma. They are planning a trip to California to see Victoria's uncle, who is a Marine.

Work is going well, for both Victor and I. We had a day off together yesterday, for a change. With the exception of going to the gym, we really hung out around the house. I took a 2 hour nap, which is EXTREMELY unusual for me. I might take 3 naps a year. Colin is starting to follow in those footsteps, unfortunately. Madelynn didn't give up naps until she was 3 1/2. Maybe once schools starts, he'll be more tired by noon.

Have a great week!

Happy June-

Today is Wednesday, June 18, 2008. I can't believe the kids have been out of school for a month already. Madelynn is attending VBS at her preschool, she is loving it. Rachel and Andrew sit at her table (they are her best friends). Colin wasn't old enough to attend, next year buddy! I took him to the park this morning after we dropped of Madelynn, what a gorgeous day we are in for.

Victoria flew out yesterday afternoon. She is in Florida visiting family. Phoebe is having a blast in Nicaragua. She is learning to ride a horse, has a Spanish tutor and swim lessons. Did I mention she wakes up at 6am every day? I was lucky to drag her out of bed at noon here. I'm glad she is having fun, but I miss her so much. Summertime is great, no schedules, but I miss my baby when she leaves for 2 months. I guess it's good preparation for college (which is only 3 years away)!!



Our kitchen is 99% complete. We have some trim to do, but other than that it's done. Victor broke down and bought my new stove and fridge. We went a little higher end on the stove, because I wanted the commercial grade top. The fridge is a GE Cleansteel side-by-side. It doesn't leave the fingerprints as a tradition stainless appliance. Our dishwasher is also cleansteel. What's next? Just kidding. I am going to do a Little painting, but that won't require Victor's expertise.



I have also strated pondering on Colin's upcoming 3rd birthday. I have only had family parties in the past, which I like, but I have begun to think he may be ready for something BIGGER. No more bouncy birthdays, I'm over them. I would love to have something at the house, but where would everyone sit? It's too hot outside in Mid-July. Plus, you never know with the weather. I have a few ideas, but I have to run them by Daddy and see what he thinks.



Have a great week.

A new kitchen

As I mentioned in my previous post, we had new granite counters installed last week. We love them. They installed the counters last Wednesday. Victor had to remove the existing backsplash, the drywall had to be removed as well. We replaced the tile around our tub in the master bathroom a couple of years ago, so we knew what we were in for. It took a couple of days to install the new backsplash. We figured we saved over $1k on doing the plumbing and tile work ourselves. Victor can do pretty much anything around the home. I feel sorry for women who have home improvement "challenged" husbands.

Now that we have completed the kitchen, I think we may be able to enjoy ourselves. The kids spent the night with Victor's mom while we did the kitchen work. That was a HUGE help. The weather has been nice, well nice for the beach maybe. HOT, HOT,HOT...and humid. We haven't gotten out much with the kids since we've gotten back from the beach. Plenty of trips to Lowes, but not much entertainment. The bouncy house went up this morning. It's nice that the kids can jump inside. We may hit the pool some this week. The kids have been asking, and we've been so busy and tired.

Have a great week!