School, illenss, etc..

Last Friday I fell ill with the "crud". I missed work and just felt like I did in the early months of my pregnancies. Lucky for me, though, just a bug. Today is the first day that i have felt normal again.

I started my online classes, two business courses, one is communication and the other is a business writing course. I already feel a sense of accomplishment, weird I know. I guess it has been a lot of "thinking" about doing it and now I can say, I've taken the plunge. Victor has been so supportive. He has been helping with the evening rituals, allowing me time to think and compose. He even cleaned the house today, shhh, don't tell him I am bragging on him. Did I also mention he has been doing some laundry and ironing, oh yeah, he fixed us a fabulous dinner last night. Well, it smelled fabulous, my tummy wasn't ready for a meal. I was really a little concerned that it would be a nag session every night, but I guess after being married for 7 years, he knows how to avoid hearing my nagging.

On with the rest of the clan. Phoebe was elected as student of the week for her 10th grade class. She also received a 100% on one of her essays in her AP History class. She is now getting excited about Homecoming. We are going shopping for a new dress next week. No date, just hanging with her girlfriends, phew...
Victoria has been lucky to inherit my Aunt Katrina's bedroom set. This set is about 50 years old. I remember it being in my Grandmother's home for as long as I can remember. I was honored to be asked to take it. I hope Victoria will take good care of it.
Colin, well not curly-headed boy any longer. Daddy took him for a haircut today and boy did they cut it. He looks like a boy now. I will post photos at a later date. Madelynn is just pushing along. She has almost graduated to her 1st grade sight words. I am really proud of the kids. They are adjusting so well and I couldn't be any happier!

Have a great rest of the week!

Sick children

Not a whole lot to post. Colin has had a sinus infection. I think every child in his class has been with some sort of ailment. Madelynn has had a touch of the a stomach bug. Dr. Jackson (our pediatrician), said the stomach thing was going around along with every other virus you can think of. Luck enough, no vomiting! Colin is feeling a lot better, I kept the two of them home today for a little rest. I always think about how it would be to work a 9-5 and have to rely on school/daycare so I can work. When they're sick, your screwed. Well, unless you have a friend or relative that can keep them. Usually, most people have children themselves and don't want your crud in their house to make them sick. Anyways, I just think about how good my arrangement is and that I really won't ever have to miss work, because they will always have mom, dad or abuelita here to care for them.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Well, the week is coming to a close and everyone is ready for the weekend, even me. I have my orientation for school next week and am looking forward to getting that going.

The kids- Madelynn and Colin are doing great in school. Madelynn is coming along with her sight words and Colin is just happy about anything you can imagine.

Victoria- She has her new trumpet and is making alot of progress. Victor is having a great time with it as well. He has a thing for instruments and music. Oh yeah, all a's on the progress report. Way to go Victoria!

Phoebe- Phoebe was recommended by her counselor to apply for the Youth Leadership Coweta Program. Phoebe has to write an essay on what she thinks a leader is and what qualities would he/she posses. This program is geared to develop the students into future community leaders. She too received all a's on her progress report. Keep up the great work Phoebe!

I hope everyone forgives me for not posting any photos. Our camera is MIA and I haven't been able to locate it. I will post more, if and when I find it.

Have a nice weekend!

Our First Day of School

Madelynn and Colin have gotten off to an awesome start. They had their first day of school on Tuesday (yesterday). Madelynn woke me up yesterday, before my alarm clock went off. She climbed into my bed and said,"Mommy wake up, today is an important day." Ever since she went to see her classroom and meet her teacher last week, she was psyched about starting kindergarten. I recall hearing her say, last week, "I can't believe I am going to be in kindergarten." There are no words to describe how happy I am to see my children happy.

Colin, what a brave "little man", as we call him. He walked into his new class yesterday and immediately started playing with the toys. No tears, no clinging, just a sign of what an independent little boy he has become. He still wants Mommy to carry him down the stairs. This morning, as a matter of fact, he put his arms up and said, "Pick me up." I replied,"No Colin. You are 3 and you can walk down the stairs." He then said,"Hold my hand." Of course I held my baby's hand. He has matured so much in the last 3 months, it is incredible. He has transitioned from his crib to a toddler bed, and sleeps there the entire night. He is potty trained, about 95% complete. He knows all of the alphabet, his colors and shapes. He is just so inquisitive lately. Victor and I sometimes look at each other and say, "What did he say?"

Just a quick note about Phoebe's progress in her AP World History class. She received the highest grade on her class on the essay portion of her exam. She was so worried about the grade..I always tell her, she worries enough for the both of us.

School update

We took Madelynn and Colin on Wednesday to meet their new teachers. I can already see that Colin will have to adjust once again. He wanted us to hold him the entire time we were in the classroom, we didn't of course. He has 5-6 children in his class this year from his class last year. I'm sure he will adjust in no time.

Madelynn will start kindergarten, she is so excited. I know she will learn so much this year and I can't wait to start helping her with homework and projects. Her teacher, Miss Susan, or as she says, "The new Miss Susan." She had a Miss Susan last year. After looking over their daily activities, I know she is going to have a blast!

I will be an official student September 22. I have signed up for classes and am looking forward with starting that chapter in my life. My plate is full, I don't think I will have an empty plate for a long time. I will be turning 33 in November and I think it is time to make a move. I know I can make a good salary with Publix, but I am not committed to working 50 hours a week. I lost that drive many years ago. I just want to enjoy my children. Being mom is my number one priority. There isn't a dollar figure that replaces that. I will work as much as I can and if I find that it is too much, I will cut back. We have been working it all out so far, we'll see what happens after September 22.

Phoebe is doing awesome in school. All A's so far. She is really being challenged in her AP World History, but as I say, "If it was easy, we wouldn't call it work." This is great college prep, I say.

Victoria has decided she wants to play the trumpet in the band. I think being able to play an instrument is a wonderful idea. School comes very easy for Victoria and I think she needs something else to occupy her time, besides the computer and Wii. We are waiting on the instrument to arrive, I will update photos and more information later.

Have a great weekend!

Little Helpers

Being a mom of four, I find that I spend a great part of my time taking care of necessary household chores. I have, for a couple of years now, delegated many of the easier things to Phoebe and Victoria, dishes, dusting and little things here and there. They, for the most part, do an outstanding job. I recently discovered that Madelynn and Colin too, want to be my little helpers. Colin- He knows where to get the dishwasher tab, places it inside the dishwasher, closes the dishwasher and turns it on. He also assists Madelynn with picking up the toys and bedrooms.
Madelynn- she puts away her clean and folded laundry (she puts them in the appropriate drawers) and cleans her room and makes her bed. She really surprised me this past weekend, as she made MY bed without me having to ask. She did a terrific job! Phoebe and Victoria have a lot of friends who are not required to take part in the daily household chores. Great for them, I say. My mother taught me how to take care of a home and I am grateful for that. Phoebe is going to have a "maid", as she says, when she grows up. I hope she does, and can. I, myself, have not been able to bring myself to paying someone to do things that I have been managing my entire life. I would rather keep that money in the bank and take a vacation each year. Maybe when we hit the Lotto, I say.

Good-Bye Crib

It is official, we aren't having anymore babies. Well, it's been official for over 3 years now and I haven't looked back once. We are blessed with 4 beautiful, healthy, smart and kind hearted, (most of the time) children. Okay back to my original thought; We sold Colin's (and Madelynn's) crib and changing table this week. Most people kind of giggled when I told them Colin, at age 3, still slept in his crib. I, unlike the majority, was in no rush to have ANOTHER early morning visitor in my bed. We already had a toddler bed that we bought for Madelynn when she was 2, and he is now sleeping in that bed. It has been 2 nights, and he has slept in his bed the ENTIRE night. I tell you, Madelynn is a bad sleeper, because I made her that way. As an infant, I picked her up at the drop of a dime, and at the time it was the right thing to do. Years later, I am realizing that is WASN'T the right thing to do. After Colin was born, I said to myself, I wouldn't do the same to him. And for the entire 3 years of his life, he has been an EXCELLENT sleeper. This morning was too cute, he woke up a little after 7am. He walked into our bedroom (the potty is in our bathroom), and said, "I got to go potty". He stayed dry all night and woke up and went straight to the potty. I tell you, when they're ready, they will do it.

So, everything else is about the same. Madelynn is a week or so away from completing her swimming lessons, the girls are now in their 3rd week of school. Colin and Madelynn start in a couple of weeks. Phoebe has open house tonight, which we are going to. Victor is off next week and is going to Alabama to help out with some work on my Grandmother's house. I am staying here to hold down the fort.

Have a good week.