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.

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!