7.31.2011

Twas the Night Before School Started

I originally posted this poem 3 short years ago when Emma first started Kindergarten. Tomorrow she starts 3rd Grade. 3rd Grade. 333rrrddd Grade. Pinch me because, seriously, how is that possible?? 3rd Grade means desks, EOG's (end of grade testing), multiplication and cursive. Oh. My. Goodness. Where does time go?? And. Lily? She starts 2nd grade. Which means, sniff, that I don't even have a kid down the K/1 hallway at school this year..sniff...sniff.

Emma is super excited to finally be starting school tomorrow - you'd think she's been out for 4 months instead of 4 weeks. Lily, on the other hand, would be thrilled with 4 more weeks of vacation. But..I know they'll be excited to go in the morning and see their new teachers and reconnect with friends.

So...big day tomorrow for 2 of my kids...and since tomorrow is August 1 it means only 4 more weeks until the other 2 start preschool. Catch that - other 2 start preschool - as in both Julia and Jacob....where oh where does time go??




7.29.2011

Under the Sea

Emma and Lily have spent their last week of summer vacation at a music/arts camp at our church. I was thrilled when I first heard about this camp and knew I wanted to sign them up. They'd go learn about God, do arts and crafts, games and learn a musical that they'll be performing at the weekend services. Sounded like VBS with a little more. Sign us up. I was even more thrilled when I found out that if I volunteered to help at the weekend services we'd get a discount. I need to be there anyway for the kids so might as well help. The camp was for rising 2nd thru 6th graders and a few weeks before the camp they held auditions for actors, singers and a dance team. Emma was thrilled about auditioning for the dance team. The auditions were very professional - I mean each kid got a head shot taken. Emma was thrilled to find out a couple weeks later that she made the dance team! Needless to say she's been looking forward to camp for weeks. Lily, on the other hand, was a little more hesitant about it. Her bff was going to do the camp with her but at the last minute her plans changed so I think she was a little nervous about going.

Camp has turned out to be more than I expected! The girls have had a wonderful time. Each day that I've picked them up they've had huge smiles on their faces and they have only wonderful things to say about their day. I'm so thankful!! Today they had a long day of camp and a full dress rehearsal. They are both so excited about their performances this weekend! I know I can't wait to see it! Should be a very fun weekend!

7.25.2011

My IronKid

Iron-kids ath-lete (noun): an athletic rock-star who has fun while swimming, biking and running

Swim 50 yards, Bike 2 miles, Run 500 yards. That was how one of my girls spent her Sunday morning. Did I mention she's 7! And..she just started riding a 2 wheeler in April. Seriously this kid rocks and inspires me so. She's so cool.

I can not describe how proud I am of her. She had a great time at the triathlon and that's whats most important. She totally rocked her swim - coming in 3rd in her age group and totally killed the run - coming in 2nd in her age group and 12th overall for all the Juniors (ages 6 - 8). For a kid who's only been riding a 2 wheeler for a few months she did awesome on the bike too. I mean, just to have the courage and confidence to compete - wow...just wow. It helped that 2 of her friends were competing too - I think that just added to the fun. She's hooked on races now and can't wait to do another tri. The 8 year old was beside herself that she didn't compete so watch out - we'll have two Ironkids next year!




7.16.2011

Summer Fun

We're into our 2nd week of everyone home for their summer break and it was a good one. Lily has spent the week at Camp Gagi getting spoiled and pampered as only Gagi can do. They had a busy, busy schedule that Lily mapped out early in the week (she's all about a list or a chart). I think they went everywhere possible on the Grand Strand and more. As my mom noted: Lily's more into shopping than anything else. Ah..that's my girl! No telling what kind of treasurers she's going to come home with. She'll be home on Monday and the house will explode in noise and activity!

Those of us at home had a nice week. Emma and her bff, Meri, had a sleepover which was great. This little girl is so sweet, quiet (!) and helpful. They could not have been nicer to each other and just generally seemed to have a great time. We had a few other play dates and a pool date with good friends. We took all the kids to see Rio at the $1.50 Theater. We ended up going on Tuesday which was a total score because popcorn and drinks were a $1.00. So we all went (all 6 of us) for $15. We might just go back next week too! We loved Rio - seriously, what a cute movie and great music!

All in all a good summer week! School supply shopping will be on our agenda this week - two more weeks and we're back in!!

7.12.2011

The Day They Slept In

It happened! It actually happened! For reals. They ALL (well all 3 that are at home - one is at Camp Gagi) slept past 8:00. In fact, it was - get this - 8:30 when the first child arose for the day. 8 freaking 30. That might as well be noon. Seriously. I think this is the first time that all the kids slept in on the same day. Sure one or 2 might occasionally get up later - later being past 8am but never, ever have all the kids done it on the same day. We've had a pretty few rough nights of sleep so it was much needed.

So Thank You dear children - let's just hope this sets the tone for a great rest of the day.


7.07.2011

Summer Reading List

Summer's here and I always have a burning desire to read during the summer. So..I'm sharing my list - what I've just read and what's on my bookshelf. What about you? What are you reading??

Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me - I love Chelsea Handler. She just cracks me up. This book cracked me up too. I can't believe the crap she tells people that they believe. No wonder she's done so well for herself.

The Hunger Games Trilogy - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this. Love it...I read the first book in about a day. Same for the second and thankfully my very intuitive neighbor brought me the 3rd book as I was literally on the last page of the 2nd book. It's a young adult book and very, very good.

Dead Reckoning - The latest Sookie Stackhouse book..this is the books True Blood is based on. I love this series.

Smokin Seventeen - The latest Stephanie Plum book - I'm like 500th on the waiting list from the library. I love Stephanie (and Morelli) (and Ranger) so I'm looking forward to her newest adventure

Holidays on Ice - This David Sedaris book is my book club pick. I hear he's super funny and it's a short book. Perfect when you have 4 kids running around the house all day.

Heaven is for Real - I heard an interview with this family on the radio and I'm fascinated to read this book.

Sisterhood Everlasting - This is the next book in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares. I know it's for teens but I loved the series.

Then Came You - Jennifer Weiner's newest book. It's not out until next week but I love her and can't wait t read this book.

Sarah's Key - My bff recommended this book and she has great taste so it's on my t0-read list

If You Were Here - I read this about a month ago -and then I won a copy of it in a random blog giveaway! This book is Jen Lancaster's first foray into fiction and it does not disappoint. I am a HUGE Jen Lancaster fan so it would be hard to disappoint me but I laughed out loud while reading this book. A lot.

The First Husband - and speaking of Jen Lancaster, she recommended this book on her blog so it's on my list.

Stories I Only Tell My Friends - Rob Lowe's autobiography. Enough said.

Bossypants - Tina Fey. I hear it's hysterical.

Your turn..what else should I read?

7.06.2011

Summer's Here

We (finally) finished our school year last Thursday and now we're officially on summer break until August 1! Yay!

We kicked off our summer vacation with our first swim meet last Thursday. Our 'hood is starting up a team (omg..is it some kind of work) and the season culminated in an intra-squad meet last week. We got rained out on the scheduled day (seriously it hadn't rained in weeks until then) so we had to reschedule for Thursday. All 3 of my girls participated in the swim team and it was a fabulous experience for all of them. Emma and Lily learned all the strokes and had a great time doing it. Julia learned so much too and finished the season swimming all by herself! The girls did awesome in the meet too. Emma and Lily both won the main heat freestyles for their age groups therefore setting the pool records! And Julia won her heat in the freestyle. Emma won her heats in breaststroke and butterfly and came in 4th in backstroke! Lily did great too getting ribbons in backstroke and breaststroke! Julia got ribbons for those two. All in all a wonderful experience and we can't wait until next year when we are competing against other teams!

Friday morning we headed to the beach for a couple days to see mom and enjoy some beach time. My aunt and cousin were down too and we all had fun hanging out and playing! Unfortunately Paul had to get back to work (boo) so we came back Monday afternoon.

This week we've hanging out reading, playing and working on PTA stuff. Year round schools never get a break! We have Open House tomorrow where the girls find out their teachers for next year. Exciting! Next week Lily is headed to Camp Gagi for the week which she couldn't be more excited about. Hopefully we can all enjoy the downtime!