First Day of School

Here we go again...another year, another state, another new school....

Logan (5th grade), Melina (3rd grade), Meeka (1st grade) and Carson (Kindergaten)

The kids were nervous and excited to start. Its always hard to start a new school. And this school is a little different in the way is laid out; it doesn't have any inside walls. But after meet the teacher day last Friday, they couldn't wait to start!

Carson at his desk on the first day of K

This mama on the other hand had a hard time this year. I sent my baby off to Kindergarten. And YES, I knew the day was coming, but it wasn't going to be this year. I wasn't prepared for it to be this year. But here in Florida I had to send him, so ready or not here we go...yes, there were some tears. In fact I was shaking so bad after dropping everyone off the first day that I had to sit in my car for a few minutes before I could drive home.

Everyone came home all smiles and excited for Day 2, so that makes my heart happy!

And its PRETTY COOL that they get to be together in the SAME SCHOOL for 1 year. The first and only year this will ever happen!!

I have a ton of things to get caught up on, errands to run, cleaning and yard work, but later this week, I plan on sitting down and enjoying the peace and quiet.

Melina's highlights for May

Melina had an end of the year party complete with Coke floats. 

Coke float party!And her teacher and classmates threw her a surprise going away party yesterday. She thought they were going outside to pick up trash! She had a great year; made some wonderful friends and learned a lot from her sweet teacher!

What a sweet gift from her class. A homemade pillowcase drawn by one of the aids who worked in her classroom and all the kids signed it. 

A Disney towel from her teacher! 

That will get put to great use I'm sure!

Of course her BIG event was the dance recital! 

This girl lives to dance! She did great, had FUN!

Tap Class

Ballet

Jazz

Hip Hop...her fav!

Weekend Fun...and more

May is looking to be INSANE...but April is finishing with a bang too! It was a busy week. It finally stopped raining, so we played outside A LOT! We were late to bed, and rushing most nights because we stayed outside so long. But we had a really fun week! 

Some cute pic from last week of my baby...

Kindergarten took a field trip to the zoo on Friday. 

Meeka and I had a GREAT day together! 

On Saturday evening Melina danced at the Italian Festival. We got there and it poured and stormed. However, it cleared up within about half an hour, or so and they were able to dance twice. It was an absolute muddy mess, but we made the best of it. We ate and drank and had a great time together! 

Hula-Hoop Champion!

HOMEMADE CANOLI!

Sunday was gorgeous! Meeka has a softball game and they had a little jamboree at the fields for a fundraiser, so we did that too!

Also, Melina got her backhandspring on the FLOOR! 

So PROUD of her hard work!

Busy Career Week

I was lucky enough to get away for the weekend to visit with friends in Cincinnati. 2 days jammed full of friends, food, and drinks! I was lucky enough to get to see 7 friends, and have Astid spend two nights with me in the hotel, and Kim a night too!! Wahoo!

Girls Night Out in Over the Rhine

We spent Saturday getting books signed and listing to a talk by the author Karen Marie Moning.

I came home on Monday and have been non-stop since then, 

but busy is good in my world!

This week was Career Week in the Elementary School. I talked to both Logan and Melina's classes for career week and Michael came and talked with Logan's class. 

They each got to dress up as the profession of their choice on Friday.

I have a tiara wearing teacher, a football player and a dancer.

Carson had a busy week too! 

He has Dress Like a Pirate Day and a Snowball fight!

Aaarg Matey!

Ready, Set...

Throw!

Best Buddies!

Such a GREAT group of Kids!

Bell Bell...Simply the best

Yesterday the kids had off school for MLK day, so we took a road trip with some new friends! About 40 miles SE of us is a Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory. For those of you northerners who don't know what it is...its reason in itself to come visit me...TRUST ME!! 

They didn't let you take any pictures inside the factory. In fact, we didn't get to go "inside the factory." It was more of a window tour. But the kids enjoyed getting to see and they learned a couple things too!

Last night at dinner when the kids were going over what they learned, here is what they said:

1. Workers can eat as much ice cream as they like on their shift.

2. They have 345 workers and work from 7-3.

3. It takes 20,000 cows to produce the cream for that factory alone for 1 day!!!

4. They can fill more gallons a minute into 3 gallon tubs than 1 gallon tubs.

5. They rotate flavors every 3 months.

6. Every worker know how to do every job and the rotate every 15 minutes.

7. They turn the tubs upside down after packaging to ensure the lid stays on.

I would say they learned a thing or two! 

Included in the tour price was a free scoop of any ice cream flavor you like. Fresh from the factory!   YUM!!!

 Afterwards, these new friends got a whole day of playing together! 

 Such a FUN crew!!

Melina, Luke, Meeka, Jake, Logan, Andi & Carson

Self Motivation

Melina Jo has THE MOST self-motivation of any child I know! 

She constantly amazes me!!

Dance is her passion. She practices most every day and has the desire to better herself and the willpower to do it!

She even made a stretching and core work calendar to work on it!

New Year 2015 Kids Goals

As we rang in the New Year yesterday (with an awesome Buckeyes win, I might add!) we worked on setting GOALS, not resolutions, with the kids. I guided them on how to make S.M.A.R.T. goals and then they each came up with their own list. I think they did a GREAT job of coming up with REALISTIC and ACHIEVABLE goals that meet where they are going, and what they want to do this year. 

It was a fun activity and I am hoping this keeps them ENERGIZED and EXCITED about WORKING HARD to achieve things. 

LOGAN

1. Trip to Ohio

2. Run twice a week

3. Read 5 long chapter books

4. Dont loose more than 2 tickets a week

5. Do a volunteer project once a month

MELINA JO

1. Trip to Ohio

2. Read 30 chapter books

3. Run a 5k

4. Draw a better portrait

5. Get all 3 splits

6. Backhandspring

7. Make Dance Team

8. Learn to cook

MEEKA

1. Trip to Ohio

2. Learn to read better

3. Run faster

4. Run a mile

5. :earn to Skateboard

6. Do more art at home

CARSON

1. Learn to write all letters

2. Swim the whole way across the pool

3. Score goals in soccer

4. Do a ropes course

5. Go to Ohio to see Ava