Week-End Wrap Up

* 5 more days after today. 5 more days! (plus one for staff...but I can handle that one.)

* I'm taking my students to Central Michigan University today for the Special Olympics State Games!! We've been practicing since January. They'll be competing in the Weight Lifting competition...sit ups, push ups and the bench press. it'll be a long day but hopefully a fun one.
* I found out yesterday morning that my classroom may be moved to a different building at the end of this school year. Its not for sure yet but it doesn't look good. I've been at this school for 8 years and LOVE it. An amazing principal, phenomenol staff, and a great school. Its (in many people's opinions) the best elementary school within the city. I am hoping and praying that we can stay and will be so very upset if we have to leave. Even worse...if we have to leave, I have NO idea where we'll end up and its very unlikely that I'll be able to be in the same building as my teaching partner...which is another huge disappointment. We work well together. Please say a prayer that we can stay!

* I have 2 baby showers this weekend.

* I've been sick for over 2 weeks and am finally starting to feel better after a sinus and ear infection. I got my first run in since the weekend of Mother's Day and was thankful I was able to get 2 miles in around my usual time. I'm anxious to get done with school and have more time to get some regular miles in.

* We went out for sushi last weekend and I've just wanted more of it all week.  I wish there was a sushi place closer to us...but that could be dangerous.

* It was 95 degrees on Monday. Its only supposed to be 54 tomorrow. Mother Nature is seriously having some issues.

Have a great weekend!

Say What!?!

Sarah got home from school one day, checked her hand-picked wild flowers from the day before and exclaimed excitedly "Mom! Look! My flowers aren't dead yet!"

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Overheard in Adam's swimming lessons:
Instructor: Can anyone remember what some of our pool rules are?
Boy: Don't toot in the pool!

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While going potty the other day, Adam pointed to his *ahem* boy parts and said "That's my pee butt."

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I know there's so much more worthy to be here but I've been so bad about remembering to write these things down lately!

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Up, UP and Away!

A few years ago, we discovered a Hot Air Balloon competition was hosted near us on Memorial Day weekend. We've gone the past few years to watch the take offs but each year, our plans were spoiled due to high winds or rain. We attempted again this year and had success and a very fun night!! The kids loved seeing the balloons inflate and take off and I'll admit, Paul and I were totally wowed, too! Its really cool to see these monstrous balloons fill and take off and then see them all aglow later once it was dark. After the first round of balloons launched and competed in their race, they all returned to the field and once it was dusk, held a 'balloon glow.' We were able to walk all through the field, right up to the baskets and balloons, meet the pilots and see the balloons up close! It was really neat and so pretty to see them light up in the dark! Adam wasn't fond of the fire and buried his head in Daddy's shoulder, hanging on for dear life, but said he had fun in the end.

The evening was made even more fun for the kids when we discovered one of their daycare teachers and babysitters was helping with one of the balloons. They had fun watching Miss Amber help get the balloon ready and they were convinced it was "her" balloon!

The evening was capped off with a stroll through the shopping district and some ice cream! It was a beautiful evening and a LOT of fun. The kids each came home with souvenir cards from several of the balloons and lots of great memories! They've been drawing balloons all weekend and talking about which ones were their favorites.

Photos from the evening launch. 

There were 29 total balloons and I think more than 20 lifted for one of two competitions. 

The rest stayed at the field to get ready for the evening's balloon glow.

As dark set in, the balloons lit up! 

They were beautiful and so neat to see them glowing and flickering in the field!

Week-end Wrap up

* I've been sick this past week or so and finally took a day off and got into the Dr. on Tuesday. Good thing I did...sinus infection AND an ear infection. No wonder I felt like crud.

* Paul and I have a date night this weekend. Sushi and The Avengers!

* Other than that, we have no set plans for our weekend and I'm glad! Next weekend will be jam packed so I'm glad to have a quieter weekend to do whatever we want/need to this weekend (and have an extra day!)

* There are only 9 days left of school!! woo hoo!!

* Between being busy and being sick, I hadn't been to the gym or ran in 2 weeks. Ugh! I did got yesterday and got in a light workout on the elliptical so that's something but I need to get back in the groove!!!


* I've been working since January to plan an art festival for 10 of our classrooms and the day finally arrived yesterday! Things went great and all went smoothly. I'm so relieved its over! Its always a fun day for our students!

* One of my school's buses slammed into the back end of a parked car while driving down the street yesterday, right in front of our school. Thankfully none of our students were hurt but it sure threw off their morning! Sheesh!

* I'm taking 6 of our students to my Alma Mater next Friday for the Special Olympics State Summer Games. I love going back to CMU but its been 5 years since I was there last. I can only imagine how much campus has changed. It should be a fun day!

* I've been reading Stephen King's 11/22/63. This book is HUGE! 850 pages!! Its been taking me forever to get through it but its good and I'm finally 1/2 way through! Maybe my excitement to read Calico Joe is getting me to hurry through it now...so many books to get through this summer!!

* One month from now, we'll be up in beautiful Traverse City. I can't wait!

Hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend!!

Reassurance

At this time last spring, we were trying to make a big decision about what to do with Jacob and Sarah for kindergarten. They were technically old enough to start regular kindergarten but their late November birthday was just days before the cut off for starting school. They went through the kindergarten readiness testing. Sarah's score was high enough that we were encouraged to let her start school. Jacob's score was in the average range and we requested that they allow them both to enroll in the district's Developmental Kindergarten class to allow for maturity and skill building in several areas.

While we felt confident with our decision, there were times that we second guessed ourselves. Our decision was once again challenged in late fall when it was actually suggested that we move them up out of DK and into regular Kdg. We stuck with our decision and kept them where they were at.

As this spring rolled around, we went through the Kindergarten round up process once again. It was nice to see how confident they both were through it all and I was curious how their scores this year would compare to those last year. Sarah's score came in first and improved by several points. She only missed a few points on the entire test. As we looked at Jacob's score, I felt very reassured by our decisions this year. His overall test score went up 15-20 points and he was only 4 points behind Sarah. Such a HUGE improvement in all areas for him!!

Interestingly, a recent state education change reaffirmed our choices this year. While many states have the kindergarten cut off at August or September (some even as early as June), Michigan's cut off date is December 1st...making my Novermber 25th babies elligible to start when they were only 4.5 years old instead of a firm 5. BUT....legislation just went through to gradually bump up the date to September 1st over the next few years...meaning next year they've have had to wait a year anyways!

This year allowed them to experience school in a new setting for a 1/2 day and next year they'll once again transition to a new school but for all day kindergarten. This year was a very valuable stepping stone to that and I'm glad they had the opportunity to learn and grow. They'll still face big changes - new school, new teachers and the first time in separate classrooms...but I know our decisions for this year will have helped them gain confidence and experience that will help them be successful again next year!

Making a Splash

All three kids are well into swimming lessons this spring and are doing great! We haven't had tears from anyone and all 3 are trying really hard to swim. Jacob has already demonstrated being able to swim the length of the pool by himself and Sarah's really close to being able to do the same. Adam's having fun and willing to go in the pool without one of us with is a HUGE accomplishment for him. Last year we couldn't even let go of him without him screaming. I'm confident that we'll be able to say we have one or two swimmers by this summer and all 3 will be much more comfortable in the water than in the past.

Ring Around the Rosie

Dunk!

On the go with some help

Kicking back

(His swim instructor is our neighbor. She used to dog-sit and baby-sit for us!)

Trying to get him to jump in

Jacob swimming on his back

Look at him go! All by himself!

Practicing

Swimming a bit on her own, too!

Swimming on their backs

Bless this Baby!

I had the honor of hosting my BFF's first baby shower this weekend.If you've been a long time follower or know me, you've certainly heard about Lisa. We've known each other since we were about 4/5 years old. We grew up down the street from each other. We've literally been through every major event in our lives together. She introduced me to my husband. We stood beside each other at our weddings. She's helped out with my kids but longed for her own baby...and finally - that day will soon be here!

This weekend marks 31 weeks along in her pregnancy and I'm so relieved its going great! She's due at the end of July and the baby's gender will be a surprise! I'm soooo excited!!

Being the book lover that I am, I wanted to throw her a Story Book shower and asked each guest to bring a book for the baby's library. I took the book theme and wove it in the decorations and games. I made ABC centerpieces, decorated the tables with ABC blocks and we played a "Guess the Story Book Character" game. It was a lot of fun and everything went well. She received tons of great books, some beautiful quilts and blankets (including one that her mother saved from when she was a baby!), a bathtub, the car seat and lots of little goodies!

I can't wait for this lil one to arrive this summer! He/she is going to be spoiled rotten by many people who are excitedly anticipating his/her arrival. Being a year or so older than me, Lisa has guided me through many rites of passages in our lives and I'm excited that I can help her through this very special time in her life. As little girls, we dreamed of growing up together (we have), marrying friends (we did) and watching our children grow and play together (we will!). Congratulations Lisa and thank you for letting me be a part of this special time with you!! You are truly my Best Friend Forever!

 Decorations and yummy food!

Some easy party food tips:

* Bottled Water with Crystal Light single drink packets = no mess and easy drink variety!

* Fruit and Yogurt Parfait 'bar' - Make your own!

* Finger sandwiches, veggies and dip,  Salami rolls, cake

Thanks to Pinterest for some great party ideas!

Special Guests - Grandma and Mommy-to-be!

Lisa and I, Sarah and Anna, Lisa with her MIL and the baby's Great Grandma

Gifts Galore!