FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2010-2011

This was not a day I was looking forward to because:
1. I love to 'play' (hike, swim...) with my kids.
2. I don't like homework...for me. :)
3. I have a Freshman and I know it'll be just a time warp before he's off on his mission, college, etc. Asa (3rd), Shea (6th), Rett (9th)
4. My baby, Ivy, goes to Kindergarten Ivy & her friend, EmaLee, off to find B Hall.
Back Home! Kindergarten is exhausting for student...and mom!
5. Summer went by too fast. That's the downside of having a great school schedule. I do love our school schedule because we get a week at a time off (besides spring break). We get a weeklong fall break in September, a weeklong winter break in February, and the entire week of Thanksgiving off. It makes the summer short but helps planning trips.

After a few days of mourning, I'm optimistic about the future. I'll be more independent, explore new hobbies, further delve into pre-existing endeavors, reclaim my home (hopefully). ;)

DISNEY! AND THEN SOME

For our Family Summer Vacation this year, we combined it with a wedding and took the crew to DisneyWorld + the beach + Ripley's Believe it or Not +++ All culmunating in a fun filled Vacation! Buried Boy @ Cocoa Beach!
Our first character: Lilo! Ivy's first roller coaster with Rett. Mateys waitin' to meet Jack Sparrow! Ivy gettin' cooled on a smeltering day at Disney! Asa & Mom still smilin' at the end of a long, hot, fun day!

Asa summed it up best when he said 2 of his 3 summer favorites were 1. Wedding Dinner in Orlando and 2. Disney!

BOSTON!

Rusty and I have been dreaming of the day we could run away to Boston! Our dream came true and we had an amazing time!
We love mass transit ie. Subways. Did you know Boston had THE first rail system? They now affectionately refer to it as the "T". So that was our main mode of transportation along with our own two feet. We were able to fully ingest Boston to the T.

Day 1: We did the Freedom Trail which showcases 17 landmarks of the Revolutionary period of our great nation.

Kathleen at the site of the Boston Massacre. A good bit has changed since 1770.
Day 2: Mapparium, Govenor Brewer Protest, Anthony's at Pier 4 with good friends, The Kelleys, from GA

Day 3: More park strolling, Cheers, Mike's Bakery, Chinatown
Nobody knew my name. :)
Day 4: We moved up to Cambridge, AWESOME lunch at Tavern in the Square, rented a car, drove up the coast to Salem/Marblehead, Boston Temple.

Rusty at Red's Sandwich Shop. They said they've been operating since the revolutionary period.
Kathleen at Salem's Witch Memorial

Rusty at Marblehead

Great Memories!

"SUPER BELLY" comes 2 LifE!

As a baby, Asa was a FatTee!

So Rusty invented a fiction character to portray our li'l Chunk 'O Wunk and affectionately called him "Super Belly!" Rusty went as far as to tell bedtime stories about Super Belly. The children would always end up erupting into laughter and left to wanting more.

...Fast forward to today...After being away from his 4 beautiful babes for over a week, Rusty just wanted to spend the day as a family. I wasn't feeling well, it was rainy, and Rusty +4 was left with what to do? They opted to use our recently reinstated Y membership to go see if they would be allowed to swim (with the rain). Score! They spent a few hours at the outdoor pool.

Ivy worked extra hard on her swimming (thanks to Dad), Rett found someone to hang out with, and Shea & Asa decided to take advantage of the diving board to do some tricks. First, front flips. Check! The life guard turned to Rusty and told him he'd buy Asa a soda if he'd do a belly flop. Rusty told him, "Asa would do it." Rusty didn't get a chance to relay the message to Asa. Second go round, Asa stepped up to the diving board and went for it! A beautiful, perfect 10, Belly Flop! As some of you may know, Asa gets attention wherever he goes. Today was no exception. There were applause throughout the pool area. It was so inspiring, the lifegaurd came down from his chair and had to do his own, belly flop! That's our Super Belly!

FINAL FOUR

Ivy's last day as a Four year old:
We went to Asa's field day

Then to the library for storytime

Buckling up to go home from library to lunch

Lunch - Butterfly sandwiches

SPRING RECITAL 2010

I know I say this every recital, but I just can't get over Shea's talent. This truly was THE BEST recital. Perhaps it's because we're in the loop aka we see the same students and they keep getting better and better. It's so neat! This truly was an amazing recital. Those in attendance all had the same feeling. Shea played Gavotte. We are so proud of Shea for her accomplishment and hard work.

NOW SHE's 5!

I honestly can say "Where did the time go?" Ivy's Birthday:
6:30 AM up for Presents: Polly Pocket Set, Bike Basket, Bike Bell, Sunglasses, PJs, Hello Kitty tote/etchaSketch, Horse tote, Water bottle

7:00 AM Chocolate chip Pancakes
8:00 AM Daddy Daughter outing: Lowe's, Target, Church
9:40 AM Pick up party posse
10:45 AM Depart for party at Chuck E. Cheese

12:00 PM More Gifts: Polly pocket set, Princess dressup, Bubble set
1:00 PM Return from CEC for Cake and IceCream
1:45 PM Daddy/Daughter time
2:30 PM Play with new gifts
6:00 PM More Cake & Ice Cream with the family

8:45 PM Good Night my fresh five year old!