Back to School 2009

My kids went back to school this year. Aliya started 2nd grade and John John in K4. I can't believe how much they have changed since here. They both had good days. And John John is now at the same school and riding the same bus as Aliya. He is such a big boy. :)
Joshie is ready to go to school too!

ISR Completion

He swims

Wordless Wednesday: Float

However, I cannot leave this picture without words, so maybe I should change the title to minimal wordless wednesday. Joshie has been taking ISR lessons for the last 5 weeks. He is learning how to save his own life if he fell in water.
Here is a link to the organization here.

Our Anniversary

9 years ago (tomorrow) I walked down the isle. I was 20 years old, and madly in love with my best friend. We were so young, I think back now of everything we gave up to be with each other, yet it was all worth it. I could not imagine doing things differently.

I don't remember much from that day. I do remember getting ready, and having to run back to my mom's for her shoes while she was having her hair done.

I remember the butterflies in my stomach, being so excited and nervous at the same time.

And I remember the smile on John's face when he saw me. The smile that reminded me that he is just as in love with me as I am with him.

The little things from that day are a blur, the flowers, the music, the dress. All the things that seemed SO IMPORTANT at the time. They now are just faded memories.

However, that smile.... I will remember that forever.

My little girl is 7

Seven? What?!? Where has it gone? This little baby (that I do not have any photos of as a baby on my photobucket) is now a young lady. From her chubby hamhocks and bald head to her now super skinny self with long blond hair...it scares me to think how beautiful she will be in another 7 years...

Aliya had a few friends over from school on Saturday for a Luau Birthday Party. We grilled out and let the kids play on the Slip-N-Slide and in the lake. They even tubed for a little. She picked out a chocolate Sponge Bob cake too.

Aliya and John John before the guests arrived. He was so excited for Sissy.


Clair and Rachael


The kids on the hammock


John John, playing bubbles


Joshie in the 'Pee Pool'


Lucie was there too!


The Sponge Bob cake


Singing Happy Birthday


Cheese!


(ok, this is as close as I could find to a baby photo of her..)

Changes, they are a comin'!

After getting off the phone with John John's current school, I can now announce that we have BIG Changes ahead.

For the start of the 2009-2010 school year, John John will be back to school with Aliya. Not only that, but he will go a full day. He will ride the same bus as his sister, and come home on the same bus.

Part of me is super scared, letting him go on the 'big kid bus' and part of me is so excited to see him growing up into a school kid. I have to keep reminding myself that he will be riding the same bus in kindergarten, a little over a year and a half from now, so what's the difference?

Beach Break

Thursday, John and I packed up the kids and headed to Ormond Beach, FL. It's about 1.5 hours from our house, just north of the Spring Break chaos of Daytona Beach. We left around 10am and by noon we were lounging on the beach in the sun.

We were able to drive on the beach and park, leaving the cooler and other heavy items in the car next to us. We only got stuck once in the sugar sand, haha, and had some college kids help John push us out.

Ormond Beach was beautiful. The sand was white, then right before the water, it turned red. The water was a beautiful blue/green. Gorgeous!


The kids played in the sand, made castles and sand angels, and soaked up the sun.




Around 3pm, we packed up and headed to our hotel to check in. Our room was nice with 2 queen beds and a kitchen. Oh, and the best part, we had a balcony that overlooked the ocean.


We set our stuff down and Aliya was already begging to check out the pool. So, we headed down and let her swim, the boys preferred to stay with us in the chairs. We got back to our room and Joshie crashed right after our dinner of hotdogs and chips.



Now, my kids have never been ones to sleep in, and spring break was no exception. Aliya and Joshie were both up at 6am. We were able to watch (we actually had to wait for) the sunrise. It was unbelievable.



We were back out to the pool at 9am. This time John John took a dip, or half dip I should say, he never got in more than his waist.


And Joshie lounged with us and watched the kids swim.



And even though it says 8ft deep right there, don't be alarmed. John was always an arms length away :)

Aliya doesn't like this picture, but I think it is the cutest thing.

She loves goggles and we bought her and the boys a pair for the summer. Apparently hers did not fit right so she used John John's. She is a bit embarrassed of wearing the froggies.

After the pool we hit the beach, than back to the pool, then back to beach. Only stopping for lunch and sunscreen. What can I say, when we go, we go hard!

Saturday was our last day in Ormond Beach. We packed up our things for checkout then headed down to the ocean for one last play. It was overcast that morning, but still just as fun. The kids played for about an hour, then we checked out and headed home.

Spring Break, cont

Last night John and I booked a room in Ormond Beach for 2 nights. We are taking the kids and having a mini vacation trip. The room is on the beach and has a heated pool. The kids are super excited, as am I.

Our visitor is back. I guess one of the joys of living in the woods. He/she has been back the last few nights. Coming back through the doggie door onto the sunroom and eating the animals' food. He also washes his hands in their water dish. So, this is something that needs to be added to the "take care of" list before we leave.

I finished the boys' room, for the most part. Their surf themed Wallies came in on Saturday. Not sure if I am diggin the flowers on the back wall yet. I also added some pics of the boys, thanks Heather.



Yesterday it finally warmed up and I took the kids outside to swim (freeze) while I raked the lake. Yes, I did rake the lake. We have these weeds that grow like crazy in the warmth of the lake, and they take over. Aside from poisoning them, the only thing that gets rid of them, if only for a few months, is to rake them out.

Today it is freezing out, literally, well almost literally, it WILL freeze tonight. So, the kids and I are staying in, we've got movies and books, and computers (chores) to keep us company. I made the kids a special lunch today. Ore-Ida has new tator tots that are in the shape of letters. So, each kid got their name in tator tots today.

Spring Break 2009

Today marks the official first day of Spring Break for the kids. However, their break actually began this weekend. My mom and step dad took the older two to the movies yesterday to see Mosters vs. Aliens in 3D. I was told John John did not wear his glasses, I figured he wouldn't, but they had a great time.
My dad and step mom also came by yesterday to bring the kids some new beach toys and bubbles. What a great way to start spring break. While the kids were at the movies, John and I took Joshie to Home Depot for some new play sand for the sand box.
So, today I plan on playing outside with the kids, getting some sun and spring cleaning outside. However, I am not sure if the weatherman has the same plans for me. It looks like there is a 40% chance of rain today. Hopefully, I will have pictures up soon :)

Wordless Wednesday

I can read with my eyes shut!

Nope, I can't

But she can sleep with her eyes open.

I found Aliya asleep like this Monday night. She got those glasses out of the treasure box at school. I laugh everytime I see her in them, and I about fell out when I found her asleep that way.

This week I have been working on the boys' room. After I moved Aliya to their old room, that left them bunking in a very pink room. Although John John wasn't complaining, I was ready to get it complete.

I bought their bedding on clearance at Target.com, 14.99 a set. You can't beat that. The room is a bit limier(is that a word?) than I wanted, but hopefully once I get a few things on the wall, it will look better.

I found them a set of bunk beds on craigslist that I am leaving (for now) as separate twin beds. It's nice cause the rails can stay up and keep Joshie in.

Home sick Part 2 and 3

Over the weekend, Aliya, Joshie and I came down with the bug that John John had last week. Thankfully, John has not caught it so he was able to take care of us. Although I do feel better than I was, I am still weak, and feverish. The kids are doing better, as long as I keep Motrin in them.
Now time for a pitiful, sick pic.

Home sick

I kept John John home from school today. Yesterday he came home snotty and coughy an just laid around. When I checked on him in bed last night, his bed was soaked in sweat. So, I gave him motrin and a bath. He acts a little better today, but he is still looks pitiful.

Here he is, attempting to smile for the camera, what a trooper, LOL.


John loves his new truck. Everyday he comes home and reminds me how much, haha. It is his first new (used) vehicle in 15 years.

Catching Up

It has been forever since I blogged, and I really need to get back into it.

Last Saturday we took the kids to SeaWorld. We met up with some friends that I have 'known' for 4+ years, but have actually never met in person. Lisa Arthur and Grace flew in from Canada for their family vacation. And Lindsay, James and the kids live near Orlando.

We left bright and early for our 3 hour drive there. Once in the park, we posed for a pick while waiting on our friends to arrive. John John was insistent that the map was Dora's map.


John got some great shots of the sea lions sunning on the rocks.



We tried to get a kid group shot, but failed miserably.


We ate lunch and lost John John for a bit, LOL. Then we made our way to the Shamu show.





Then we let the kids play around in splash park. It was warm, but the water was still freezing. The kids were super cold but had a great time. John made the comment later that you could totally tell which kid was from Canada.






Then we did a few more things, and took the kids to look at the dolphins.



And had the all important Shamu Ice Cream


Sunday, John and I drove out to the beach to pick up a dresser for Aliya. We got it home and Monday I sanded and painted it.

Everything was pretty normal until Wednesday. It started off great. I sent the kids to school and got to work on Aliya's room. I was moving her into the boys' room so they could have the bigger one. So, I moved furniture, with the help of Joshie and when he went down for a nap, I started painting.

After it was all dry, I finished the afternoon moving her furniture back into her room and organizing the boys' room. They currently have a pink room that John John LOVES!



Around 6:20 I got a call from John that he was heading home. 20 minutes later the phone rings again. I didn't recognize the number but the voice I did. It was John, he told me he was okay, but he flipped his truck and needed me to come and get him. I, of course, panicked and ran out the door with the kids in tow. Pulling out of the driveway I realized Aliya was crying, and I wasn't sure what the scene would be like so I called Cassie and prayed she didn't go to church that night. She hadn't, so I drove the kids to her and then met John.

When I got there, John was standing on the side of the road, truck on it's side with several guys. Apparently, a dog catcher was out in the highway trying to catch a dog that got away from him. John came up on them and went to slow up and his brakes locked. He spun and hit the shoulder and flipped on his side. Thank goodness her was wearing hi seat belt. He opened up the passenger door and got out.



That was the end of the Ranger. We couldn't get it to start and it was over 15 years old. It was time to say goodbye. I told John a few days later "You know that we had our first date in that truck?" awww, sad.

Thursday, we went out to buy him a new truck. We didn't have much time to look. John's boss was coming in from California on Monday and they had projects that needed to be complete. He didn't have time to take off and look. Thankfully, we found a great truck in our price range at the first place we went. He got a Dodge Dakota with a club cab. The boys loved riding in Daddy's truck, they never really got to ride in John's since he didn't have a back seat.


So, yesterday we said goodbye to the old truck. I listed it on Craigslist and within an hour I had 15 buyers (guess I should have asked for more, LOL) The guy came and took it last night.