Back To School 2016

School started this week.  My son is in 3rd grade and my daughter is in Kindergarten.  Where does the time go?  It's so hard to believe we have reached this point already.  I know I'm going to say that every year but the time does go by so quickly when you have kids.

My son was excited to get back to school and when he came home after the first day he said he loves third grade.  This year they are doing things differently with the third graders.  He doesn't have just one teacher anymore.  He switches classes just like middle school.  He seems to enjoy it so far but he comes home with a ton of energy and a grouchy attitude.

On the first day my daughter had a two hour orientation where she was able to meet the teacher and take a little ride on the school bus.  She seemed to like it but was also a bit nervous.  She loved preschool and wishes to be back there.  It was a place she was used to with people she was used to and this is an entirely different experiences for her.  A new school, new teacher, new kids.  I know she will love it once she adjusts and gets to know everyone.  She doesn't like getting up early and the long day is something else she will have to learn to adjust to.  In this school district kindergarten is a full-day and I hate it like that.  Seven hours of school is too much for a little one.

I knew this time would come when I had both kids in school but I didn't expect that it would come this fast.  I surprised myself with how I'm handling it though.  I expected to be a wreck.  I thought the tears would flow as soon as the bus pulled away but I was fine.  I did get a little teary but not quite what I thought.  Maybe it hasn't completely set in yet.  Maybe I'm realizing that as much as I hate it these kids are growing up and there's nothing I can do except let them grow up and go.

After a relaxing summer vacation that went by extremely quickly this new schedule is going to take some getting used to for us all.  I'm so proud of my kids. 

Under The Sea Birthday Party Fun

Last Saturday we had a birthday party for my daughter.  It was in our backyard and an "Under the Sea" theme.  I didn't put too much effort into the party but it turned out great and everyone seemed to have fun.  Most importantly, our little girl was excited and loved every minute of it and that's all that matters.  We invited a mix of boys and girls.  I wanted this party to be enjoyable by our son too so his friends came too. 

With an "Under The Sea" party in the summer it only seemed appropriate to set up some type of water activities.  We had our little blow up pool, a slip n slide and a sprinkler.  I was worried that this wouldn't be enough for the kids but they all seemed to have fun with it.  For dinner we served pulled pork, hot dogs, homemade fries, fruit, chips, pretzels and drinks.  There was also an Ariel cake.  And speaking of Ariel what's an "Under the Sea" party without Ariel herself.  This was a surprise for my daughter and she was so happy.  It really made her party extra special. 

This was definitively the best party I have thrown so far.  I still can't believe my baby girl has turned 5.  As she says, "That's one whole hand."

She's my sweetheart.  I was happy to throw this very special party for her.  

My daughter is 5!

My baby just celebrated her 5th birthday.  These last 5 years have gone by in a blink of an eye.  I can remember sitting here typing on this blog and writing about her first birthday.  Now we're onto the 5th.  So crazy. 

She's a tough little girl but she also has a huge heart and is very sensitive.  She loves staying active and enjoys being surrounded by people.  Friends are already so important to her.  She's just an amazing little girl and I'm so blessed to be her mother. 

The weekend was busy with lots of activities.  On Friday we joined some friends at their church camp for the day where the kids got to listen to kids church and then do a craft.  On Saturday my father treated us to see The Phantom Of The Opera at a dinner theater near them.  My kids love The Phantom ever since they saw the movie on television last year.  I hope to be able to afford to take them to see the Broadway version someday but my dad found out there was a show close to him and he wanted to treat us all for her birthday.  Both kids loved it.  They sat and watched the entire thing.  Then my daughter was able to talk to the actress who played Christine.

On Sunday we went to a minor league baseball game.  The kids earned free tickets for reading 800 minutes over the summer.  It's part of a great program hosted by the library.  It was a hot day.  Too hot.  But we made it through and unfortunately our team lost.  My daughter isn't into baseball like my son is. 

Then on our daughter's actual birthday we started the day by opening presents.  She received some Shopkins and Pokemon cards from big brother and we bought her iCarly DVDs, rocks and an Elsa Dress. 

Oh, yes, I said rocks.  She has a rock collection.  These are those nice, shiny, colorful rocks and my husband found a bunch on eBay.  She loves them.  She's also been asking for an Elsa dress.  All of her friends have one.  Now she finally has one too. 

We took a trip to Monkey Joe's, which has lots of blow up slides and bounce houses.  The kids love it there.  Then we took a trip to City Island and rode a train and let the kids go on the carousel.  In the evening we went to Chik-fil-a for dinner, which was her request. 

I cannot believe this sweetheart of mine is 5!  She will be starting kindergarten next week and that has me so emotional.  Her first big step to independence.  I'm not sure if she's excited about it because she misses being in preschool so much.  She will adjust quickly, I know she will.  As for me, I'm not so sure. 

Happy birthday my darling!  I am so proud of you.  Life is what you make it ... make it good!  I will never stop loving you. 

Our Virginia Trip - Pt 2 Arlington National Cemetery.

I seem to be so lost without the kids.  Whenever they are around they become so distracting and getting anything done around the house is nearly impossible.  I always think how much easier it is when they aren't around but then when they aren't home I go out of my mind.  It's too quiet.  I'm not being pulled in one direction from another.  It drives me insane.  After spending one night with my parents they are having a fun filled day with them and will possibly be spending another night.  I look around the house and can name a billion things that need done and I have accomplished a few but then I find myself sitting on the couch doing nothing.  Part of me wants to enjoy the peace and quiet and just sit and catch up on some television but then another part of me knows things around here must get done.  Decisions, decisions.  Well, maybe I can dedicate a few more minutes updating this blog even though I've already posted twice today.  Once the kids are back I don't know when I'll be one here again and there is so much about this summer I want to share. 

I'll continue with our trip to Virginia last weekend.  After spending the night in a hotel and having breakfast at IHOP we drove to Arlington.  Thanks to our brand new GPS (because the old one stopped working) we arrived there on time.  My husband had to carry the large wreath, made by his mother, from the entrance of the cemetery to the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.  There were a lot of people passing by staring at him and that annoyed me for some reason.  The weather was hot and humid and the walk was long.  Very long.  Too long for a four year old.  Hey, too long for this thirty-seven year old.  But we got there and we made it exactly when we were supposed to. 

Just like last year, it was an amazing experience.  Aside from my son there were two other scouts that came along.  Unfortunately, not everyone was able to attend.  My husband was asked to join in because they wanted four to present the wreath.  It was extremely hot and I could feel the sweat running down my leg.  However, the pride I felt for my son being able to experience this moment made it all worth it.  I also realized that as hot as I was I can't imagine how hot the guards were.  I am so thankful to all the military for their service.  The honor guard at the Tomb are amazing and dedicated people. 

I'm not sure if this is an experience we'll do again.  My son is so lucky to have been able to take part in this, not just once but twice.  Most people do not even get to do this at all.  Also, a big thank you to my mother-in-law for doing such a beautiful job on the wreath. 

When the ceremony was over we found a park nearby to have lunch in and then went home.  I slept most of the way home.  I had too.  I've had issues with anxiety in the last few years and it seems the one thing that causes my anxiety is when I'm in a situation that's out of my control.  Being stuck in traffic is one of those times.  On the way to and from Virginia my anxiety seemed to have gone crazy but I took a few deep breaths, closed my eyes and tried my best to talk myself out of it.  What a pain.  The trip was great and I love Virginia but I'm glad to be home too. 

Our Trip To Virginia - Pt 1 Roers Zoo

Like last year my son and the cub scouts were scheduled to do the wreath ceremony at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldiers at the Arlington National Cemetery.  My husband was in charge of putting together the event.  The ceremony was last Saturday and we made the decision to head to Virginia a day early and stay over in a hotel.  We stayed at the Comfort Inn in Alexandria.  We've stayed at the hotel a few times before and really like it.  What we especially love is the IHOP that's attached to the hotel and the free breakfast.  Since we headed to Virginia the day before we had to think of something to do to keep the kids busy.

My husband came up with the perfect idea.  The zoo.  My husband and I had visited the Reston Zoo in Vienna Virginia years ago and we decided to head there again.  It's now under new ownership and they changed the name to Roer's Zoo.  It was a surprise to the kids.  They thought we were heading directly to the hotel so as we walked into the zoo entrance they were a big confused.  Then excited.

We started by eating a picnic lunch of Capri Suns, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chips.  Then we checked out all the animals.

 

There was a petting zoo with goats, rabbits, sheep and pigs.  

 

 

 These animals were so cute.  Well, except the snakes.  I am not a fan of snakes at all.  Although I'll admit this guy is pretty ... but we'll keep him on the other side of that glass, thank you.

There were a lot of animals to see but it's not as huge as a typical zoo.

Oh my goodness, there was a building you could enter that was filled with budgies (parakeets).  I loved it.  We found some sticks with food on it and some of the people had parakeets landing on them.  I had one land on me and he looked just like the parakeet we used to have named Sprite.  It was so cool.  I love birds!

We also went on a safari ride and saw many animals along the fields.  Some came right up to the wagon and we were able to pet them and then some kept their distance.

 

The best part of the zoo was seeing my daughter's favorite animals - zebras.  She loves zebras so it was exciting to all of us that there were two.  The tractor driver warned us to not pet the zebras because they do tend to nibble on fingers.  They didn't get close enough anyway.  My daughter is right, they are a beautiful animal.

I do give Roer's Zoo a two thumbs up.  We had a blast. 

Beginner Swimmers

My summer has been busy and it's hard to believe that school starts in exactly one month.  I haven't had a chance to sit here and update the blog.  There is so much to update.  The kids spent the night at my parents house and they may spend another night.  They have been keeping me busy and although I miss them when they are gone it's nice to have the quiet time to catch up on things.  Right now we are in the middle of renovating the main bathroom but I will update more on that another time.  I think for this particular post I'll concentrate on swim lessons.

Summer vacation started with four weeks of swimming lessons.  My kids had never had swim lessons before and it was time.  They are four and eight and neither could swim so enough was enough.  We signed them up for lessons at the middle school pool.  The instructors are currently or have once been on the high school swim team.  My children both had a fear of the water and hated getting their faces wet.  The first few days of swim lessons were rough.  The kids refused to do anything.  After talking to them and being stern with them about the importance of trying and doing what they are told to do while in the water the rest of the lessons went better.  Well, let's just say they gained a little more confidence.

 

By the end of the four weeks my son can swim without any help.  My daughter still requires some kind of flotation device but her confidence in the water is a lot better and she loves being in the pool.  The most important thing for me was to see my children have that confidence and learn the basics.  Learning how to swim is so important.

We don't have a pool of our own but we have been invited to my uncle-in-law's pool, a friend's pool, a local community pool and my parents' community pool.  Since these lessons my kids have become little fish.  They love it.  I always enjoyed swimming so I'm glad the kids now do as well.