sprinkler fun

When we got back from NJ, the kids wanted to play in the sprinkler... why not? They got into their suits and off they went!

happy memorial day!

I hope that every one's day was pleasant and that everyone took a moment to take in what this day actually is. Let us never take for granted those that have sacrificed the ultimate.

The day started off with a house full of lazy, sleepy girls. Dad finally managed to wake us up and get our behinds in gear to head out the door to Sommersville, NJ where he was going to race. Meanwhile the race was going on, the town was having a celebration. They had vendors, food, a petting zoo, moon bouncers and all sorts of neat things for kids.

The girls bounced around while Alexys finished her homework assignments under a tree. Did I mention the day was without a cloud in the sky?


I don't really agree or condone petting zoos-- at least some of them. But I indulged the girls in petting the animals that seemed (to me) to be sedated. (Reason in point!) They fed the animals one round after much begging on their part. I tried to explain that these animals' activity level is close to none and there are hundreds of people feeding them all day, it can't be healthy! The girls somewhat understood and agreed to one feeding of the food provided. Later on I saw them feeding the ponies grass-- in their mind it was a plant, therefore it was healthy! Goodness, there I go again explaining the reason why we don't feed the animals grass!

My girls really, really wanted to ride the ponies. There, I couldn't budge. I seriously could not bring myself to allowing such thing. These poor animals had been there all day with nowhere to run and people sitting on them all day. Yes, I know many will not agree with me, but it's my prerogative. The girls ultimately understood. So they caressed, rubbed, and loved on the animals instead.

There was also a station where kids can make Spin Art which Angelene enjoyed.

breaking-in shoes... teenager style

This Sunday afternoon has been one of the first days that we actually don't have to be somewhere... have to do something... etc...

After Church, while Frank went on a ride, the girls and I played outside. It is a beautiful day with not a cloud in the sky! The big girls also joined us outside. They multi-tasked by studying for a test while they completed their first attempt at breaking-in the shoes that they are wearing next week to their Grad dance! Exciting! So here they are studying-- Alexys and her BFF "B".

By the way... these kids do study when they say that they are.

These are the shoes...

BeeeeUTeeeFulllll!

scooting around

So the afternoon pretty much ended on Saturday with the girls playing outside, and in the night Frank hung out with neighbors by the fire pit while I rested and went in-and-out of sleep. I was tired!

we hate good-bye's

I guess it must be because we are always saying "see you later" to someone, being that we are a military family on the move!

Today, we took my parents to the airport. We did it as quickly and quietly as we could-- no commotion or long good-bye's. I don't want to foster such rituals in the kids. Good-bye's should be done similar to the removal of band-aids; quietly and quickly! Let it hurt in one wave-- don't prolong the inevitable! A lesson learned by many and most Army Brats and their families.

Our Army Brats are now home while their Tita and Tito are way up in the sky traveling cross-country back to their sunny home in California. Angelene and Alanah are running around playing music one minute and the next they are watching a movie and then again they change their mind and they run out back where their daddy is kindly washing both vehicles. Yes, it will most likely rain today, but the cars are screaming for a little soap!

Alexys just left with her BFF (see, I'm cool like that-- or something [that's for you!]) to the mall and to catch a flick.

The girls know that my parents will be visiting them for the winter holidays, so they are easily refocused when they ask questions. Kids are so cool!

(By the way-- Blue the dog misses my dad. She was very fond of his attentiveness to her feeding schedule!)

tooth fairy pays a call on us

Angelene lost her very first tooth yesterday! After school I was greeted by an "It fell!" instead of my usual "hi mommy". She waited so long... 2 full school years of watching her peers as they discussed their tooth fairy loot and such. While some of her friends had lost half their baby teeth, she had lost none. What can I say? Our family has never been in a rush to lose those tiny pearly whites. Alexys was the same way. So her tooth finally fell out... she placed it under her pillow last night... this morning she found that the tooth fairy had indeed paid her a much awaited visit during the night.

My pretty girl now has a window in her mouth.

alto in the family

Alexys' choir concert was last night. She did a great job-- she got a solo part and although she is her worse critic, she did wonderful! The entire senior choir did great. It is a little bittersweet to think that it will be the last musical concert she will be a part of in this school... Time sure does fly when you are having fun! These past 3 years have gone by so fast, we had a good time here.

broadway at the point

The girls' dance recital was this past Sunday. The show was named Broadway at the Point and it was great! All the kids (ages 4 to 18) did a wonderful job! Angelene and Alanah were in 4 numbers.

Alanah's tap number was I just Can't Wait to be King from The Lion King. Note the tail in her hand!



Her ballet number was to The Girl I Mean to Be from Secret Garden.

Angelene's Ballet number was to I'm Not That Girl from Wicked-- funny, Alexys is dying to to go see the real Broadway show Wicked!

Her tap number was to You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile from Annie. Do I have to say what a show stopper this number was? TOO TOO cute for words!

The girls had a blast even though it was a lot of work! They were extremely tired that evening and ended up falling asleep during the car ride after dinner. We were very happy that their grandparents were able to finally be at their dance recital!

graduation

Oh joy~ the final chapter to this roller coaster of a book that I have been reading for a long time! The day's forecast called for rain showers, but to the contrary of our weatherman's news, the day was filled with sunshine and a blue sky with not one itty bitty cloud in sight! With a gentle breeze and no trace of humidity, we were in for a tolerable ceremony. I was afraid that if it rained coupled with warmer temps and humidity, we would be stuck in a greenhouse! But the tent was very comfortable.

Now, I must add before I move one to photos: I detest taking photos of myself. I enjoy being behind the camera opposed to in front! But this being a special day, I convinced myself that it wouldn't kill me!

I also want to give credit where credit is due: Alexys took most of these shots. She did a pretty awesome job!

My parents were able to fly in from Cali which has been wonderful! Not only did they get to join me on this momentous day, but they will also be a part of a couple of other events in the girls' life that they always miss being that we live so far from each other.

This is our little family. My dad took this shot.

This is my mom-- and when she sees this on here she will not be a happy lady.

Here's my dad...

...and here we are-- minus Angelene who is playing somewhere around us and Alexys who is obvioulsy behind the camera.

spring concert

Yesterday the elementary school had their Spring Concert. All grades (except Pre-k) put on a show. Angelene (1st grade) was very much into the groove of the music. She is such an entertainer! The kids did a fabulous job!

Parents of our schools here are very involved. The schools usually have a 100% parent attendance at every occasion. There has to be something said about this place! I am going to miss it once we leave this summer. I can't even imagine life any other way or place anymore. The environment both natural and social is very diff rent to what other places offer. Being surrounded by the Hudson and enjoying it everyday on my run doesn't hurt either! ;)

monday, monday

Yay! My first with no school to think of! I am done-- YES! I love having the time to hang out with my girls and let them take their bath and do their homework without any rush. I actually hit the gym this evening at 7! I never was able to really do that; if I missed working out during the day due to my schedule, I was stuck not doing anything till the next day. Who wants to work out at 10 at night? Only nutty cyclists do that! (Oops.. are there any reading this?) Did I mention that cyclists have the nicest legs? ;)

Other great news is the receipt of a letter from the academy-- well, the prep school that Alexys had applied to. She apparently got accepted, but due to the fact that she was several months past the deadline for her admission application, she will be placed on a waiting list contingent on the school's attrition next academic year (which is only a few months away!). Obviously for coping mechanisms, I have convinced myself that she will not go this upcoming year and next year, I will seek out another method of coping. In all fairness though, she really does have the desire to go. She already told me matter of fact that if she gets a slot this year, she is accepting it. OMG!

Speaking of Alexys, the big talk around here has been graduation, Gettysburg, and the graduation dance. One down, two to go. Alexys and most of the 8th graders went to a 3-day trip to Gettysburg. This group had been studying it intensively for what I think was the entire year. They studied it inside and out, tactics, strategy, terrain, people, etc.. It is very impressive hearing a 13-year-old speak in detail about such a key subject. These kids know more than most adults! The kids had a wonderful time, although they had to deal with ticks! Eek! Now we await the Grad dance for which Alexys bought her dress this past Saturday-- it is an awesome dress and it looks so good on her! Then, it is graduation...

So that is a quick wrap-up of some of the events in our life! there is more, but the oven just beeped! I've got giant soft chocolate chip cookies ready to come out!

first school field trip

Alanah (A3) and her class went on their first field trip! The plan was to take the kids to the Bear Mountain Zoo, but since it rained, we went with plan B which was to spend the time at the indoor carousel there at the park. The kids had a blast riding over and over on the ride-- we had the place to ourselves! After they had their "Gourmet Hot Dog" lunch, we headed back to our school. They will be talking about the field trip for months to come!

Alanah enjoyed analyzing the workings of the ride-- how and why mom? She is so inquisitive!

happy birthday!

The birthday girl does not appreciate her mug shot being taken! She gets that from mom!

catching up

We finally fixed the PC issues we've been having enough to be able to download my shots from the past month. Unfortunately, we lost years worth of photos in our other PC, but I guess we live and learn. We must always back-up our files! So before I get into current family events, I am going to play a little catch-up with my photos.

These shots are from a stage race Frank competed in PA on April 27th.

All in all, it went well. It was a rather relaxing weekend for us girls, considering the perpetual smell of cow manure 24 hours a day!

deals of the day

Disney 40% off sleepwear and shipping only $5 with coupon code SHIPFOR5

Libby Lou $10 Libby Loot with every make-over in the month of May

Origins Friends & Family sale 25% off with code 0508FF with free shipping on orders over $25-- and until 5 May, you can get a free 2nd day shipping upgrade with code 05081

in memory of laurie

I have been in total shock and disbelief for the past 12 hours. Late last night I found out that a cyber friend I met on a board had passed away. She is my same age and also has 3 kids. She was a funny, generous, trusting and giving person. She always had something funny to add to any and all discussions. I am still in shock! All night I kept thinking about her and her kids. I just couldn't stop my mind from racing. Eventually, I guess I ended up dozing up sometime this morning after 3 (I remember watching FOX at 3). So this morning at 8:30 A2 comes into my room to notify me that her neck does not hurt so much anymore (yesterday morning she woke up with a very stiff neck which prevented her from going to school until the Motrin kicked in). I realized we had overslept by 2 hours! In my stupor last night, I didn't get my cell phone on my night stand-- and I use that as my alarm. Well, I got A2 ready for school in a record breaking 20 minutes-- gave her a cereal bar and drove her to school. The funny thing is, that my neighbor and I carpool. Friday is her day. A bit a go she came to tell me that she knocked and nothing (my doorbell is broken) and since the kitchen door was wide open, she came into the kitchen-- into the dining room and it was quiet. She called out for me-- nada! So where was Blue the dog? She didn't even move a muscle to greet her. She also slept through it!

Anyway, back to Laurie. This gal was one serious shopper-- she LOVED to shop but she also loved a good deal. So several times we would email coupon codes to each other. Just a couple of months ago I mailed her my Coach coupon because Coach forgot hers! The nerve of them, with all the business she brings to that place!

I am going to add to this blog all of the weekly coupon codes that I get through companies' marketing emails, through my good friends emails, and the good old fashion mail. I will post them here to share-- I usually email them to you all, but I will list them here.

Please mention Laurie's kids in your prayers!

happy birthday A1!

Today is A1's 14Th birthday! I really don't know where time goes! She is fourteen! I feel so old...

The day falling on a school night pretty much assures a mild celebration. Besides taking her one of her fave lunches to school today, her friends celebrated with her at the local coffee shop here on post (typical for this age, I guess). Afterwards, the family sang to her and she blew her candles. It wasn't the typical birthday cake-- she asked for her favorite desert: Peanut Butter Cookie Pie-- a 10 year-old family favorite. My good pal Phyllis, from Show242 shared this great recipe with me when we were all living in Alaska many moons ago. Since that day, this pie has been a family staple several times a year.

It is hard to believe that she is about to graduate middle school. In no time at all, she will be learning to drive!

playing catch-up

Hello friends and family. It has been quite some time (in blogging time) that I've been here. So sorry... especially to family! There will be no photos in this entry-- just a quick recap about the last week and a half or so.

• Our new lap top's on switch malfunctioned. So it was out of commission until Frank or I had time to call Dell and get the parts needed to fix. (Man, I want a Mac so bad...)So we were down to the main PC and the basement PC which is okay, but it is older and the monitor isn't super big like we like. I had been working the blogs from our main PC-- downloading all our pics there and managing everything that entails this blog. I did hate it though-- I am more of a lap-top girl than anything else...(wow, that sounds kinda wild, right?) So what happens a week ago? The main PC decides to freak out as well! It wasn't sending the signals needed! Man, was I p'd off! There goes all of my photo files with that one-- A1's Itune's library, Frank's music library-- (my Itune's is on the laptop, of course). So now we were down to one computer! Wow! How did people manage back when... Needless to say, I hated working on the basement PC-- it is not my favorite place to be. The kids like playing down there since they have tons of toys there and Frank spends a huge chunk of his life there spinning on days that offers foul weather. But me, it is just a reminder that I need to do laundry! (our laundry room is adjacent to the main room). So I didn't post for this reason. BUT my wonderful husband found the time to call Dell and order whatever needed to be ordered, Dell expedited the shipment of such part and husband installed it the minute he had was able to squeeze it in. So now I have my beautiful, lovely, and ever-so-missed laptop. I do have photos to post, but will do another day.

• Last week we got A1's SSAT results--- Yay! She did awesome. She scored very high in all areas! Statistically speaking (nationwide) she is waaaaay up there! I wont share her scores because she would never speak to me again! (she is extremely shy about stuff like this)

• While we are on the academic path, last Friday my school had its Honor's Day ceremony. I am graduating with 4 honors-- and in the top 10% of my class--- yay! (I, am not shy about these things!)

• This past weekend, the family headed out to PA to accompany Frank to do a stage race. I will post about it another day once I can offer photos with my journal.

• I don't have time to edit this post for errors--lol being that I have to be in class in one hour ready to finish negotiations. Yes, we are in the middle of negotiations in my Labor Relations class. Thankfully, I am management.

Somewhat caught-up now. Details will follow with photos, hopefully soon.

Hugs!