Five Months and Four Colds Later . . .

How can five months go so fast???  The summer flew by with a fabulous trip to Cancun in June, friends visiting from Colorado in July, and August in San Diego.  School came quicker than I could believe, but they were both ready for it.

This year Andrea started middle school and attends the same one Justin goes to.  She is also my little spy as my very handsome 7th grade son is quite the thing with the girls.  Now, all you men out there are thinking "Go, Justin!", while all the moms are thinking "Whoa, Justin!".  So like I said Andrea keeps track of things for me!!!   Anyway they both love school, their classes and teachers!

They are both in musical performing groups at school. Justin's group is the "Show Men" and Andrea is part of the girls group called "Show Time".  These groups take this singing and dancing very seriously and the groups compete all over the state.  They will be performing at Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm, just to name a few of their performance venues.  So . . .this momma is off to dance lessons and singing lessons three afternoons after school, running to the dance store for jazz shoes, tap shoes, ballet schoes and who knew there are even shoes called character shoes -then on to trying on costumes, etc., etc., etc.  Whew . . . oh yeah and then there is homework. Justin is in all honors classes and Andrea is taking 7 periods of academics this year, and those teachers love to pile on the work, so we are not having regular bedtimes, which is why we probably all have colds!!!!!

More later . . .when we get over the sniffles!

More Than Blessed

This morning as we pulled out of our driveway to go to school and work I looked back at our house.  I made the comment that we are blessed.  Justin retorted with "Mom we are more than blessed!  I can't think of the word for it - but we are!"
It made me think of all that we have - not just materially - that being the least of all! 
Justin is right - We are more than blessed!!

Loves It!

Justin loves going to Middle School - maybe a little too much!   He's telling me about all of the cute girls that are helping him with his locker, hmmmmm . . .This mom is definitely not ready for this! 
Honestly, he loves going from class to class, he was placed in the "Fast Pace" classes - which means he will be super busy with school work and really be challenged (Yahoo!), and next year Andrea will join him there! 
This could be a good thing - as they love to "tell" on each other- so I'll always know what they are doing!!!!

TODAY . . .

Today my Justin became a Middle Schooler . . .
Today Justin transitioned from the K-6 Elementary School to what use to be Jr. High . .
Today Justin got not one, but two lockers for the first time . . .
Today Justin dressed out for PE for the first time . . .
Today Justin goes to 6 different teachers for six different subjects . . .
Today was a tough day for his mom . .  and dad . . .
Today I saw lots of kids that MUST be tons older than my little boy . . .
Today I was not ready to see my little boy go off with an eighth grader to get the tour . .
Today I will pick him up this afternoon and pray that he had a great first day!

7 - 11 or Happy Birthday, Andrea!

No, not the name of the local convenience store, but the time span in which we have had Andrea. 

She came to us as a little 7 year old just beginning 2nd grade, wearing bows in her hair, still playing with dolls, coloring in coloring books, and watching Vegi-Tales! 

As of yesterday she is now 11 years old.  Gone are the days of hair bows, instead we went to beauty shop and had her hair straightened, her favorite toy is her IPod Touch, and her coloring books have been replaced by beautifully written-in journals and well . . .Vegi Tales DVDs have been replaced with movies such as Courageous and Joyful Noise. 

Yes, my baby girl is growing into quite a young woman -  just 4'2" when she came to us - she measured in last week at the Dr. office at 4'11and 3/4" - just a smidge under 5' tall! 

She is beautiful, articulate, compassionate, and has a real servant's heart!  (Last night, at her birthday party, she was feeding my little developmentally disabled brother ice cream cake, so that he didn't miss out on the dessert!)

It is a joy and a challenge everyday to see her grow up so quickly!  My only regret is that we did not get her sooner! Happy Birthday, Cupcake , , ,Sweet Pea . . .Cutie Pie . . . and all those other names you still let me call you!!!!

What A Kid!!!

Justin went to school today with a note for his new principal.  Not from me . . .  He started the school down the street from our house and although I know he is looking for new friends and ways to fit in at his new school - I don't think this letter to the principal was one of them.  It is just Justin's heart!
He proposed that the whole school begin collecting the pink Yoplait lids to send in for donations to Susan G. Komen Research!  He offered to pay for the flyers (of course we will do them in our office), to collect, count, and send in the lids, and lastly to give the class who collects the most lids an ice cream party - out of his own money!  He mentioned in his note that this would show how much the kids care about important causes and would also show what a great school and community it is!
I'll be anxious to hear the principal's response!
What a KID! And he's mine!

Settled

Well, I guess you know you are settled in when you can go on vacation without having to think about what needs to be done at the new house or for that matter at the old house. 

We all headed out to Palm Springs for a little R&R this past week.  James had to come back after three days for work and continuing education classes  - but we knew that!  The kids and I just drove home today after a week baking basking in the sun, dying  lounging by the pool in 115 degree heat!  Whew!

Actually each day the kids and I tried to think of indoor, air -conditioned activites to keep us busy.  These usually included a trip to the local mall or Target. This meant I was looking for the last few things we needed  to finish the house decor!  James is going to wish he had not left me alone with kids in Palm Springs when he gets the AMEX bill next month.  But truly . . . it was all on sale!!!  There was a trip to movie theater, the nail salon for Andrea's and my pedis, the dinosaur museum and lots of relaxing in our very nice Westin villa! All I can say is I am definitely thankful for air conditioning and I do appreciate the nice temperature at our house!

Back to the house . . . we are feeling more settled all the time.  I am actually remembering which drawer or cupboard I have put something in that I am looking for.  I finished off the living room with pillows and a throw (purchased in Palm Springs), found some guest towels that match two of the bathrooms and  some napkins and napkins rings that match the house perfectly!  Now on to the entertaining!  Tomorrow we are having good friends over for dinner and a swim, the daughter is staying overnight and then Sunday we are having more dinner guests from our old neighborhood!

Well, I better get myself in the kitchen - I've got company coming!