Sum-Sum-Summertime

It was a bittersweet end to the school year as my principal said goodbye to my school to begin his retirement, it is nonetheless summer time! Woo hoo! After the halls cleared and the classrooms were cleaned, the kids and I hit the ground running for what hopes to be an excellent summer break.

Off to a wonderful start, we spent the first few days visiting Nanny and Papadad in Charleston. We had some pool time, beach time and seafood time--my three favorite things about the coast. Then add on some cousin time as Laura and her crew arrived. The kids and I snuck away and headed out early to Myrtle for the next Chapter of the Beach Beach House Week (my aunt and uncle, Joie and Neil Beach, invite us all for a family get togehter each year.) With the big crowd and LOTS of little kids, this promises to be an fun and exciting week ahead!

Sprinkler Sunday

As if the perfect weekend couldn't get any better...

Quick shower, pizza parlor and ice cream. Goodnight!

Summer Celebration

To commemorate the official beginning of this summer, we took the camper to Stone Mountain Park for a weekend camp trip. Let me just say, this will be the first of MANY trips there. The whole weekend was great! The campsites were comfortable and peaceful, overlooking the lake and the convenience to the park was perfect.




After Kinsey, Max and Jack made pancakes for breakfast, we hit the park for the day. We started the morning at the ropes course called Sky Hike. Kinsey was just barely tall enough which meant Max was too short, but no worries, there was a miniature ropes course behind for the little guys. He loved the course, especially the zip line, and even went through a couple of times before hearing the whistle of the train and leaving Kinsey and me literally HANGING--and I mean three stories above the ground. Kinsey was a rock star on the ropes! She wanted to do all three levels and did great on them all.


After we spent almost two hours swinging from the trees, Kinsey and I made our way down to meet the boys and ride the train again. Then we went to the very intense 4D movie and made our way back to camp for a late lunch. We headed back to the park, played in the Great Barn for a while then enjoyed a ride on the Sky Lift to the top of the rock for some photo ops! Thanks to my gang for copperating for some great shots!







Back to camp for burgers on the grill and some homemade orange push-up ice cream (easiest and yummiest recipe ever--1 can sweetened condensed milk + 1 large bottle of Sunkist soda.) We wrapped up the night with the Laser Show and marshmallows by the campfire. It was a long day, but worth every minute of it!

Our next big adventure...SC Beach Trip 2010!!!

School's Out!

Next to Christmas, this is the best day of the year! At my school, it was a little quieter than usual (no complaints from me) because we have several students moving away with these tough economic times.

Kinsey's school wasn't at all slowed down by the last minute change of plans due to weather. What was supposed to be water play day quickly turned into movie/pizza party/ice cream sundae day. I was able to go play with her classmates for a bit (shaving cream--fun!) and tell her teachers farewell.

After school, my co-workers and I went out for what we traditionally call "Teacher Big Blast" for some fun and fellowship. I will refrain from posting pictures of our professinal development! ;)

Summertime, here we come!

Final Countdown

As the last few days are coming to a close, I just can't get over that my baby is graduating kindergarten. It has been one amazing year for her, watching her grow and learn. Here's to Ms. Paige and Ms. Kris and the wonderful school year we have had. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication to these precious children!

My kind of weekend

So, as I mentioned before in my last post, we are enjoying a little "down time" with no ballet or AWANAS and another lovely treat was no homework this week. So this weekend, we'd planned to go camping one night but decided to just chill out and wait for next weekend when school's officially out! So we had a great time this weekend just flying by the seat of out pants.

Friday night, Kinsey did have a "mock sleepover" with her girl scout buds. What a precious idea one of the moms had for these girls. Pajama-clad, the little divas had facials, mani/pedis, made pillowcases and sleep masks and then had pizza and watched a movie in their sleeping bags. And the best part, they got to go home and sleep in their own beds!





Saturday, we decided last minute to head to the beautiful Marigold Festival, where we shopped, drank the yummiest fresh lemonade, watched cute dogs on an agility course and finally watched (and helped out with) a magic show!






Jack and I celebrated nothing on our calendar with a last minute date night of great seafood and a really good movie. In keeping with the movie theme, I took the kids to a flick Sunday while Jack did some quiet yardwork. Max's first, full-price 3D movie was a success. This opens new doors for him! Way to go big guy!

A little slow down

7 days left of school! I just can't believe it. This school year, with its ups and downs, has definitely flown by. This week brings a little bit of relaxation to our household. With dance over, AWANA over and now Girl Scouts basically over, we are getting a little sample of what a schedule-free summer is going to be like, and I gotta tell you, I LIKE IT! Here's a pic from yesterday's Girl Scouts end-of-the-year party at Pump It Up. Kinsey was so sweet when I asked her if she wanted Max to go with her or let Jack pick him up from school. She quickly voted for her brother's company! Sweet!

Showcase

After a wonderful morning, it was off to "The Big Time"--Kinsey's first dance recital. The gal did WONDERFUL and her fans were amazing! Thomas, Davis, Max and all the grownups sat through the 3 hour showcase just to see her three minutes of glory. We were all so proud and she really ate up the attention!

Thanks again to everyone, near and far, who supported Kinsey and came to see her today (I can't believe have no pictures of my parents--boo!) We love you all!

Mother's Day 2010

What a beautiful day it started out to be. A lovely run followed by brunch at the Georgia Club. The best part was a big suprise waiting for us at the restaurant--the Pitman family!!! Thanks to them and both sets of grandparents and even my Granny for a wonderful start to the day!

A Girl and her Dog

I love this picture! The past few weeks, Kinsey has decided to take a real interest in our dogs. To our suprise, however, she is really bonding with Ellie, the younger, more skittish of the two Jack Russell Terrorists! Emmett, meanwhile had a big week as he survived major oral surgery (major because of his age--12 years old--and his declining health.) We are thrilled that he is feeling better and that the kids are really starting to get to know their dog-brother and dog-sister!

Empire State of Mind

Until just this week, I can honestly say that I have NOT been in an "Empire State of Mind." Over spring break, I got word that I'd been accepted into the New York Marathon this coming November. No acheivement here, just simply luck of the draw. Literally. 120,000 entrants put their name in a drawing and around 20,000 were chosen. Wow! Great--right?!? Well, none of my running buds got in, so at first (and still really) I was completely overwhelmed and scared to death. But a few weeks later, after convincing my super-supportive and patient husband to go with me, we have booked our trip to the Big Apple! 42nd Avenue at Times Square! I can't wait!

This Way to Vegas

Here are a couple of shots of my swanky showgirl as she got home from her dress rehearsal this afternoon.

A-B-C-D-E-F-G...

In a failed effort to conquer the entire alphabet in one weekend, here is what we accomplished. Oh well, there's always next weekend.

A is for ANIMALS: A trip to Zoo Atlanta Saturday morning with the Girls Scouts and Family





B is for BASEBALL: Gwinnett Braves Sunday afternoon also with the Girl Scouts

C is for CURE: Friday night Relay for Life; games, bounce houses and trains galore

D is for DERBY: 2nd Annual Derby Party at Lake Keowee with Mom and Dad. This year's was even better than last and just like last year the we shut the party down again and danced all night!



E is for EVEN MORE Strawberry picking: Three times in one week!

F is for FISHING: Kinsey caught two fish (a close second to Papadad catching almost 30 the day before!)

G is for GEARING UP for this week: Kinsey's first recital is next weekend with dress rehearsals and photography early in the week to get us ready for the big day!