~~ September ~~

Happy September 1st!  

It's been busy, busy around here since school started (8/20) for the boys. This year COVID didn't delay the start of school, but it did change how they go to school.  Everyone in our district started school online, from home, and probably, like mine, in pajamas.  (That's a lot of commas. Did I get them all or did I put too many?)  Anyway, I have a 11th grader and a 10th grader this year!  WHAT?!  I think I say that every year when school starts.  Crazy how time flies!  

Here they are in their classrooms - 

      

Although it is different, they are off to a GREAT start!   

~~ First Day of School 2010 ~~

BIG day for these 2 little boys!

It was their first day of school! Jesse started 1st grade and Michael started Kindergarten!

Michael was so excited! He spent most of last year walking Jesse to his kindergarten class every morning. Today was finally his day to walk to that same classroom and spend the day getting to know his teacher and his classmates. He's in the dual language program this year and his teacher is Ms. Sanchez. It's going to be a great year for my littlest man!

And this little man started 1st grade. He was excited too. Jesse's continuing the dual language program this year and he is lucky enough to have Mr. Aranda again!

They would have both had me drop them at the curb if I had let them, but no way was that going to happen on the first day of school. I can't believe that they are both in school now. They are getting so big and independent and it makes me so happy that they both really love school. I hope that lasts a long, long time! I still can't believe both my babies are in school now. Where did the time go? It's going to be a GREAT school year!

~~ Lunges & Teachers ~~

Today also included:

My workout-

Frontal and Horizontal lunges--that's what this mornings workout was called. Like always, it was a good one! Lot of legs. Worked out for 1:22 and burned 744 calories!

Meet the teacher:

Tonight was the right night to meet the teacher and drop off supplies. I got a call yesterday telling me that Michael got into the dual language program like Jesse. I was so thrilled! I've known that Jesse would have Mr. Aranda again, since the beginning of summer when he decided to move up to 1st grade, but I didn't know who Michael would get until I got that phone call. I had seen Ms. Sanchez at the dual language meeting last week, but we didn't get to meet her until tonight.
Phillip had an office day today, so I was able to go to a quick PTA board meeting and set up the icee pops table before he brought the boys up to the school.

I can't wait for school to start next week!

~~ Field Day ~~

This school year is quickly coming to an end. Even though this last month is a busy one, the teachers, parents and kiddos at Jesse's school spent this afternoon enjoying the fun and games that are what field day is all about.

Field day is so much fun and Jesse has been looking forward to it all week!! He started here at what they called, "hot lava"




Next stop was the, "soccer ball in the upside down cone" relay.




It was so very, very hot, but most of the activities were strategically placed under the big shade trees. Phillip was able to get the day off and Michael was able to get a sneak peek at what he will get to experience next year in Kindergarten.


Then the boys each had a turn at "choking the chicken" relay. On your mark, get set, run to your chicken and pick him up with the chopsticks and bring him back to the starting line. Michael did it several times. It was funny, but they love it!

This one was funny too, "the sling shot." I got a great shot of 3 of the kindergarten teachers doing this; I just need to remember to send a copy in to the yearbook. Isn't it cute how even put his hat on backward to do this?

Touching cones and hurdles and winding between the noodles--the race is on--

This was a great exercise in teamwork. My little man was the leader this time, so he would say 1-2-3 left, 1-2-3 right, and the others would follow. Once they got the hang of it, it was real cute and funny because they would lift their right leg when Jesse said left and vice versa.

Finally we made it into the gym for some hula hoops, jump ropes and a little limbo, AND air conditioning. Did I mention it was from 12-2 and about 95 degrees out? After 2 hours out in the heat, it felt so good to be indoors!

It was hot, but oh my goodness did the kids have a blast! There was so much for them to do and Jesse had a chance to try it all. I can't wait until next year!!

~~ Pajama Parade ~~

It wasn't just another ordinary Friday at Michael's school today. Oh no, it was pajama day! We often have these days at home, but this is a first for him at school. Not only did they get to wear their pajamas all day at school, they had a little pajama parade. It was so cute all the kiddos walking around in their pj's. He decided to go super hero and wore his Batman pj's. Here is a picture of him and a few of his classmates in their pj's parading--some of them brought baby dolls, blankets and some even wore their house shoes.

I love little boy pajamas!

~~ Big Decision ~~

The decision made today was that I will start spending M/W/F 's with this handsome little devil:

I realize it has not even been a month since I graduated, but I knew that my chances of finding a teaching job mid-year would be, as my supervisor said, slim and none. It has also only been 2 days since students returned to school after the Christmas break. I am in the system to be called to sub when/if I am needed. However, there are probably 30+ recent graduates also "on call." Student teaching was NOT a paid semester and the cost of child care is outrageous.
SO.....a compromise of sorts.....He stays home with me 3 days a week and I will practice everything I learned the last 2 years teaching him. He goes to school 2 days a week and I am available to sub and practice (if I get called) everything I learned the last 2 years in the classroom.
It is win/win.
Bonus savings: I get to pick Jesse up from school everyday, so no after school care!
It just didn't make any sense paying to send him to school everyday when I am home all day not making any money. I'm excited to have some one on one time with my littlest man.

~ College Bound ~

Congratulations Breann!!

~ Class of 2009 ~

Yesterday was a BIG day for Breann

Graduation Day!!

She made it through 12 years of school and finally graduated from high school last night at 8:30pm. It was crazy that the ceremony was so late, we didn't get out of the Erwin Center until 10:55, but it was special night. My only complaint is that because it was so late afterwards we were rushed taking pictures which is usually hard when there are two families anyway. I could go on and on, but this isn't the post for that. I wasn't able to get a picture of just Breann in her cap and gown or a family (all 6 of us) picture.

Here is what I did get:

I must admit it was a little sad. It went by so fast. I know that she is so excited to be moving on to the next stage of her life---COLLEGE---she will be going off to Texas Tech in Lubbock next fall. Congrats sweet girl, we love you!

Minus 4

It has been 2 weeks since I started the biggest loser at the Y. I wasn't sure I was going to make it after the 1st workout. The pain was just ugh, but I survived. It has actually been so much fun. Don't get me wrong, the workouts are still intense, but I've made some new friends and I am feeling better=more energy. It is definitely the motivation I needed. Anyways, the good news is I have lost 4 pounds and a few inches in my chest and waist.


**I forgot to mention part of the challenge was to give up something for 6 weeks. I chose to do without flour tortillas. I LOVE flour tortillas and that is why they had to go.**



In other news.....



I started school yesterday. Another 15 hours, so it is going to be a busy, busy, busy semester. I'm not so motivated about school this semester, but I am almost done. Only 7 weeks until Spring Break!

Highlights.....November

Getting closer......here is November in pictures.

Sierra was on the dance team at school this year. Isn't she just beautiful? I look at her and can't believe that she is already so grown up. Where does the time go? They all grow up so fast!

Yea Me! Turns out I am kinda smart. I finally got serious and went back to school and took care of business. I am finally taking education classes, so school is now actually interesting and fun. So now I have straight A's on my transcript, made the Dean's List, and I am now a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society!

My monkeys, just hangin' around. They have been in gymnastics for over 4 months and they absolutely LOVE it!

Me and My Sweetie celebrating 8 years!

The boys were excited that we finally got to carve the pumpkin, even though it was the middle of November. Like the pumpkin patch, it was so hard to pick just one picture of them to share. They were so cute. Jesse refused to touch the yucky insides, but Michael had no problem getting all messy.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!