Swimmers...

 Well today we were invited to our neighbors pool and for the first time ever, both the kids were the first ones in and the last ones out.  Sara is the more adventurous, athletic of the two, and usually the swimmer.  Well today Evan was loving the pool too,  although it was way to chilly for me.   The air was around 78 and the pool 76. 

      I can't wait until our trip to Florida it should really give there swimming skills a great start.  When we return I have them signed up for 2 weeks of daily swim lessons.  I may change one of the weeks because I found out at church today there is Vacation Bible School from 10-12 for a week.  I'm not sure if I want 3 full weeks of daily activities.    Although having them in a safe familiar place for 2 hours a day would give me a bit of freedom for a week!  We also signed up for gymnastics once a week for the summer. 
     This week we have Sara's dance recital.  Sara is a great dancer for her first year.  She has the routine down and practices it along with the iPad.  We have been working on rag curls for the recital.  Her dance is "Splish Splash" and she is wearing a pink bathrobe and sequined shower cap($74.... don't ask!)  She is supposed to have two low curly ponytails.   I love her teacher it is my former student and she was also just hired to teach 2nd grade at Evan and Sara's school.  I am not pleased with the studio, the price of the costume was crazy, I had to wait in line for 2 1/2 hours to get 5 tickets for the recital.  If I wanted more I had to return on a different day... thank goodness I can get by with 5!  This week we have an extra rehearsal on Tuesday, a rehearsal on stage Friday night, a full dress rehearsal on Saturday, and Sunday at 2pm the recital.  The nice part of the recital is that it is the 7 and under students only.  We were promised it is a one hour recital.  

     Yesterday we made a trip to the zoo.  I just renewed our membership, it takes about 25 minutes to get to the zoo and we stayed for 90 minutes.  The kids had a great time, we had not been since last summer.  Evan had his heart set on seeing the tigers, the were not out.  We found out they only show them in the afternoon.  There are a ton of new exhibits being built and remodeling going on.  So we did see the polar cubs and a baby gorilla.  The kids were happy to just have some freedom after the long winter.
    Sara and I have been busy planting a garden.  Marc has done all of the hard work and we are doing the fun work.  We planted a ton of strawberries and also planted peas, beans, peppers,  lettuce, eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, acorn squash, and one lonely pumpkin.  We still need to plant some sunflowers and the cucumbers that Sara started in her class at Wegmans.  I started planting some annuals.  I have spent a fortune and still need to purchase a few more plants.  I love flowers and have four hanging baskets and a ton of pots. 
    Tonight my Mom walked up for dinner and Sara insisted on going home with her.  I love when we can easily wander back and forth to Grandma's house.  My mom only lives 6 house away, but on a different street.  So unfortunately the kids are not old enough to go back and forth on their own yet.  Someday I am sure they will be running away to Grandma's.  After such a cold winter and a chilly spring we are not used to being outside!

Love...

Each year Evan and Sara's school celebrates teacher appreciation week.  They end the week with a mass where one child says something about the each staff member and another presents her with a flower.  Unfortunately I could not attend this year, so luckily my Mom went.  I called my Mom yesterday morning (I was in interviews all day) and asked her how it went.  She said Sara (she is the youngest in the school of prek-8)went up to the podium on the alter, and she didn't say anything and then an older boy helped her.  I was waiting for her to say that Sara burst into tears, well she said Sara with her little voice said "I Love Mrs. Budny because she ii s beautiful!", I has asked her last week if she would like to say something about her teacher and that is what she instantly said, so I asked her a few times during the week and she repeated the same  phrase each time. 

My mom and a few friends from church said it was dead silence and then everyone had tears in their eyes.  Her teacher sent home a beautiful thank you note telling us that she never imagined 4 words could mean so much.  Sara really loves school and has excelled in it.  I am so glad that our cut off date in NY is December 1st, I can't imagine what a disservice it would have been to her to hold her back another year.  It is often a topic that comes up with other parents and in Sara's case she has had no issues with attending school early. The teacher I work most closely with actually has a December 19th Birthday and she was always the youngest in her grade.  Its interesting how the cut off changes from state to state.  My best friend from high school has a cutoff of June 1st. 

We have a four day Memorial Day weekend... hip hip hooray.  Sara woke me up at 5am by falling out of bed.  She has a rail on her bed but somehow kicked it out.  Marc left for bed at 5:30, and I haven't fallen back to sleep.  I have been reading a children's book, by Rush Limbaugh.  Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims, it is surprisingly good.  I have not had an observation this year (well honestly it been years since I had one) With the APPR that was implemented by NYS we are supposed to get one each year that correlates to a score of how effective we are as a teacher.  So nothing like the last possible moment.  I have been out of the classroom 4 of the past 5 days for class advisor, and interviewing students for the Academy of Finance.  Tuesday am, Evan has a student of the month breakfast, so I will escape for an hour to attend.  Thursday I have a pre-observation meeting and then my observation.  To top it off my final exam for the class is June 3rd... three class days after my observation.  The phrase lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine pops into my mind.  I thought I was getting lucky and avoiding one.  I know its part of my job, but really... 3 days before my final??

Lions and Tigers and Bears...

Suddenly we are learning everything we can about snakes, lions, tigers, and bears.  Evan has been doing animal units at school and is asking a zillion questions about animals.  He asked if I would take him to the Disney nature Bears movie this weekend.  He has such terrible seasonal allergies that I try to keep him inside when its windy so I said yes.  Well first of all I am not an animal lover.  He checked out snake books from the library and we had to read them before bed.  I squirmed throughout the entire book.  My mom offered to join us for the movie and I laughed and said I was paying $8 for a nap.  I was wrong the movie was adorable.  Evan and I both loved it.  We will be renting more Disney Nature movies on Amazon.  The Dollar Tree had some National Geographic level 2 & 3 readers on Polar bears, reptiles, etc. that I picked up too.

     We participated in our first Home Depot children's class.  The kids made flower pot holders.  We had lots of fun making them and this week the kids are signed up for a Lowe's class.  This weekend we have to pick up tickets for Sara's
  recital.  The procedure is terrible.  We have to wait outside for the tickets to go on sale at 2pm.   Mothers from last year said to expect to be in line for a long time.  I plan on going around noon.  What a terrible waste of time!!  Marc is taking the kids to Tulip Festival.  The Festival has a great parade and midway.  Hopefully I can pick up my tickets and head out early enough to watch the kids go on a few rides.

Sara loves flowers and I allowed her to pick the first two that opened in our yard.  Last week I told her if she did really well with speech she could pick the first Tulip that bloomed.  Well the dandelions started blooming this week.  Sara asked us not to put that stuff on the grass anymore because she wants lots of flowers.  Marc and I didn't agree.  So we walked the neighborhood in search of Dandelions and she was a happy girl returning home with a small bouquet.   

    

Celebration time! - just realized this has been a draft for a year!

Notice the crazy kid in the classes feet in the air!  Thank goodness he isn't returning next year!
 

We had pre-k celebration today, Evans school saves graduation until Kindergarten.  What a wonderful program.  It started at 12:30 with a procession onto the stage, followed by songs, poems, some dancing, and prayers.  This was adorable, 20 four and five year olds on stage.  The amazing part is the program lasted almost an hour. 
   The highlight was the kids dancing and singing along with Pete the Cat rocking in his school shoes.  The kids went wild dancing each time it was "rocking in my school shoes".  The also sang a Laurie Berkner song about feelings.  Their own version of "Your a Grand Old School", "The World is a Rainbow", and a poem with hand motions for Mom and Dad, they also had Dads come up to the stage and they were presented with frames the children had made for fathers day. 
     Each student was given a certificate for Preschool completion and the event was followed by ice cream.  Evan was so excited and proud.  I feel like Sara is ready to lead the class next year after experiencing so much through Evan this year. 

    We have been battling sick kids the past few days, Evan had a very sore throat Thursday and Friday.  By Saturday he was so miserable I took him to the Peds, only to be told it was a virus.  He is so dramatic when he is sick.  Well Saturday night Sara woke up with a fever and told me she was going to "puke up", luckily we made it to the bathroom.  Today is day 3 of the fever and today she woke up sounding croupy and crying her throat hurt.  I had planned on a half day but ended up taking the entire day.  She was pretty good most of the day but as she sat down for dinner she threw up again.  I'm praying tomorrow we will all be healthy.  I have 8 more days of Exams to grade, proctor and clean up for next year. 

    The weather has been so crummy, the hot days are few and far between.  We planted a garden this year and the rabbits ate most of it this week.  Sara was so excited to have peas and lettuce growing and the rabbits had a feast.  Marc installed a fence so hopefully they don't dig to deep under it.  They chewed through the plastic fencing we had up. 
    We had promised Evan a gift if he stayed on green all year on the classroom behavior chart.  Well he did it and today we gave him an Ironman Lego.  He sat from 2-4:30 and assembled the entire lego without assistance it was 364 pieces for 6-12 year olds.  Evan loves legos and following instructions to build them. 

Time is flying

We are getting within weeks of ending another school year.  Each one goes faster and faster.  This year Evan has learned to read, write words, complete basic math problems, and work in groups.  He has had an amazing teacher.  We have finally put on a few pounds on and graduated to a booster seat.

On Tuesday my Mom took him for his yearly allergist appointment.  Fully clothed Evan was 40 pounds, and 44.75 inches.  We have major issues with clothes fitting him.  He is really a size  2 or 3 in the waist.  He has some elastic waist uniform pants, but he has reached the point now where all of his play pants are to short.  He refuses to wear adjustable waist pants, I think since he is so slender the buttons irritate him.  I can't wait to break out the shorts each day to avoid this! 

Sara has had a speech therapist visit us weekly since January.  I couldn't get her approved through the school system, so unfortunately we have to pay out of pocket for this.  As much as I dread the added monthly expense (equivalent to a car payment), she has progressed so quickly!  Today she shocked me and the teacher by mastering 3 letter blends this week.  The therapist told me she has been holding back on testing Sara but honestly can't wait to see the progress.  She keeps telling me how bright Sara is which as a Mom I love to hear.  Sara is so easy to work with and is the ideal student when I listen to her working with the therapist.  While Evan is a good student he doesn't transition to new activities as easily as Sara. 

I have been taking an online National Academy of Finance class.  We meet every other week online with a live class, in between classes we have to turn in assignments, and participate in discussion boards.  I have a ton of work to do for this over the next two weeks.  The good part is the National Academy pays me $600 for this and my school district pays me another $750 for it.  So it will be some nice extra money to start the summer with.

We just booked a trip to Florida.  Last year Marc and I both signed up for Southwest Credit cards.  For a $69 yearly fee we were given 50,000 points.  Well we each redeemed points and we have 4 free tickets to Florida plus enough extra points for 2 more flights.  My Mom is joining us.  We rented a condo on Madeira Beach and were able to find a rental car through Southwest for another $230.  I am really looking forward to the pool and beach.  We haven't been to Florida since Sara was almost two.  Last time both my parents joined us.  At that time my Dad was getting sick and having a tough time getting around.  So far we don't have plans to do any amusement parks but that could change.  I would like to go out on a 2 hour pirate ship cruise with the kids.  We have seen it for years and always looked forward to taking our kids on it.  I think starting the summer in the pool will be a great start on their swimming skills. 

The first tooth!!

We visited the Dentist on New Years Eve and they told us Evan would be loosing his tooth any day.  Well, Evan refused to wiggle it or touch it.  So I this week it was so loose I finally had him wiggle it a little (okay all I could talk him into was 5 wiggles at a time).  I laughingly told him I want that tooth gone today as I walked out the door to grocery shop.  Marc called while I was at Wegmans and Evan's tooth fell out in the shower.  We did save it though.  So at 6 years and a day short of 2 months we have officially lost the first tooth!

     He didn't make a big deal about it all day, but when it was time for bed, he became very teary.  He told me he was going to miss his tooth and its been a good tooth.  It was hard to keep a straight face as the tears began to stream down his face.  Poor little guy can be so tough at times but can also be so sensitive.  I told him I was sad that my little boy was growing up and he promised me he would always love me.  So we are awaiting the tooth fairy's arrival tonight.

Each time we drive through our village there is a assisted living center and I tell Sara that Grandmas and Grandpas live there when they can no longer take care of themselves.  Well, almost every day Sara tells me that I can live with her and she will take care of me and her baby.  She is my little buddy and so much fun at this age.  I would love to freeze her right here.   She is still so innocent and loving.  I teared up over my Dad the other day and she took me by the hand into her bedroom and had me look at his picture and then hugged and kissed me. 

She is also a charmer.  She is pretty vain and is not afraid to give out lots of smiles in public.  Today in church she was busy charming all of the elderly parishioners. 

Reading...

      We finally found a love of reading in our house.  It was a matter of finding the right subject to get Evan off and running.  Around Christmas time he was reading level 1 books and hadn't found books that really interested him.  Evan is my picky kid, he only likes certain toys, movies, foods.  Once Evan finds what he likes he is happy.  So I bought a few Lego level 1 books and some superhero, Biscuit, and Little Critters books.  He loved the Lego books and was devouring them.  Unfortunately the library doesn't carry any.  So after a weekly investment in Lego books (thank goodness for Amazon prime) he told me he needs something more challenging.  So a stack of Level 2 books arrived and he does them 90% on his own.  When we are reading about superheroes there are some difficult vocabulary words.  He can be lazy about sounding out words. But once I tell him the word he doesn't forget it. 
    I look forward to having Sara read because she is never as picky as him.  She will most likely be so proud to read that she will read the hundreds of other books in our house. 
    Sara returned to the Dr's. on Saturday with her second bout of Strep this month.  She also was diagnosed with it on 3/17.  Now we have Augementin which is disgusting.  I have been measuring it out and then adding snow cone syrup to it to disguise the flavor.  She gets a few M&M's before her dose and a few after.  The taste of it is horrid.  I contemplated teaching her to take pills but my Mom who is a pharmacist said it comes in a huge tablet.  We have 7 more days of it and hopefully no more strep throat.  My Mom said I have never had it, either has Evan.  My mother in law told me everyone in their family had it multiple times.  I hope its not a yearly event for poor Sara.
  Today I did lunch duty at the kids school.  I do it every other Monday during my lunch period.  When I came home today and asked the kids about the day, Sara told me it was  great day.  When I asked why she told me because Mom came to school today!  Friday the kids have Catholic Charities Carnival day.  They have bounce houses, carnival games,  raffle items, and small toys to purchase.  We cleaned some unwanted gifts from our home and donated them.  Since we have had some unexpected sick days I am being cautious about taking any time off.  So far I have had 7.5 days and know I will need some more half days for the kids graduations at the end of the year.  Grandma is going to attend the carnival with the kids on Friday.  I am sad to miss it, it was great fun last year.  I think I will try to pick some pizza up and run over on my lunch Friday.  Many parents stay for the carnival and eat lunch with their children on this day. 
    This past weekend we visited a maple sugar farm.  Saturday night we received a foot of snow, so it wasn't as fun filled as anticipated.  We did purchase some syrup and some cotton candy.  The farm we visited was only a few miles from our house.  In the past we visited a huge operation that had wagon rides and vendors.  Maybe next year if the weather permits. 
    This weekend we have 2 birthday parties on Saturday and I am supposed to go out for dinner with my high school friends.  Since I have had children I am so bad about spending time with my friends.  I have a few that I talk to each week or month and the others I talk to once or twice per year.  It seems each time I make plans someone is sick and I have to cancel. 
    Today was in the 50's and we spent some time outside.  It was so nice to see neighbors and to let Evan and Sara run around.  We really have been stuck inside for months.  It was such a chilly winter they only went out a few times to play. 
    I have been so bad about taking pictures of the kids.  As I was looking at our monthly calendar I realized I barely have any pictures to make next years.  We have some fun events coming up around Easter so I will have to get busy!