Here's to a Happy New Year

My girls love each other to pieces but lately they have been arguing a lot! I happened to find this sweet moment of playing together yesterday and don't get me wrong there are these moments. Every once and a while. It just feels like lately there's been more fighting. I'm hoping there will be more of these in 2011.

Happy New Year to you and your family! May 2011 be the best year yet!

Loving the leaves

This weekend was just what I needed. Some time to relax. Saturday we had no real plans and we just spent some time at home and raked the leaves. Usually I complain about yard work but it was actually fun. Don't tell my husband because he'll expect me to help out more often. It's so nice to be able to be outside in the crisp fall air without a coat. The kids had a great time and we cleaned up the yard.

And then of course there was Sunday :) I hope everyone had a

Happy and safe Halloween!

Finding a Balance

Lately I have really been struggling with this. I can't be in two places at once! How to I find a balance? Some may think that being a teacher I head home at 3:00 and I am done. There is so much more then I can even express right now. I'm not even starting with NCLB (No Child Left Behind). Let's just say I am finding myself overwhelmed with all my responsibilities at work and feel like I am not doing enough. I need to be giving more to my students, of my time and more effort. If I do that then where is that time and effort going to come from. My family time is less than I want it to be right now. I can't take more time away from my girls and my husband. My girls are in daycare or before/after school. My priority is and should be my family and I am a teacher but that is my job. I do have a life outside of school. I feel so torn but my heart is with my family and I feel like I am a good teacher and I am making a difference. Although this makes me feel better. Even that first lady feels the mommy guilt.

A little time with Alyssa

Gillian is quite busy this year. She's a cheerleader, a Daisy (girls scouts) and started CCD (church school) this year too. Alyssa and I have been spending a lot of time together and I've been loving it! She is hysterical. She uses words like actually and unexpected correctly. She likes to tell me stories about what happens at daycare. Like who got in trouble and that they danced to Achy Breaky Heart. She also is a huge Katy Perry Fan. Her absolute favorite is Hot and Cold which she sings and has a dance that goes with it. She has the biggest heart herself too. She loves her friends but adores her family especially her sister. She talks about her even whebn she's not around. I think sometimes the second child doesn't always get as much one on one time. Well at least that's what happened with us. So even thought it means Gillian is growing up and gaining some independence ...it has been really nice to have some time with just Alyssa and I can tell she loves it just as much as me..

Bring It On

After this weekend we will have survived our first year of cheerleading. It was amazing. I said this before but I really had no idea what I was in for in good and bad ways. We devoted the entire month of August to practices. Then after that practice continued two nights a week. That's a lot for 5 and 6 year olds. The money commitment was unexpected as well. The under uniform accessories, socks, sneakers, and of course the $80 warm up suit. On the positive Gillian has made some really great friends. There were the competitions which is where the photo is from were straight from Bring It On were a site to see. On a side note I did actually buy this photo and I also provided the link to the site where I purchased it so I think it's okay to post it. She has developed her own sense of community pride which I think may be my favorite part of this whole experience.

Raw(e) Smiles and Laughter

Raw(e) is hosting a Smiles and Laughter photo challenge and I just couldn't resist. I've been in such a blah mood that these smiling photos made me smile too. Even with the hair in the face and everywhere else...I can feel how much my girls love eachother in this picture.

I think I'm just having a hard time getting my new routine down. I feel like I'm always running to work, to cheerleading, to school, to pick up from daycare or wherever else the kids need picking up from. I want to just slow down and take a minute to enjoy. Hopefully soon!

Fall is in the Air

I love this time of year...especially in New England. This is one of our favorite ways to spend a fall day. We will probably go again since there were only a few types of apples out. Now I just need to find a yummy apple crisp recipe.

It's hard enough to take a picture of yourself. Two I can get, three just wasn't working. At least as you can see Alyssa is enjoying the apples.

First day and her first game

I was feeling so sad that I wasn't there to send her in myself on the first day. So as I'm taking attendance in my own classroom on my computer, I get a picture of her heading into first grade from a good friend. It was just what I needed.

Gillian is enjoying cheerleading and me too but wow...pop warner is serious business. I had no idea since I was never a cheerleader myself. The girls were so cute doing their cheers and even though I was watching them more than the game, the Seahawk football players won their first game too.

My new do

Here's my new back to school haircut. Sorry the picture quality is just okay. My web cam seems to be having some glare issues. I figured that I'd start the year right with a new cut and I went to a curly cut salon. I have to say what a different experience going to someone who knows how to cut curly hair and even showed me how to style it. I will be going back for sure!

Last week and then back to work

This is my last week off before heading back to meet my new class who if last year is any indication of what I'm in store for...I'm in trouble. I'm trying to stay positive and my thought is that every student starts with a clean slate, no matter what they did last year. So I'm trying to steer clear of those first grade teacher and stay away from those negative comments of well last year he was...or look out for that one she was a big problem for me she used to... New teacher and a fresh start that's going to be my mantra.

So today we hit the aquarium. We've been there before but not in a while. It's always a fun day. I love a day out with my girls wherever we go.

Posing for fishing pictures.

Finding Nemo

Checking out the penguins.

Hope you are all enjoying the end of summer vacation.

Back to school means back to work for me too.

Connecticut and the Cowboys

My husband is a HUGE Dallas Cowboys fan and one of the podcasts that he listens to is doing a contest for the Cowboys 50th anniversary where they want fans to take pictures in their gear in front of a recognizable landmark from your state. It got me thinking...what is CT known for? These are a few things that come to mind when I think of CT but I'm not sure any of these will work. The beautiful fall folliage but thats not a landmark or a place
The beaches that I love! We are on the coast.

Gillette Castle which is very cool to see but not very well known.

We do have two large casinos, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. I suppose that could be it.

Maybe Yale University? I think a lot of people would recognize that especially right next to a sign. I've got to think about this. Connecticut is a hard one. When I think of other states a landmark comes to mind immediately but not for my own state.

What do you think of when you think of Connecticut?

Heading back to Germany

My husband's Aunt or I should actually say Tante (which is the German translation) has been visiting for the past two months. She is in the stripes and it was so nice to have her here and we've spent quite some time together. There is a bit a a language barrier since she really does not speak English. This is her last weekend so will be going to say goodbye on Sunday. I would really love to make a trip to visit her but I'd need to bring one of hubby's family members as a translator. I really think that traveling is my biggest wish. I am really itching to go somewhere. I've never been out of the United States. I think my girls are almost ready. Next summer I know we'll be ready to go for it. I should start planning now.

On the brink of a big change

Lately I've been feeling like I've got a lot of things that I want to do but not so many that I'm actually accomplishing. Here's my short list of things that top my list of what I want to do but that aren't quite happening for me.

1. Go back to school and get my sixth year or doctorate. This would mean a pay increase but it would also be cool for my students to have to call me Dr. I am also one of people who love being a student myself and learning new things.
2. My father is from Colombia and I really want to take a trip with him to visit my family and bring my girls but my husband thinks they are too young for international travel.
3. Get my lia sophia business going. I think I thought that it was going to easy and I would have to keep after people so much to get them to hostess shows.
4. Take care of myself and enjoy the summer but I'm too stressed out thinking about the changes. I wish I could be more like my girls and just float along and go with the flow.

I will admit, I don't do well with change. I like things how they are but I'm trying to stay positive. My hubby's company is being sold and his soon to be bosses want him too. This also means new responsibility and a big change in the hours that he works. He was pretty much on a Monday through Friday and home by 6:00 kind of schedule. This will not be the case any more. Who knows this could end up being a job he loves. We won't know until he tries it.So my plan is to enjoy the rest of the summer because before I know it I'll be back to school with a whole new group of kiddos. I guess the rest of my list will have to wait :)

Tomorrow she's six

Gillian had her party at Snip-its on Saturday. She had a wonderful time! The girls all got their hair done, made crowns, did their makeup, walked the red carpet, and enjoyed birthday cupcakes. We originally planned a bowling party but once I heard about this I knew it was perfect for her. It will be hard to beat next year.

Her she is walking the red carpet after getting glamorous.

Freeze dance was a favorite at this party. It seems like it always is wherever we go lately.

Thanks and some summer fun

I'm so excited to have won and the Magic Bullet. I've been having so much fun making yummy creations with this. I've tried margaritas, ice coffee, muffins and even sauce tonight. It's so easy! Thanks again to Michele at Mamatalk for doing this giveaway. She's got a great blog that I've been following for quite a while now. You should check her out. Her stories always make me smile.

It's that time of year again. Carnival season. The rides, the junk food, the games and spending money. This one happens to benefit the church so at least it's going to a good cause.

A big goal this summer is for Gillian to learn to swim. I feel like I've waited too long but a good friend of my who is also a high school swim coach is giving her lessons this summer. Hopefully that will do the trick and we won't need all this gear to go in the pool by the end of the summer. I'm a swimmer so I don't get it. I was never afraid of the water.

I hope you're all out enjoying all the fun the summer has to offer and staying cool.

Crazy weather and turning three

I was so happy to have my best friend visiting from Texas with her family. I love when Kristin

visits her Nana because that means I get to see her too. We all headed to the zoo. It was hot so we cooled off at the fountain and with popsicles. I miss these guys already!

Literally two minutes after this a tornado hit. We had no idea it was coming. Several buildings collapsed and tons of trees fell. We ran for cover in the monkey house. We were safe but it was stinky. Fifteen minutes later we were driving home. Crazy New England weather!

We celebrated Alyssa birthday with a family party. I can't believe that my baby will be three on Tuesday. I feel like it went by in a flash. Also In case you notice the matches in the photo, I grabbed them right after I took the picture.

Back to the beach

All ready and looking cute.
They were a little timid at first but by the end they were jumping around and covered with sand.

I'm sure we will be spending many days here over our vacation. It's one of my favorite places to be. Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful summer days.

Endless possibilties and six degrees of separation

I was so happy to wake up this morning and not have to run around getting ready this morning. I have no plans today. Well I do have to bring Gillian to school she has two more half days left.

Usually I am super booked with things going on all the time. I still have the occasional birthday party and playdate but for the most part it's beach days and seeing where I feel like heading when I wake up and of course the girls may have say in it sometimes.

Which is why I was pulled into this idea of taking Six Degrees of Separation to the blogging world. Here was Diane's suggestion. Pick one of her followers and go visit their blog. Do this six times and see where you end up. I left comments on each of the blogs I visited and almost all of them commented back which hasn't been happening a lot lately. Give it a try and see where it takes you. You may be surprised at who you find. I found Julia and she's got a new follower now. I love meeting new blogging friends.

She's almost a first grader

Gillian's kindergarten doesn't have an actual graduation but her afterschool program does and look how proud she is. Each group put on a play. Gillian's group was The Great Kapok Tree and she was a toucan. As she said her lines so clearly and with such feeling. I even heard someone behind me gasp, "Wow, she's good!" I thought to myself...that's my girl and realized that I may have an actress on my hands. Although with all her drama I already knew this. My last day is tomorrow and Gillian has three more half days to go. I can't wait for our summer vacation to begin.

Random thought

I'm hearing this more and more...they look so much like you. I know this is silly but I find it a little bit of a confidence booster for myself because I think they are beautiful.

Going old school

It was much fun but also a bit exhausting trying to get a two year old to bowl. This is the reason were we there...we have been searching for somewhere not super expensive to have Gillian's kids party this year since she informed me the backyard is no longer cutting it. I decided to go old school since I remember going to these as a kid and loving it and so did my girls.

They are updated now to glow in the dark with Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber playing while you bowl. Her party is not until July but she's already excited. First I have to tackle her sister's special day which will be in the backyard at least for this year before I can work on her theme which is a Girl Spy Party. I have no idea how to even begin with that. Wish me luck.

My big girls

My daughters have grown so much this year. Gillian is about to finish her first year of school. It's amazing to me how much more mature she is and how much she has learned. She can read, do basic addition, and she has become a bit of a problem solver. She is so much more independent and I don't even know how this happened. She knows what she wants and is not afraid to speak up when she doesn't get. She is constantly making me laugh, if fact so does Alyssa. She is a character! She will always be my baby but there is no denying that she is a big girl too. I am planning her 3rd birthday with a Dora theme. This will be the second Dora themed birthday that I've thrown but I think this time around I might even have some better ideas. As for me, I just can't wait...school is almost over and I get to spend the summer with my girls. I have a feeling this will be the best one yet.

Scary Trip to Work

You have probably heard about the NYC bomb scare but if not check out the link. Well I had a little scare on my way to work a few days ago. I was surprisingly (well not so surprising) running late. I was on the main road and so close to work. I realize we are not really moving. I try to see what the heck is going on only to notice their are several helicopters flying about me. They were not so much flying more hovering in the area. Then I see a news van for every station in the state, local police, their mobile unit, and SWAT vans. I teach in the inner city and I'm usually not scared going into work but this day I was. Apparently the man in question lives in the area and they were all heading to his home. Needless to say I made it to work but I was nowhere near on time.