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.