Schools Out :)

Well...almost! I have half a day left and it's summer vacation for me! I can't even tell you how excited I am to not have to go to work and just spend some time with my favorite girls. I really don't know how I've been away from blogging this long and how time got away from me. I miss all my friends and even though I've been bad at posting comments, I've been thinking about you all. Life has just been so crazy and I've been overwhelmed with life in general.

Tomorrow will be Gillian's last day at daycare since she will start kindergarten in the fall as I think I've already mentioned (sniff, sniff). So along with the gift I bought for her daycare provider I asked her to do a two things. One was to paint a picture of Susan which is obviously the photo above. She actually has blond hair but I guess red was Gillian artistic interpretation. The second was to write her a letter. So she talked and I typed it. She said the sweetest things. I'm going to print it on some pretty paper and give it to her tomorrow. I typed it just as Gillian said it which I think makes it even cuter. My favorite things that she wanted to put in it were "I like when I give you hugs and kisses. You always listen when somethings wrong. I think that you are the greatest Susan ever and I love you." Hearing Gillian say all these good things about Susan makes me feel so good that this is the person that I entrust my babies with when I'm at work. She's the best!

My Tiny Dancer

My daughter had her dance recital this weekend and she could not have been any cuter! Watching her brought back dancing memories from my own childhood and seeing her on stage and loving it made me smile. She was a star and I couldn't be a prouder mama. I was thinking about not sending her back next year but after this I'm not sure that is an option. She's getting to be such a big girl and although that I'm full of joy it also makes me feel a little (sniff, sniff) sad.

It all goes by quickly. Here are the five things that happened that make me feel like Gillian is becoming so mature and turning into a mini me. I hear myself so much in what she says.

1. Before the show she said that she thought she should relax for a little while so she wouldn't be tired at the dance recital.

2. On the way to Gillian's recital I left her tights at home so we had to turn around. She noticed I was upset and said it's okay momma no matter what you do I will always love you.

3. I bought her flowers and she said thank you that was so nice of you and daddy they are beautiful and smell so pretty.

4. I could see her on the stage getting the other girls to where they were supposed to be gently and taking the lead by modeling the dance for those her who were unsure. That made me really proud.

5. This has nothing to do with the show but last week I brought her to kindergarten orientation and I literally almost started crying on the way home.

I can't wait to spend the extra time with my girls. This summer vacation will certainly be something to treasure. Twelve days and counting!!!

Pony Party

Let me start by saying that this weekend we attended a wonderful birthday party and my girls had a great time. It was a friend from my mom's group, who was throwing a party for her son. There was a cowboy theme complete with pony rides, cowboy hats and bandannas. I know there will always be pictures and memories but will these little ones have any memories themselves? Don't get me wrong I will go to any of these over the top parties that people will be inviting me too but I have a hard time doing that myself. My girls' birthdays tend to be more of a backyard celebration but then I start to feel the pressure. Should I do more? This year Gillian will be turning 5 I may end up going for it. She's after me for a hula theme. I'm starting to think grass skirts, flowers, and the limbo. Oh no! Gillian's party may be heading for an over the top production as well. Either way it will be fun.

Look at that smile.! Like I said they loved it and I actually got on the horse and rode with Alyssa but nobody got a picture of that..luckily although it would have been funny.

Enjoying the weather

I'm still here we have been taking advantage of the nice days that we've been given and spending some time outside. Before I know it the day is over and I'm exhausted and ready for bed. I know I've been neglecting my blogging friend. But I hope you all know I still love you :) I promise I'll try to be better about checking in with you all. I do miss you.

My girls have rediscovered our little sandbox and thinks it the best thing ever. Although I'm not sure that Alyssa was quite aware of it at all last summer. They are so cute playing in it together...which I love too. Alyssa did try eating some sand but as you can see by her face she won't be doing that again.

Another of my favorite thing about it being nice out is eating outside. There's just something about it makes everything taste better. Okay, maybe it's just me but I love it.

Alyssa also has been a little more adventurous when it comes to food. She decided to try pickles again. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love pickles. I can eat a whole jar in one sitting. I very rarely buy them anymore because I literally have no self control and the salt content is no good for me.

I guess pickles are not a favorite but she didn't hate them either. I of course ate the other two that were left on her plate. See what I mean no self control!

Silly poems to share

So I was searching the internet for a new poem to share with my class and found this great website filled with silly poems which are my students favorite kind and of course mine too. It's called Giggle Poetry and you really should go check it out too. I really smiled and laughed as I looked through and loved the pictures too. Here's my favorite which I will not share with my class but is so true. I can't wait for the last day of school and I am probably more excited then my students :) I am counting down!

The Teachers Jumped Out of the Windows
by Kenn Nesbitt

(Sing to the tune of "My Bonnie")

The teachers jumped out of the windows.
The principal ran for the door.
The nurse and librarian bolted.
They’re not coming back anymore.
The counselor, hollering madly,
escaped out the door of the gym.
The coach and custodian shouted
and ran out the door after him.

Chorus
Oh my! Goodbye!
They’re not coming back anymore, no more.
How fun! They’ve run!
They’re not coming back anymore.

The lunch ladies threw up their ladles,
then fled from the kitchen in haste,
and all of the students looked puzzled
as staff members scurried and raced.
We’d never seen anything like it.
But still, it was pretty darned cool
to see all the staff so excited
to leave on the last day of school.
Chorus again

My Brother and Bears

So I've missed all my blogging friends but I'd been in a little funk and I tried blogging but just everything I was typing was so negative and I didn't want to feed my funk. So I'm back and in a better mood...well at least today. How cute...right? Well my brother has joined the Maine DEP Black Bear Trapping crew and will be following, tagging, measuring, and monitoring the Black Bears. Here's a little background, my brother and I are 12 years apart. I remember vividly when my mom told me that she was pregnant thinking...I'm sorry what did you just say. I helped a lot in caring for him and I still look out for him know even though he towers over me. We have grown very close now and I really think he is an amazing person. I know I am the one he calls when he needs someone to listen or for advice. He just finshed his junior year in college and can now legally drink. It just seems crazy to me and he'll always be my baby brother.A huge difference between my brother and I is that he loves the outdoors. I enjoy being outside

just not for extended periods of time. Before he left for Maine he took Gillian fishing and she just thought that was the coolest and so was he uncle. I love that they have that relationship and he is so great with her. As you can see in the picture his relationship with Alyssa still needs a little work. Really she's just in that mama, mama, mama phase and I'm all she wants. I'm so glad he got this opportunity but I'm miss him until he comes back in July. I did ask he what they do to stay safe and he assured me that Black Bears do not usually attack people. But I was not assured...so he said that they also have shot guns.

Missing mom

Today I went and planted some flowers for my mother by her grave. It was quiet and peaceful and I thought of all the wonderful memories that I have and how blessed I was to have her in my life. How lucky I was that she was my mom. I know that I am the person that I am because of her. I hope I'm still making her proud as I raise my own family. I know she watches as my girls grow and she will be their guardian angel and mine as we face challenges (big and small) of life. I feel her love everyday and keep her close to my heart.

I just wish I could have more time with her. I want to hear that last bit advice or that comment that used to annoy me so much when she would have an opinion on absolutely everything. I feel like her time was cut short and that it's unfair that she never really got to know her granddaughters. I try hard not to cry when I think of her and all I've lost. Instead I try to remember all the things I gained and learned by having her in my life. I will pass all those things on to my girls and that is how they will know her.

Happy Mother's Mom! I miss you and love you with all my heart!