Christmas in July at the Swim Club

This is the big event at the summer for the firehouse because at Christmas in July, they make Summer Snow~!

Dave was determined to make this year a total success.  Some of the men and women from the firehouse practiced before hand to make sure that the equipment needed to make summer   snow would work.  This was important because the last few years did not work out as perfectly as planned and the summer snow    fizzled a bit.

This year was an ultimate success.  There was fun to be had by all.  Many smiles and giggles fulled the agitator on and before you knew it...

SUDS everywhere!

And...

a very happy fireman.  SUCCESS :)

Cousins

 Well, as I was looking through pictures to pick for a blog pot, I found many cousin shots...so we'll start with COUSINS.  This is a picture from Michael's 6th birthday.  We had a fun time eating homemade ice cream cakes. 

 Robby and Ashlynne decided to play in the sandbox after some ice cream cake.  Rob wanted to build himself some boobs. 

 Now, Chincoteague on the dock...crabbing, fishing, and fun.  Good times.

 Here's all eight of them---they are lots of fun when they are all together.  Since Katie has been six we've been coming down here each summer with Mom, sisters, and kids.  The first time we came we had four kids.  Kate, Rob, Nolan, and Michael.   We've doubled in kids.  :)

 What a great picture of Rob and ASH---once again we were on the dock pulling our crab pots.  We've caught quite a few while we have been down here on our dream vacation.

 Happiness!

 We've had lots of fun, dancing, singing, laughing and loving down here.  My heart couldn't be more content- unless of course Dave was here.  My lobster makes everything better.

Well, it's been two years since I have posted...and now, I have decided that I have to get back to it.  I want to figure out raffle copters and all the new widgets that are out there.

So I will start with posting about Gina Fix's Origami Owl contest.  She is an amazing jewelry designer.  Please look her up on Facebook...
Here's the contest:
http://bit.ly/14DGA8x
...

View the lockets on her webpage.... www.GALockets.OrigamiOwl.com

If I was going to make a locket- it would look something like the one on the left below.
I LOVE OWLS.  they remind me of my Mom Mom

Ask and You Shall Receive

Well, yesterday I posted and said I wanted to have more hang outs with my friends and that is just what I got...
An impromptu after firehouse picnic party and fun was had by all.



Happy Sunday.

Things I am really into right now.

School and schedules and JOBS(my new life style change) are quickly approaching. Start of school is always my New Year Reflection-- much more than January 1 as the beginning of school is always the biggest change for me. As a child, I went to school and always felt very weepy about school starting and as a Mom school starting always means my kids are getting so big. And in between being a child and becoming a Mom, I was teaching so that always meant big change too...

So I am in to a lot of things right now...my brain is surging and flitting...it is hard to fall asleep at night for sure.

1) Thinking about the two of them in the pic above (not the people in the animal suits, mind you)...will this change of Mommy going back to work full time be detrimental? OH, I know it will all work out and all will be fine and this is a great change for us all...but I am scared
2) Thinking about going camping on Labor Day weekend-- I love going camping with this crew. It is great to get away with just us and just BE.
3) Wanting to have lots of friends over on the weekends to just CELEBRATE life. I love kibitzing and laughing and relaxing with my friends.
4) Wondering what goes on in the head of this little thing...he is a true character. What a delightful boy...but man, he can be such a pickle lately. I know he is testing me and right now, I am not sure who is winning.

5) This picture--can't get enough of it. I miss hanging with my sisters and their kids. I have not seen them for about two weeks and it leaves a hole in my heart.

Happy Saturday, Everyone.

I am the daughter of a READING MASTER

My Mom taught me almost everything I know about teaching and one of the tenets of teaching is to spread the love of reading. So, I wanted to create a library and my Mom suggested that I sort my books.

Katie helped me every step of the way.
We sorted the books last night and started to label each one with its category so it could easily be put back in its basket. (Katie's idea- I thought it was too much work but she pushed me.)
And yes, we started at breakfast! Just finished at 7:30---whew!
Here are the labels Katie taped on each book. She was a real lifesaver. I could not have attacked this undertaking without her.
We have categories like: Classics, Poetry and Jokes, Realistic Fiction, Fantasies, Animal Stories, Author Baskets(books by Andrew Clements, Judy Blume, etc.), and then Series Baskets like Captain Underpants and Nancy Drew



And here it is! Our finished project. 30 baskets of books. Now on to the managing system of it all.

THANK YOU, KATIE!

Top Ten Life Experiences

This is a list that is not put in order of importance.

But a list just the same of the top ten experiences in my life.


1) Birth of Katie

2) Birth of Rob

ohhh, the stories that swell my heart surrounding the above events. heart beats swelling the room at the doctor's office, eating cereal off of the ridge of my belly, looking into the face of my newborn child--- overwhelming.

3) Going to Pittsburgh on a bus for the first time- When Dave picked me up at the bus depot, it was literally a scene from a fairytale movie.

4) Going to Home Depot with my Dad. Each time was special- REALLY.

5) The Parades at Disney- Twitterpating

6) My Wedding- I mean, come on.

7) Teaching with my Mom at Thurgood Marshall

8) Touching the Pacific Ocean for the First Time

9) Going to London, England with Jessica

10) The Taylor Swift Concert- last night- amazing- will be on a high for a while.