Katelyn's 1st Field Trip

Katelyn had her first field trip last week with her pre-school. She woke up every morning last week and would say "Is this my field trip day?" And every day she would remind Gavin that she would be going on a field trip with her class. Oh yes, she was super excited.

We went to the Van Wezel hall in downtown right on the water. We saw a live performance of Harold and the Purple Crayon.

When we first got there we all waited outside for the everyone to get there and then all walked in to our seats. Katelyn was just beside herself seeing all of her friends outside of school!! Our seats were in the 3rd row right in the center so we could see the stage perfectly.
The play was really cute and Katelyn laughed the whole time. After the show we all went behind the building so the kids could have a snack.

After the snack the kids ran around in the grass and threw some rocks into the ocean. Then they all got together for a group shot.

Don't they all look so cute in their school T-shirts! Katelyn had wonderful time and is looking forward to the next field trip!!

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Katelyn School Update

Katelyn's teacher sent home a big folder full of some of her schoolwork from the beginning of the year. In it was her "All About Me" paper. It has her name on it and her likes and dislikes.

Katelyn told the teacher that her "likes" were: crayons, pigs(?), flamingos, playing, riding her bike, and trees.

Her one and only dislike was--- Transformers.

And when I dropped her off at school this morning her regular teacher was not there. She had a sub teacher taking over the rest of the week and I was told her teacher is at home sick and would be back next week. And I'm pretty sure that is what was told to all the kids too because when she got in the car today, Katelyn said:

Mom, did you know teachers have homes?

And I said- Yes, I did know that, why?

Katelyn said: I didn't know they had homes to go to. I thought they lived at the school.

Yes, her mind was BLOWN that teachers don't live at school!!

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Back To School Book

Gavin brought home his Back To School Booklet he made the first couple days of school. Basically fill in the blank answers about himself and what he did this summer.

Here are some Q & A's

My favorite thing about school is: lunch and recess
My favorite game is: Xbox
My favorite thing to do is: play Xbox ( lovely, what does the teacher think lol )
The best thing about this summer was: playing with my toys
One thing I love to do in the summer that I cant do at school is: play video games

(are we seeing a pattern here?)

The best thing about me is: I am nice
I really like to: run
If I could have one wish, I would wish: that I could drive
I think this will be a good school year because: we have recess

So, what I take away from this little book is my kid likes the Xbox and recess. And I'm sure the teacher knows now too.

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Is Bruce A Name?

Yesterday Katelyn came up to me and asked "Mama, is Bruce a real name?"


I laughed and said "Yes Bruce is a real name."


Katelyn said "Oh, well who has the name Bruce?"


And I said, "Sharks."


I'm sorry, it was the first thing I thought of. But its the truth, sharks are named Bruce. You know, like this one:

But when I answered her question I really had this Bruce in mind:

My favorite scene from one of my favorite movies, JAWS. Poor Capt. Quint getting eaten. And since I know that the cast and crew gave the shark the nickname Bruce while they were filming, of course "sharks' were my first answer when Katelyn asked who was named Bruce.

But then I realized that I should have never brought up sharks when it started a whole new discussion with my 4-year-old.

"Where do sharks live?'

"In the ocean." I told Katelyn.

Her eyes widened with horror. And then she said," Are you joking mommy? Please say you are joking."

I couldnt even answer her because I was laughing hysterically at the poor girl. What kind of mommy am I? First I tell her sharks are named Bruce and then I tell her that sharks live in the ocean.

You know, the ocean that we live a couple of miles from. The ocean that Katelyn loves to play and swim in. The ocean that she now knows is filled with sharks named Bruce.

And since she now has her hands on my shoulders pleading with me to tell her I was just making a big joke out of where sharks live, I told her that, yes, I was only joking. I have no idea where sharks live. She should just ask Daddy when he gets home.

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4 Years ~ Then & Now ~ Happy Birthday Katelyn

I just tucked Katelyn into bed for the last time as a 3-year-old. Tomorrow when she wakes up she will be 4.

4??? I don't even know where the time has gone. Was it really that long ago that I was at the hospital looking at my brand new baby girl for the first time? Her sweet little pink face all squished up staring at me?

4 years ago I had a newborn. A beautiful newborn who immediately slept through the night and hardly ever cried. She watched the world in amazement with her beautiful eyes. She was content to just let you hold her and smother her with kisses.

Today I have a loud, wild, little girl. She is adventurous and knows what she wants. And if she doesn't get it, she will let you know at the top of her lungs. She puts her big brother in his place quite often. She is on the go from the minute she wakes up and doesn't stop moving all day long. Quite the change from my quiet little newborn.

Happy Birthday my darling Katelyn!!

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First Day Of School 2010

Today was back to school day for Gavin and Katelyn. Katelyn woke up bright and early and was super excited. Gavin woke up grudgingly and was super cranky. 2 different kids and 2 different attitudes about school.

This morning was dark and rainy as we were getting ready for school. Our first day of school pictures had to be taken in the house this year.




When we got to Gavin's school it was still pouring. Katelyn and I walked him to his new classroom to watch him get settled in. He only has one friend from last year in his class this year.


After saying good-bye to Gavin, Katelyn and I headed back home. The first day for her Pre-K class was a meet and greet and started at 10. It was still raining at the time we had to leave so Katelyn's first day of school pictures were taken inside also. And, she had quite the time posing for them!!

Once we got to her school she got to meet her 2 teachers. After introductions were made she wasted no time heading over to the kitchen area to play with a couple of other little girls. We stayed for a little over an hour. She got to check out the class fish tank and find her cubby. She colored on same paper and played with the doll house too.

When it came time to leave I had one mad little girl on my hands. She could have stayed all day. Which she will get tomorrow. I hope her super attitude towards school keeps up the rest of the year!

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Packed and Ready To Go

Tomorrow is the first day back to school for Gavin and Katelyn. Can I get a high five from someone???

Gavin is starting 3rd grade and Katelyn will be in Pre-K from 9-12 Monday thru Friday. Katelyn is more than excited. She cannot wait to meet new friends and play on the playground. She did tell Danyelle yesterday that she was a little nervous because she doesn't know her ABC's all the way yet. Danyelle told her the teacher will teach her and not to worry.

Gavin could care less about going back to school. We went to his meet and greet Friday afternoon to see his new classroom and meet his teacher. His desk was all set up with his name and schoolbooks on it. As we left Danyelle asked him what his favorite part of his new class was and he said it was that his desk was by the air conditioner.

Just a little while longer until baths and bedtime tonight. No more staying up late and sleeping in for these kids ( and me too lol ). And I have school lunches to make for the week tonight also. And then I better get some sleep too for my early wake up call.

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Vacation Recap ~ Part 1

After looking through all of our vacation photos I realized that I have to break up our vacation recap into multiple posts.

We left for Tennessee early Saturday morning around 1:30 am. We loaded up all 3 kids in the car and put Phineas and Ferb in the DVD player. Katelyn was the last to fall asleep somewhere around 3:30am. And with Ken driving, I finally went to sleep too.

I woke up around 730ish and the kids woke up when we stopped for breakfast around 930. Since we were now in Tennessee and traveling on back roads, we found a little diner to eat at. It was called the Biscuit Box and was the tiniest little place.

We got to our timeshare in Gatlinburg around 1130 and checked in. After some unpacking it was off to the grocery store to stock up on food. And since Gavin and Katelyn had been begging to go in the swimming pool, that was what we did when we got back.

Gavin loved his goggles and kept going underwater to explore. And Ken and Danyelle brushed up on their handstand skills.

After swimming we headed back to our place for dinner and some much needed relaxation after traveling all day.

Our second day of vacation we stopped at the welcome center to pick up some maps of the National Park.

Our next stop was to the Ski Lift up the side of the mountain that we do every year. Gavin and Danyelle road together and Katelyn sat with me and Ken. She LOVED going up the mountain and talked the whole way up about everything she saw.

Once we got to the top the heat was UNBEARABLE! The temp was around 98 degrees and we felt like we were melting up there. We only got a couple of pictures before heading back down.

We then walked around downtown and stopped in a couple of stores and then made our way to the river that runs along the back of the stores.

The kids quickly took off their shoes and started walking around.

Gavin and Danyelle decided they were going to try to walk to the other side of the river. Gavin didn't get very far before he fell over and got soaking wet. Eventually they both made it to the other side. Gavin came back by way of the river but Danyelle chose to get out and walk around across a bridge instead of chancing it with falling.

Katelyn sat on the rocks near me and picked up leaves and tiny rocks to throw.

And since this post is getting long, I will finish Day 2 in my next post!

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Just a little history on the kids birthday parties for the past couple of years. Since my psycho-nutbag-sister-in-law insists on screwing it all up.

July 2008- Gavins 6th birthday. This was the party where we rented the water slide. Everyone was there, including pschyo-nutbag. We had it on a Saturday. This is also the party where psycho-nutbag decided it was her business to talk crap about me to anyone who would listen.

August 2008- Katelyn's 2nd birthday. We had her party at the house. On a Sunday. It was Dora themed. Psycho-nutbag had to work, but her kids and husband were there. I have pictures to prove it. SO, even though she had to work, hubby and kids came to celebrate their cousins bday.

July 2009- Gavin's 7th birthday. We had it at the bowling alley. Gavin brought 2 friends from the neighborhood. His good friend austin was with his dad that weekend so he couldn't make it. It was on a Saturday. Pshyco-nutbag and her family were invited. I spoke to her hubby personally on the phone to invite them. They were going out of town for the weekend and couldn't make it.

August 2009- Katelyn's 3rd birthday. Again her party was at our house. It was Cinderella themed. We had it on a Sunday. I was in an all girls fantasy football league this year and we were in the process of scheduling our draft party. It was back and forth between saturday and sunday of katelyns bday weekend. Once the girls had determined to have the draft on Saturday, I then went ahead and planned Katelyns bday party for Sunday. Again, psycho-nutbag and family were invited. 3 days before the party nutbag's hubby called to say nutbag had to work and he was going to take the kids to his mother in laws to swim that day instead of coming to the party. His reasoning was since I planned the party for a sunday and psycho-nutbag couldn't get off work, then I did it on purpose so his wife couldn't come. HIS EXACT words to me on the phone.

July 2010- Gavin's 8th birthday. I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out what to do for Gavins birthday. Since we were now living in Sarasota i wasn't sure where to have the party. He was only in school here for a couple of months and I didn't have any of his new friends names or addresses to invite them to a party. He has a couple of friends in the neighborhood, but I didnt want to plan a party around them, and then them not be able to make it. I then decided to have the party back in pinellas county where all of our friends and family still live. Ken and I went back and forth over what day to have it, saturday or sunday. We finally decided on sunday since it would be easy to take Danyelle back to Tampa after the party was over. Instead of back and forth driving all weekend if we had it on Saturday. The very same day I booked the party, I sent out email invites and Ken called psycho-nutbag and invited her. 6 days before the party psycho texted me to tell me that since she couldn't get off of work to come to the party, then she was sending her hubby and kids to her mothers to go swimming. I called her on the phone where she proceeded to tell me that this is the 3rd year in a row that I have had parties on Sundays on purpose so she couldn't come. Her kids are tired of their mother not being invited anywhere and don't want to come without her. She told me I need to plan my parties on Saturdays when she has off or give her a months notice so she can ask for the day off. She called me a bitch many times and told me to grow up. She once again told me how her and her husband hate me anyway and how she has told her oldest child what a mean bitch I am and he doesn't want anything to do with me anymore. And for the record, my mom and dad were unable to come to Gavin's party because they had to work. My sister Tiffany almost didn't come because she had to work, but got let off early. My brother in law eric was late to the party because he had to work. Hmmm.

Katelyn's birthday party in a couple of weeks is on a Saturday. Because that is what works this year for ME AND MY HUSBAND. NOT anyone else. I plan my parties around my husbands schedule and when we have Danyelle. NOT anyone else.

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3 New Schools

With 6th grade came another new school. Middle School. WOW! Although my friends and I would be back at the bottom of the totum pole, I could not wait to get to middle school. The grown up place. I can remember the excitement of having a locker and having to switch classrooms for different subjects.


I also tried out for the junior varsity cheer leading team. I went to practices a couple of times a week before tryouts and was so happy when I made the team.


Unfortunately, during this time my parents decided they wanted to sell their business and move our family to Florida. So I never even got to cheer at any games.


Our house sold before the business did so we ended up moving in with my grandparents who lived about a half hour away. Which meant another new school for me. The closest school to my grandparents house turned out to be a really bad school and my brother and I went for about 4 days before my mom transferred us to a Catholic school about 15 minutes away.


I really loved the new school and all my new friends, which was good because I was really nervous about starting yet another new school. Our transition into living with my grandparents turned out really well too. My younger brother and sister shared a room and my bedroom was the enclosed back porch area. I loved staying back there, I felt like I had my own little apartment.


I really enjoyed my time living with my grandparents. We were there for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and thru Easter. It was really special to be able to spend the holidays with them like that. My brother and I spend alot of our free time playing in the backyard and riding our bikes in the neighborhood.


By the end of the school year our restaurant had sold and we were ready to make our move to Florida. Which meant another new school for me when I started 7th grade.


***This is an auto - post. I am on vacation this week, so unfortunately I wont be able to blog hop this week***

I am taking part in a 15 week series hosted by Mommy's Piggy Tales to record memories from our youth. To see more or join in yourself- click on over!

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Best Lounge in Town ~

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Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Sleepovers, MTV, jelly bracelets, and jelly shoes. That's was what 5th grade was all about to me.

Music was a big part of my life in 5th grade. My friend Trina and I fought over who was going to marry John Taylor of Duran Duran. I had Michael Jackson and Madonna posters on my wall in my bedroom.

My wrists were covered in jelly bracelets and my clothes were usually neon in color. Oh my. And I got my first pair of Jordache jeans too. With the horse on the back pocket. And as my love for Madonna grew, I started wearing only black jelly bracelets like she did.


We had sleepovers almost every weekend between all the girls in my class. We would lay on pillows and blankets and watch MTV all night. I longed for the red jacket Michael Jackson wore in Thriller. Or Prince's long purple jacket.


5th grade was all about socializing with my girlfriends. I remember getting in trouble all the time for talking and my seat moved around the room. Oh, and bad notes on my report card saying I talk too much.

I also had my first boyfriend in 5th grade. His name was Scott and he was in a different class than me. But he lived about 5 houses away. He asked me out in a note that was delivered to me by his friend Mark. I said yes and our young little relationship began. We wrote notes back and forth and spent recess together. Eventually his friend Mark started going out with my friend Kim. And then it was the 4 of us. He gave me purple barrettes with my name on them and a purple heart bracelet too. And now to sound really corny--I still have all the notes and gifts he gave me. They are in a heart shaped container that had come with some stationary.
I am taking part in a 15 week series hosted by Mommy's Piggy Tales to record memories from our youth. To see more or join in yourself- click on over!

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Moving Right Along

Tennessee in 3 days!! Yep, vacation is getting closer and closer.

So far today I have packed Gavin and Katelyn's bags. They are zipped up and waiting by the front door. All the beach towels are washed and packed too in the beach bag, along with the sunscreen, goggles, and pool toys.

Next I am off to pack the medicines and toiletries bags.

Which then leaves...packing for Ken and I, cleaning out the car, and packing up the dry foods I have bought to take with us ( perishables will be bought when we get there ). Lets see, I also need to pack a bag with all of our jackets in it since it gets cold at the top of the mountains. EEEEEH, I am so excited!!

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Not So ~ Wordless Wednesday

I guess the good news is my sister Gina is back in town. The bad news is why she is here. My dad was admitted to the hospital Saturday night. Shortness of breath and leg pain. I only just found out last night when I called him on his cell for him to dog sit for me when we are in Tennessee next week.

Imagine my surprise when he told me why he couldn't! I was in shock that he had been in the hospital that long without letting me or my sister know but he said he didn't want to bother or worry us. Sheesh.

Gavin, Katelyn and I headed up to the hospital this morning to visit for a couple of hours. He is on oxygen at the moment and has had a couple of breathing treatments. His right leg is swollen and has red blotchy patches on it. When I left they were going to be taking him for another chest xray and an ultrasound of his leg. Which all means as of right now the don't know what is wrong.

So far we are still scheduled to leave early Saturday morning for our vacation. Gina is staying with my dad when he gets released from the hospital ( whenever that may be ) to help him at home.

Any prayers for my dad's health would be greatly appreciated!!

As for me, I still feel like I have so much to do to get ready for our trip. The dog needs to go to the vet tomorrow for a shot, laundry needs to be done in order to be packed, songs downloaded to the Ipod to keep me entertained on the long drive, and I need to stop by the library sometime to pick up some books I ordered.

I also have to write my post for this week and next week for my Mommys Piggy Tales project. Make sure the camera is charged. Find the charger for the camcorder. Make sure all the bills are paid before we leave. Visit my dad again before we leave. ToNs of stuff I tell ya. LOL

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Gavin's 8th Birthday ReCap

Gavin's 8th birthday was this past Saturday. Ken brought home Gavin some McDonald's for his birthday breakfast and then we opened up his presents.

We ate dinner at home and we all went up to Friendlys for some ice-cream. Gavin brought his friend Cody from our new neighborhood. The boys got a make-your-own-sundae that came with 3 little bowls of toppings for them to add themselves.

Sunday we went up to the Treasure Island Fun Center to celebrate with friends and family. The kids had a blast playing all the games and winning tickets to turn for prizes.

I bought the party package where each kid had an electronic wristband to scan in front of the games for unlimited playing. How cool is that???

The kids stopped playing games for a couple of minutes to enjoy some pizza.



After playing more games and opening presents it was time for cake. Gavin chose a Rays themed party and here is a pic of his cake:

And then it was time to turn in the tickets the kids got from some of the games and pick out their prizes. Here are the boys :

Hope you had a wonderful birthday Gavin!!

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