Thursday, August 30, 2012

We're Back In Full Swing!

Last night was the official "Back to School Night" even though they've been back for a week.  Not a bad idea though to allow us parents a little time to adjust.... Tonight will be "back to school" for Ma-lak and Rea at their school.  Ma-lak will be playing the BARITONE in band this year!  It's a very large instrument....  I'm ashamed to say I actually tried to talk him into the trumpet.  "It's the same keys and everything, just smaller and easier to tote back and forth!"  I said hopefully.  "No, I want to start with the baritone and when I'm big enough I want to play the TUBA."    So that sorta backfired.  



 We were at the pool before we rushed over to the school.  It was Picture Day for the Neptunes Swim Club.  Imagine lining 250 kids and adults onto bleachers and hoping no one falls into the pool.  (No one did!) 

These are the new t-shirts for the swim club this year.  They cracked me up.  On the back it reads, "Chlorine, the breakfast of champions."  Hilarious.

They were a little "pictured out" at this point.

Here's what our meals have been looking like - assembly line style!  The kids go from school straight to swim practice.  They get home shortly after I wake up and dinner's ready right away, then it's home work time and then bed!  Lather rinse repeat!!!   Love a good routine.....

When we did back to school shopping this year I tried to honor Ni'ke's flair for the dramatic when it comes to her clothing choices - but in a controlled way!   She's having a ball laying her clothes out the night before school and putting her outfits together and making sure that her earrings match and then she designs her hairstyles that she wants me to do for her in the morning.  She's thought of everything....  This morning we did lots of little braids that started in the front and wrapped around to the back with a big flower on top.  I told her don't expect her dad to follow her blue prints so closely tomorrow morning....



Ni'ke went grocery shopping with me a few days ago.  Even then she had to "do" her hair and bring her purse.....

She was very excited about picking out her own flavors of yogurt!!


Rea is on the bandwagon with the fun fashion, but not to Ni'ke's level.  She just wants to play basketball and soccer as soon as she gets to school, so she's all about comfort.  But I dig her purple pants!
I'm off to go swim some laps with my husband!!  After work in the morning I'll pack us up and we'll be off for a grand adventure to Morgan Hill for a swim meet!  Supposed to be 90 this weekend!!!  Some is STILL here!!!!  Hooray!!!!!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Headin' Home for a Weddin' - Ohio Visit August 2012

                                My seeeester!  Loved hanging out in the "country" at mom and dad's.  (And impromptu shopping trips!)

                                         Mandy and Miss Lexi
                                           Levi
                                                                    


                                      Auntie Sheila with Lexi and Levi


                                   So very adorable
                           Petunias!! I have great memories of planting these with Mom as a kid!


                                                         Waiting for a train in Pettisville!!



                                 The happy couple!! My cousin Dan and his new bride Annie!



                        My sister and I were honored to be able to help decorate!  Aren't these old barn doors  fabulous?!  Very country chic!!!





                                                                   Mom and I
                                           Parents of the groom,  Uncle Tom and Aunt Lori!

                                                                 
                                                                  Brett, Hunter and Kim

                                                           Grandma and Aunt Tina

                                                 Aunt Donna, Nico, Chris and Larry

                                           The three musketeers!!!  Me, Kim and Chris!!

                                                                    Kahle


                                                                  Leah and Anna


                                                                       Eli

                                                                       Dad and me


     My handsome date for the wedding!  David flew in from Baltimore and got a little R&R at grandpa and grandma's before school started.

                                                                    Grandma, Lexi and Ava


                                                                       Tina and her girls

                                        Aunt Retha and Uncle Jim (Grandma's baby brother!)

                                                        Dee and Earl (mom's cousins)


                                                               Chris, Nico and Larry

                                                            Jess, Brent, Eli and Ava
                                             
                                                             Jim, Mandy, Lexi and Levi


                                                              Jared with Levi and Mom
               
                                                                         Sarai and me



Flying is one of my favorite parts of traveling!  Here's the view from "up top" before I landed in Chicago on the way home.