My Jayda, so unsure of herself...yet such a wonderful student...this is her second time being honored as student of the week. Both she and Jacob have adjusted to schooling out here and away from my old school where I taught. Friends are the best and biggest change...and they have chosen some very nice ones! YAY Well, we are waiting on Jay to get up from his nap to go car hunting. I wanted to wait until December, when no one was buying and you can get a great deal. But, alas, the car had other plans...the transmission went out. Well, only the reverse does not work. I thought it would be interesting to drive a car with out reverse. I bet it could be done. All in the name of being frugal. After all, the car only has 60,000 miles on it. (Oh that's right...it is nearly 10 years old though!) It is the car my parents sold me. It is a lemon and I want my money back. hehehehe The dealer warned me of this impending doom when I had it in to be checked why it clunked when I put it into reverse. He said, "if it is what I think it is...it will be very expensive to fix and I suggest you just drive it til it quits." Now, being a woman...I understand what he means about quits. LOL My mother and I were not real happy about coming straight home from our quick trip to Ormond for shopping and LUNCH OUT! I thought I could just park so I didn't have to put it in reverse. Michael thought otherwise. He said I needed to come home. PARTY POOPER!
Let's begin April 23rd. We have been very busy...as usual! Maybe even more so! Mother had found some new Stride Rite shoes at Beall's Outlet and got them for him. You may remember the story of how Jay's very first pair of shoes cost 56.00 or some silly thing like that. In the meantime, I began to see them at Beall's Outlet when I went with my mother. They were only 19.99 there. So, this has begun the treasure hunt of Jay's shoes. Besides, who doesn't like a treasure hunt...or an excuse to shop??? Jay is absolutely in love with the outdoors. Wakes up in the morning, first thing he wants to do after having his juice is go OUTSIDE! Grabs his shoes and first asks nicely, then ups the anty by beginning to raise his voice, proceeding into fits of mass hysteria(in which you can interrupt him and ask him to sing a song...stops dead whine and begins to sing a rendition of the Barney song, only to hurry back into his hysterics) On this particular morning, we put on his brand spanking new size 9 shoes. I wanted to get a picture of his shoes, you will notice in the first pic he thought we were simply going out doors. His excitement over this turned for the worse immediately when he realized I was holding up the OUTSIDE process.
This particular day, the 23rd, was officially my mother's birthday. She and I planned a fun day of shopping and sushi for lunch! We first stopped at the bead store and then headed over to the home store, looking for the perfect picture for her bedroom. Then it was on to lunch!
We all enjoyed our lunches! A little too much, I was stuffed.
Later that day, you will find Jay OUTSIDE! Go figure. This time, after he had played and got overheated I turned on the sprinklers for some water fun...as usual my talking in the background is annoying...
Even later that evening, OUTSIDE once again. Michael was preparing the Kayaks for a trip out which will include Jay. So we had to rig a seat for him.
On the 28th, Jayda had a field trip to the Historic Courthouse Museum. Where we were treated to the most fascinating artist presented to us by phenomenal docent's (the corps of volunteer guides who staff museums and other educational institutions. Docent is derived from the present participle (docens, docentis) of the Latin word docēre, meaning "to teach".) You can see what we learned by clicking HERE! If you click on the pictures you can learn more about the history of Florida through the artist Jackson Walker. I highly recommend you take the time and learn a little more about this artist and his artwork. The children were absolutely enthralled by the paintings and learned a little more about their Florida! Jayda loved having me on the field trip with her! She has a great class and I loved being part of this field trip. Next up...Jake's field trip to sea world! Then back again with Jayda's class to St. Augustine! Friday May 1 was field trip day to Sea World. We left the school at 815 am and arrived back at 745 pm...what a long, fun, totally awesome day! I had four great children in my group! You will notice a very typical theme for Jacob in this photo. He is my old soul in a little man's body! While the other boys are silly, Jacob just never quite seems to go there. Or rather, I should say...he knows when to be silly and when to be serious! He is my "forward thinking boy"...using his words. Defined, "I think about things before they happen and decide what I should do." Yes, he is my forward thinking child! (Crack me up!) I MADE them ride the merry go round with me!!! hehehehe It was fun and they were funny and I think they loved it! At least I did! Here are some shots of my favorite part of the day! I mean really...Shamu show is amazing! I can not imagine a single person, be it child or adult that does not leave that place inspired. The music, the story, the mammal, the trainers, the audience...amazing.
The place was jam packed, we were there 45 minutes early and the boys literally had front row seats in the soak zone! I sat up about 15 rows. Unfortunately, for the boys, Shamu refused to soak our section...did it feel my desperate pleas of not getting soaked with salt water?
Michael was the perfect Mr. Mom these past three days! Friday he watched Jay as I went to the field trip, then Saturday I left for a weekend getaway with my teacher friends. We were celebrating Mary's bachelorette party! Michael took jay and went to Ocala! Jacob and Jayda were with their dad this weekend. It was a great weekend for us all! I arrived at the beach at around 10 am and we went out to the store to get some food and beverages! Hung out by the pool and at the beach, caught up on all the goings on, laughed, ate delicious food-I had wahoo shashimi and it just may be my favorite fish now!, went back to the beach house and danced, laughed and played games! What a great time for everyone!
Two other girls took TONS of pictures but I only got this one! It is blurry, but this is Mary! We all wore matching shirts out to dinner...they had an iron on with her picture and the words Mary's Miracle! That's what she calls her upcoming marriage! She is 59 and had been single for 24 years when she met the man of her dreams on Match.com!
Sunday we hung out at the beach and RELAXED! Such a great time.
Then we had dinner at my mother's house Sunday evening! Steak on the grill and corn on the cob. I swear I had the best steak I have ever eaten! So yummy!!!! Jay ate an ear of corn. The funniest thing was out of the blue he used the corn cob and totally started singing like it was a microphone...complete with the facial expressions like he was rocking out! So funny!
Jay turned 18 months on the 29th. I can't believe it!!! He weighed 29.4 lbs. He was 36 inches tall! He is just at the 90th percentile for weight and off the charts for height. The doctor predicted he will be anywhere between 6'2"-6'4" as an adult should he continue on the growth chart as he has been. The doctor asked how many words he was saying. I said I was not sure but he wakes up talking and can say some simple sentences like I want that and I want down or I like that. The doctor said he is advanced on his verbal skills. I ended up counting how many words he says and we are up over 85 words...but who has time to keep track of every single one. As I was putting him in the car the day I kept track, the sprinklers just turned on and was hitting the car. I said oh crap...only to have jay say right beck...oh crap! YIKES. I told him he was not allowed to use that word he had to say shucks. Of course he didn't say shucks and will come out with oh crap at the most inopportune moment-I am sure. hahaha
Mommom celebrate's her birthday week...LOL. My mother's birthday is the 23rd. She has been having a ball this week! Monday was shopping with my dad. Tuesday was dinner at my house, baseball game and cake here after! Oh it was a beaut of a party!
Jay loved singing and gave us a little song...
Wednesday started early for her by going out to the flea/farmers market where she traded in her old cart for a new one! He was asking 17 but would take a trade and charged 12 dollars. It was her mother in laws cart from ages ago...and rickety...and the end of the cart sharp...I always feared should she stop short and I ram the cart....I would surely need a tetanus shot from all the rust! Now she is the proud owner of a shiny new cart! Tonight she is headed out to dinner with friends of theirs. Thursday...her true birthday, she is having dinner out with my dad. I like how she celebrates...a full week!
This afternoon Jay scraped his face somehow and on something which I have no clue. He did not do the "OW OW OW OW OW OW" that he has come to know and love for ANY bump! So I can not tell from where this came from...as I write now, it is a very faint scratch and barely noticeable. Thanks to the aquaphor which immediately begins to heal your skin. Love that stuff!!! Had a ball at the flea market and it was one of the most delightful days there so far! Full of garage saley vintagey things(rather than antique dealers asking an arm and a leg!) that was pure delight to the eyes! I had to have a few things! fringey stuff... a new um OLD purse... this was the most funnest, awesomest thing I dug out of a table of boxes...amongst the other things listed below!!! It is an old sewing box...now cleaned up purse!!!
a dictionary from 1930! vintage scarves! I am thinking new short hair do with big round sunglasses...oh yeah baby!
OK, life is just way to busy and fun right now. Well, you know...there are things that are definitely not so fun going on... *like having to file paperwork with the courts in regards to modifying child support. *like having to do some major spring cleaning and hating it. *like having to be here or be there. *like having to run out to the court house for the third day in a row. *like having a dentist appointment. *like missing out on having dinner with my teacher friends Monday night because I had to take Jacob to practice and Michael worked all day. *like getting a speeding ticket.
Everyone has things like this they have to deal with.... But how lucky am I??? *I get to be with Jay and see him grow and change every day! *I am able to help out with Jayda's class and be part of both her and Jacob's education! * I get to celebrate a dear dear dear friend of mine's upcoming wedding at a bachelorette party in May! She is 59 I think and marrying a wonderful man! daddy's babysitting! *I have an amazingly, wonderful, supportive husband who I expect to be perfect 100 % of the time...and well...he's near close! *My dentist appointment went smoothly! She said Everything looks great! No cavities! That's always an exciting thing to hear for me! hahahaha See a post somewhere in the past when I ranted about how I dreaded the dentist as a child!!(Who happened to have an office just over the candy store!?! WTH???) * I get to go on the St. Augustine field trip as a chaperone for my daughter and to Sea World as a chaperone for my son!! *The weather is in the 80's and staying that way all week here! *We are going out in the boat this weekend and taking a friend of Jayda's. *Jacob is old enough to mow the lawn and Jayda is old enough to do the laundry! *I have the sweetest in laws! *I have the best parents! *I love my family! and on and on and on and on and on.... WHAT??????? You are wondering why I glazed over the part about a speeding ticket huh???? Yeah, you heard me. A speeding ticket. I haven't had a speeding ticket since 1993. I was coming back from beach and it went from 50 mph to a 35 mph and I wasn't familiar with that part of town. However, this time, I was driving 37 miles per hour and got a speeding ticket! It was a 30 mph zone...where up ahead they would be doing construction...oops! It could have been a 391.00 fine but he let me off the hook for only 151.00. Hmmmm, thanks??
Anyways, it feels good to let you all know I got a speeding ticket. I am not so mortified or embarrassed by it now...the truth really does set you free. haha
Just another day in paradise. My parents have truly found a paradise within paradise! This is at their pool today. I can not get over the amenities and fun activities they have planned for my parents at their new community. The people are all friendly...for the most part(there's those really swanky ones who are kind of rude.) I even saw one of the only single women in the community prancing around flirting her way around in and amongst the married men with the occasional hello to their wives! hehehehe Hey, it's just how I see it...after all! hahahaha She had to stop and call dad, sexy legs! Seriously!!!! Oh, that's right...at one of their community wide activities...they had a sexy legs contest out by the pool...and dad won!!!! Yeah, they are fitting in just right. Oh, and Mother has a nickname too by the way! But I do not think it is my place to say it. {OUCH!} Ok, you twisted my arm, but I won't tell! Now see, don't you wish you could be part of all this???? Last night we had dinner at my folks house. It was delicious! Spaghetti and meatballs. Then we went for a walk. Jay was a wild man last night, just being so silly! We got around the corner and mother told him to sit down and watch the birds. Needless to say, he came up with ants biting him on his wrist and his calf and he is saying "ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch". We stripped him naked to make sure no more had crawled up his pants. Note to selves, don't make children sit down on the ground in florida!
Also, it appears that I made quite a fool of myself on the easter video... I am so laughing at that thing myself....so please enjoy it once again and please count how many times I say "pick up the eggs, get your basket...etc" and you win a prize for the correct amount.
Okay, every night...I lay down in bed and think to myself as I reflect on my day...why didn't I exercise??? I then hash out a plan in my head that includes an exercise routine that will make me feel good about myself and also keep me healthy! It includes lots of water prior to and then at least an hour of activity. I feel good about the plan and then say my prayers and go to sleep...if I haven't turned on the tv before going to sleep...cause then if I do that I watch some mindless tv program and then fall asleep.
Well, this morning I was up and at 'em early(but not too early, that's Michael's job-hehehe). Jay was in full swing and took me directly to the door and said, "outside". I said OK. He looked at me in disbelief at first and then I said come on let's get your shoes on. He turned around and let out the blood curdling squeals he has perfected and proceeded to run around the house. We get outside and wander around and look at flowers and listen to birds and walk around back and look at the red and gray bugs that swarm around yet cause no harm. (Kind of like love bugs.)
I then get the shed open and get out the jog stroller and we are off for a mile and a half jaunt. I feel fabulous upon returning home and Jay is content with the activity and wants a snack. I grab some water and proceed to do some sit ups and push ups-okay...I could only do three. hahahah But that is three more than I did yesterday! I have a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water.
Life is good.
Then, there it is...Easter candy and lots of it. I tell myself no and head out to talk to Mike who was working in the driveway putting the bike rack on the Tahoe to take the Treks in for service. We chat and then I come back in. There it was again...the candy. Hmmm, I tell myself a jelly bean or two wont hurt. Plus, I exercised today! So three jelly beans later and three chocolate eggs later....my stomach hurts!
Hmmm, who knew....and just yesterday I told my mother..."who gets sick eating candy? They surely must be lightweights!"
Speaking of yesterday...we went to my folks pool at their community to swim and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather! There was a musician there singing islandy music and some old favorites. It was awesome and relaxing. We then made our way over to my parents house and changed our clothes and had some delicious appetizers before our Easter Sunday meal. The weather was absolutely stunning and we sat out on the lanai and watched the Master's golf tourney. Exciting! Dinner was delcious and we ended the day playing outside in the yard with the children! My mother did a wonderful job on the food and it was a perfect day!
How colorful are these??? I love love love coloring eggs. Jayda was so excited about it. As we were coloring them she says...can we do this again next year!? Of course Jayda. Sadly, Jacob was not so interested....and only popped in at the end...when we were done and says...can I do one? Ummm...we are done son! Growing up... Jay was absolutely fascinated...but had to be held at an arms length away. Although he did drop in one in the green coloring. This morning, Jay was first one up. He found the eggs on the floor and the grass too that led...outside??? Here were the yummy baskets. So much fun! Ignore my annoying voice...being bossy...ugh...I need to allow things to happen a little better!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful and blessed Easter holiday!
We got the Honda Accord LX-P. How much fun! Such a great deal! Courtesy Honda was FABULOUS to work with!
Accord
Camry
Will keep you posted!
Jay was absolutely fascinated...but had to be held at an arms length away. Although he did drop in one in the green coloring.
This morning, Jay was first one up. He found the eggs on the floor and the grass too that led...outside???
Here were the yummy baskets. So much fun!
Ignore my annoying voice...being bossy...ugh...I need to allow things to happen a little better!
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