LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! Summer or BUST!

I am not sure when it happened, but my mother has started a tradition of taking the children out for ice cream on the eve of their last day of school. Jayda and Jacob were so thrilled! She surprised them. It was pouring cats and dogs, maybe even small monkeys...and she still took them!


Not into photo shoots, my middle child poses for me on her last day of 4th grade! It has been an incredible year for her!

Of course, give her a few shots and she loosens up!


Then, there is my wise beyond his years Jacob. Growing Changing Moving Forward. So cute. He has done a magnificant job in middle school and starts the year off with honors classes in 7th grade.


It was painful trying to get these two to pose together...like seriously mom...pointing a finger at the other...it has cooties!!!

They did their best to make me happy by actually touching one another. My babies growing up!!!


Hrmph....deep sigh...I imagine if I didn't have a wee one growing up in the ranks under them I would be more sentimental. I loved seeing them off on their last day of school! I HAVE LOVED being here everyday for them. What a blessed gift to watch them this year as they ventured off into new schools and grades.
Jayda will begin her last year in Elementary school a few short months from now and Jacob will be venturing into 7th grade.
He was wearing a shirt to be signed by other kids today...he asked me and mike to sign....such a sweet kid!
I will hopefully get a pic of his shirt after school!


Last week...I know, a week ago!!!
I helped out in Jayda's class. The whole fourth grade was painting the organs in the body on t-shirts. I helped out from 8 am to 1 pm...and I didn't get paid!!! LOL Such is the life of a classroom volunteer...which I have a brand new affection for!!
Jayda is pretty much MORTIFIED when I break out the camera...the other children make the funniest faces!!!!




Then it was turn right back around and head back to school to pick up jayda...

it was the first official day she would be bringing home her NEW safety patrol badge....well, used, but new to her.

Friday night, Jacob had his first baseball playoff game, which went til 9:45 pm from 6:30 pm. YIKES!!!! Luckily, he was with his dad that weekend and we were on the way to Ocala. However, prior to leaving for Ocala, I had a memorial for a wonderful woman whom I taught with and Jacob had her as a first grade teacher. Unfortunately, cancer took her life quickly. Yet, she was always as majestic and gorgeous right up to the end. Oh, to be like her as a teacher. She has left a legacy for a lifetime. Our elementary school designated an outdoor reading area and also left many books in her honor in the library which is also dedicated to her!
It was sad, joyful, and a wonderful way to remember her.
Then it was off to be spoiled by Grammy and Grampy.
Here's Jay on the way...looking all like LINUS!

Michael and big Jay went fishing-
brought home a keeper trout, so Jay could pet it...and he did...slime and all. He says, "ewww" as he is petting it! hahaha
Here's a spanish mackerel Michael caught...but not a keeper.

How bad am I for not taking any other pictures this past weekend??? Oh well, how do you photograph sitting around relaxing, reading mags, and chasing Jay???
hahahaha


Jay has a big big wheel. It doesn't quite fit him but he rides like the wind! Oh, and I goof on Mike. hehehehe

Then this past Wednesday, I got him a little big wheel at the flea market...what fun!
He is not as good on this one!





I messed around and pulled up some photos of the early 80's. Here's me!



I was using these with the latest layouts I made for the new digital designer I create and advertise for...you can see all about it HERE!

Jay is busier than ever and you never know where you might find him...take for instance he got himself in the bathtub and was playing ball.


Then yesterday, it was haircut number three day. Click on this pic...in Photo Shop 7.0 I made his pic black and white with his blue eyes showing through. Neat little thing that Photo Shop!

Well, he had one haircut by me in between time. I did a pretty good job considering this past cut by the barber. It wasn't as good as the one he had with Tim the first time. Then again, the following pics may help you understand why....





He was not afraid of Tim, he just did not like the chair at all!!! Let's not even discuss the cape!!!
Three lollipops, a shirt COVERED IN HAIR, $10.00, and some tears later...


Today I have an appointment at school to discuss next years curriculum and room assignments. Then it is off to Ocala this weekend...where I WILL BE FISHING with my husband this weekend alone. LIKE A DATE!!!! WOOHOOOOO!!!!!! heheheeh I must be a man's dream come true...excited about a date...for fishing!
I'm a little pensive...last fishing trip together, I drove our boat into the pilings of the bridge in the keys. $250.00 later in repairs. Well, I didn't actually drive the boat into the pilings, but that i show Michael likes to tell the story. I swear I was taking his orders, and then a current caught the side of the boat and so basically the current and the trolling motor full throttle forced us into the situation.

So behind!

Okay...if you ware wondering whats been going on...I will do my best to catch you up!
Going back a ways....
Jayda's field trip to St. Augustine...
This was her friend who she is good pals.
Jayda's teacher.
My group on the field trip.

Entrance to St. Augustine
At the indian museum

In a gift shop
a peacock at the fountain of youth
oldest living resident of st augustine

one of only several castles built in st augustine, it is now the ripley's believe it or not museum



I was so lucky to be able to go with Jayda on this trip! There are some fabulous things to see in St Augustine and a must see for every Florida traveler!

That night was the beginning of the girl scouting weekend which was so awesome...check out this post HERE!
While you are at here sight, you may have noticed she has completed several more badges! She is working on her bronze award...the highest honor of the junior girl scout!
Then some time along the way I helped Jacob create this squid for a science project...


Jay continues to do very very funny things! The latest is this affection with my shoes...the higher the heel the better in his opinion!
He is very secure in his manliness!



Speaking of shoes...like his new ones????


He loves helping his dad with his work. I do not know if this is a reciprocated feeling....


The bib on the head seemed like a lot of fun to him! You will see he is bending over in his chair trying to see around the camera. He is so fascinated at looking at himself on the screen! Makes it hard to photograph or video.




This past weekend we celebrated Memorial Day. Our country is free because of the men and women who put their lives on the line for ours. In honor and memory of those who have sacrificed their lives for ours, the girl scouts helped place flags at the cemetery. I also helped out. I was going along just fine...and then I saw a tombstone for an 18 month old little boy and I literally began sobbing. I do not know why for certain...and I was alone thank goodness...but it just tore my heart to think of the little baby who is gone and a mother whose heart was breaking. I suppose I cried for his mother. Any way, I do not know if it had any meaning to Jayda...she was a brat when we got home. LOL She is so MY daughter!




We spent memorial day at my parents pool where jay has really taken to swimming while in his froggy. He can kick his feet and make himself move around the pool! My mother surprised me with a cool relaxing drink of a frozen mixture of margarita mix with coconut rum....WOWSERS! So cool and refreshing! I had a picnic here at the house! My parents came over early and we had a chip party and other snacks...by the time dinner was served we were so full!!! Although, we all saved room for a hotdog and BIG GEORGES hot dog sauce! Yeah...I have that recipie...I need to perfect it though. I am thinking, along with mom and dad, that Martha did NOT drain the grease from it and used the cheapest ground beef available. Next time, I will not get the good ground beef and will forget about draining it! LOL!

I went to the flea market with my mom today. It has been over three weeks since I have been! I got some scrapbooking treats and then peaches, bananas(which I dropped on my mothers drive way DARN IT! I hate bruise!), apples, and onions. I am totally whacky for onions...I have no idea...it just started recently! I also bought 7 herb plants at the flea markey for a dollar a piece! I am thinking of starting a garden in my courtyard. First thing I am going to plant...onions. Well, after the herbs that is!

Okay, that's just a touch of the surface...but hope you enjoy!

Teenage Mortification Material!

Just decided to blog...I am sure the little man child will awaken from his nap...cause that's my luck.
Well, rather than complaining, I should just shut up and type!

Okay, with that said, I am gearing up for a busy Friday! Field trip to St. Augustine with Jayda's class will have Michael as Mr. Mom + Day Care for Jay. He is going to have to juggle an appointment and watch Jay. He is not complaining as we are thrilled for the prospect of a sale!
My mother is filling in while he is away. However, her ever increasing busy life in her new community has her running from one event to the next...tomorrow is no exception.

I am thrilled how quickly they have moved into and become part of this community. It keeps her off my back and not nagging me. Hahahaha-just kidding! It actually keeps her from spending time with me! Although, I am thinking I might go along with her to some events...would up the anty on my social life, that is for sure!

Man child is up...will have to complete later!

Let's get this started right off...
Now, you may remember the Easter morning video...yeah, kind of obnoxious! Well, now you will understand that it is indeed genetic and obviously being passed right on down...


Yeah, he loves to perform.

Not only does he have a refined sense of music but also recognizes fine jewelery and is capable of calling it pretty...although it comes out "pritleeee".
You will notice he thinks his wearing of this is wonderful...
Even went so far as to say pretty...or pritleeeee.
Then, it is as if his man brain kicks in and his brain registers perhaps it may be pretty but not something he should be wearing.
With this look, he is sure I have gone over the deep end by thinking that photographing him with my necklace on is nothing if not just wrong! hahaha

Needless to say, I still think it is pritleee!

While I am going ahead and posting pics that will mortify him one day, I figure I might as well just push it as far as I can.
Saturday, Jayda had a luau birthday party to attend. I pulled out the luau gear I had in the closet and Jay found it worthy of his attention! As a matter of fact, he loved shaking it!
This face was him talking to me about the plasticy things on his neck.
You will see his delight and joy at being such a hula hula boy!

Now, isn't that fun? Who wouldn't love to put one of those on and dance around...go ahead and admit you would enjoy it too!

Let's see...what else can I do to mortify him?
Oh yeah...this past week, he had had a couple of positive interactions with the potty! He made it to the potty for a #1...and then a couple days later, he was going to hide and I suggested he go use the potty and he agreed. We headed back and hopped on the Thomas the Train toilet seat. He proceeded to sit and talk and avoid the impending bodily function. Michael hollered back to give him some reading material...and interestingly enough, Jayda brought a book about vehicles called, Baby's things that go...seriously...that's what it is called. I know, IRONIC! But it worked!!!! A minute later we were talking about a motorcycle and it happened. I even took a picture of it. I know...motherhood is a sick sick sick world to be in the middle of!

Other than that....not much more...
I need to get out more...after rereading this...I may be a bit off kilter. hahahaha

It's time!

Time to talk about my mother! Better late than never! (it seems everything I do is blogged about days later anymore!)
Okay, now if you were to eaves drop on a conversation about my mother when I was a teen...you would have heard such comments as:
"I am not allowed to go because my mother feels like I will be guilty by association."
"My mother is a real, live, breathing Hitler."
"I am a slave in my own house."
"I can not go on a date with you, I have to watch the dogs for my mother this weekend."
Yes, I said that....hahahaha I was made fun of for months and months after that!
But you also would have heard me say, "Yeah, I know my mom is pretty cool." "Mrs. Rairie...yes that's my mom!"
It was a classic love hate relationship growing up! I remember distinctly, as I stomped upstairs yelling, I will NEVER treat my children as horribly as you treat me...in which I ended up in my bedroom slamming my door...but dang it, my door never slammed! My house was built in the early 1900's and the door always caught gently and never slammed. So I would open it again and slam really really really hard. But alas, to no avail! Somehow it felt better just to express myself. hahaha Except that time I breathed the word bitch in refering to her as I headed up the stairs. I do not know how in the H-E-double hockey stick her hand reached from the kitchen to the stairwell to slap me across the face but it did!
This is especially good to travel back down this lane and remember as my children make me insane today.
Take for instance Jayda....answers my phone. A woman asks to speak with me. Jayda says I am not home and I will call her back later. Never took a name, never got a number. Okay, you can imagine what I am thinking!!!
An hour later, the phone rings...it is the computerized school calling informing me, Jayda owes 1.75 to the cafeteria. This was to be taken care of two weeks ago.. She has the $$ she has a note....she has not turned it in. I went ape over it!!! She had lost the privilage to buy anymore for the rest of the year a week ago. Ahem...today she lost a week of TV(a fate worse than death), she had to do laundry(and it is Jacob's week), and she had to clean her room again (for good measure). I had Michael dole out the punishment...because if I did...well let's just say Michael would be kinder.
To remember that we were all like that at one time. They are still normal, they will grow out of it and become productive citizens one day.

FAST FORWARD:
I have been lucky enough to have my folks transplant to Florida, about 8 -10 minutes away. This has brought us so much closer as a family and as friends!
This past Saturday, I had my parents for dinner and celebrated mother's day early because we were going to go out on the boat Sunday. I cooked for them for a change...LOL.
My mother brought me a stunning "Mother Daughter Friend" Necklace! I loved it so much. Check it out HERE!
Now, when reading the comments above you may be wondering WTH???
Let me fill in some blanks.
My mother has become my best friend. Simple as that!
I look forward to our day trips and outings and lunches out at new and exciting places! Like Today HERE! Aunt Catfish's on the Water in Port Orange! Just after we hit the Beall's Outlet-it's Monday(for the 55+ set) then down to the bead store looking for mom's perfect red bead, and then off to lunch...after a few funny wrong turns down the residential area! Oops. Then it was finally a relaxing lunch overlooking the inter coastal and finally understanding what the pediatrician meant by winning the battles every time. Jay is becoming assertive these days. It was a brief irritation involving raisins and wanting to stand up in his high chair. Both of which provided him the opportunity to squeal, me to say NO, and my mother to say...just ignore him. hahaha
I would have to say, the funniest part of the ride was when Jay kept saying "OH BAYBEEE"! Oh yeah, and that side trip down that residential area...
Where did he learn "OH BAYBEEEE" anyways????
Did I mention how delicious my hush puppie was at lunch??? I oohed and ahhed and my mother gave me hers! See there....that's what I am talking about.
She leads me down the wrong way, I don't get mad, we laugh a lot at ourselves and she shares her hush puppie with me...now that's LOVE!
I suppose she is just buttering me up so when she's old and needs her depends cleaned...I will be the one. Heck, I think I am the most qualified out of anyone to do it. I have had plenty of practice and might add I am pretty good at it.
Mother, I love you!
On a side note...my mother's mother died 27 years ago on Mother's Day. So Mother's Day always kind of stinks for my mother. We still so fondly recall and talk about her as if she passed but only a year ago. I have promised my mom a trip during May just she and I. I want to take her to NYC but I would go anywhere with her!

PS: For those of you wondering about my other Mom...I hit the freaking JACKPOT with my Mother in Law, whom I fondly refer to as Mom. I only wish she lived closer. Michael's mom and dad went to a wedding in Illinois this past weekend, so i wasn't able to spend time with her. Here's a big hug Mom...catch it!

Sorry no pictures...not on Saturday, not on the boat...hmmmm. Slacker!

My new car!

We got the Honda Accord LX-P. How much fun! Such a great deal! Courtesy Honda was FABULOUS to work with!
Here's a wonderful video from consumer reports to give you the lowdown!
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/video-hub/video.htm?bctid=13389080001

Jayda's Award!

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!

Oh well, here is what we are looking at:

Sonata
Accord
Camry
Will keep you posted!