A Day of American Girl in NYC

Emily was very excited to take Emily back to where she came from, the American Girl store in NYC. During this last month of school, Emily was learning about needs and wants and she told me that on BrainPop they learned to take a jar and put on it something that you want and to earn money to buy the item. So, she has been very "busy" doing chores that have been asked of her and ones that have not (she weeded the back flower bed without being asked). At the store, she spent a $25 gift card from her birthday and the $6 she made in chore money. We also bought a dress that Emily could wear and we are trying to purchase a matching one for her doll as a "reward" for doing well in the Accelerated Reading program at school (she was invited along with other students to an ice cream social for their accomplishment). We had a great time at the store and Emily found the next item for her "money/chore jar" - a wrought iron bed for her doll (she even has a picture of it).

Time to Contemplate

I took this picture of Matthew when we were in NYC on Saturday. I love how he looks like he is contemplating a "major" life issue and anyone who knows Matt, knows that serious contemplation requires him sucking his thumb. I wonder what he was thinking about....no matter, it made for a great picture.

So very Proud!!!

On Tuesday morning, we headed to Washington school for their annual awards program. Emily received an award for Academic Achievement. For the 1st & 2nd grade in order to received this award, you must have all A's and B's in your main subjects and received S's in all other categories for the 4 school marking periods. Well, Emily finished the year getting all A's.

She is pictured here with her teacher, Miss Guido. Emily's assigned teacher, Mrs. Manno, left on maternity leave 1/2 way through the year. Thankfully, Emily and Miss Guido got along very well. They share the love of Peeps!! So, happy to have had her as Emily's teacher.....we will miss her!

Emily we are so proud of how well you did this year at school. Next year, 3rd grade....I think I am more nervous about 3rd grade at this point than Emily!! Oh well, I have two months to adjust and get use to the idea! :)

The First Morning of Summer Vacation

Ahh, summer vacation. The biggest plus is not having to wake up to an alarm blaring. Instead, I was awakened by Emily at 7:45 telling me I need to "ask permission" to use her DS at night while she is sleeping. I told her I would have but she was already asleep, usually I use Matt's to play my favorite game "Book Worm". I decided that these 2 1/2 weeks of the kids being home and then going on a family vacation would not get me sidelined from my workout routine (which has already been on hold due to a few crazy months). So, last night I made sure all Matt's Lego "stuff " was out of the way so I had no excuses. At 8:30, I told Emily I was heading downstairs (Matt was still in bed but stirring). About 1/4 into the workout, Matt popped his head downstairs. Surprisingly both kids let me be until their Veggie Tales program ended and Matt pushed some button that has messed it up (have to wait for Dave on that one). Emily then decided she wanted to workout. So, I started the DVD. The pics are of them doing 4 point squats where you step forward and backward and then side squats where you touch the floor. There are 3 segments to the workout and Emily actually completed the 1st segment. She even did burpees correctly, wow! Matt, he got 2/3rds through the segment and was then "lured" by his Legos. Today is a yucky, rainy day so I'm glad the kids got a little exercise in seeing going outside doesn't look like it will be on the schedule.

Thinking Ahead

On Father's day, we were coming home from lunch when Matt told me , "Mom, I'm going to miss you?" I asked him, "When?" thinking he heard me tell Dave that I was going to go babysit for a neighbor for a few hours later that afternoon. He answered my question by saying, "When I grow up." Matt has been hearing about and experiencing "change" the last few weeks. It all started while practicing for his Kindergarten program and became a reality "graduating" Kindergarten. Matt has come to realizes that he is going on to a new grade and a new teacher and he seems apprehensive with the idea of change. His teacher told me that several times today he told her "I'm gonna miss you". Being the parent, I've tried to explain how he'll still see his teacher, she will just have a new class and so will he but this concept at his age is unfathomable. He's comfortable! He knows and loves his teacher and friends just where they are. So, I think with all this change he is thinking even more about the idea of how things will change in his future. Of course, when he said this to me, I told him that some day he'll meet a wonderful girl, get married and have a family but mommy will always be loving him. His realization brings my own that my kids are growing up and I can't stop it. I see how they are maturing each day and can only pray that they will listen to God leading their lives. I love you Matt and mommy will always have you in her heart!!