last day of school 2015-2016

I have fallen victim to Instagram and thus my blog has been neglected.  As much as I love the easiness of Instagram, I love coming to the end of the year and reviewing our year. I also love seeing LE and Boo looking back at where we've been.  Thus, even though I know most have given up on blogs I will persevere.  Great, now I've got I will survive stuck in my head.
We wrapped up our official school year on May 26th.  Which means LE finished her elementary school career.  And when we begin in the fall I will have a junior high student, 5th grader and two beginning kindergarten.  Be still my heart, I am not sure how that is humanly possible.  We will continue to read and do Math U See during the summer.  We are participating in as many reading clubs as we can join, no complaints there.  I hope they can some day fall in love with their math books.

three little initials

On Leap Day, I began a nine week course to become a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.  It has been the most intense training and not something that has come natural for me.  I have read and reread the material, had a friend tutor educate me on the difference between overactive and underactive muscles which is a huge portion of becoming a personal trainer.
After a couple of delays including having to take CPR/AED training, I was able to take my test yesterday morning.
It took an hour, and then I had to wait almost fifteen minutes for the results, and finally the proctor said "Congratulations, you passed." Yes, tears began to fall, I was so relieved to finally have this chapter closed.
I'm so excited I get to add the initials NASM- C.P.T. to the end of my signature.

karate kid

LE has been asking to pursue karate for a while now.  And recently we found a karate studio very near our home.  She had the opportunity to try it for a week.  After two classes, she decided she wants to pursue the black belt.
She goes twice a week, and she has to pay half of her tuition to participate.  She is learning discipline in and out of the gym.

Greenridge Night Out

We had to miss this semester's taste of the world's feast at co-op, so I told the girls we would host one in our cul-de-sac.  There are so many different cultures represented on our street, I thought it would be a fun treat.  That same week, our HOA asked if I'd host a night out on our street. We combined the efforts, but unfortunately we had to reschedule because of the rain.  When we rescheduled most families couldn't participate.  Our family made Australian fairy bread, Italian soda and German sausage and sauerkraut and a Mexican pinata.  Our Korean neighbors brought fried shrimp.  The HOA president came to our house and then, the only other party decided to combine forces with us and brought the neighborhood cake and raffle.
Our family won a prize package which included gift cards to Spare Time Bowling, Chipotle, Zaxby's and Sizzling Indian Kitchen.

art show at co-op

We wrapped our second year of co-op.  The girls participated in the art class this semester and created lots of beautiful pieces.
They definitely got this gift from their daddy.

My tenth Mother's Day

It wasn't the Ritz or even my own bed, but it was full of memories.  I think it is the only weekend, it hasn't rained this month (but there was a chance), so we decided to camp in the backyard.
I was blessed with eggs and sausage for breakfast, lunch at Zoe's and dinner at Salt Lick.
Ben and the kids brought me beautiful flowers and gave me chairs for the front porch so I can sit in comfort while watching the kids ride their bikes in the cul-de-sac.

I'm a blessed Mama.

Little boy's dream (or his Mama's)

Every since we built our playscape, I have wanted to put a sandbox underneath.  Honestly, I was really worried the boys would not play in the sand as every time we go to a play ground they are never interested in the sand box.  They don't like to be dirty.
Recently, Gigi put a sandbox in her backyard and the boys and Boo really enjoyed it, so we decided to give it a try.
Daddy and HR built the box and each of the kids plus some neighbor kids helped haul the sand. It has been the best investment (with the exception of the daily sweeping and required bath time every night).  It's very interesting because Boo has taken the most advantage of all of the kids.  She enjoys making castles and cakes.