Happy Birthday Alexandra

Today Alex turns 10. It's hard to believe that 10 years has already passed.

Happy Birthday sweetheart - I love you!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO

About 1/5th of the Way Through the Fall Semester

I've completed 3 weeks at school, as have the kids. So far I've managed to keep up with grading, but I haven't had too much thrown at me at one time! The new labs have been amazing to work in, so many things are simpler and it's definitely easier to give my little "lectures."

The kids are all enjoying school and karate, and all doing quite well in both. Alex is learning to play trombone in school and is singing in the chorus. So, all seems well with them.

I was recently "tagged" by a fellow blogger/scrapper/mom of twins. So I'm supposed to put down 6 interesting things about me...

1) The prom dress I wore my junior year was worn by two of the nerdy sorority girls in "Revenge of the Nerds."
2) I LOVE cheesy horror flicks - the "Nightmare on Elm Street" series is my favorite.
3) My preferred hours of sleep are from about 1 am to noon.
4) I read, sew, and I wish I could draw, but I can't.
5) I never really yelled until I had twin boys.
6) I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up!

So, until next time, adios!

School Starts

Today my oldest baby started middle school. I know that she was ready, and I really thought that I was ready... Much to my surprise it was sadder for me than I expected. She had a terrific day, loves her new school, thinks her teacher is really nice and just adores middle school. I'm really glad for her!!



I also started school this week. I will be teaching 2 Organic Chem labs, 2 General Chem labs and a really cool lecture course Intro to Chemistry for non-majors. Since I teach at a Liberal Arts college I get to throw ethics and morals and society into the teaching of basic science and chemistry -- I'm really excited about it. We also have really new amazing laboratory facilities!


Tomorrow my youngest baby starts his last year of preschool. The bus will pick him up at 7:30 and drop him home about noon. Next week his twin brother starts his last year of preschool. The time is flying by!

Alex's Movie

I decided to try to upload a video - we'll see. This is my Alex and her talent as a Gold Belt.

Some More Scrapbook Page from NYC with my Friends

Some more fun in New York City!

Wow How Time Flies

Happy 4th Birthday Andrew and Philip!

The twins turned 4 today: Andrew at 11:59 am and Philip at 12:01 pm- seems unbelievable. We celebrated by going to the Norwalk Aquarium with some good friends of the boys - Aiden aged 5 and his brother Logan aged 4. What fun -- albeit exhausting.

Alex and the Sting Rays

Andrew and the Sting Rays

Philip and the Sting Rays

Andrew, Aiden, Logan and Philip

We had their birthday party a few days ago - much smaller than usual but still lots of fun.

Crouching to find a Treasure Hunt Clue

Musical Chairs

Pinata

Andrew

Philip

We also were in Arizona a couple weeks ago. The boys had such fun playing in mom's house and yard, not to mention all the toys she bought. The trip to and from was very long though - a 5 hour plane trip and twin 4 year olds is not a great combination. Alex also touched poison ivy just before we left for AZ so of course it popped up just after we got there. But otherwise the trip was was a nice visit with my mom "Dray" her S.O. "Uncle Jerry" and my grandma "Gramma Grape." We also got a brief visit with my sister and her family.

Gramma "Grape" (aged 91) and the kids

Gramma "Grape" and Philip

The boys going Lizard HuntingDray and Philip being silly

The Jesus Rock

God has blessed us with a lovely and full summer. School starts soon, for the kids and for me. I pray that God will continue to bless us. I pray for peace, and for all people to have enough food and shelter. And now it's bed time :)

Another NYC Scrap Page

Another page to celebrate Kerri's, Karen's and my trip to NYC. This is from St. Patrick's Cathedral.

New Scrap Pages

New Pages from my NYC adventure with my buds!

I'm FLYing

I have learned about the FlyLady and have begun her routines. It has been really terrific. The kitchen has never stayed clean so long, not to mention the laundry and the toilet! I love the FlyLady, bless her for sharing her experience!

We went to Kendall last week, a little town outside of Rochester. Alex was there for the weekend riding horses and then the boys and I joined her for some fun and visits. They got to see their God Parents, who they called their "Odd Parents" and really had a wonderful time.

Alexandra and her favorite pal Nicky:


Andrew and Philip looking at the Schuth's Chickens:


Andrew, Philip, Dave, and Ellen having fun on the swings:

New York, New York

Wow - what a couple of weeks it's been. NYC with my two best friends was a blast. Crazy though! Our first day there a huge steam pipe burst a couple of blocks from our hotel near Grand Central Station.


The subways were stopped for a while and we had a hard time getting from Chinatown all the way up to 45th street near Broadway to see "Spamalot" - we finally got a taxi -- God Bless taxis!


We also had a great time at The Metropolitan Museum the next day especially at the costume exhibit and the pyramid exhibit:


visited St. Patrick's Cathedral:


took a fun ride in a horse drawn carriage:

walked through Central Park:

went to Times Square:


We did eventually ride the subway:

And of course went shopping!!

Kerri is in the blue striped shirt and Karen in the teal shirt.

So, this was our trip to NYC - we had a fantastic time celebrating turning 40 and being friends for more than 25 years.

All Hybrid All the Time

Well, we just got our second Hybrid - we now have the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape. I don't know why everyone doesn't have a hybrid! Cost effective yet sporty and fun -- and some are luxurious!! I Love my Hybrids!! And, I'm so glad that we no longer have the BWM to deal with, and the Windstar is now gone also. So, we're back to two cars and a motorcycle.

Kerri and Karen are coming today - WOOHOO - we're going to have such a great time in the city - I'm so excited.

I did do some new scrap pages:



On Friday Alexandra will be riding on a plane from NYC to Rochester all by herself - her first unaccompanied flight. I think we're all a bit nervous! But she's also excited because she'll be able to spend the weekend with our friends and several horses! Not much makes her happier than horses. I look forward to getting photos back from her trip.