Soccer Girl

Finished Product!

Tie Dye Sunday

We found a great project for a rainy Sunday. We get rain so infrequently, that we had to figure out a way to keep us occupied! We tie dyed about 15 things - including old t-shirts, new t-shirts and even a pair of Ellie's white socks! We can't wait until we can rinse everything and see how they turned out. People are going to think we went a bit crazy, but we had fun .. and we'll have fun wearing them too!

Weekend Treat

Best laid plans to attend a Sweet Corn Festival went a little haywire this morning when the newly delivered dryer failed to work! During the time we waited for the options .. Ellie and I made breakfast. She loves her pancakes, especially with a chocolate chip smile!

First Day of School

Ellie was very excited to begin First Grade today. Although she mentioned she was nervous too. When I asked her why, she said, "What if I don't know how to do the homework Mrs. Carlock gives me?"

I assured her that Mrs. Carlock would explain what the homework was and how to do it .. and she wasn't likely to get homework on the first day!

Here's she is standing proudly ready to embark on her first day of First Grade!

Grove Elementary Open House

Tonight was the night that we go to Ellie's classroom to meet her teacher, find her seat and drop her school supplies. I'm not sure who is more excited for her to start first grade, Ellie or us!

We love her new classroom, especially with only 20 students! Ellie's desk already has her Social Studies book and her Science book ready for her. She couldn't have been more excited to see them both!

Tomorrow begins a new chapter, First Grade!

Ellie and Mrs. Carlock

I wear my sunglasses at night ..

Yesterday we visited the costume store to prepare for a Pirate Night aboard our upcoming cruise ... we didn't find a lot, but we did find these awesome sunglasses. No, we didn't purchase any but we did laugh at Ellie's flamingos, Bill's beer goggles and my sparkly frames!

Back to School Celebration!

My friend, Erin and her son Jack hosted us for a Back to School celebration in their backyard yesterday. Lots of old friends for Ellie to see, and lots of moms for me to reconnect with after surviving this hot summer!

Ellie was thrilled to see Jack, Connor, Kaitlyn, Allie, and Daniel! She also loved the Bounce House, tie-dying t-shirts, arts and crafts, her take-home bag and lunch! Two hours passed so quickly, but boy did those kids get tired!

Looking forward to another great school year as a Grove Gator, and seeing lots of familiar faces when we return to school this week.

11 Years Ago today

Was our first date.

August 18, 2001

Many interesting, exciting and sometimes overwhelming days and weeks would follow. Whirlwind dating, 9/11/2001, Vegas, engagement ....

And here we are today! We celebrated the anniversary of our first date last night at one of our favorite places in town, Medici!

We had a wonderful dinner from the rooftop, taking in the view and cooler air! Before we picked Ellie up from PTA we sat outside on our patio listening to music while Bill enjoyed a cigar! Ahhhh, who'd have thought eleven years later all we would have seen, accomplished, experienced and enjoyed!

Another Day Closer

...to the first day of First Grade for Ellie!

Today is the day that the class lists are posted inside the windows on either side of the front door at each school in Unit 5. Since 4pm there has been a steady stream of families who pile out of their mini-vans and run to the windows to see who their teacher is and who is in their class!

The parents follow behind ready to take a photo with their phone so each kid has a list of their whole class.

This is Ellie's class. She has Mrs. Carlock, and five less kids in her First Grade class than in Kindergarten. That's because instead of 4 1st Grade classrooms like last year, now there are 5!

Gone are the days of Julia, Ainsley and Olivia .. they did everything together. Even Allie, Amrutha and Juhi have moved on to a different classroom. But there is good news. The family that lives across the street has a first grader in the same room as Ellie. Her name is Lindsey and she's as cute as a button. She's also in Girl Scouts with Ellie. And a couple of other girls we know from Scouts too .. Emily, Nadia and Lara will all be there.

We're not talking about the boys ... believe me, more to come! Just remember the name Drew, because I'm sure Ellie won't let us forget it!

Summer Vacation - Notre Dame

Summer Vacation - Cleveland ROCKS!

Summer Vacation - Aunt Lisa's 50th Party

Summer Vacation - Sunday, Sunday!

Summer Vacation - Happy Hour

Wouldn't be a trip home without all our State Farm friends gathered for Happy Hour. Me and Paula, Bill and Heather (or is it Heidi?) are likely photo ops! So glad we were able to see so many people AND listen to Franklin on Gaffney's patio!

Summer Vacation - Saratoga!

Arrival in Saratoga is always fun with family awaiting our car in the driveway!

Thursday we caught up with family and had a dinner of Bill's favorite - Marino's pizza and Roma sandwiches!

Friday we headed to the track for Ellie to visit the horses and then headed Aunt Mimi's shop for haircuts!!! Lunch at Hattie's and a bit of shopping for bargains and we were headed back for the afternoon to rest! After family dinner, Bill and I joined several of our Saratoga friends on Gaffneys' patio and listened to Franklin Micare!