Diva beast!

So little miss got into my makeup-(AGAIN!) and would you believe the little Vixen actually got some mascara on her eyelashes!! That means that not only does she pay really close attention to Mommy, but she has good coordination too!!!

S-a-f-e-t-y dance!

Actually, it is Safety Town- and it is an adorable and fantastic service provided by Ewing Schools, and the Kiwanis Club. Gibson and all other rising Kindergartners got to attend a two week long program that taught them the importance of all kinds of Safety- fire, pedestrian, stranger, road, train, water and many more. Gibson loved his camp councilors but hated the homework he was supposed to do every night! The gym at Ewing High was set up as an adorable town and they even had roads, a traffic light and vehicles. They took two field trips to a fire station and one to a police station and there was a police officer that was with them for the entire two week period that they could learn from. They had an adorable graduation with several songs and safety demonstrations. I am so glad he got to attend and I think he was glad too!

Just the girls!

In early June, I went out with my Gym girls- the chicks that motivate and inspire me! My fantastic Trainer Chris and my "Team" Aliah and Faith. Aliah was going to be shafted by the global calendar and have her b-day fall on Father's day, so just us went out and had fun with some INCREDIBLE Mediterranean nosh! We loved terrorizing the cute waiter, and eating (and by the way, eating too) and of course, showing off our GUNS!!Even earlier in June i got my Indoor Cycling certification with Faith down in Atlantic City! Here we are with our hilarious instructors! So now I am Spin Certified!! I will let everyone know if that amounts to anything eventually!

Then later that weekend, was the baby shower for a lady I have known since the week after I came to NJ! She is having a GIRL!!! Derick actually got to baptize her husband, so our families go way back! I also got to take one of my great friends Jenn with me, so it was great catching up. To top it all off, My friend Anne Taber was here from Great Britain and I got to spend an afternoon in New York with her! So there were lots of Girl moments in June!

Before Malissa

Unfortunately, I also lost my cell phone and thus began a vicious cycle of breaking the TWO replacements- so feel free to text me so I can get your number on my newest phone! After Malissa

Joshua celebrates...

the last day of Kindergarten! We took a road trip to Rainforest Cafe! The kids actually liked the food, but with a place like this, you go for the ATMOSPHERE (although the exploding volcano cake made it worth it to me!!! YUM!!!)

Delaney tried to give thumbs up too, but came up with number 1 instead! (Gib as power ranger in the background)
Gibson as fish in front of the tank!

Graduate!

Gibson graduated from Camelot Preschool in an adorable ceremony that of course made Mommy cry. He has been here for three years of his life and the teachers have become family. Finding this school was also an answer to SEVERAL prayers! We loved this place and he has learned so much there- it was an end to an era- Until Delaney joins in '09!

Miss Leah, Mrs. Rachel, Mrs. Lannigan, Miss Stacey, miss new teacher I never met, Mrs. Susan (director of school)

I think the sound is shot in this video, but he pointed at me mid-procession and said something like- hey how did you get over there? you were over there!




This is supposed to be "If you're happy and you know it" but I think the sound is broken! Charlie and Molly are the other two stars, and Ms. Stacey!

They sang lots of songs, said the pledge, recited the alphabet in sign language and the sounds every letter says, and of course got their diplomas. three other cute things were "Superlatives"- Gibson got most lost teeth, but refused to smile to the crowd on demand, a presentation of flowers to the mommys, and launching their career goals (deep sea diver) on a balloon with their daddies (and of course, Gibson's went right into a tree!!)


Afterwards there were treats and mingling. Delaney took advantage of the toys!

Um, this "thing" he can do by himself on here is a LIE!!!

It was such a sweet occasion, and we were proud of our little graduate!

Almost in Kindergarten!

On Wednesday June 18th, all the upcoming Kindergarteners got to got to school and hang out with their classmates and teachers while the parents got to be in a long winded schpeil about how to read to, feed and care for your child- I wish I was kidding, but I am not. I almost fell asleep, but tried to be dignified about it. ANYWAY! it was exciting to see more of Gibson's school and he seemed to have a really great time. They made the Ks in the picture during their craft time.

Hatchery at Howell!

Whew-this summer is flying by! we have had a busy one so far!

One of the first things we did this summer was attend the Hatchery program at Howell Living History Farm. We just called it farm camp, but we were super excited because our friend Rachel was teaching. When I signed up for the camp I was surprised at how small the cost was- but then I was reminded that I would be required to work around the farm while Gibson was learning in the Hatchery program! WOW, what a good deal that was for the FARM!!!! We actually did some pretty heavy labor, and Gibson and the kids got to do some really cool things. The gang of parents and grandparents that I worked with everyday were so awesome and I miss them now that it is through!

Here is a breakdown of some of the Shenanigans we were a part of:

Monday
Moms/Dads, grandpas/grandmas: moved wood, logs and brush. Although a BEAUTIFUL wood pile was created, I did not get a picture- and I am telling you- it was a work of art (and very sweaty hard labor!). I think my fav part was hanging out of the back of the Toro while we drove around the farm- and of course MY woodpile ;)



Kiddos: Well, the initial report I got from Gibson was this: "We fed the animals. guess what, mommy? for snack we got to eat butter on crackers!" At least 20 minutes after I ooh-ed and ahh-ed over his brief report, I found out that they actually MADE the butter they ate by "churning" it in jars with marbles in them!

Tuesday
Moms/Dads, grandpas/grandmas: More brush removal, weeding and primping main road garden, picking up litter on the main road (seriously, cigarette butts are/is litter people!!!) and beginning to take down an event tent (trickier than it seemed!). Somewhere around this time I realized i had poison ivy: on. my. back. side! GRR!


Kiddos: They began dyeing wool and got to collect the eggs from the chickens, along with the daily feeding of the animals (you bring in scraps from home- the animals and kids get a kick out of it!)

Wednesday

Moms/Dads, grandpas/grandmas: More work on the tent, beginning to pick up Osage orange branches- folks these things do NOT mess around- huge thorns that can pop tires and cripple a horse. We used pitch forks and rakes to deal with these monsters! Then to make sure we didn't waste any of our remaining time, we got to shovel sheep poop in their yard!
Kiddos: used their dyed wool to make really cool butterflies! Thursday
Moms/Dads, grandpas/grandmas:More, and I mean MORE Osage orange clippings. While we didn't actually cut them, there was still alot of work to do to make sure none were left on the ground.
Kiddos: Cool butterfly kites- as we came in from the Osage (different part of the farm) we got to watch them try to fly them by running down a hill! It was really cute and they were so happy!
Friday
Moms/Dads, grandpas/grandmas: I heard there was even more Osage to do, but I was the helper parent with the kids and Rachel. We had a blast brushing the horse, feeding the pigs, collecting eggs from the chickens, shelling corn to feed to the sheep, grinding corn for food for the farm animals and making beaded bracelets with colors that would remind us of the farm. After we were done, some of the families hung around and we had a little picnic.



This week was SOOO much fun! but hard work and a learning experience too!