And I am SO SAD!!!!!!!! We had such a great summer – I don’t want it to end!

The reality of it all hit yesterday when I took Tristan to his school to get his schedule and bus assignment, pay school fees, etc. We were told when we got there to make sure we walked through his schedule and went to each room because all the teachers were in their rooms – not ONE teacher was around. All rooms were shut and locked and lights off inside. So why tell us they’d be in there?

Then today the younger two had “meet the teacher day” at their school and we got their teachers names, paid school fees, got bus assignments and went to their rooms and actually got to meet their teachers. And we’re all so excited because Kieran got a teacher who Caelie had for 2nd grade and we loved (and asked to have Kieran in her class) and Caelie got 1 out of 2 teachers that she wanted.

I think despite all the crap I’m getting from family about Tristan (which I was about to bitch slap someone last night at the dinner table because of what she said IN FRONT OF MY KID about him being in the lower math class when he gets to high school with the kids you don’t want to be with – losers) – it’s going to be an awesome 7th, 5th and 3rd grade year for my kids!

I’m late in getting my brother and his girlfriend their birthday gifts. I have no idea what to get two people who already own everything! They’re both teachers so I was thinking something along the “teachery” line. But then thought against that because even though they are high school teachers they still get gifts along those lines from their students. I did have a good idea though – what if I got them each a leather briefcase so they can bring their stuff to and from school each day? Right now I know she’s using a worn looking backpack and I’m not sure what he uses. Problem is my brother is SO picky when it comes to choosing ANYTHING! I could always tell him that’s what I want to get him and instead of giving him the money and letting him waste it on something else, going with him to pick it out. It will probably be an all day ordeal but we always have fun together. Maybe I’ll run it by them first and see if a briefcase is even something they’d use!

I married my best friend! We have our days like any couple has where you think to yourself  “and I married this person WHY????” And then we’ve had those days (more times then the other days) where you still get that butterfly feeling in your stomach when you hear his car pull in the driveway. (And maybe more-so now because I then have help with the kids – lol).

We had a very tiny wedding with about 25 of our closest friends and family members and the ceremony was right in my parents backyard! It was THE perfect day! No one telling you you have a time limit on your room – no bar bills – people coming and going when they want – and it lasted 8 hours! I wouldn’t change that day for the world!!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary baby!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

You know the age I mean! And she’s breaking out like crazy all of sudden. I’ve bought her acne facial wash but she never uses it. It’s hard though because she’ll only be 10 this August. Yet all the signs are starting and it’s making me sad and nervous all at the same time! We’ve had the talk – even went to her “Mommy/Daughter tea” at her school right before school got out for summer vacation. (Which was so much fun – add some sarcasm to that please – was not ready for what they were going to discuss since nothing was sent home – they basically opened the door though so at least Caelie and I have started talking about “things”.) But 10 seems so young!!!!!!!!

SO not ready for this!

On Sunday, June 27th, my dad drove down here from Jacksonville to pick up the older 2 kids and myself and brought us back up to Jax. And we spent a fun week there (and no we did not forget Kieran – he had already been up there the week prior for his week alone at Nana and Pop’s).

Monday through Thursday, Caelie and Tristan had tennis camp every morning from 9am-noon and had a blast. I even had one of the coaches tell me how Caelie has an awesome serve. Now wondering if (and how – time wise and money wise) we can add her into the tennis mix come this fall. Tristan is already taking yearly tennis lessons and so far she’s been the only one to be stuck to one sport. Will have to see if we can make it work.

We also went to see Toy Story 3 one afternoon and my mom, Tristan and I all cried like babies at the end!

On Friday Sean got there and then on Saturday Charlie and Syndi arrived. So it was a full house filled with lots of laughter all weekend (and lots of craziness with 4 dogs!). We didn’t have to go anywhere to watch fireworks on the 4th since everyone down here and their mothers buy their own and light them off. My parents backyard is on a lagoon with houses all around it so we just had to sit out back there and watch them light up the sky all around us.

Of course we took our yearly 4th of July picture too with everyone in their Old Navy shirts (which I seriously need to get all these pics together and make a scrapbook – then send it to Old Navy – lol). This year it went off without a hitch and came out really well.

We came home yesterday and I feel like I’ve gained 10 pounds! It’s lose some weight/detox time – but only for a little before we start it all over again up in Jersey!

And I am loving it!!! No alarm clocks needed, no homework, no lunches have to be made (unless of course we are going to the beach or the park for the day) – we can do whatever we want when we want! Yay!!!!

We have plans with friends to do beach days, Busch Gardens Days, the zoo days, the little water park at the local park days, bowling days and just hanging out at home days. But those are whenever we feel like it. The only set plans that we do have this summer are going to visit friends in NJ for a week. That we cannot wait for. The kids haven’t been back to NJ in a long time. Caelie and I went I guess a year ago this past February. Tristan and I went the year before that and Sean and I have been as well, but poor Kieran hasn’t been back since we moved. I keep wondering just how much of it he’ll remember when we go back and drive around.

I want to take them up to my parents old house and spend a day in New York City since none of them have ever been. Also hoping to meet up with Sean’s uncle and cousins when we go into NY.

It’s going to be a fun trip. We planned it with our friends so that her husband is off from work that week too. CAN’T WAIT!!!!

So in all the craziness the past week has brought me I forgot to write about my “cool mom” day number 3. Which was a fun day with my youngest – Kieran!

We ended up at Busch Gardens (3rd time for me in 3 days and although I love it there I was getting tired of the fried chicken fingers!!!!). Just getting into the park though was crazy – it took us an hour! Took 30 minutes between parking, getting the tram and getting to the front gates and then another 30 minutes just to get through the front gates. That has never happened to me before – then again I don’t think I’ve ever been the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend when alot of people take off from work for an extended weekend holiday. Plus there were bus loads galore from schools on fields trips.

We finally got in and went right to the Scorpion roller coaster which we rode twice. Then it was off to Cheetah Chase and after that the carousel. By now it was time for lunch. After lunch though was the best time ever – Kieran decided then he wanted to go and watch the 3D Elmo show. He’s 8 years old remember – but still a young kid at heart! So we went (with me having to promise not to tell Caelie or Kieran for fear they would make fun of him). And he loved it. He was so cute giggling and laughing throughout the show. The end choked me up though because I forgot how at the end of each Elmo show Elmo would say “Elmo loves you”. That made me cry! I miss those days of watching those shows with my kids.

After the show we took a ride on the Sky Ride and then it was time to come home.

I’m so glad I took those 3 days to spend time with each kid individually. They grow up way too quickly and soon enough, won’t want to spend time with mommy.

I posted yesterday about my “cool mom” day one and today was day 2! Today was Caelie’s day and she chose to go to Busch Gardens (I am tried of eating the chicken platter 2 days in a row now – lol – we get it because it’s huge there so we can share – therefor saving money).

She had alot of fun and we did different rides today then I did yesterday with Tristan. (I brought her over to Montu to show her what it was like and she decided she’s not ready for it just yet – plus we had just eaten lunch – not a good idea!) Today we rode Scorpion twice, the carousel, Cheetah Chase, Sky Ride and Wild Surge. It was nice to have a day with just her.

We talked alot and laughed alot and so far when I asked both Tristan and Caelie at the end of our days together what their favorite part of the day was, there answer was – “being with you mommy”. That’s all I need to hear!

So I was dubbed today by my oldest as a “cool mom” because I let him play hooky from school so we could spend some time at Busch Gardens. I had told him after Christmas break that if he kept his grades up and wasn’t absent too much that at the end of the year he’d get rewarded. And all year he’s had AWESOME grades and wasn’t sick that much at all.

We had a blast! Got on 2 rides (which I knew wouldn’t hurt my herniated disc) – Sheikra and Montu (rode Montu twice because there was no line). Rode the Sky Ride as well and had lunch at the Crown Colony Restaurant. We also saw some of the animals and it looked like the lions had a feast on a bird – there were white feathers all throughout their den. Glad we didn’t see that!!!!!

We were only there for 3 hours but it was still nice to spend some alone time with my oldest! We don’t get to do that often enough. Tomorrow is Caelie’s turn – not sure what she wants to do or where she wants to go just yet.

My kids are growing up way too quickly. I was talking to a good friend the other day about how Caelie only has one more year in elementary school and I started stuttering with my words because it hit me – she will be in MIDDLE school in only 1 more year! MIDDLE SCHOOL! Next year she is a big 5th grader. Big cheese at her school. Holy crap!

Then there’s Tristan! Before we know it he’ll be taking sat prep courses like I did, then taking the SAT’s, then going for his drivers license, then going to college! I can’t even think about all of this without tearing up.

And last but not least my baby! He will be in 3rd grade next year! Next year is his last year with having Caelie at his school. Then he’ll be there by himself for 2 years. He’s already all upset about that. So am I in a way.

I wish there was a way to freeze time!!! If only for just a little bit!