Fall Fun

We've had a very busy week this past week. Starting last Thursday, Romeo and I went to the Los Lonely Boys concert at the Tabernacle with our friends Richard and Diane. Much to our surprise the opening band was the main attraction. Local country band, The Zac Brown Band, was the main draw. They were fantastic! I could almost be converted to being a country music fan. Truly, I'll buy their CD. Unfortunately, the Los Lonely Boys were a disappointment after such a great first act-at least to me. Richard might argue a different point. We had a great time.

Then, the next evening we took the girls to Phillips Arena to see the Olympic gymnasts on tour. Kids who compete in gymnastics were invited to come early for "chalk talk". We got to go down and watch the gymnasts warm up and listen as they answered the audiences' questions. It was pretty cool. We had time to enjoy the famous Wetzel Pretzel before the show began. Two Disney recording artists/band were also a part of the show, so the girls got to experience a "mini-concert" too. When Shawn Johnson and Nastia Luekin took the floor, Sophie went nuts. She screamed like a girl at an Elvis concert. That was worth the price of admission although we got the tickets for free. Yep, hubby/Clark Howard comes through again! He found a crazy deal on the internet where we bought $30 of Ortega food and got four tickets for free. Our seats were on the posh side of Phillips, and were valued at $48 each. We'll be eating tacos for a year, but hey-it was worth it!

The female gymnasts didn't pull out all the stops like they did in China for obvious reasons, but they were fun to watch. The real excitement was watching the male gymnasts. They are amazing and seem to have super-human capabilities.

Then, last Saturday the girls and I got up early and headed to our school for a work day. The Environmental Club and Beta Club planned a day to work on the school grounds and earn community service hours, so we went to lend a hand and a truck. The girls worked REALLY hard for about three hours. Mom fell off the truck flat of her back on an embankment and really felt her age the next day.

Finally, we spent several afternoons this week preparing our costumes for the much anticipated Family Fun Night at school. Who knows why it was held a full week ahead of Halloween! Anyway, I decided we'd go the old fashioned route of making our costumes this year. Sophie found a pair of moccasins when I was changing over the closets that have been handed down from Morgan, my niece, to Reagan and finally to her. She fell in love with the crazy things and decided to be an Indian. After several suggestions, Reagan decided to be a Hobo. After a visit to Target, Walmart, and the Goodwill store, we had everything we needed. I'm proud to say both costumes were under $25, and both girls were SO proud of them. Sophie went to school and told her teacher, "My mom is making my Indian costume. She's sewing it with fabric and everything." As you'll see in the pics, I went as a Go Go Girl, but was called Barbara Streisand most of the night and even got a couple of Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman. You decide. It was such a fun evening. Our teachers come up with some of the most original costumes you've ever seen, and the kids get to see all their friends in their costumes and come home with a slew of candy.

Well, I ended up writing a book. Thanks for reading and enjoy the pictures.

Riley, Reagan, and Nikki-best buds

Rebecca, Sophie, and Elise-aka Margaret
Sophie and Elise waiting patiently in the trick or treat line.
Oh yes-that is hand beading on that Indian costume. LOL-a bead is already falling off at this point.

Reagan's hobo pouch stick was a heavy broom handle. I was afraid she'd knock someone out.

Priscilla and Elvis-parents of one of Reagan's good buddies, Juliana. Mark, her dad, stays in character the entire time. He does this every year. I guess Rhonda decided she'd finally join him.

I think I was born in the wrong era. I had so much fun in this gettup! It was amazing how many people would walk by me and didn't even recognize me.

The fourth grade teachers "monkeying around"

A parent of two of my former students-I give her the prize for best store bought costume.

Fellow teachers of mine-They take the prize for best homemade costume.

Reagan with the Minichowski clan.

OK-You decide. Barbara?

Have you ever seen a cuter Hobo?

That would be Chelsie Mimmel on the bar and Nastia Leukin in the blue shirt on the left.

Sophie would not even go to the bathroom during the show. I was afraid she'd pee in her pants from excitement.

Hero dad comes through again.

The Zac Brown Band-Give me a shout out if you've heard of these guys. Apparently, they have a single playing non-stop on the country station right now and a video coming out on CMT soon. They were so much fun to listen to.

Ahhh- enjoying a night out on the town.

Beaner and his sweet "lady friend" Diane

Sophie Grace putting in some hard labor to beautify our school.

Work that rake Reagan!

I love a shot when they aren't looking.

Talk about some hard working kids!

We spread mulch around every bed on the entire school grounds.

Wow-you made it to the end. Thanks for sticking with me. Have a great day!

Soccer and Gymnastics-our life

We spent another weekend cheering our girls on in their personal endeavors. We started Saturday at the soccer field at 8:15 for team pictures and a 9:00 game. This was the first game in which Reagan's team was equally matched. The girls worked SUPER hard against this team. In the end, they were tied at 3-3. Reagan didn't score this week but had a great assist. Her cheering section included Coach Fears, Mimi, Poppy, Mom, Sophie, and Grandma.

Romeo and "Granddaddy Fears"

What's with the cooky girl in the front?

The grandmothers

A little out of order-the girls celebrating after the game-I think everyone was happy with a tie!

Reagan cracks me up with these pig tails. She says they're her lucky pig tails. She wears the same hair bands every week.

Dad tightening up the cleats.
Reagan was one of the captains this week for the coin toss.
Reagan was a starting forward.
The thrown in
We had a few hours at home before we made our way to Duluth for Sophie's second meet. She rocked on floor again this week improving her score from two weeks ago. She placed eighth. She is positively giddy in this picture.

Coach Megan and Sophie



By the time the meet ended and the awards were given out, it was well past nine o'clock. Then, with the drive home, it was a LONG day, but a fun one! Coach and Ms. Jackie even made the trip to Duluth to support Sophie. We're going to have to legally adopt them as grandparents.

I'm It

I was tagged by Tammy, so here goes.

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.

10 years ago I:
1. moved to Newnan
2. was in my fourth year of teaching at Arlington
3. was expecting Reagan
4. had no idea how much my life was about to change
5. was missing Romeo b/c he was in Africa on a mission trip

5 things on today's "to do" list:
1. unpack (been on a trip)
2. make lunches
3. iron clothes for school tomorrow
4. plan out the week's events/menus
5. change out the girls' closets

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. chocolate
2. toast with honey
3. cereal
4. Special K protein bars
5. Stacy's Naked Pita chips

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Quit work
2. Play tennis every morning (guess I'll need to give enough $ to a friend to quit work so she can play with me)
3. volunteer at our school (I would love to be a PTA mom!)
4. Make a whole lot of people very very happy!
5. Travel

5 places I have lived:
1. Oakridge Way Bremen, GA
2. Chase Ridge Apts. Riverdale, GA
3. Wendy Jean Dr. Morrow, GA
4. Bradley Dr. Palmetto, GA
5. Mosswood Ct. Newnan, GA

5 jobs I have had:
1. Garrett's Drug Store soda fountain (I was a soda jerk.)
2. McDonald's
3. Tanner Medical Center
4. stay at home mom
5. elementary teacher

The rules say I have to tag 5 people.
So I'll tag: Melanie, Jana H., Heather, Aimee, Kathy

Busy Fall Weekend

What a weekend!
We headed up to Buford to Romeo's uncle Steven's house for the night to cut down on travel time for Sophies gymnastics meet Saturday morning at 8:00. We enjoyed dinner out with Steven, Connie, and Zane before heading back to their house to roast marshmallows on a campfire. Steven and Zane were sleeping out back in a tent, and Aunt Connie was bunking with cousin Emily thus giving Romeo and me the master suite. HOW NICE! Thanks guys!

Sophie switched over to level four USA gymnastics back in June instead of AAU level four. The difference being that USA has fall competitions and AAU has winter competitions. That meant that her team had three months to learn the level four elements and routines instead of seven months. Up until last Thursday Sophie had never even landed her back handspring without being spotted, so we basically knew that her coach would go onto the floor and spot her giving her an automatic deduction. According to Sophie, a miracle happened. She got the back handspring alone in practice Thursday night, so her coach gave the go ahead for Saturday. Her nerves were on end the whole morning. Mimi and Poppy drove up to meet us. They were shocked to see her in warm ups. They haven't seen her perform since last March, and the difference is amazing. She had a great vault, is still working on the level four bar elements, still has her fear of the beam, but NAILED her back handspring on floor!!! That was a personal victory that required no medal! Overall, she had an AWESOME first meet.

After only getting to see the vault, Poppy taxied Reagan all the way back home for a 12:00 soccer game. Her team only has nine players this year, and we knew that one already planned to be out, so she was desperately needed. We called back and forth giving play by play updates on each girls' progress. Reagan scored two goals and narrowly missed two more. This was her fourth game this fall. She has scored at least one goal in every game, and her team is undefeated. So far, we've only made movies of Reagan, so I don't have pictures to post. Coming soon!

Don't you just love fall and all the activities that go along with it? I miss being able to take off for college football games on Saturdays, but NOTHING is as great as rooting your kids on to their own victories! BTW-notice the color of the gym suits. ARGH!!! Sophie's coach was a GYM DAWG, so she takes great pleasure in having us all wear red and black.

A few of the girls before warm ups Poppy drove over an hour to be able to watch one event. What a great Poppy!
Sophie did not want her picture taken.
On the way home, we stopped at the Original Dwarf House in Hapeville. Notice Sophie's "prize"-a cookies and cream milkshake.

Happy Anniversary

Long time no post...
Today is mine and Romeo's 13th wedding anniversary! I know it's cheesy sounding, but I truly love my hubby more and more every single day, and I am still completely IN love with him! Rome outdid himself Saturday by planning a special dinner in midtown. He made reservations for us at the Oceanaire Seafood Room. YUMMY! We had the most wonderful time. I love you Rome, and I thank God for you every day! On a side note...I'm glad our wedding photos aren't digital. We already look so outdated. Ok-I look outdated.

Back to School

Ahhhhhhhh...It's that time of year. "Back to School" time! It's one of my favorite times of the year. I love the store aisles filled with new pencils, erasers, binders, folders, paper, and countless other unnecessary items that kids think they must have to be successful students. I love the excitement of meeting the teacher, planning what to wear the first day, and packing the backpack. I think I was born to be a part of this routine year after year until I grow old.

It's hard to believe that we already have a fourth and a second grader. Being a teacher seems to make the years pass even quicker. We were just reminiscing about the day we dropped Reagan off to four year old pre-k. She was excited, and we were crying. It's not much different now. Romeo still walks his little girls to their classrooms. They're still excited, and while we don't cry now, we realize how short this time is in our lives and relish every moment.

Today marked the sixth year of Reagan's educational journey and Sophie's fourth. This year is special for Reagan because she gets to be in Randi's class. Most of you know and love Randi as we do, but for those who don't, let me explain. Randi is my precious, dear friend who has mentored me as a teacher from the day I walked through Arlington's doors thinking I knew what I was doing. She has watched and helped me grow as a teacher, wife, mother, and Christian for the last thirteen years. She has been in Reagan's life as a "third grandmother" since the day she was born. Now, she will fill the role of educator, bestower of knowledge to my eldest. What a unique experience!

Sophie's year promises to be filled with excitement as well. She is in Mrs. Scheu's class. Mrs. Scheu was Reagan's second grade teacher, so we know her well and know that she can handle Ms. Sophie. As it turns out, Sophie also has her two BFF's in there as well. OH MY! Three drama queens! Watch out Ms. Scheu!

It's going to be a wonderful year I'm sure! One day down...one hundred seventy nine to go!

Sophie took this picture of her school supplies without us knowing it. I have a feeling she is a teacher in the making.

These are some goodies I baked for our "Back to School" party at church Sunday night.

Monday, the girls' bookbags and lunch boxes arrived from L.L.Bean.

From Mimi and Poppy with love! Are they excited or what?

Ready to leave for the first day

Reagan hardly slept a wink all night.

Riley and Reagan-These two precious girls have been together since they were one day old. They were born a day apart in the same hospital, have been raised in the same church as the only two in cradle roll for two years, were in the same third grade class, and now will be together in Randi's fourth grade.

Riley, Randi, and Reagan

Sophie getting unpacked in her room.