The end of 2008

This year was a very busy year for us. While alebit a good one, just busy. We had a wonderful summer and Em's Cheerleading kept us pretty busy. Everyone is healthy and happy which is all that really matters. Emmie finally had a break through in school and is understanding and enjoying it more. 2009 seems to be looking like a great year too. We have 2 great vacations planned (one to the Outer Banks and one to Disney for Christmas). While we don't have any snow down here in VA, the weather has been beautiful, and for that we have been thankful. Here's to having a great 2009.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Blast from the Past

I have had just too much fun lately talking with old friends on Face Book. One of the girls I used to dance with posted a ton of pictures from our hayday of dancing. I have attached one from our infamous "Fiesta" number. We did this the first time we danced in Disney world on the Epcott Center World Stage. ........ We thought we were so hot, lol. See if you can find me.... hint I had red hair, what was I thinking.....................

Merry Christmas

Well, Christmas was a success. Santa with the aide of NORAD made it to Virginia with no problem. We started Christmas Eve with Emma spending the day at work with Momma. She had a ball, and was a great little helper. She even got to educate my secretary on her knowledge of the capital building, as they walked up the street together to get pizza for lunch. Christmas Eve night was uneventful. Emma was coming down with something and slept most of the night away. She was all geared up for Santa to come though, and went to bed, when NORAD said he was over the border in Cananda.

Christmas morning was fun, she got everything she could ever wish for. Who would of though that Bendaroos, would be the big hit. We have stuck these wax strings to everything and anything over the past couple of days. She lvoed her new digital camera and daddy even mounted her new flat screen tv on her wall for her. I got a wonderful surpise of a new kitchen aide mixer, and Scottie was thrilled with his new air compresser. So much so we were at Harbour Freight again this weekend for goodies for it.

I also tried something new this year and made Prime Rib for Christmas dinner. Scott declared that it was a success, and said now that I knew how to make it he "expected" it more often. Ha he thinks he is soo funny.

So we spent a warm weekend playing new games, Emmie loves the new cheerleading game for the Wii, and just hanging out. My thought is, it is time to take down the decorations yet????????? One more week of winter break and then it is back to the grind for Emma. She is counting down the days till New Years Eve so she can stay up and watch the new Wizards of Waverly place episode at midnight on New Yeas Eve.

Hope everyone had a great holiday.

Only 3 more days

Till Christmas. No chance of a white Christmas here however. Much to Emma's dismay. School is out for Christmas, I mean winter break. The kids have lots planned at the YMCA for the next 2 weeks. They are going roller skating, Christmas caroling, swimming, to the library and even have a PJ Day. Emmie is all set for Christmas. She even got some cookies in the mail from Nana (thanks Nana, now I don't have to bake) to leave for Santa.

While our northern neighbors may be buried in snow, we enjoyed a nice 60 degree day on Sunday.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Phew it's over

So we had 2 more teeth removed this morning. Poor thing, I am so glad it is over. She would of never gotten those teeth out. They actually came out root and all, so the adult teeth never even came near pushing the baby ones out. The dentist did also mention the B word (braces) which neither she nor I was impressed with......So the tooth fairy comes again tonight, but she is enjoying a day off with daddy. Which I am sure is going to involve lots of TV watching.........
We have a heat wave going on in VA right now as when we got up this morning, it was 67 degrees out. Much better than last week, when we were freezing. I can't believe that Christmas is so close. The kids only have 8 days left till winter break and they are getting restless.
Work has finally slowed down for me, to enjoy the holidays a little.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr it's cold down here

So we are thinking our Buffalo family has put a curse on us, and sent the cold weather down south. We woke up to a balmy 30 degrees outside this morning. After a busy weekend, I had my Christmas party on Saturday and Em got to play with her favorite Jr. Coach from the cheer squad. We actually had a few flakes flying. Enough snow for us, not enough to even stick to the ground. On Sunday, we finally decorated the house, we didn't put up that many decorations this year, but it looks good. We moved the Christmas tree into the living room for a change and it looks great. You can tell Emmie is getting taller because the collection of ornaments is taller but still in one clump. She had a great time putting up her Disney village, in the kitchen and our new Disney Christmas tree.

She is counting down the days till Christmas and until school is out for Winter break. She goes back to the dentist this week to get her other 2 teeth pulled, that didn't get done the last time........

Christmas Cannon

Well tis the season. We are busy getting ready for Christmas. I am ahead of the game this year. My shopping is all done. Presents are all wrapped, and even sent to the family in Buffalo. I recently heard the Christmas Cannon by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. If you have a chance check out this site. Not only is the song just beautiful, but the light show is pretty good too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D92oXdksMvc

Em is doing good, she only had 2 of her 4 teeth removed, so she has to go back on December 10. My exciting news is, I have scheduled my Lasik surgery. I am so excited and thrilled at the same time. I am having it done on January 19. I can't wait to wake up and be able to see the alarm clock.

It's D Week

So as the title says, it's D week for Emma. What that means exactly is it is Dentist week. Wednesday she goes to get 4 of her baby teeth removed, because they won't come out. Not sure how my scaredy cat is going to handle this one. But I am sure besides the dentist bill it will cost me something extra........

I was supposed to be off all week, but again my secretary has flaked out so, I am working on Monday, half a day on Tuesday (as I finally made an appointment about Lasik) and off on Wednesday. I have lots of things left to cook yet, I haven't even started baking yet!!!!

We had a lovely weekend. Emma had a birthday party Friday night, so Scott and I went out to dinner, and picked up our new TV for the master bedroom. It is awesome. I the person who says the TV we had was fine, love it!!!! It is a 32" LG, LCD flat screen. It has the best picture. Now Em thinks she is getting a 50" for her bedroom. Yeah right over Scott's dead body she might!!!!

Anyway, I am prepping myself for my favorite shopping day of the year. I've got my list and I've checked it twice. My goal is to finish Christmas shopping on Friday. We will see.

Other than that, nothing new going on around here. School, work, dancing, homework. The usual it has finally slowed down. Scott had an inspection at work this past week and got his best score yet. He is doing an awesome job as supervisor and I think is finally enjoying it. Now if we could only get them to buy him a computer for work. But hey what do you want everything????

Face Book

What a nice week it has been. Other than my secretary flaking out, and not showing up all week, it has been a nice quiet week. Emma had a great Thanksgiving Program at school on Tuesday. She made such a cute little Pilgrim. Me I have been having a ball on Face Book. It is like a high school reunion online. I have spoken with people I haven't seen in years. It is amazing how many people have moved away from Buffalo, as well as the number of people who have oodles of children, I would of never expected. It is nice to catch up with some old friends. Next time we come back to Buffalo, I definitely have some stops to make.

Emmie is busy at school. They have a project to write letters to the soldiers in Iraq. I think it is a great project for the holidays. Letter writing is getting to be such a lost art, with email and the web. I am glad they are teaching the kids how to write an actual letter and the form of a letter.

Other than that, we are busy deciding on the menu for Thanksgiving. Besides the normal cold pea salad, jello mold, stuffing, potatoes and turkey. Emma wants to make a chocolate pie, and Scott of course insists I make cheesecake (thanks mom for making me learn that recipe, I really appreciate it.....) I still need to do some wine shopping, and we are having some friends over for dinner, which will be nice. A little different to not have any family here, but we will manage.

Emmie thinks she may want to come back to Buffalo for a visit over the summer..... you never know with that child what she may do......

Hugs.

Let it Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful........ ok well it may not be that bad. But we did have some flurries this morning. Nothing to stick to the ground. But enough to make the people in Richmond freak out. The weather really has taken a chill this week. Considering it was 75 on Saturday.

We had a great weekend. Our first weekend off in months.

On Saturday, I went and had my hair done, which if I do say so myself turned out great. We then headed out to the open air mall, and went to build a bear. Emma stuffed her latest jewel bear, and also bought a turkey to stuff for her daddy (pretty appropriate, we wanted to name it Scott, but we got some pretty nasty glares from a certain someone). We then headed over to Limited Too, so Em could exchange a dress. An hour later and a grumpy daddy, we finally left the store dress in hand :)

We then headed out to the new Bass Pro Shop in Hanover County. Yes that is correct for all you Buffalonians. Our store was planned AFTER yours, and is done and open before Buffalo even can get it together to break ground. This store in GINORMOUS. Not only is it one level but 2. We had a ball. There is a fudge shop, NASCAR store, and candy store inside also. Including a wonderful restaurant where we had dinner. But the only catch is, you have to get there early or expect a wait. The wait when we left was over 2 hours!!!!! So Emma got to see Santa and have her picture taken, and she fell in love with a pink 4 wheeler. SIGH. This could cost some serious cash, because you know Scott would want one too. Although if anyone can remember Emma with her power wheels, she spent more time sitting in it, listening to the music then she did actually driving it..........

So I got some more Christmas shopping done, and we had a great day. It was so nice to finally be able to relax a little. On Sunday, Emma decided she loved my hair cut so much that she had to have the same one. So off to the hair dresser we went. She looks completely adorable, and now we are not killing each other every morning fighting over the snarls, and to put her hair up. She is growing up way too quick for her own good. We FINALLY got the Halloween decorations put away, and put "Uncle Tommy Turkey" (as Emma named him) up in the front yard. It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only a week away. That means Christmas is really getting close.

Happy Tuesday.

Cheer Competition Pictures

Hi all.

One of the coaches from Emma's cheer squad is also a professional photographer. She took tons of pictures at the competition. You can use this link www.sendtoprint.net and enter event code c110208b, if you would like to view them. You can also order any if you want some. Hope you all enjoy.

Michelle

FINALLY FRIDAY

It's finally Friday!!!!!!! Wahoo. After a very long week, weekend, and beginning of the week, the case I was preparing for trial on, SETTLED Wednesday. YEAH us. Great result for our client and even better as we were working long hours. It has been about 5 years since I got that close to trial (they had started to pick the jury) and now I remember why it is always so tough.

Emma gets her first quarter report card this week. And it is excellent. For the first time, she has gotten an E in reading (Same as an A). She is beyond thrilled and this will be her best report card ever.

Since it is supposed to be rainy this weekend, we are hoping to get some more Christmas shopping done. Emma's My Twin doll came in the mail last night and is so pretty. I can't wait for her to open it on Christmas morning.

I sent pictures to both moms this week, but in my craziness at work I put the wrong pictures in everyone folders, so thanks to the moms for switching their folders. As Dad Jez said, it must be old age :)

the 2008 CCL AA Division Champs

Here is a pic of the squad the day of competition when they won. The girls are supposed to have an article in the local paper this week. This is the first time in the Bengals 20 year history that all three squads won first place........

Emma's Christmas Wish List

So it is that time of year. Our countdown clock on the blog says 50 days till Christmas. The queen has put in her requests

1. High School Musical 3 CD - PURCHASED
2. Fashion New York (DS game) - PURCHASED
3. Build a Bear (DS game) - PURCHASED
4. Guitar Hero old one or World Tour (DS game) - PURCHASED
5. Wii Music (Wii game) - PURCHASED
6. Moon sand (https://www.spindirect.com/product_order.php?productid=16381&s=moondouble) - PURCHASED
7. Bendaroos- http://www.asseenontvnetwork.com/bendaroos/?cid=549182 - PURCHASED
8. Hannah Montana Break Out - CD
9. Webkinz
10. Jammie's
11. robe
12. make up
13. new leotard for dancing
14. funky pens (don't ask me i have no idea)
15. jammies to match her my twin doll (http://www.mytwin.com/) she got the purple jammies with her doll that she is getting from mommy and daddy
16. CD player/ stereo
17. Anything from build a bear

Hopefully, that will give you all some ideas. She is getting a new TV for her room from me and Scott and she also has the Barbie Christmas Carol, a couple Hannah Montana shirts, a new belt, Mario Kart for the Wii and Pet Doctor for the DS, a my twin doll (it is really neat, it is a doll that is created to look just like her)

Hugs
Michelle

P.S. Dad this is just for you...... we are not coming home this year for Thanksgiving or Christmas, so you don't have to save your ticket to the Rockettes. I promise, we will not be making any surprise trips.

Some Halloween Pics

Emma at Kennedy's Birthday Party
Em hanging out with her friends


Emma and Paris

Em being a girly girl



Emma and Selena

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!!

Our girls did it. We won 1st place at the competition yesterday. I could not be more proud of them. They were against 8 squads and were 20 points ahead of the next closest group. They were first on the mat and set the bar high. No one made any mistakes and all stunts went up. When all the groups were finished, we all sat down on the mat for the awards. The announcer said 3rd place Chester Minors. All the girls were thrilled we placed, but wait, the announcer says, I'm sorry. I am reading the results wrong. We all look at each other, the coaches smile and think NO WAY!!!!!!!! Third place went to Henning, Second place went to Chakley, and wait FIRST PLACE....... CHESTER MINORS!~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. We were so excited. Not only did the the Minors get first but, the Juniors and Seniors also. It was a clean Chester sweep.

We got some great comments on the score sheets. Like "Great Choreography" (that would be me) and "wonderful full" (that would be Emma).

Who would of thought, we could be this excited, Emma wasn't even supposed to do the competitions, but since one of the girls dropped out, she decided she wanted to.

So we are all done now. Tonight is the banquet, and we are through till next year. They have already asked me if I would like to coach again, and much to Scott's dismay I have said yes. Why we have a reputation to uphold now!!!!!!!

Hump Day

Eugh it's only Wednesday. My little petri dish has brought me home a cold. Or as Scott would say, and I quote "if you and your daughter would stay put for more than a minute, and stop getting so tired maybe you wouldn't get sick". SIGH. Men just don't understand.

So we are half way through the week. Em is excited that she gets to wear her costume to dance class tonight. They are also having a Halloween Party at the Y on Friday, so she is thrilled. I really do love the B/A school care program there. They have no school on Monday for parent teacher conferences, so on Monday they have a "German day" planned. One of the counselors (Patrick) has just returned from a trip to Germany and they are going to teach the kids about the culture etc. They also are going to make a German lunch with the kids. On Tuesday there is no school due to election day. They are planning a field trip to Maymont Park. It is amazing the adventures they take these kids on and the things they learn there.

She will really get her use out of her costume this year, as she has a birthday party to go to on Saturday that is a costume party.............

The beat goes on...........

Yesterday the girls had cheer competition, we were so proud of them. All the stunts went up, no one fell and everyone did great. The girls were so excited. It has made for a very long fall, all these practices and games. But now it is coming to an end. We have three final practices this week and competition on Sunday at Virginia State University. This is the big one. Em has quite the busy week this week. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are cheer practice. Wednesday dancing. Friday Halloween - trick or treat finally, but she also has a field trip to Henricus park from school. Saturday is a birthday party and then Sunday competition.

We had our last football game on Saturday, and while it was raining the girls did great. I can't say that our football team fared so well as they go their tushes kicked again!!!!! I can't wait for the day that we can actually start coming home in the evenings, but that will be here soon enough.

Emmie and I got a new game for the Wii this weekend. Mario Kart, and we spent Saturday and Sunday evening battling it out on the couch. This system is so neat that it lets both of us play and be competitive with each other. Needless to say I kicked Scott's butt. The poor man has no hand eye coordination.

We have booked our Disney trip for next Christmas, and I don't know who is more excited Scottie or Emma. We are going to stay at Disney's Caribbean resort. Should be fun and I can't wait to see Scott and Emma when they see Main Street all lit up and decorated.

The downside of planning a big vacation is we don't know when we will get back to Buffalo again. As far as Emma goes, she needs to make a decision again if she wants to dance with the Richmond Ballet this summer, as she has already decided she wants to cheer again.

We don't know when her recital will be yet this year, sometime at the end of May beginning of June (Sorry dad, I hate that you have to pick vacation so early, but there is nothing I can do about the dates). Hopefully you all will still be able to come.

So it is Monday and back to the grind. I'm off to draft my witness subpoena's.......................

My brave little cheerleader

So my Emma, is a brave little cheerleader. We had practice on Friday, and while she was scared, she got right back up in her stunt group. I am so proud of her. She was a little shaky, but all of her friends were so supportive and really helped her get through it. We finally finished their competition routine on Friday night at practice, and the girls are looking good. The game on Saturday was quite cold, but the girls toughed it out. They did part of the competition routine for half time and they DID GREAT!!!!! - now if we could only get our football team to stop getting slaughtered we would be all set. They lost 0-27 this week again.......

Even Scottie noticed that the routine was different and said that it looked great (kudos to me for choreographing it:)

So we are back to practice this week Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Our final football game is on Saturday and competition is Sunday morning.

Wish us luck. It is weird for me to be on the coaches side of things and not the participant, but yet, I can see so much of me in Emma.......................

Cheerleading disaster

So it finally happened last night. Emma got dropped during a stunt. She was in a prep and was doing a cradle down, her back spotter backed away and she came down and knocked her head. First before I get 50 phone calls, she is fine. No bump, no dizziness, no nothing. I think more than anything she was just scared. Tonight at practice will be the real test if she will get back up again and try. Although I don't know who was more scared for her, the coaches (and momma) or her stunt group who dropped her. Only time will tell what happens tonight.........................................

My little ballerina

Emma just keeps surprising us. At dancing last night, her teacher asked me what we do on Monday nights. I looked at him and rolled my eyes and said, that is the only night of the week we have nothing to do........... He wanted to know if Emma would like to join his advanced ballet class. SIGH!!!!!! I am so proud of her. We told him yes of course, once cheerleading finishes in 2 weeks. I don't think I could take one more night on the run......... So we are now dancing 2 nights a week starting in November. Monday nights ballet and Wednesday nights tap and jazz.

Every time I hear a stay at home mom complain how tired they are, I roll my eyes and bite my tongue (which we all know is hard for me) as I think of our schedule. Emmie has been so busy, but loving every minute of it. And she has been doing really well in school this year. Her papers are coming home with great grades and she is finally enjoying reading and writing (never thought I would see that day).

So we are ready to close out the week. Cheerleading practice tonight, tomorrow night, and Saturday afternoon, a game on Saturday night, and cheerleading competition on Sunday. Only 2 games left, and 2 competitions left after this week. Not sure what we will do when we can actually come home at night.

Oh wait I know, I'll be preparing for trial!!!!!!!!!

Homecoming 2008

So Homecoming 2008 came and went. We had a beautiful day for the game and festivities. The girls put on a great show. Unfortunately our team lost (again) 0-12. Our little men just keep getting shoved around. Hannah was chosen as Homecoming Queen for the Minors (Em was a little disappointed). But otherwise they had a ball. She has now learned how to do a full with her stunt group and we are getting ready for competition.

Welcome October

Can't believe that we are already a month into school. It is just flying by this year. Em is having a really good year, and seems to be surging ahead with her reading and language skills. Her social life is abound with play dates and phone calls. She has been doing awesome in cheerleading, she is the littlest one with the most volume. We had one cheerleader drop off the squad so she is going to do the competitions this year. So we are back to practices on Thursday and Thursday and dance class on Wednesday. This week is exciting as we have our homecoming game on Friday night. The boys FINALLY won a game this week, so their record moves to 2-4 (the other win was a forfeit!!!)

We decorated for Halloween this weekend, and Em has some friends sleep over after the football game. Life is crazy but great.

Hugs

It's a great pumpkin

We had my family picnic from work this weekend. I didn't feel to great, but let Scott and Em convinence me to go with them. We had a great time picking pumpkins. Em got 4 great ones. We actaully got to pick them off of the plants because it was still early in the season.

Em won a pie at the cake walk, and tried oh so hard to win a goldfish (thankfully she didn't). She met some new friends, and had a grea time.

Fall is coming?

We are in the home stretch of cheerleading practices. Tonight is the last practice. Then we only have games from there on out. Work is a little crazy for me, I am gearing up for a trial November 10 in Brunswick County North Carolina. Why couldn't it be in the summer, to be down in Holden Beach.............. but just my luck. It is going to require a lot of hours from me for the next month or so.

We are getting ready for Halloween. Hopefully, next weekend we can start decorating. Emma has picked out her costume. It is a red and white costume, and she is half devil and half angel (very appropriate).

The weather has cooled down some, hopefully we can finally turnoff the air conditioning. We have also been busy planning our vacation for next summer. We are going to try the Outer Banks again, hopefully this time, there will be no hurricanes and we can actually finish our vacation!!!!!!

The heat is still on in VA

After Hurricane Hanna ruined the first football game of the season. We finally had our first game last Saturday. And boy was it HOT!!!!!!!! The temp was near 95 degrees. The girls were sweating but they kept right on cheering along. Even though our team was decimated 36-6. I am not sure what is in the water in Matoaca, but those boys were HUGE. Including the cheerleaders. Our girls did great, they did a half time show with a dance and chants, and all the stunts went up. No one got dropped and Em loves being a flyer.

Momma in turn (for those of you who have been to a practice can understand why) has been conned (by Emma and the girls) into being an Assistant Coach. They all said they would come back next year if I was the coach.......... Can you hear Scottie rolling his eyes and groaning.

We have been pretty busy. Hopefully things will slow down soon. The game this week is cancelled, the other team has forfeited, so YEAH Chester will have at least 1 win this year. Next week is their first night game which should be fun. I will try and post some pictures.

Hugs

Whew

What a week it has been. Back from a week vacation, back to school, back to homework, back to dancing....... Oh and wait, lets not forget Tropical Storm Hanna that is threatening Emma's first football game. It has been a whirlwind. School started off with a bang. We managed to get on the right bus this year, and no problems. She has had an exciting week. On Wednesday she had her first dance class at her new studio, and she did great. The teacher said she is a beautiful ballerina, but her tap dancing....... lol. It was a great class, and even better to see her giggling and having a ball. What a difference a studio makes. I hope this will bring the joy back to her dancing. Although she was pretty comical as there is a boy in her class :)

On Thursday this week, the YMCA shot a commercial and some footage. Emma (of course) got chosen to be in it. She thought the whole thing was awesome as they got instructions from the director, got to say lines and perform little skits. Hopefully, they will give me a copy of the DVD, and I will try and post it.

Cheerleading is going great, the first game is this Saturday, which looks like it will be rained out, but we will see. The girls will be so disappointed if it is.

Scott's knee is doing better. And I am done with my crazy projects. I painted all the furniture in Em's room to match her bed, painted the walls, put in a new area rug, and redecorated the walls with Hannah Montana stuff. I also got a bug and tore down the nasty wallpaper in the master bathroom.

Mom and dad's visit was great last week. We discovered the Russell Stover candy outlet (YUM) and took Em and one of her friends to the beach for the day. Minus a complete down pour, the girls had a great time, and the surf was fun. There were tons of jelly fish and seaweed due to the storms.

So we are bracing for this weekend, and probably the next couple weeks, it looks like the storms are heading our way this year...........................

The working mom

Work has been so busy lately. Traveling and getting my attorney ready for trial. The firm is working on a new section on our website for paralegals and I had a good excuse to show off one of my new outfits. Can you tell who picked out the tank top for me. Em of course it is pink. I am off on vacation next week, and can't wait. Em and I have a great time this week between camp and school.

Back to Reality

Well it's back to reality today for Emma. Aunt Mickey, Daisy and Nana left this morning. We had a great time with everyone visiting. We have discovered that Emma and Aunt Mickey are two of a kind and for some reason I am being punished for her father picking on his sister............ not sure how that one happened. The dogs got along great, and Lady now has a new play friend in Daisy. Only problem is Daisy thinks she is 25 pounds like Lady :)

We really love when everyone comes to visit. Emma taught Nana how to play Trash (don't ask you have to come to VA and she will teach you) and she also taught Aunt Mickey that there is someone bossier than her.

On another front, Scott is on crutches, he tore up his knee at work, so he is the walking wounded right now. Emma is taking care of her daddy, and bringing him ice to make him comfy. Hopefully it will heal quickly, we all know how well men do with pain:)

Cheerleading resumes

Cheerleading practice continues after a short break last week for a storm that never happened:) The girls look great, and the uniforms are just adorable. Em has been designated a flyer for the halftime show and she is thrilled. (means she will be on the top of the pyramids) They are working on the cheers and chants as well as the halftime dance routine. Only 2 more weeks till her first football game.
Nana got the chance to watch her practice last night, outside in our Virginia heat......... Aunt Mickey hid in the car :)

I can't believe school starts in less than 2 weeks, it seems like summer just started and now it is over.

Happy Birthday Emma

WOW What a weekend. Em's 8th birthday came and went like a flash. We had 7 little girls at the house for a GNO!!!!!! Hannah Montana style. We started the morning off with a trip to Build A Bear to stuff her new High School Musical Bear, Jewel Bear and the Dog she picked out. We finished the evening with a sleep over for her friends. The kids had a great time jumping on the trampoline and playing with the dogs. We played Hannah Montana trivia for prizes and all the kids enjoyed Aunt Mickey's guitar cake. Emma got some wonderful presents for her friends.

Aunt Mickey, Nana and Daddy went upstairs to hide from all the noise and left Momma in the living room with the kids (It's only once a year I kept saying)

The kids played freeze dance, and wound down the evening with watching "Enchanted" They all sprawled out in the living room, and some ended up on the sofa with Mom (at 2 am they wanted to go home SIGH), the next morning we had some donuts and they were back out again playing on the trampoline.

It seems so hard to believe that she is 8 years old. It seems like just yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital. She means to world to me and her dad, and we are so proud of her. She is such an artistic loving, polite little girl, who makes us so proud everyday. There is not a day that goes by that she doesn't make us smile (or drive her momma crazy).

Emma really is the light of our lives. She is loved more than she will ever know. Being a mom is the best and hardest job I have ever had. I love learning new things through her eyes, and teaching her new things. The hardest thing is learning that she is growing up and letting her go a little. Every year she is becoming more independent and more of a little lady instead of a little girl.

Happy birthday Emma Rose. Momma and daddy love you....... and Cocoa and Lady too.

Birthday is looming

So Happy Thursday. Em's party is only 2 days away and Nana and Aunt Mickey arrive today. Em is so excited about them seeing her at cheerleading practice. We are feeling better today, both mom and Em have a summer cold. The weather has been beautiful.
We are all set for school, new LL Bean backpack is all packed with supplies, and we are excited to start again. Hopefully this will be the year that it clicks for Em and she takes of like a rocket.
School has been such a struggle for her. She tries so hard, nothing comes easy to her with school. This is really hard for me to understand and grasp. Scott has a much better understanding of it. To me reading and school is fun. To them, it is nothing but a pain in the butt.
So..... we have a busy weekend ahead of us. Birthday party, we have to take Aunt Mickey to Build-a-Bear, and to Stony Point Fashion Park, so Daisy can walk around with us.
I can't believe that next week is the last week of camp. Seems like the summer has flown by this year.

A Beginning

So...... since we have been so busy and so many things have been going on, I thought I would try my hand at blogging to keep everyone updated. We have had a very busy summer. Can't believe it is almost over and time to go back to school. Em is going to be 8 in 3 days. It seems like yesterday that I was so sick being pregnant and ready for her to arrive. She is crazy busy and loving every minute of it. We have started cheerleading practices 2 times a week and games start the last week in August. Dancing starts up again in September, and she will be in 2nd grade. The summer has been fun filled with another summer at Camp TBird with family dinner nights, family swim nights and camp outs. She finished the summer program with the Richmond Ballet and auditioned and was given a part in the Nutcracker. Unfortunately the practice schedule mixes with her cheerleading schedule so she can't do it this year. But there is always next year, and it was a great reality check for Emma to realize she can't do everything.

Her birthday party is planned for Saturday night "Hannah Montana" and she has 6 of her little friends coming to sleep over. We've planned games and the usual fun stuff. Scott will hide in the den, as he is way out numbered.

The dogs are doing good too. Hard to believe that Lady is already a year old. We are getting ready to breed her, and hopefully we should have puppies around Christmas time. Cocoa is crazy as usual.

We spent a week this summer in Luray Virginia and the caverns were amazing. It was a great time, just sitting on the deck in the hot tub.

Scott is busy at work, with his supervisor position, and I'm just trying to keep up with everything.

So that's the quick update on us. Check back I'll try to post often.

Hugs

"The Virginia Jeziorowski's"

Scott, Michelle, Emma, Cocoa & Lady