And the verdict is..................

Emma had an awesome report card!!!!!!!! And she made the Honor Roll for the first time!!!!!!

She had all B's except one A in Social Studies. She gets to go to an honor roll breakfast on Thursday morning, I am so proud of her...........

Wild wild week

Wow, we thought things were going to slow down in our house, but they are just continuing to be crazy.



Scott had his hand surgery this week, and it went really well. He was only off from work for 2 days, and was back on Wednesday. He goes in on Monday to have the stitches out, if he doesn't remove the bandage by then. He is such a terrible patient.



Emma has been busy cruising along. She has been struggling a but in school, brought home some papers that weren't the greatest....... so we are working on that. Report Card day is today, so hopefully, she has pulled up her stuff from those bad grades.



Her Nutcracker performance has been set. Below is the flyer for it. She is so very excited, and was fitted for her Truffle costume this week. Unfortunately Emma had to miss a practice because she didn't do her homework one night, and was pulled out of the flower scene she was in...... but, she learned her lesson about homework the hard way.

She has started talking about Christmas and what she would like this year.

She is getting from me and her daddy a Guitar and lessons, she has also asked for

1. Wii Sports resort (game)

2. So Stylin Barbie

3. Wedding Dash (DS Game)

4. Jr. Brain Trainer (DS Game)

5. Petz Nursery (DS Game)

6. Jammies (Size 8/10)

7. Ipod Nano - Purple (yeah I know the kid dreams big)

8. Gummy earbuds in purple

Hope this helps........ she is getting harder to buy for as she is getting older :)

Momma Bengal

So one of the parents took this picture while the Juniors were cheering at competition. Everyone has gotten the biggest kick out of me in the background, cheering them on.......... If anything, my girls have learned how to have spirit and cheer on their other squads this year :)

Final Competition

The girls, did ok yesterday, they kind of fell apart again. We had so many girls sick this week, and we were missing one girl because of illness. They won 4th place this time, Been a tough year, hopefully next year will be better. Here is the utube link so you can watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0B26GaNYjc

Banquet is tonight, and we are done for the year. Now just Nutcracker practices and the performances on December 12. I am really looking forward to this, Emma loves the parts she was picked for, and is doing a really good job. And I love having the studio around the corner!!!!!

Happy Monday.

Minors half time

Here is a video of the squad's halftime show. Emma got cut off a little bit, she is on the left, and then in the back stunt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgk70YX4rlY&feature=player_embedded

And Chester wins.......

Honorable Mention...... The girls had their first competition today, and while they did good, we placed 5th out of 9 teams. There was only 1 point separating each team from 5th to 1st. They tried their best, but still need some work. One of the moms posted the routine to utube. Here is the link if you want to check it out. Emma is in the middle on the first formation, and then is in the center for the dance, and off to the left for the next cheer, and in the middle for the last cheer.

We have one more competition next week Sunday, hopefully we can clean up and do some work this week and the girls can take a higher place. We did do well though, I only had three girls who have ever competed before today, so it was a great learning experience for the ones who have not done it before.

All in all though I was thrilled, we got some great comments, about our choreography and our formations and originality, they just need to work on smiles and their timing... Stay tuned for next week. Hopefully it will be me with my squad and a huge trophy....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO40e8rgf8E

It's official

Emma got her first bad note home from school. She didn't turn in homework and got in trouble. I can't believe it, it finally happened. She was so upset, and I think has finally learned that 3rd grade isn't a party anymore. Her teacher is wonderful but firm. We have our fall conference this week Friday........

Here is a picture her teacher took from the first week of school

They are learning about friction and simple machines in science class. One of the boys dad, owns Patton Tire and Auto in Chester, he came in to give the kids a hands on presentation about traction and friction and other things. Here is a pic of her class

We have a very busy week this week. Competition is on Sunday. We have 9 squads in our division and only the top 3 place and get trophies, hopefully the girls will do good, but we will see.......

The Nutcracker

Things have been really cooking in our house. The first 8 weeks of school have come and gone in a flash. Emma got a wonderful interim report, of all A's & B's. And of course an E in conduct and an E in study habits. She seems to be settling right into 3rd grade. Cheerleading is getting ready to wind down for the year, only 2 games left. This weekend is homecoming weekend. We have a competition on the 25th and then again on November 1. The girls aren't as advanced or as together this year, so we are just hoping for the best. Ya never know they may surprise us in the end.

On an exciting note, Emma was chosen again to be in the Nutcracker this year, she has been given the parts of the Toy Solider and also a Truffle in the party scene. She will perform on December 12, at the Maggie Walker Governors school. The weather has finally cooled down, and hopefully with that things will slow down a little bit. Cheering has been fun this year, but running the squad has made it a little harder for me to keep up. I haven't missed a practice or a game yet this year, so I am glad it is coming to an end. Emma will move up to the Juniors next year, and I have already been asked to move up as head coach with her. I am excited as I will get back a lot of the girls I lost that moved up this year. Now Emma may not be so excited that she is still stuck with her mom.

She did pick out her Halloween costume, we went into the store looking for a dead bride.... yes I gave in and was going to let her get the darn dead bride costume. We walked out with a Hollywood Starlet.... Thank god they didn't have any dead brides. So report cards come home in another 3 weeks. Girlfriend is working hard, lets just see if she can keep it together :)

And the Bengals loose AGAIN!!!!!!

A shot of me and the girls from the Enon game that we won

Watching the Gates girls do their halftime show

Momma really needs a haircut again.

Emma practicing before the game at Ironbridge park against Gates

Emma and Ashley practicing the halftime show. Can you believe it is October and the girls can still wear just the vests? It was such a nice night on Saturday.

Cheering for Gates when they were done with their show "Good job good job girls, good job good job"

"Halftime Ready!!!!!!"

Emma is the back stunt, the prep, this was at the second game against Providence.

Everyone all smiles, waiting for the music to start for the dance.

Our team was right back at it this weekend, for another butt whooping, but the boys try so hard. The girls are getting better. Here are a couple shots from this weekend.

Meet the President..........What?????

Yes you heard right. Emma and I are going on a "back lot" tour of the White House and are scheduled to meet the president on October 10, 2009. I am beyond excited for her. How cool is that at 9 years old to play hooky from school with mom to go meet the president. I may have a pretty demanding job, but it defiantly has its perks!!!!!!! This is all set up through one of our attorneys that could not make it, and offered it to the staff. We are driving up to Fredericksburg and then taking the train into the city. We have a 3 hour tour of the White House and then I plan on taking her to see the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Monument. Maybe we can make a stop at one of the Smithsonian Museums too..........

Talk about strict though, you cannot even take lip gloss in with you. Don't know how I will make it through the day without lip gloss. But poor daddy is sad he can't go. Even her teacher is excited for her. Her principal has also agreed that this is an excused absence from school. She has to write a paragraph about her visit and the principal is going to let her read it on the morning announcements. Hmmmmmmm guess we'll have to do some major editing to her writing!!!!!!!

Chester Bengals Are Number 1

Ok, well it has been a long time since I posted. The school year has started out with a bang and has been as busy as ever. Cheerleading is going great. And they boys FINALLY won a game this weekend. Here are a couple shots from the game

Emma at Halftime. The girls did great. We had to change some stunts around becuase of the rain, but they did awesome anyway. Maria, the little girl on the right, is a spitfire, and just a really fun little girl. The girl holding Emma on the right is Emma W. (yes we have Emma J. and Emma W.) and is just as sweet as she can be.

The girls stop for a pose with Coach Michelle. I have had more fun coaching the girls this year. Can't believe there is only 5 weeks left, and 2 competitions to go!!!!

So that's it for now. More pictures later.

Back to School

Summer is officially over and it was back to school today. The rains came for the first time in weeks. Diva was appropriately decked out in her red shirt, plaid skirt, white tights, black suede boots and black sequin hat from Justice. Although our bedtime was 8:30 we didn't fall asleep until almost 11:00 last night. We were both excited and scared. This is a big year, 3rd grade, no more E&S's we now get letter grades A,B,C,D &F. While we didn't get the teacher we wanted. Mrs. Lyons seems to be nice. Although if she is anything like the Mrs. Lyons I had, that may remain to be seen.

So after a week of hanging out with Ms Megan at our house, our teenager in training is back to the grind. Yesterday we cleaned out her room (again) made sure that there were no dead animals under the bed, and moved around her room. We managed to go through all of her clothes to see what still fit and what didn't. To diva's surprise, she actually didn't have that many clothes for a change. So after setting up a new homework area in her room, we hung Emma's reminder stickies all over the house. No more nagging from mom on what needs to be done. Everything is laid out clear.

This year is going to be a busy one. Cheerleading on Tuesday's and Thursday's through October. Our first game is this weekend. And I must say my squad is looking pretty darn good. Emma is flying again this year and has already mastered a prep and is working on a liberty with her stunt group. The girls while young have been like sponges, we have finished our halftime routine and will start working on the competition routine this week. The girls are thrilled as they got pom poms this year. So it should add another element to their routines. Our football team must of been inspired by our wins last year, as they have actually won their first 3 scrimmage games.

Dancing starts this week also. Emma was placed in a level 4 ballet class, which means 2 classes a week. These are pre-pointe classes, so she is really excited (hate to tell her that she still has another 4 years before she can be on pointe though). It also includes her getting character shoes this year, which is something she hasn't done before. She will also start training for taking the National academy of ballet exam. This is a great way for her to be eligible for scholarships in the future and is also a great training program.

So it was all kisses and hugs at the YMCA this morning as the kids reunited after a week break. And off on the bus. I have pictures from this morning and will upload them when I can.

Happy September everyone.

Outer Banks Part Deux

Emma and Morgan at the Aquarium

Daddy having a ball driving in the 4 wheel drive area at the horse tours. We had to keep yelling at him not to drive through the puddles even though he wanted to so badly. You'll notice very few pictures of Scott, as after today he lost his battle with the sun, and didn't appear again for 3 days.

Sunset on the dunes.

Our rag tag crew at the top of the dunes during the wild horse tours. We had the greatest guide. He knew all the little spots, and let us all climb the dunes and took the pictures for us.

We visited the light house in Corolla. Momma couldn't walk up the stairs becuase of her ankle, but Emma walked up all the stairs over 160 of them to get to the top with Uncle Eddie, Morgan, Missy and Michael. She got some amazing pictures.

I got these great pictures of mine and Emma's feet in the sand.

Shell and her new friend Morgan. By the end of the week, I got to put him to bed and read bedtime stories. He was so funny.

Emma playing diva in the waves at night, while we were filying kites.

Momma and Emma playing on the beach at night

Emma learned how to fly a kite. Even though it didn't go up that high, and almost ended up in the power lines. We learned that sometimes the fancy ones just aren't as good as a generic one.

Uncle Eddie helping Emma carry her big kite down the to the beach

Emma and Morgan building their masterpiece on the beach.

Emma having some girl talk with her new friend Missy

Watch out for the pipeline!!!!

Emma got some great shots of the horses, this little guy was around the first corner when we got on the beach. They are so pretty, it is amazing how they roam through yards

I love this picture of Emma, she was as happy as a clam in the back of the jeep. I'm so glad we opted to have the open vehicle, it really made it fun.

We had a great time. At least there was no tropical storm and evacuation this time, just sunburn, injured ankles, and a short trip to the ER for Morgan!!!!!!!

Outer Banks

So first I have to say..... Hello my name is Michelle and I am a photo thief. Sorry Missy, some of these were just too cute not to steal.

Emma surprisingly was very good with Morgan on vacation. She went down the slide with him

Played nice with him after dinner

They played in the sand together

And then the true bossy Emma came out........ But somehow Morgan was ok with it, as long as it was his friend Emma (who sleeps too late according to him)

We learned that Scott doesn't tan he just burns..... 3rd degree burns that is........................

We also learned lots on the wild horse tours. A horse is pregnant for 11 months. 11 MONTHS!!!!!!! I hope they don't have morning/ all day sickness like we do.

And that taking a jeep up the sand dunes, can cause an 8 year old to screech in delight.

Emma learned she likes steamed clams, but not steamed oysters at Awful Arthur's

And the dunes have the most amazing sunsets

We're Back!!!!!!!

Emma had a great time during her Buffalo visit. She got to play with her cousins, and visit with all the grandma's. Momma had a great short visit too, with a stop at Louie's, Mighty Taco, and for 8 pounds of JewJew Bee's for Scott.

Here is a great shot of Kaylee, Olivia, Lilly and Emma playing it up for the camera. I think the diva had an effect on her cousins. I can't believe how much Lilly looks like my brother, and Kaylee looks like Emma.

And Emma snuggling in the cold Buffalo weather after swimming at Uncle Dan's. Seriously, is it ever going to get warm for Ya'all??????

Our plane ride home was pretty rough. The flight from Buffalo to Philly we had a lot of turbulence. Though that didn't stop Emma, she added Philadelphia to her stack of cards collection. Momma and Emma played a couple rounds of go fish and Trash in the airport while we waited for our next plane, I mean toy (who flies on Prop planes anymore, I mean really!!!!!)

Diva thought she was so hot in that hat, and wore it the whole way home. She is such a good girl to travel with, never complained about lugging the 50 million bags that she had........

So it is back to normal, cheerleading starts, and thankfully the doctor said that I don't need surgery on my ankle. Just to take it easy and be careful, but I can get back to working out again. Zumba class here I come.......

I also got to say goodbye to a dear person Miss Genie. Unfortunately Miss Genie has passed on but she will be missed. There is no one who can choreograph a routine while driving like her, or finish a dinner while never missing a sentence of the conversation. She was a true artist. I can only hope that she is now in a comfortable place, with Mrs. Z and Auntie Alice, teaching spot turns, and Rita Right and Larry Left somewhere in the sky!!!!!!!

Missin our Emmie

Emma has been on vacation in Buffalo, and while the first couple days are nice, to sleep in, and not have to rush to the Y in the morning. Scott and I miss her terribly. It just isn't the same watching Wipeout on Wednesdays without her commentary. The dogs are moping, and her friend Elizabeth just doesn't seem to get that Emma is in Buffalo for 2 weeks........

I can't wait to pick her up on Saturday, as well as have some wings, mighty taco........

Miss you baby girl, hope you are having fun.

Sad day for the arts in Buffalo, NY

As many of you know, dancing was such an important part of my life. Miss Genie of Eugenia's Dance Studio or Studio E, as it is now know, has been a fixture in West Seneca for almost 50 years. Miss Genie is one of the most loving, creative, and absent minded people I know. Unfortunately she has also become very very ill, stricken with cancer. How such a wonderful person who has enriched the lives of so many children can be left to suffer I don't know. I found out today, that the end is very close for her. Miss Genie is a mom, grandmother, Aunt, and mother to many children who passed through her studio. A former partner of mine Andy Delo, and nephew of Miss Genie, (who I did my first duet with, and will never forget the song "Put on your Sunday Clothes") asked that former students take a moment to write down a memory of Miss Genie for a board he was creating for her. Trying to write down all of the memories I have of her is impossible. But here is what I tried to say:

Trying to think of a favorite memory of Miss Genie is impossible. Whether it was arriving in Pittsburgh for our first competition (Going to the Chapel) moments before a tornado touched down, scheduling a trip to Poland right before Chernobyl happened, traveling to Myrtle Beach, SC for the Showstoppers Dance Competition, sitting for days at East Elementary for WNY Dance Championships, or sitting in the studio on a Saturday afternoon teaching the mommy and me class, it was fun. Years ago, I didn't understand, but now being a mom, I can appreciate the excitement on Miss Genie's face when we learned a new step, or she announced our costumes. Always just one more sequin to make it perfect, or one more special effect to make the recital just right. Anytime I wear her signature Red, Black and white colors, my mind is drawn back to the first days of Talent Express, and that dubious honor of being one of the first dance troops to dance on the World Stage in Epcot Center. No parade is complete without wearing a 100 pound wool jacket in the middle of summer to show off the unusual costumes from Poland. Or spending a summer day with Ponie Boshina teaching us new routines. Because of Ms. Genie, I love the arts, music, dancing, choreography. I now live that joy through my daughter's eyes. The world has been made such a colorful place (and sparkly) because of her presence. "FIESTA" Miss Genie, we all love you. Michelle Hamels-Jeziorowski

Be at peace Miss Genie, I'm sure you will be dancing again in the clouds soon.

First camp out of the season

Friday was the first camp out of the season. Emma was beyond excited. It was the hottest most humid day of the summer so far. Daddy is on call again, so Emma and I trucked it around camp. We stood on the bridge as Emma dreamed of riding the zip line. Only a couple more weeks till she is 9 and can ride on it. We then settled down for the kids skits. Emma did great. She was thunder chicken, and had the cutest squawk. Only problem is momma is not very good with a video camera, and somehow I had it on pause instead of record..... SIGH. The kids got signed back in, and all the parents made that long walk out of camp. Unfortunately we had the worst thunderstorms Friday night and the kids didn't get to do their night swim. They did get some smore making in, and the girls finally went to bed at 2am.

Back at camp in the morning to pick up my tired, dirty camper...... We picked up bugger from her hair cut, and went home to give the stinky child a bath. The rest of our weekend was pretty quiet. Scott spent most of it at work, and Emma and I chilled out.

Although, I am now the boxing champion on Wii, I finally figured out how to beat her..... much to the dismay of Emma.

This week is a short one for me, and then we leave on Saturday for the beach. Can't wait. Mimosas on the deck at sunrise anyone ??????

2 weeks of summer over already??????

So the first session of camp is officially over, and Emma has graduated swim groups. She is now a Guppy. She proudly displayed her patch last night when she got home with her swim report card.

Tonight is the first camp out, although Scott is on call again. Hopefully the weather will hold out, as it is supposed to be another hot one today.

T-4 business days till the beach. YEAH

Did someone turn up the heat?

UGH!!!!! It has been very hot and steamy. Scott had a rough week at work, and is down one service tech, and it is on call week. So on Saturday morning, while in the middle of making a great pancake breakfast, his pager went off. We finished up and cleaned up, and headed off to the pool for the day, so we could keep him company in between his calls. Emma had a blast swimming. She is getting so much better and is actually venturing out of the shallow ends. We met a new little friend Noah, who was the 2 year old grandson of one of the residents. He declared he was going home with us, and Emma had a blast teasing him. This is the first time I have ever seen her actually play with a little child. I am keeping my fingers crossed she doesn't try and terrorise Morgan like this at the beach:)

After a long afternoon at the pool, we stopped for a quick bite to eat. It was a long hot day!!!!

Sunday morning, we were awoken by the sounds of Scott's pager going off again. But we got in some breakfast, and off he went again. So Emma and I geared up and did some running around, Target and Kroger. Once we got back she helped me get the potatoes ready and eggs ready to make potato salad, and helped me with the cheesecake. Have I ever said I LOVE MY MIXER!!!!!!!!! It works awesome:)~

We had a quiet evening last night once Scottie finally got home, Busy packing for the beach, can't be live it is less than 2 weeks away.......

This week should be quieter for Emma and I, but Scott has a long road ahead of him with these current problems. Hopefully, they will get a new guy in there quickly, and that will alleviate some of the stress. Summer is the worst time of year to be down a man...

Emma has camp out this week, and our first parents night. The "Divas" are already working on their skit for Friday. Be afraid, be very afraid of these girls, it is a lot of attitude in those little bodies.

Summer is in full swing

So what do you do on a hot steam 90 degree summer night. Why you go to the YMCA for family swim night of course. The school year is but a week behind us and we are right back into our normal routine. Here is a picture of Emma in her new swim suit at family swim night. She was a little put off by momma because she was actually having an adult conversation instead of swimming with the kids in the pool...... This after the girls insisted I jump off the diving board and then proceeded to tell me, I do the best cannon balls because I make the biggest splash, lol. Thanks I think?????

Poor Scott is on call for Father's Day weekend, but we plan on making him a cheesecake and breakfast on Sunday. The heat is back and it is supposed to be near 100 on Saturday. I am sure, Scott will end up being at work, so Emma and I can get a head start on our tans........ Happy Friday :)~

What to do on a rainy summer evening?????

Why you catch fireflies of course. Emma and I were all alone last night.... no boys in our house only girls. After the rains subsided, we went out to look at the veggies and how they were growing........ Well instead of the veggies we found hundreds of fireflies. We ran inside and thanks to Nana's applesauce jars, we quick made a home for some of the fireflies we caught........

We gave them a nice home with some leaves, but decided at the end of the night to "set them free" so we could catch some more the next time......... Almost one week down of summer vacation. Is that possible?????????

Cocoa Bean

Scott thought this was just hysterical this weekend. I was laying on the floor playing Mafia Wars on Facebook. I know big surprise there........ Cocoa, who is 82 pounds according to the vet last week had to squeeze her butt in next to me to lay, while Bugger warmed my feet........... Emma was sitting on the chair next to me playing her DS.

I have no personal space :)

Rain Rain go away

What a yucky first day of camp. As you can tell, we never get rain, and today it decided to open up and be an all day affair. Signing in at camp was a feat this morning, as everything was wet and muddy!!!!!!!!! Hopefully it will stop for a bit so the kids can get some swimming in today. Emma was beyond excited this morning to be part of the X-UNIT. And happily skipped off to the bottom of the lodge where all of her friends were waiting. We saw many of her favorite counselors, and the first camp out is planned for June 26. WAHOO!!!!! Only a couple more weeks and she will be back in Buffalo for a visit.

Although last night, when she found out Hannah Montana was supposed to be here for a concert with the Jonas Brothers and Selena Gomez, she thought about asking if she could just stay, but uh no no way, I told here, there was no more spots left at camp......... lol

Poor thing, so we are back to the grind, I have a 2 day trial next week and work is busy as ever, Scott is going to be in NC for classes 3 times in the next 2 weeks and he is on call this week. Should make for an interesting couple weeks...... stay tuned for updates and pictures (unlike some people...... **cough cough** Missy & Michael :)

It's Time for Moving On

Well, the school year is over, and duh dunna duh........ Emma has been promoted to third grade!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!! She had an awesome 4th quarter, and received the conduct award yet again. She has received the principals conduct award every semester that she has been in school. Her report card was wonderful. E in reading, E in language Arts, E in Music, E in PE, E in art, S in Social Studies, S in Science, E in math, E in conduct, E in study skills. She has really improved this year by leaps and bounds.

To her delight, she found out today she is going to be in the X-Unit for camp (Discovery is where the younger kids are, but where her birthday falls she should still be in Discovery), I cannot believe that school is over already and it is time for camp. I don't know what we are going to do next year without Mrs. Hensel, she has been so wonderful for the past two years. We couldn't of asked for a sweeter teacher. She truly loves all of the children and teaching them. Next year is a big year. SOL's and the grading changes to letter grades instead of pass or fail........

But we need to make it through the summer first. I'm sure you'll hear us singing all the way
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

WE'RE THE KIDS FROM THUNDERBIRD WE'RE HERE TO MARCH ABOUT.
PEOPLE OFTEN STARE AT US WHENEVER WE GO OUT.
WE'RE NOT SO VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT THE THINGS WE DO.
WE CAN DO MOST ANYTHING TWICE AS WELL AS YOU.
OH AS WE GO MARCHING
AND THE BAND BEGINS TO P-L-A-Y
YOU CAN HEAR US SHOUTING
THE KIDS FROM THUNDERBIRD ARE ON THE MARCH
RAH RAH RAH SHISHKABOBB!!!

YEAH SUMMER........

The final countdown

The school year is coming to an end. We have had an amazing year. Emma has grown by leaps and bounds, and has really taken a liking to school this year. We are looking forward to 3rd grade and the SOL's next year. 3rd grade brings a lot of changes, the grading system is different, the kids are held more responsible for class work and choices, and the biggie.......... they get recorders in music class. Hopefully she will pick up momma's love for reading and playing music......

On Wednesday we had our final show off learning, with a book float parade. Here are a couple pictures of Emma with her float on Squirrels.

With the school year coming to a close, it is almost time for camp to begin. Emma has been enjoying gardening this year. We already had tomatoes on our plants, but some sort of animal has stolen one of the plants. It may be the gopher from "Caddy Shack" as it looks like it was taken from underground. Here is a picture of the sprinkler's Emma picked out. They are pretty neat, and they match the solar lights.

Tomorrow is field day, but with the rain expected, we suspect it will be cancelled. Daddy took the day off from work to attend as it has been his tradition to attend with Emma and help out. I am thinking it will end up being a video game day for him, with the rain.

Next week is the end of the year party, which is a sundae party for the kids......... Can't wait :)