Alaina's first dance recital

Alaina had her first dance recital today . . . it was an informal last class on stage so they could get used to the lights and performing in front of family and friends.  She did so well, we are so proud!  She had a great year learning from Miss Aubrey and made such good friends with the girls in her class.  We're looking forward to another year of dance starting in the Fall!

Birthdays, Basketball, Dance, & Snow

Sometimes I run out of ideas on how to title these blog posts, because in a way our years seem to repeat with similar events.  When I think, "How is it already the end of March? Where did the first 3 months of 2014 go?" These are the words that came to mind for a quick . . . no, probably long recap:  Birthdays, Basketball, Dance, & Snow. Birthdays: Ethan and Alaina celebrated their birthday parties together this year!  With Ethan turning 10 and Alaina turning 3, I never really thought we'd be able to have a party together easily, since they are 7 years apart and boy and girl.  But we found the perfect place for a combined party.  An indoor roller skating rink that also has an indoor playground for the younger kids.  Alaina invited some of her little dance friends too, but she also is good friends with all the neighborhood friends who are closer to Ethan in age.  She's kind of the neighborhood little sis'.  I think they both had a fun time roller skating and playing with their friends.

Basketball: Both boys played Upward basketball again this year, 2nd year for both of them.  Last year they were on the same team, which was nice, but this year Ethan was on older team, 4th - 6th graders, and Caleb on a 1st - 3rd grade team.  Ethan's team was the "Heat" and they won every game this season!  He learned so much, played the full court, and had great coaches and teammates.    

Taking a breather . . .

So I started "thinking" about making this blog post and uploading and updating pictures a few weeks ago.  It takes so much time to blog the way I want to!  However, when I'm done making a post, I am always thankful I sat down and took the time to do so.  This is my online picture album/scrapbook for my family, my children, myself that I love looking back through at times.  So, I must keep updating: We are taking a breather between soccer and basketball.  And I am so glad!  Glad to have 2 evenings back during the week from soccer practices and our Saturday mornings and afternoons back too.  I love that the boys love soccer, and truly enjoyed watching them this year.  They both grew in their skills so much this year!  

The first 9 weeks grading period of school finished up and the boys had their awards ceremonies in their classrooms.  In Ethan's class, Ethan helped present the student-led awards ceremony.  Ethan, in 4th grade, received the All A's and B's Honor Roll (got 1 B in "Gifted and Talented" and the rest A's), received the "Be Proactive" Leader in Me Award and a 100 Book Challenge Reading Award.  I am really proud of all of his hard work and how he's adjusted this year to being at the intermediate school (4th and 5th grade only at the school), with changing classes between 2 teachers (1 for Math/Science and 1 for Reading-Language-Social Studies) and this is his first year being in the Gifted and Talented program as well.  I am told by both of his main teachers that he is awesome and smart, and his GT teacher told me she has enjoyed having him this year in her class and that he has a great sense of humor.  :-)

Caleb, in the 2nd grade, has also done well this 1st grading period.  He received the All A's and B's Honor Roll, Marvelous Math Award for getting 100 on his Math Addition Fast Facts, and a 100 Book Challenge Reading Award.  I am proud that he tried his best too.  His teacher just sent home a note the other day that she was proud of him for taking his time with his handwriting on some social studies notes.  With the implementation of the new Common Core Curriculum in our state this year, I am noticing that the way certain concepts are being taught are different and with new methods.  There is a lot more explanation and writing involved, which can be a struggle sometimes for my boys.  We are working through it though, and trying to keep a positive attitude.  I am not an expert on Common Core, as I no longer work in education.  But I do believe the idea behind what they're trying to do with it is generally good.  However, it does seem like sometimes it tries to make what should be simple concepts to learn, more complicated and more difficult than they should be.  

We also had a fun Halloween.  The kids got to pick a design for each of their pumpkins to carve.  Ethan carved a lot on his own this year, Caleb helped some with his, and Alaina enjoyed the end result after Daddy was done with hers!

The boys were ninjas and my girl was a princess/dancer.  In the end, she only ended up wearing her dance leotard, skirt, and carrying a wand.  Up until Halloween, she had fun wearing her princess gloves I had gotten her, along with her pretty flower headband.  But she didn't want to add those accessories for actual Halloween.  :-(  Her mind is a hard one to change!  Ha ha!  But all the kids had fun trick-or-treating around our neighborhood with their friends. 

Ethan ran in a Boosterthon fun run at school to raise money for his school.  We sponsored him $1 a lap, and he ran 35!

Caleb (and Ethan too) have been enjoying playing football more and more outside around the house.  Caleb is convinced he wants to play tackle football next year with his friend, Casey, instead of soccer.  Mommy will have to think about that a little more.  I'm thinking flag football would be a good start instead.  :-)

And Lainey girl is still as spunky and opinionated as ever.  We're still "working on" potty training.  I guess I'm a lazy parent trainer by the 3rd child.  I'm comfortable to wait until she's really ready to go fully to regular underwear and use pull ups in the meantime.  Just don't have the desire to constantly clean up messes.  We'll see!  She is also still enjoying her ballet/tumbling dance class.  So fun having a little ballerina in the house!

And to end on a bit of a sad note . . . Our 12 year old beloved lab/springer spaniel, Sylvie, passed away.  She wasn't sick more than a day, didn't suffer, but died peacefully in her sleep.  As one of my first "babies" she will be missed by our family.

Fall off to a full swing!

Every Fall I feel like this . . . it's off to a full swing, and I am behind!  Behind with keeping up with my blog because we are so busy.  So here's a quick recap before I get even further behind and forget things:
The boys started school.  Ethan is in 4th grade at the intermediate school and in an all boys class this year.  He has Mrs. Revan for math and science and Mrs. Fowler for Language and Social Studies.  So far he is liking his new school and new routine there and doing great.  All A's already for the first 4 1/2 weeks!

Caleb started 2nd grade and is in the elementary school in Mrs. Pepper's class.  This is the same teacher Ethan had for 2nd grade, so we are happy about that!  I love it when we get to experience a great teacher again with a different child.  Caleb is doing well being in the school without big brother, even though they both were sad that they wouldn't see each other in the halls anymore.  We also have quite an elaborate carpool/pick up schedule since both schools start and get out at the exact same time.  Thankfully I have two grandmothers that can help me out or it would be much more difficult!  Caleb is doing well so far in his class too!

Alaina's new thing this year is dance class.  She is in a Mon Cheri Bebe class of all 2 year olds - a ballet/tumbling class and she LOVES it!  That girl has music in her head, dancing, singing most of the time! For a girl with 2 older brothers, and the baby of the family, most of the time she gets dragged around to all of their events, so I'm happy she has dance just for her this year! 

Caleb had his 7th birthday . . . how is he already 7??  He celebrated with friends at a pool party.  It thankfully didn't rain that afternoon (like it had been) and he had a great time.  The pool had a diving board which was a huge hit with all the kids!

Now, soccer has started for the boys so every weekend is filled with at least 2 games.  The boys are both playing on more competitive teams this year, with AYSO, so it's both challenging and exciting for them (and for us to watch!)  They are on different teams this year because of their ages, and both are doing great!

And even though I said at the end of one of my last posts that I wasn't getting into photography again, now I am!  At least I think I am.  Some families have asked me about doing some family photo sessions again, preparing for Christmas cards I'm thinking, so I decided to start back early doing sessions in October and November, so that hopefully I won't get so burnt out this year.  We'll see what happens!  Maybe I can earn a little money towards Christmas this year.  I started back up my photography site, www.laineybugphotography.com  I love photography, just still don't have a lot of time still to spend on it.  Hopefully I can manage my time better this year, and still have time for my family!