Wow...is this what it feels like?

Ryan has started working on a portfolio for High School. No, he's not a fine art student, but one looking to be chosen for a Math, Science and High Technology group within his High School.

The application process is rigorous. 2 SEALED Teacher recommendations (from Math & Science teachers), test scores, grades, math requirements. He then needs to attend an interview (dressed in interview attire) and spawn a spontaneous essay when he gets there. Oh, and bring along a portfolio of his best work. He has 10 minutes in his interview to tell them EVERYTHING about him...who he is, how he came to be who he is, what his passion is in life. We have been working tirelessly on trying to keep his "resume" to one page! It's amazing all of the things that he has done in the past 5 years. He has also been asking others for letters of recommendations to be included with his portfolio (Principal, youth leaders, coaches, other teachers).

OMG...from a 14 year old! It has been hard not opening his sealed recommendations...just DYING to know what every word says about this being that I have been working on forming & guiding for 14 years.

If this is High School...I can only imagine how vulnerable we will all feel when college applications arrive. Unfortunately, these next years will be a blur too and college will be here all too soon.

1st day of school!

The boys started school last week! Ryan had 1/2 day on Wednesday which was uneventful.

Thursday Ethan started Kindergarten. He was sooooo excited! He got to bring his lunch AND eat it there ;-) The day ended with a "tornado drill" Niiiiiice. Tornado touched down about 6 miles from the school.

But...in a proud mommy moment. As soon as school was let out, Ryan went and got Ethan from his classroom & got him to the carpool. She wasn't even scheduled to bring the boys home today (Ryan was supposed to have volleyball tryouts after school...canceled)...and...she brought them to her house & let me know they were with her.

With all the bickering the boys do...it's nice to know that when it REALLY comes down to it...it's great to have your big brother around!

62

pounds that is :)

Beach!

We were lucky enough to go to the air & water show on Saturday (in the middle of on & off rain showers). Ethan LOVED going to the "beach." He couldn't get enough of it! He just plopped right down in the sand and dug his hands right in! He was DYING to get into the water, but we stopped him!

My favorite moment...watching him make "sand angels." Do all kids do this, or just snow-bound kids that learn in the snow?

Makes my heart go pitter patter

Another VERY PROUD Mom moment...from my teenager!

He had volleyball camp at school this week & his coach is a new teacher at his school who will also be his homeroom teacher. We had "parent orientation" on Sunday & his teacher commented on Ryan's leadership ability & he is ALWAYS the one encouraging others to do their best & helping those in need! YEA!!! It's one of those things that we talk about A LOT...it's awesome when another adult notices it and takes the time to give you feed back!

Speaking of proud...he's completed his ENTIRE reading goal FOR THE YEAR...in the past 2 weeks. He's knocked out Eragon, Eldest and all 7 books in the Harry Potter series! He HATES to be behind and HATES to have deadlines looming. He was frustrated with himself when he didn't meet one of his self-imposed goals for his progress on his book! I wish I could be so goal oriented!

It's official

We are doing something GOOD for our wallets and the environment! We bought a hybrid car today! It seems like we're turning a bit geeky (switched EVERY light in our house to CFL's months ago) and now the car....

Hey...if one recycled can, can power a television for three hours...imagine what a difference a car can make!!!

Officially making granola

S

That's the size shirt I bought today...granted...they run slightly larger than other brands...but...I have NEVER bought a small shirt...let alone a workout shirt!!!

57 pounds down!!!

Hello old friend

We all have them...somewhere...

I found mine about 2 months ago while I was cleaning out my closet. It's a pair of jean shorts that I remember wearing when I met my husband. Not the EXACT time I met him, but from that time. I have pictures of me wearing these shorts.

I tried them on when I found them, and to my amazement, I could fit into them...almost...my legs fit in, but there was no way I could snap & zip them.

Until this week...I tried them on, and they fit BEAUTIFULLY. I could actually wear them in public....thank goodness high waisted pants are making a come-back ;-) I'm not sure I actually WILL wear them in public, but it's a HUGE success for me. Without any REAL sacrifices....just better choices.

Disney is AMAZING

Saw Meet the Robinson's today...in 3D!

BEST part about the movie...the 3D glasses were AWESOME! They fit ALL sizes and were individually wrapped (everyone paid $2.00 for their own pair) and they were worth every penny!

I knew the 3D would be good, but it TRULY was amazing! If you're off to see this movie, see if you can find it in 3D...DEFINITELY worth the drive! After about 30 minutes even Ryan said he was "used" to it, and it REALLY feels like "you are there!"

You my squishy mommy

Sooooo this is Ethan's latest phrase.

He just can't help himself, and as much as I TRY to tell him "I'm not squishy" he keeps finding places where I AM squishy.

I have no idea where it came from...he means really well, and it is ADORABLE how he says it...but...still....squishy? Wonder what he thought I was before I lost the weight?

Spring is ALMOST here!

Ethan wore short sleeves last week...he was SOOOO excited...but only because

"I don't need to push my sleeves up to wash my hands!"

perspective is everything

Compression shorts + polo shirt + hand weights = ICK!

I saw this combo coming & going on a guy using the gym last week...ick!

Black compression shorts, light brown polo and hand weights. I'm sorry I had to watch him "walking" in front of me. I could have sworn it was a SNL skit!