Jr. Drill

For the last couple of weeks, Josie has been doing a workshop put on by the high school drill team. She has had lots of fun dancing with her friends, Emily and Sydney. This week they performed at the halftime of the JV football game.

This is the girls doing their hiphop dance. They had a hard time because they were looking right into the sun. Josie is on the far right, kind of in the front. Look at her move. She danced great and had a fabulous time!!

Josie's 1st Grade Grandparent's Day

Last Friday was Josie's 1st grade Grandparent's Day. She invited Grandpa and Grandma Anderson and Grandma Linda to come to her school. It was really cute. They sang some really fun songs about families and grandparents. Here is Josie with her class singing the songs.

After they sang their songs, they took their grandparents into their classroom and Josie got to interview her grandparents. It was really fun. Here is Josie with both of her grandmas at her desk.

And Josie with Grandpa Anderson filling out the interview sheet.

Josie is so lucky to have such wonderful grandparents that live so close to us. When they have grandparent's day at school, I always fill so bad for those kids who do not live close to their grandparents. Our kids are so lucky and spoiled to be able to see them whenever they want. They are all always here for us whenever we need them and we love them all so much. Thanks for taking time out of your day to come. There weren't too many kids that had 3 grandparents there. Josie is so lucky.

Taylor for President!

This has been an exciting week for Taylor. Last week we found out that Taylor was voted onto student council at his school by all of the teachers at East Meadows. They picked 12 kids from the 6th grade. The 12 kids had to make posters to hang up at the school and prepare a 1 minute speech to give in front of the entire school. The rest of the kids in the school would then vote and pick the President, Vice President and Secretary. So this week we have been making posters and getting Taylor ready for his big speech. We had something all planned and then yesterday we found out that we couldn't do it because if involved food. So last night we were frantically making up a new speech. It was really stressful, for all of us. We finally got it figured out and Taylor practiced and practiced his speech. This morning he had the assembly where they all got to do their speeches. He did a really good job. I was so proud of him. I tried to take pictures, but none of them turned out because I was so nervous for him that my hand was shaking. All of the kids did a great job though and it was a fun assembly. After the assembly, the kids went back to the classrooms and voted for 2 people. We had to wait all day to find out if he won.

These are the posters that we did. Taylor, being the sports lover that he is, of course wanted to do something with Nike. So this wasn't the most original poster, but it did the trick.

Then, we came up with this mastercard poster. It turned out pretty good. Hopefully it wasn't over all of the kids heads, but Tayor was happy with it, so I guess that's all that matters.

We were at the school for Josie's grandparent's day when they announced the winners. Taylor was the 2nd highest vote getter and is the new vice president. We were all so excited. I grabbed him right after school and took this picture of him. You can't really tell from this picture but I think he was actually really excited. I am just so proud of him. It was so hard to get up in front of the entire school and do that speech. Even though he wanted to quit and not do it, I am proud that he stuck it out and did it anyway, even though he was scared to death. So, congratulations Taylor, Mr. VP. We are so proud and excited for the fun year that you are going to have.

SFHS Homecoming!!

This year is Steve's 20 year high school reunion. Holy cow! Can you believe I am married to such an old guy? He must have really robbed the cradle, right? Because I am totally not that old. Haha!! Actually, it will be my class doing this in just 3 years. WOW!!! That's all I can say about it.

On Friday, we went to the SFHS Homecoming Assembly where all of the Class of '89 came back and put it on. It was so funny. The people who put it together did a fabulous job and it was really fun. They brought back some of the goofy 80's styles. It makes me wonder what we were all thinking back then. Steve and I were talking about when we were in high school and the old class came back and did the assembly. We both thought those people were so old. I'm sure that is exactly what all of the current high school students were thinking about us. But I told Steve that I think things are different now, we all dress younger and look younger than they did back then. What do you guys think? They couldn't possibly think that we looked THAT old, could they?

We thought it would be fun to go the the Homecoming Football game last night. We took all of the kids and it was pretty fun. There were so many people at the game I couldn't believe it. I saw tons of people who went to high school with me. It was fun. However, I really didn't see very many people from my class. I thought that was weird, but I couldn't believe how many people still go to the SFHS sporting events. Taylor has been to lots of games with his friends, but this was the first time I have been back since I graduated (some 16 years ago)!!


We won the game 36 to 0. It was a great game.

Josie, of course, found her friend, Emily there and had fun playing with her for most of the game. Taylor was off playing with his friends. For a kid that loves sports, I don't think he watched a second of the game. There was too much playing and socializing to do. He had a great time.

Brenden and Kate didn't enjoy the game so much. I don't think we'll be taking them all again for a long time. But it was fun to celebrate with Steve's class and think about about my high school days. I really loved high school. I had a great time and had some really fun experiences. I had, and still do have, some really great friends at SFHS that made my high school experience fabulous. It has been fun to think about all of those great memories.

Ribbon Cutting for the Fourth District Court

Last week, Steve and I went to the ceremony and ribbon cutting for my mom's new office for the Fourth District Court. After being in her old office for so many years, this is so exciting for her. It is such a neat building and I am so excited for my mom to have such a great office. At the ceremony, a Supreme Court Justice was there to speak. It was really fun and I'm glad I was able to go.

This is my mom and I in her new office.

Kate's 1st Day of Preschool!!

Today was Kate's first day of preschool. She has been so excited to go to school for months. It's hard to believe that it is finally here. She woke up this morning and immediately wanted to go to school. I think that maybe I should have signed her up for morning because she is going to have a hard time waiting until after lunch to go to school.

She had to get dressed hours before it was time to leave and wanted me to get her hair done so she would be all ready for school. All morning she kept saying, "Is it time to go to school?" and "Please, mommy, just take me to school NOW!" It was so funny. I thought that I needed to distract her so I decided to run a few errands this morning and then take her to lunch. So we did, just me and Kate. It was so fun. I took this picture of her before we left the house. She looks so grown up. I can't believe my baby is this old.

She wanted me to take a picture of the two of us together. I really don't like these close up shots, but how could I resist her sweet request?

So, when we pulled up to Miss Courtney's house as soon as I unbuckled her, she jumped out of the car and said, "Bye, Mom." I just stood there. I couldn't believe that she didn't even need me to walk her into preschool. She is so grown up. It also made me feel sad that my baby is so big. This next picture is of her walking into preschool as fast as she can, all by herself. She was definitely ready.
As I slowly made my way into the preschool, this is what I found when I went down the stairs. She had already put her backpack away and was sitting on the rug ready to go. It was so cute. I sure love this girl. She has the cutest and funniest personality. She keeps us all laughing and entertained all of the time.
She didn't even need a hug and a kiss goodbye. She was all ready to start school. She looks so happy and I am so glad for that. There were other kids crying and not wanting their moms to leave and here is Kate totally fine and ready to start.
Today I have reached quite the milestone. All of my kids are in school. I honestly never really thought this day would come. It seemed like I would always have a baby with me. While Kate was at school I went to work, all by myself. That is something that rarely happens. I have taken all of the kids to work with me for so many years that honestly I didn't quite know what to do with myself. I am going to miss my little sidekick on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, but I am excited for all of the new experiences that she will have. I know that she is definitely ready to be in school.

In the time I have spent alone today, I have been thinking about how extremely blessed I have been to be able to spend so much time with my kids these past 6 1/2 years. It has been challenging and crazy at times, but I have truly enjoyed every minute that I have had with them and I am so grateful.