Catching Up....Part II

 Well, Andrea's graduation day ended with a party and a surprise gift from Grandma and Grandpa!

 Although, she still needs a little more practice, I'm sure she's going to really appreciate her scooter when she's off to college!

Thank you Grandpa!

But we weren't quite done celebrating yet....
One more treat from Grandma and Grandpa was fulfilling Andrea's wish of seeing The Blue Man Group!

It was a great show! And Andrea picked Bubba Gump's to eat at:

The following night, McKenna got to pick the restaurant (Pizza Hut, which we had a heck of a time finding) and she picked Putt-Putt as the activity.

 Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!!!

Even though McKenna made a-hole-in one, Grandpa and I tied for first place!

I know the above photo angle is a little odd, but Scott had to head home for work the next day, so our "photographer" was my camera's 10 second timer resting on my purse....I just wanted to be sure to include the waterfall and the pirate flag!! :o) By the way, that cute red-head next to me was "Aunt" Lisa...the girls are so glad she could join us to celebrate!

Our four weeks into summer break also means at least one of my youngin's back in the pool! Which I love!

 It was one of McKenna's good friends, Jillian and Miss Deb who got us to the Y (finally) and we really are enjoying it so far. McKenna even got signed up in time for a "meet" this past weekend, which was really.....

just a big ol' party!

Nite, nite for now ya'll.

Part III.....our return to "The Happiest Place on Earth".....

Catching Up: Part I

As my summer break winds down to only about 4 weeks left, I admit I already feel a panic about the "things" I haven't gotten done.
Why do I do that?
Why do WE do that?
Why don't we celebrate the "things" we have accomplished?

So, how about my return to blogging tonight be just that; a celebration of the last few weeks. They have passed quickly and I am grateful for this time to reflect!
The following video has been sitting in my Animoto queue waiting to be finished, and even though it obviously isn't done, I liked the way the photos fell and I decided to leave it the way it was.....enjoy.... (may I recommend you watch in "full screen", just click the rectangle in the bottom right hand corner)






On May 25, 2013 our first born, graduated from The Villages High School. Both family and friends were there to help us celebrate. Thank you family and friends!! Love you so much!!!

 Andrea's Aunt Sue, Uncle David and Cousin Donnie came up from Spring Hill. The day just wouldn't have been complete without them there!

 The day also wouldn't have been complete without two of my closest teacher friends who have literally watched Andrea grow from Kindergarten to graduation day!

 As is true for all of us, some of our high school friends will come and will go, I hope these sweet girls have a friendship that lasts a lifetime!

And my mom, so grateful that three generations could be together on this special day. I only hope we all still look this good in seven more years when it's McKenna's turn!

McKenna too, ended her school year with some major accomplishments. Her 5th grade awards night included a certificate for ALL "A" Honor Roll  (wow! just amazing to me!). Also, each teacher chooses one student out of the entire 5th grade as their "Shining Star" and McKenna received one in Spanish!

 By the way, I thought I'd include this; McKenna's first day of 5th grade and her last....there was a whole lotta growin' this year! She's pictured here with two more amazing teachers to add to her list.
 Thank you Mrs. Fort and Mrs. Canon for an amazing school year!

Most of the "family gang" were all there! So very, very grateful......

Okay, Part I of "Catching Up" has taken a very long time on this end, so, I won't promise, but please check back tomorrow for Part II..... ;O)
Love,
Melle

Summing up Spring Break 2013 and then some....

Even though we were sick this week and I didn't get to check off as many items from my "to do list", all in all, I feel good about the things I got accomplished. For one, a blog update is probably pretty shocking.
Hello, hello, anybody out there? {insert cricket chirps here}
Well if you are here, thank you, and I'll try to keep it informative if not a little entertaining!

One of the perks to being away from blogging and slideshow making at Animoto.com is the nice surprise of some new designs to the websites when I returned. So, so happy with this little new addition to Animoto -
enjoy....





I didn't want to leave McKenna out so I created this slideshow for her :o)
I didn't get to go on her 5th grade field trip to Animal Kingdom, but her chaperone, a professional photographer was almost the next best thing!



Now, getting sick, I might mention started with Andrea cutting her upper lip which resulted in 3 stitches (the first ever in my lifetime). About the time she was doing that, Daddy was down for the count with a stomach virus........and we all know what happens when one brings home "the virus". Andrea got it next and finally me. Thank goodness, looks like it skipped McKenna - whew! However, the fact that Andrea was so sick also kept her from finishing the tennis season. Which was really too bad. She was having a really good time and made the newspaper more than she has in the 9 years since we've been here!

But, I started to mention that I still managed to get some things accomplished.....two goals: one - plan Andrea's graduation party/announcements, etc. and two - fill out the financial aide paperwork......whew! Check.
Best of all, I did manage to put some paint to paper. Although it only in a journal and only watercolor, but it helps to put me in my "happy place". I find it relaxing and portable. I've got my supplies down to one little bag which worked out great while stuck in bed!
(Sorry for another animoto video....I got a little carried away.)
{**all the following drawings were inspired by other artists who have posted to Pinterest - none of these are ideas of my own**}



 never explained my absence from blogging.....
well, really, it was this year's yearbook. Even though I made several "creative compromises" near the end, I'm still happy with what I submitted. It truly was a labor or love because this one about put me under.
It was a western theme this year, which was a lot of fun but the website didn't have any pages that matched our theme. So, out of our 114 page book, I designed....well, about....110 of 'em!! Again, I want to stress how much I do really enjoy doing it, but "it" doesn't pay the bills and I really needed to focus on the job that does!!

The books arrive the 2nd week of May....the response from the students, parents and staff are always the true test.  In the meantime, imagine my shock when the wonderful gals I work with pulled together and surprised me (I mean, REALLY surprised me) with a beautiful necklace for all of my yearbook efforts.

Suddenly, things were "all better" after that. :o)

Alrighty then, it's Sunday night, just a little while before bedtime and work in the morning. Posting at this time was the usual routine. I'll try to stick with it and post next Sunday. I mean, don't stay here and wait for it, {cricket chirp, cricket chirp}, but there is always hope.

Love to all.
nite, nite.
Melle

The next BIG project....

Well, at work the New Year brings of course the yearbook and student art show deadlines for my "next big project".......
But personally, now with kid birthdays and the holidays behind us....what's next?
Here's a clue....

A certain young lady will be graduating from high school in only 5 months!
I just can't believe it.
and....
Well, I wrote my first check towards her college tuition today:

I LOVE Flagler College and am so excited about the possibilities that lay ahead for Andrea!

This picture from Google doesn't do it justice (I'll have to take some :o)), but this is the view just as you walk into the courtyard. It so reminds us of Hogwarts. McKenna likes to say "you can almost see Harry & Ron running by the balcony because they are late for class".

Originally the building was built in 1888 and was the Ponce deLeon Hotel built by the millionaire and co-founder of Standard Oil, Henry M. Flagler. Another tidbit: it was wired for electricity from the onset, supplied by Flagler's friend Thomas Edison himself!

This is a picture of the dining hall where all Freshman are required to live on campus and all Freshman are required to have a meal plan. From a mommy's point of view, that's alright by me!

This is a photo of one of the staircases that leads to the girl's dorms. (So like Hogwarts!) The girl's dorm rooms are on the inside. The boys dorms are a completely separate building. (also alright with this momma)

Stay turned everyone....it's gonna be a bumpy ride!  (Also from Harry Potter {wink, wink})
Love,
Melle

Hitting the highlights....

What can I say: You've heard my excuses before.
Where do I start: I am so far behind.
So, as 2012 comes to a close in a few short hours, I'll hit the highlights from the last two months.


The girls helped bake and cook for Thanksgiving and Christmas.I love this tradition. Each year I take these pictures and I can't believe how fast they grow.










From standing on stools and licking the beaters only 4 to 5 years ago:

 to both of them being almost as tall as me!
(Actually, Andrea is taller and actually I'm much wider!)

 And decorating the tree? Well, it used to be quite the team effort to get our little angel to the top of the tree:

 Now my youngest "angel" can reach the top all by herself!

Daddy played pipes with the Sounds of Scotland at Church on the Square in the Villages,

and we hung the stockings with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there! (And don't forget the letters to Santa, cookies and milk and lettuce and carrots for the reindeer!)

 Christmas morning had to come early this year as Daddy had to leave for work at 6:00.

Well, it's only taken me an hour to edit photos and post these comments so far.....I better "hit the highlights" a little faster!

 As you know, Andrea is in her Senior year of high school, and with that comes the end of "swim season". (Of which, I am ever so grateful to have one more youngin' in the family who wants to swim when she gets to high school, or personally, I'd be really, really sad!)

I am also so grateful Andrea's grandparents, Gail and Charlie could be there to escort her on her on "Senior Splashdown Day"!  

 

Each season ends with the entire team in the pool at the end of the meet....I caught these photos between Andrea and her coach:

They don't get any better than this! Coach Jacqui and her team; so grateful for these amazing people in Andrea's life!

The girl's team finished undefeated and took runner-up at Districts! Andrea's 100m butterfly helped get them there! This is one proud momma! :o)

 

Also, since my last post, McKenna celebrated her 11th birthday.

Some of her sweet, sweet friends could come for a sleepover.

Thank you Courtney, Kathryn and Olivia!

And finally, here's a good place to end this post on the Eve of a New Year....

on the Friday after Thanksgiving we added one more thing to be thankful for;

Andrea is going to college!!!!!

She was accepted to Flagler College in St. Augustine. It is such a cool place and I am so excited for her!

 

 Thank you Grandma Gail, Aunt Debbie and Cousin Devin for having the fore-thought to order this shirt for Andrea. Grandma gave it to her the night of McKenna's Kotobuki celebration.....it was a great night for all!

So, here's to a new year of wonderful possiblities!

Love to all!

Melle