MOVING

I have just about filled up this blog. If you would like to continue reading, please join me on my new blog, "No Greater Joy Continues." (Click on the words).

Thanks for following along!

After School Cheerleaders

I love how my children play with other teachers' children after school. Today they were being "cheerleaders" and building pyramids. They planned their pyramids on the white board before building them. I got a lot of papers corrected while they entertained themselves.

Memorial Day Fun

Erin Joy wore shorts, flip-flops, and her winter coat to the park today. Her choice of attire describes the weather exactly. It didn't rain today which was unusual, however, it was cloudy and cold. We are still waiting to hit the 70* magical mark of summer or spring or anything that doesn't resemble winter.

The water park was turned on for the first time today. Kids were running through the water with their coats and jackets on like true Washingtonians.  We'll just pretend spring is here and hope that summer comes.

Rachel had her last ice skating lesson today. She has been taking lessons since January and really enjoys it.  She just passed Basic Level 3.  She is hoping to pass through the Basic levels quickly...there are 8 levels...so she can learn figuring skating. She is disappointed that I didn't sign her up for the next class. Summer is coming and we are taking a break from EVERYTHING. She can start up in the fall if she really wants to.

She showed off a few tricks.

Bucket Lists

At church yesterday, I found a "bucket list" written by a young teenage boy.  According to his mother, he and his brothers write bucket lists frequently. His list made me smile and with his permission (actually his mother's permission...) I'd like to share it.

Bucket List

1. Wakeboard in a gorilla suit

2. Ski in a gorilla suit

3. Jump off a bridge with a flying suit

4. Sky dive strapped to a kneeboard

5. Go to Rome

6. Be in a movie

7. Drop paint and red glitter in front of a school when children come out

8. Tip a cow

I loved his bucket list! My children and I have made our bucket lists. We'd love to share them with you.

My Bucket List

1. See the Great Wall of China (going next year!!!)

2. Ride an elephant in Thailand

3. Look for a leprechaun near a fairy tree in Ireland

4. Visit all 50 states

Rachel's Bucket List

1. Go to Florida

2. Get a dog

3. Go to England to see my penpal

4. Ride an elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower

5. Learn French

6. Be an actress

7. Buy a trampoline

8. Buy a swimming pool

9. Live in California or Florida

10. Move into my own big house

Erin Joy's Bucket List
1. Go to the zoo
2. Hug my mom
3. Get another cat
4. Visit my grandma and grandpa
5. Get the new Barbie movie
6. Learn how to drive
7. Get married in the temple
8. Have two children--two girls and two boys (2+2=2??)
9. Be a teacher
10. Go to Antarctica and see a penguin

It took a lot of prompting to get Erin Joy to understand that she was suppose to list things that will occur in the future.

We hope you enjoyed our bucket lists and we hope you all have fun and meaningful bucket lists of your own.

Six Years Ago Today...

...I held my daughter for the first time.

 Every year on her Adoption Day, Erin Joy receives an "ornament" to place on her adoption tree. This year she got two because last year I couldn't find her tree. It was lost in a sea of boxes in the garage because we are trying to sell our house. I spent several hours looking for it this year. I also spent several hours finding the box containing old pictures on CDs to make a little adoption movie for her.

I love you, Erin Joy!!! I am so blessed to be your mother!!

Mary Poppins and Other Adventures

We had so much fun yesterday! We started the day with a 5 mile bike ride which just about killed me. Time to exercise and get in shape...

We went home, showered,  and changed into our "Mary Poppins" outfits. We then went to the Children's Museum to see the "Shoe Box Zoo" which included animals from a middle school science teacher's classroom.  The girls enjoyed making their own "Shoe Box" zoo.

Looking at creatures...

I'm the one holding bugs because NEITHER girl would touch the bugs. The millipede was my favorite.  It was very tickly!  Rachel touched the tortoises and chinchilla, but Erin Joy touched nothing and even refused to look in the magnifying glass at the snails.

Erin Joy climbed UP the pole before sliding down. I was impressed:)

Rachel's favorite has always been the monkey bars.

We then enjoyed dinner at our favorite restaurant. Yummy!!

The girls entertained themselves by taking random pictures around the restaurant.  They took over 50 pictures....here are just a few...

We then stopped at a great park for about 30 minutes.  Nothing like playing in dresses...and winter coats...still waiting for spring...at least the rain wasn't heavy....just a bit drizzly...

WAHOO!!!! Mary Poppins!!! I have been so excited to see this musical! We couldn't get good seats for the matinee performance so we ended up going at 8:00.  The show was THREE hours long and we didn't get home until midnight.  I kept nudging Erin Joy to stay awake.  I told her I didn't pay $80 a ticket...$240 for her to take a nap!! Parking was $20, CD $25, and a silly magnet $10.  That was an expensive show!  But, well worth it!!

Fascinated by the 1923 player piano...