Back To School 2014

Today was a bittersweet sort of day.  The girls started back to school.  While I like having schedules and getting more done around here, I love having the girls home.  I love the slow paced days.  Yes I should be able to balance it all together but I'm not Super Woman.

Marissa started 8th grade today.  She is in her last year at middle school.  Next year starts high school--OMG!!!  Not ready for that!

Gianna started 5th grade today.  Her last year in elementary school.  Next year she'll start middle school.  

Next year will be a big transition for us all.  For now, I'm hoping for a wonderful year for them both.  Maybe with a little less homework! LOL!

School's OUT! 2014

Today marks the last day of school for the girls.  Summer is officially here!  Technically at least.  It was rainy and chilly today, didn't feel like Summer.

Life's been pretty hectic around here, and usually by this time of year, I'm burnt out.  Which would explain why I did not take "last day of the school year pictures" of my girls.  Yep, I'm a slacker.

I did take a picture of Gianna at school during her "NJ Day", where the kids read books they wrote about a town in NJ.  Gianna wrote about Wildwood, NJ.  She wrote an embellished story about our trip there a few year ago.  The kids brought in beach chairs or towels and we hung out with them.

The day was over quick, thanks to a half day.  We have a lot to do in the next few days that aren't all fun but it's in preparation for fun times ahead.

At one point today it hit me, I now have an 8th and 5th grader.  In the Fall, they will start their last year in their current school before moving onto new schools.  I know everyone says it but time moves so quick!

Now I'm ready for some warm sunny days!

7th Grade Choir/Art Show

Springtime at school means a choir concert. Marissa looks so grown up lately, she's just beautiful. Hard to believe she'll be in 8th grade next year. 

This year they mixed things up bit and had the 7th grade choir separate from the 8th graders. They sang 3 songs, my favorite was Seasons of Love. (Marissa's in the top right row in the back.)

Afterwards we got to walk around school and see all the wonderful artwork/projects the kids have worked on throughout the year, from various classes. 

This was a scale model of a smoothie shop, Marissa and a classmate made for their pre-algebra class. Still waiting to find out their grade....

Happily counting the days until the girls are out of school. I think around this time we're all burnt out! I know I am!!

Marissa's Winter Choir Concert

It's that time of year for holiday concerts at school. Marissa sings in the choir and they practice Monday mornings at 7:10. The concert gives the kids a break from the practices until the new year which is a nice change of pace from those EARLY mornings! 

They sang beautifully. They even did the "Cups" song from "Pitch Perfect", along with some kids playing the cups while singing. It's not a holiday but it was a nice change of pace.

Hard to see her well, but Marissa is in the top row second to the end.

First Day of School 2013

Today marks the day that many mothers celebrate...and it's not Mother's Day.

It's the FIRST day of SCHOOL!! 

Marissa is now in 7th grade. As nervous as she was last year, this year she went off to middle school confidently. Love that. 

Gianna started 4th grade. We're all hoping for a great year for her! And having her BFF in class helps, of course! 

Funny, without any prompting from me, they both wore some purple! Lets hope for a great year!!

Music To My Ears

This week Marissa preformed with her choir not once but twice.  On Wednesday night, the choir put on a show along with the band at the school.  They did a great job! 

On Friday, the entire Choir group as well as the Band got up at the butt crack of dawn to go to a competition in Pennsylvania.  There they received "Superior" and the band got "Excellent".  After the competition they all went to Dorney Park and had a great time!

It killed me not being on the trip with her.  Fortunately I knew the chaperone and felt a tiny bit better. I also spent the day tracking her with the "Find Friends" app.  Marissa didn't want me there originally, when I offered to drive there on my own.  She had strict rules to call and text me often and she made me feel better with all the calls.  When she came home, not only was she tired but she admitted that if she goes next year, she wants me to go too.  Oh my heart!! I love that she wants me there!  I am so proud of her and glad that she had a good time on her trip. 

Choir Holiday Concert 2012

Marissa joined the Choir in middle school.  She's had Monday morning rehearsals before school starts every week.  It makes Mondays *that* much nuttier but she enjoys it.  Tonight was their first concert. 

The concert was a mix of two bands & two choir groups but surprisingly, it was a quick concert.

For being short a few rehearsals due to Hurricane Sandy, they sang beautifully.

We are so proud of her. Looking forward to the next concert!

First Day of School 2012

Today was the first day of school for the girls.

Marissa started 6th grade in MIDDLE SCHOOL.  I can not believe she's in middle school.  It's even worse if you say Junior High.  OMG, that will be here sooner than I'll be ready for as well!

Marissa was a little nervous, but also excited.  She said she had a good first day.  She liked her math class.  Changing classes when it's downstairs mixed with all 6,7,& 8th grades was crazy she said (the 6th graders have most of their classes upstairs in their own wing.).  She knows a lot of girls from her CCD class in her classes that she's friendly with.  I think she'll do ok.

Gianna started Third grade today.  She's not excited about school at all.  I'm hoping this year changes that & she will like school.  So far she just likes lunch & recess.....***sigh***  I didn't get much out of her about her day other than it was boring.  It would be great if this teacher could spark her interest.  I'm obviously worried about her more, not her grades since those are good, just her attitude about school.   I had a knot in my stomach from yesterday afternoon, & all day today until they got home.  Not a good feeling.  Crossing my fingers & saying prayers that this year will be good for her.

So here's to another year of school.  Let's hope it's fantastic!

Last Day of Summer

Today was a day of lists.

One for me.

One for the girls.

I like to share the love chores....

We all had a lot to do before school starts tomorrow.  Haircuts, getting backpacks ready, getting lunches ready, after school activity sign ups, library returns, finishing up summer school packets (BLEH!), and of course, laundry. 

We got all the important things crossed off the lists.  A few minor things were not, but no worries.  My biggest worry is Marissa starting MIDDLE school.  I am so nervous for her!  She's nervous about a few things (finding her way around, remembering her locker combination).  I hope she gets through it with a big smile on her beautiful face.

I'm nervous about Gianna starting third grade too.  She had a very tough year last year.  It's changed things & I'm praying that this year things fall into place for her.  I hope she learns to enjoy school again, and not just recess.  Hoping this teacher "gets her".

I realize that I need to scrap both their last school years for their albums before I fall too far behind again.  I have a feeling it will take awhile since there were A LOT of pics from Marissa's year.  I am hoping to get on it soon though, especially with them being in school, I'm hoping for some un-interrupted scrap time.  I don't want to jinx myself but I'm halfway through July's pics for Project Life....I had a marathon scrapping night the other night staying up until 3:30am....yes I paid for it the next day, but it was worth it! 

School's OUT! 2012

Today is both a happy yet bittersweet day for me.  It's the last day of school!  Summer is here with no real schedule which I am happy for.  I am happy that this school year is over, it's been a test of my sanity. 

I am happy that Marissa will be moving up to 6th grade next year.  It also makes me sad, since she will no longer be at the same school with Gianna.  It makes me sad that she is growing up much to fast for my liking, yet I love doing older things with her, like cooking, shopping, talking.  The girl has a great fashion sense & I trust her opinion!  It makes me sad that these six years at this school flew by, yet I'm so happy for her to grow & learn. 

I got this idea from Pinterest, its her on the last day of 5th grade holding a pic of herself from the first day of Kindergarten.  I plan on doing this again at the end of middle school as well as high-school.  You can see how much she's grown!  When I told her we were doing this, she smiled but rolled her eyes at the same time.  I could tell she liked the idea but wanted to be cool at the same time. ;)

 

 Same pic, just a close up....

Here she is after the fifth graders were "clapped out" of school.  They walked the halls for the last time as all the classes & teachers clapped & cheered them out.  The parents were waiting outside full of smiles & some tears.  I teared up, but was so happy for her at the same time.  There's so many new things to discover in middle school!  She's looking forward to it, but she's also a little nervous.  It's normal.  I think I feel the same way!

BFF's...

Marissa & Daddy

Me & my girl

Gianna is now done with second grade.  Next year things will change so much for her.  Third grade means letter grades & more tests, but it also has some fun stuff too.  I can't wait for her to get a fresh start next year!  It's been a tough year for her this year.  Not that she's struggled with the learning part of it, just the people part of it.  People, both kids & adults are mean.  Unfortunately it's changed some parts of her, but it hasn't changed her happy, carefree attitude.  I am THRILLED that this year is over.  I hope she has the best time in third grade! 

Both girls' report cards were wonderful!  I am so proud of them!  They have the ability to learn quickly....which I can't say is from me......that's all Joe!  So here's to a happy summer, let's hope it's full of fun, happy times!!

5th Grade Principal's Assembly

Today the school had a "Principal's Assembly" for the 5th graders.  Basically they graduated.  The kids were filed into the All-Purpose Room in alphabetical order.  Some wore the t-shirts they received at yesterday's picnic & other's dressed up.  It was pretty casual....but no less special.

The principal gave a few speeches, as well as the teachers.  Then the kids were all called up to receive their "diplomas".  There's Marissa receiving her from her teacher.  Yes she is taller than her teacher.  She thinks it's funny.  Marissa, not the teacher. ;)

 

After the diplomas were handed out along with a few other special achievements, the class came up to sing a medley of songs.  The rocked the room!  From Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" to Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe", to "Party Rock Anthem", complete with shufflin'.  It was great! 

I teared up through out it all.  The years flew by fast.  It seems like yesterday they were just starting Kindergarten & now they are off to middle school!

Congratulations Marissa! 

We are so proud of you!!



Marissa's 5th Grade Party

Every year the 5th graders at Marissa's school have this big, FUN, end of the year picnic party at a nearby park.  There are a lot of activities that all the kids get to do throughout the day.  They are split up into groups that rotate between all the activities.  Marissa's group was up first at the DUNK TANK!  While it was a nice day, it wasn't very hot, but there was no way the kids were going to pass up going in!  Too much fun!!  They took turns aiming the play & being the "dunk-ee".  If they couldn't hit the target after 3 trys they  used their hands...no one would get left un-dunked!!  LOL!

 The kids played a variety of games like volleyball, kickball, minute-to-win-it games, water balloon toss, & wall ball.  They had a DJ there mixing tunes too.  I think all the groups danced to Cotten-Eyed Joe.  I know Marissa's teacher made a point of dancing with all the groups from her class--she can take any of them on! 

This was our group at some point before having lunch....

The best part was after lunch when the fire truck arrived.  No there wasn't a fire.....they came to hose all the kids down!!

There's Marissa being adventurus.

She told me she couldn't see from all the water....

The fire fighters made sure to shoot the water far too, just in case though they had an extra hose nearby, so there was no hiding from it!

Afterwards the sopping wet 5th graders....

I gave Marissa a BIG hug.  She had so much fun!

Her & Ariel, BFF's since Kindergarten.

When they were dried off (mostly) they all got these backpacks to use for next year in middle school.  Inside was their personal memory book with pics from all their years at the school.  They also got class t-shirts to wear to their "assembly"/graduation tomorrow. (They don't call it graduation, but it's much better than the "Principle's Assembly" that they call it.)

Then came the traditional signing of the yearbooks.  It brought back so many memories....and made me want to dig out my yearbooks. ;)

Our 5th graders....it's been amazing!

5th Grade Volleyball

Today was the 2nd annual Joe's vs Pros Volleyball game at the girls' school.  The 5th graders (Joe's) against the faculty (Pros).  The kids wore orange team shirts while the faculty wore blue.  The teachers played a game against each 5th grade class (there are 3).  The 5th graders came in a class at a time & ran around the court high-fiving all the younger grades.  Then the teachers were all announced with team nicknames, but weren't nearly as cheered on as the kids.

The rest of the grades acted as the cheering squad.  At lunchtime they bought pom poms for their teams.  Gianna (in orange) is in the front row, rooting for her sister.

 

The cutest little cheerleader there!

They were playing with a beachball so the rules were modified a bit.  The first class up won their game against the teachers.  Then Marissa's class was up.  The teachers (a few in particular) were playing ruthlessly & won that round. :( 

 

Before starting the next game, the whole school took a break & danced the "cha cha slide".  It's a favorite around here. Then it was back to business.  This is what it looked like when the last class played.  This game seemed to go the longest & you couldn't help but feel the kids desire to win.  It was intense! 

 Happily the 5th graders won!  They beat the teachers 2-1!!  The roars of everyone inside the gym was deafening!!  It was happy chaos!  Of course, I couldn't pass up a few photo opportunites...

Marissa with her friends...

Way to go 5th graders!!