Ms. Ava's first play...

Ava wanted to be the turkey but ended up as a Pilgrim woman instead...

Allyson's "Middle School" Hair

Isn't she lovely!

Good Hair Day...AVA

We've been working on Ava's hair for 2 days!!

She had me change her hairstyle 5 times over the course of the weekend.

This is the style she's going for tomorrow on her first day of Kindergarten!

Boy's Club!

Sean had a fun weekend getaway with his dad and uncle in Orlando, FL.

They visited Full Sail University and Magic Kingdom!

Strawberry Pancakes

Our new obsession on the weekends!!

Summer Settle

WE are settling into our summer right when School's about to start again.

The kids are enjoying outdoor camp at the YMCA - swimming, canoeing, hiking, etc...They have been coming home sweaty and covered in dirt but they love it.

I've not started a full time job as a marketing manager at an architect firm so I'm feeling a little bit better about the economy. When I get my first paycheck my bank account can finally smile again!

Pictures to come!

School starts Aug. 2nd..WOW! so soon!

PSA: Fighter

Fighter lyrics

After all you put me through
You'd think I'd despise you
But in the end I wanna thank you
'Cause you made that much stronger

Well I thought I knew you
Thinking that you were true
Guess I, I couldn't trust called your bluff
Time is up, 'cause I've had enough

You were there by my side
Always down for the ride
But your joy ride just came down in flames
'Cause your greed sold me out in shame, mmm hmm

After all of the stealing and cheating
You probably think that
I hold resentment for you
But uh uh, oh no, you're wrong

'Cause if it wasn't for all
That you tried to do
I wouldn't know just how capable I am to pull through
So I wanna say thank you

'Cause it
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter

Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

Never saw it coming
All of your backstabbing
Just so, you could cash in on a good thing
Before I'd realized your game

I heard you're going 'round
Playin' the victim now
But don't even begin feelin' I'm the one to blame
'Cause you dug your own grave

After all of the fights and the lies
Guess you're wanting to hurt me
But that won't work anymore
No more, uh uh, it's over

'Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture
I wouldn't know how to be this way now
And never back down
So I wanna say thank you

'Cause it
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter

Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

How could this man I thought I know
Turn out to be unjust so cruel?
Could only see the good in you
Pretended not to see the truth

You tried to hide your lies
Disguise yourself through
Living in denial
But in the end you'll see
You won't stop me

I am a fighter
(I'm a fighter)
I ain't gonna stop
(I ain't gonna stop)
There is no turning back
I've had enough

Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter

Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

Thought I would forget
But I, I remember
Yes I remember
I'll remember

Thought I would forget
But I remember
Yes I remember
I'll remember

Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter

Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter.

Say Hello to our newest 6th Grader!!

Allyson!

Here is Allyson on Stage Receiving her awards:























President's Education Awards - Outstanding Academic Excellence
Principal's Hono Roll (All A's)
Certificate of Achievement (for completing 5th grade)
Certificate of Excellence (Perfect Score on Writing Test - only one in her class)
...Certificate of Excellence - Spelling
Certificate of Excellence - Science
National Physical Fitness Award
Safety Patrol Award
Leadership and Responsibility Award
Certificate of Recognition - Recorder Karate Black Belt


Allyson at the Reception:





















This is sitting in the bleachers with her 5th grade teacher Mrs. Wise, who's retiring after 30 years of teaching!












Mommy and Allyson
Nana and Allyson

Sean...Japanese Art Exchange WINNER!!!

The boy is an artist!!!

Sean's 4th Grade Award Day!

Check out the proud parents! I believe, no I'm positive Sean got the most awards in his class!

Physical Fitness Award

Certificate of Excellent Attendance

Certificate of Excellence - Top Success Maker Math points for Homeroom (1,976)

Certificate of Excellence for Top Success Maker Math Level in Homeroom

Certificate of Excellence for Spelling

Certificate of Excellence for Language Arts

Principal's Honor Roll - All A's

Character Award

Certificate of Participation in 4th Grade

YOU GO BOY!

Mother's Day Gifts....

The kids wrote letters for me, made cards, made me a 10 page scrapbook and gave me a picture frame

We had a Mother's Day tea at Ava's school where she made me this book, and drawing.

Adorable...

And guess who didn't call to wish me a Happy Mother's Day??? Yep you got it right.

I pray my son does better, that's all a Mother can hope for.

QOTD: For Divorced/Single Moms everywhere!

When everything in our lives and experience is shaken that can be shaken, and only that which cannot be shaken remains, we are brought to see that God only is our rock and our foundation, and we learn to have our expectation from him alone.

Hannah Whitall Smith

Mother's Day 2010

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms out there..especially the single MOMS!!!

The kids spoiled me in the morning with tons of gifts (next post) and then we went to OCharley's for brunch and then to the park for some photos..here's a preview!

In the front yard:

At the Park: ( Soon to be 5th grader)

(soon to be 6th grader MIDDLE SCHOOL)

(soon to be Kindergardener!!! )

Quick Layouts

Sorting old photographs I found the photos of Seanie Boy!

Just had to scrap them..

Dwayne Johnson is NOT the tooth fairy!

Ms. Ava lost her first tooth!!

So while she was sleeping I stuck $2 under her pillow..the next morning went like this....

Ava: The tooth fairy came, look allyson I got some money

Allyson: Yay!!!

Ava: She didn't take my tooth tho

(oops mommy forgot to take it!!!)

so Allyson tried to cover for me

Allyson: Well you know the fairy left it for mommy to scrapbook

Ava: OHHHHH

into my room she marches

Ava: Mom, Was Dwayne Johnson my tooth fairy ??

Mommabird: No (laughing like crazy) why would you ask that?

Ava: Because if he is we are going to be in a movie

Mommabird: okay! wow! I will look out for him next time!

FUNNY GIRL!!!

She took the tooth to school for show n tell....

She Scraps...

Here are a few of my projects I've been working on lately.

A recipe swap....

A Spring Tag Swap

A Fall page about Sean...

A Spring Page about Allyson

You can do whatever you feelllllllll.....

YMCA is official!
We are now members (again)Thanks to POP POP!! The kids went swimming already indoors since they need to retake the swim test to get their bands for all access. Sean is a little nervous about that so we will see.

Ava and I did a Mommy and Me class yesterday, she had a ball!

I may even sign up for a step class or 2. I don't want to be the only fatty in the family!
This may be the perfect time to jump on the FITNESS BANDWAGON!

I won't say I've never been on it but its been a minute..It started in college, I was the tall skinny girl and never worried about working out or what I ate til I signed up for cheerleading. Our coach was a FITNESS FREAK! she made us count every single calorie and made us work hard.

I was basically a size 4 til my wedding day in 1997. My cinderella gown fit perfectly... I looked beautiful on my horse and carriage with my glass slippers...and..okay i'm getting off topic.

back to working out...
so I was a size 4, got married then started having babies (hello allyson and sean) and my tummy and my boobs started to spread..now I don't mind my 38C cup but the tummy has GOT to go...so in 2004 I joined a gym and got back into it..then got pregnant again!!! (Hello Ms. Ava!)

then I lost it again, then fell in love and gained it all back and now today I'm looking 6 months pregnant ...NO JOKE! I can SQUEEZE into a size 8 jean and thats what I want but I want to be a slim and trim size 8 not a "My muffin top runneth over jeans size 8"
(don't laugh)

time for some action!!!

Sponsor a Nesmith...

As most of you know I've been laid off since Mid February and trying to find a job is a challenge in itself but having to find affordable childcare is almost impossible!

I applied for a schlorship at our local Y.M.C.A the kids had a blast there last summer going to their camps while I worked.

Well summer is fast approaching and I need to be able to find work, interview and ultimately WORK so I need somewhere for them to go.

To make a long story short We were accepted for only $10 per child/so $30 per month for membership at the Y (and not the normal $145 a month)!! YAY that's the good news..the bad news is that we can't even afford that right now.

After we are members for 30 days we can apply for another scholorship to the camps for just $40 a week instead of the $130 a week for each child.

SO I know I need your help..I know I have at least 7 readers between family and friends.

SO if you would like to or can SPONSOR a Nesmith child for just $10 we would be oh so appreciative. It takes a village ... Please!!

PLUS:::::We will send you a batch of HANDMADE GREETING CARDS as a THANK YOU!!!

You can paypal it to : channypea@yahoo.com

*smooches*

Spaghetti and Meatballs....

So since I'm home now read: UNEMPLOYED..I'm cooking more!!

I've never done homemade spaghetti and meatballs and wanted to try it. I surfed the net and found a super easy recipe on Food Network's site.
















They came out yummy and the kids are begging for me to make it again!







Bon Appetit!

QOTD: Maya Angelou

"No not me go find someone else to bring down"

Maya Angelou


Trying my best to not let this one person in my life bring me down with...

School is almost out!..oh my

So I'm sending in thank cards to the kids teachers and the principals...what I came up with so far!

For the principal!

Ray of Light - Ms. Ava

Our little sunshine!

(taken outside of Mathfest)

Ava!!!

Remember when she was this little???

Mathfest 2010

Our second year at Mathfest!

Allyson and Sean did great, despite the long day.

They didn't make it to the final 15 but they were close!