Too long!

Holy cow-amole!  {Riley's phrase....you know, holy cow and holy guacamole...just combined.}  Thanks, Tori, for the gentle reminder that I haven't blogged in a while.  I did NOT realize it had been two months.  So sad.  :(

Not blogging and keeping up with this will end up being something I greatly regret, I realize that.  And I have to make time for it.  I will make time for it.  It's important to me to document these memories that we're so busy making.  I may not have time to blog four times a week like I did when Gavin was an only child, but I will blog and I will record these precious moments that are passing way too fast.

Let's go into 'Christmas letter' mode and give you the update on everyone.

 Gavin: First grade is treating Gavin nicely.  He just brought home a Perfect Attendance certificate yesterday for first quarter, something we didn't see at all in kindergarten, and ironically, he's home sick today.  His first report card was awesome and Mrs. R is quite impressed with his progress.  He makes us very proud.  {Bragging moment - he's reading at a 4th grade level already!}  He and Jarrod joined Cub Scouts this year, and he really seems to be enjoying it.  I love that it's something that they do together each week, and the life skills he's working on - fire escape plans, phone manners, etc.  He does want to try soccer though in the spring, and I believe the times conflict so Scouts may end up being short lived.  We'll see.  Tennis still fills his Saturday mornings, and he's doing really well.  I think we'll end up moving to some private lessons at some point for him.  Finally, he's growing and fitting into some more age-appropriate sizes, and I love how he will just walk by and give me a hug without prompting.

Riley:  Everyday, I notice Riley is more little girl and less baby.  So bittersweet.  She's doing great in preschool.  Absolutely loves going to school and we haven't had a single tear at drop off.  I'm anxious to hear what the teacher has to say at her first parent-teacher conference later this month.  I am pretty proud of her for writing her name independently already!  She learned sooner than Gavin.  Jitterbugs is also quite popular around here (her dance fitness class she takes after school once a week) and singing is still a passion for Riles.  She belts them out without a care in the world.  This crazy little girl has the best facial expressions, is quite strong-willed and loves changing her clothes multiple times a day.  Thanks for the laundry, Riley.  We're in Princess Overload around here and loving every minute of it.

 

Jarrod: Over the summer, Jarrod started in a new position with Sam's Club as a planner for outdoor living {think patio furniture.}  He is loving the challenge and working hard.  Working closely again with a friend he met here years ago also sparked a new interest.  The crazy guy is training to do a half Ironman now.  I think he's nuts, but if Jarrod is anything, it's passionate...when he gets an idea, we all know he goes all out, so he bought a new bike {crazy how much a BIKE costs} and he's out riding every Saturday morning, running every Sunday morning, and still lifts weights Mon-Fri after work.  He's crazy, and inspiring, all at the same time.  Proud of him!

Me: Oh, my life never slows down and I love that.  I spend many days playing taxi driver (Thursdays I put 40+ miles on my van all before lunch...crazy!) and that's exactly what I want to be doing.  I am really loving my new business, AIM for Happy, and love working with other women and moms like me on a daily basis, focusing on finding happiness and getting healthy.  My Tastefully Simple business has shifted to all online work as it was getting more and more difficult for me to set aside time for evening parties.  I love that I get to volunteer weekly in Gavin's classroom right now, reading with the kids and doing sight words and math facts.  It lets me have just a little taste of teaching without all the added responsibilities that I don't miss at all! Haha! 

And as a family, we just recently got home from our absolutely AMAZING vacation to Disney World!  Aside from our weekend road trips, I think this may have been our first real vacation just the four of us.  I never thought I'd be a 'Disney person' and assumed we'd go this time and then maybe once more when Riley was a little older, but it is so difficult to even describe how magical this trip was.  If it weren't so darn expensive, we'd definitely be going back soon.  I can't wait to plan another trip, especially now that I know what to expect.

Now...be prepared for an influx of Disney vacation posts and pictures.  I definitely want to document them all here, but we have close to 600 photos from our week there that I need to sort through and tons of memories to relive and write down.

Thanks again, Tori...blogging today was just what I needed!