Forever Sisters..

Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.  ~Author Unknown

Sisters don't need words.  They have perfected a language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks - expressions of shocked surprise and incredulity and disbelief. Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs - that can undermine any tale you're telling.  ~Pam Brown

I know some sisters who only see each other on Mother's Day and some who will never speak again.  But most are like my sister and me... linked by volatile love, best friends who make other best friends ever so slightly less best.  ~Patricia Volk

Sunday : Playing Ketchup

The First Full day of school for Nicole was on Thursday, she is an official High Schooler.

She got to play hooky on Friday to attend the long awaited deep sea fishing trip. But due to Tropical Storm Danny they only got a few miles out before they had to head back.

(ps. A very SPECIAL Thank You to Tropical Storm Danny for the flooding caused in both my basement and back yard. Babysitting the sump pump last night was not my idea of a good time).

It's a well known fact that our little town does not offer any buses for the High School.

What? you ask.. No Buses? I FREAKING KNOW.

It is thought amongst the Town People? that at this age, our children should be able to either secure a ride or walk to school.

While I think this is STUPID because it means I become the bus driver, I am glad that my taxes did not triple in order for the town to buy a big yellow bus.

The Mama Bus leaves at 6:40AM and returns home no later than 7:05 in order to be here when Emily's bus arrives at 7:15AM.

A tight schedule, two small children and a TEENAGER should make for interesting stories.

She has never done a fall sport, looked into field hockey, but didn't like it.  So it's open gym as well as gymnastic classes in preparation for the Cheerleading tryouts, thank goodness they are after we return from Disney.

Speaking of Disney:  THE PRINCESS has arrived:

She loves school.There are rules and schedules and friends.

She is too funny. She finally lost that tooth. Total is 6? Her two front ones are kinda looking at each other, but I think as she loses more, they will have room to turn.

On Friday they were given REAL homework. Like big kids. SHE LOVES to be in the BIG KID circle. Gets all serious when speaking of class work and class rules and how manners and listening will earn them prizes.

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Day 30 of the 30 Day SHRED:

Last night I was visited by Captain Migraine.

I gave it a try, but after bout 3 minutes, I gave up. Even the Arm Crosses were making my head pound. So I did my make-up Shred today at 6:00PM and I'll SHRED again for Day 30 in a few minutes.

For REALZ. I did not think I could do this.

For the last few years I have not been able to be consistent with exercise, even when I REALLY wanted to. The last two weeks I've noticed how much stronger my body is, how I can do more reps with better form and how far I've come with my coordination.

IT IS ONLY 20 MINUTES. That's the kicker. I'm not off saving the freaking planet people, there is NO EXCUSE why I can't do this everyday. Also, there is not as much guilt. I ate cake, dumplings and frosting this week.

Normally I would be kicking my own ass because it's either watch your DIET or you better make sure your active.

When I do neither?

There is much swearing and yelling and the need for BIGGER JEANS.

Saturday

It was a LONG RAINY GROUCHY Day..

Tropical Storm Danny

They were all ready for their deep sea fishing trip.

All six of them got up early and drove to the coast. They packed lunch, dressed in LAYERS and one person who is notorious for getting sea sick applied his motion patch.

They got a few miles out and the waves were 20 feet swells. It was rough seas.They decided to turn back and reschedule.

Everyone was very sad.

Stupid Storm.. Stupid Waves..

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Day 28 : done. It's late, almost 12:00, but I made it in. It was a great work out too. I'm hoping my form is better, I focused on doing as many reps as possible in a row.

The B.

His name is FLIPPY., originally uploaded by Michelle.Dan.

O this boy.

I just love him.

I snapped this picture of us yesterday. I'm sitting on the floor of the kitchen and he's got those chubby arms wrapped around my neck.

I was trying to distract him from the tantrum he was .5 seconds away from throwing, because he didn't want to get into the car.

I can't say I blame him, we have dragged that poor boy all over creation for school shopping, school supply shopping, food shopping and whatever else shopping needs to be done.

He is mostly a good sport, but lately he is super aware of when your 100% attention is not focused on him and he will exploit this totally to his advantage. Usually it involves touching, throwing or knocking over whatever bright and shiny object has caught his attention.

He had a play date today with Uncle Randy . A random afternoon spent at their favorite store, Home Depot, then they watched a little Scooby -Doo and wrapped the afternoon with a Happy Meal.

* Thing I don't want to forget:
He finished his dinner. He was pleased with himself.
I asked him How he got to be such a good eater.
He thought about it did the SCARY face and told me that he "had lots of practice."

(the REALLY scary face, is where his eyes get REALLY big and you can SEE his brain working, it's like his THINKING face.)

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Day 27: it's the final countdown.. 3 days left. I can't believe it. I can so feel the difference. My arms are stronger and I feel the muscle in my legs. It's a good thing too, because I'm having a good time cooking from that evil website where everything is made of SUGAR and Butter.

The First Grader and The Freshman

The First Grader and The Freshman, originally uploaded by Michelle.Dan.

First Day of school for the 9th Grader and the 1st Grader.

This morning was very hectic and I' m exhausted, but they both got to school in one piece.

Emily's bus driver forgot to stop, we made the mad dash and made it. She loves her teacher, because she commented on her pretty dress and called her sweet.

Coley got to school about half hour early, but it was OK, she found friends there. She got a locker and knows at least one person in all her classes.

A successful first day..

Aiden and I visited Emily's Dr., picked up her perscription, brought it to her school and made it back in time for the furnace man. We had a busy morning too. It's not all bon'bons and nap taking here, we are HARD workers.

I can't wait for Aiden to go to school. He is bored? going thru a phase? pushing my buttons? Whatever it is, it is non-stop for 8ish hours and you know it's bad when you are thinking his bedtime should be 5:00PM. I need to miss him a little, to remember WHY I LIKE HIM.

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Day 26 of the Shred, Cole came in from Cheer Practice. They do some serious hard core workouts there. She watched me shred and helped me with my form and showed me how to stop using my back and use my ABS to do crunches. It was VERY hard not to tell her to shut up and leave me alone and by the way your grounded for telling me I'm doing wrong.

Just ME and You?

Just me and You?, originally uploaded by Michelle.Dan.

Tomorrow Nicole and Emily will leave for the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

Aiden and I will be home alone, just like the old days.

School for him does not start till after Labor Day.

He's a big kid now, he has classes 3 days a week.

I will be his sole entertainment between the hours of 7-2.

I'm not sure he's going to be exactly overjoyed at the idea.
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Day 25 : As soon as I hit publish, I'm headed to Shred. I'm exhausted. I didn't trust myself to shred first, then post. Our new school schedule requires a 5:30AM wake up.

It's going to be tough, but I'm thinking I can get in a good workout before I fall over.

Are you CRAZY?

Are you CRAZY?, originally uploaded by Michelle.Dan.

There is NO WAY this child is going to attend FRESHMAN orientation tomorrow. Isn't she in like the 5th grade? When did this happen? How?

It's a half day with a parent breakfast and everything. She will get her schedule and meet all her teachers.

I will be snacking on bacon and pancakes.

It's weird. She's going to HIGH SCHOOL.

She's so excited. Lots of new people. New school.

I hope it lives up to her expectations.
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Day 24 of the 30 Day Shred.
I'm working on form, I have a hard time with V-Fly's. I HAVE NO MUSCLES. I look at the muscle and will it to move, but it doesn't. I started counting only the good ones and starting over if I relax my form, it's helping me concentrate.

Old Home Day

Old Home Day 2008, originally uploaded by Michelle.Dan.

Last year we made it to the Old Home Day Parade purely by accident. At the last minute we found out there was a parade and made it just as it started. But it was HOT. We ROASTED last year. But the kids LOVED it. They got tons of candy and there were fire trucks and it was LOUD.

This year was an exact freaking replay.

We were almost late to the parade. ( I KNOW!) When we left it was cloudy and humid, which isn't that bad. The moisture in the air get's a little chill to it, so it's not oppressive. BUT, as soon as we sat down, the sun came out full force and heated all that humidity, and pretty soon we were boiling like little pieces of spaghetti.

WE LIVED THRU IT!

Aiden wanted what the boy in front of us had.
I told him it was a SLUSH.
He asked the lady behind the counter for a blue FLUSH.
I said No it's a SLUSH.
He said I KNOW a FLUSH.
Whatever..
So, let it be known:
2009 Old Home Day Aiden got his first blue FLUSH.

Emily looked like a baby in last years picture.

Emily looks like she's going off to collage in the 2009 version.

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We had a lovely birthday party for Nicole's friend Sabrina.
She's 15 and has spent most of the summer here.

Because of the upcoming CAKE and PIZZA, I had to shred early, like 3:00. It was OK, but I like the later at night workouts. I can't believe I've made it this far!

This is GONNA HURT.

This is GONNA HURT., originally uploaded by Michelle.Dan.

The football season is here and Christopher is on this field wearing # 61 and looking to take down someone wearing GREEN. That is his job. Defense and or Offense Line.

THANK GOD he decided to like football, no pressure or anything. Papa, Dan and Randy are all RABID fans of the game.

Football in August is nothing like Football in Oct.
Aug football is SWEATY. Not just for the Players, but for the SPECTATORS.

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Day 22 of the Shred is going WAY BETTER than I hoped. I thought I'd wimp out and head back to level 1 after a few days, but am noticing that I'm getting better each day, so why go back!