Let's Get Started Catching Up!

It's been so long since I could conscience free sit down and blog. I am free from my master's! All my coursework is complete. I will have a final presentation to the Master's of Education Board at Regis University to do in October, but having done that before for my endorsement, I am feeling pretty relieved to be done with just about the entire program. So a shot out "Woo Hoo" for finishing that! So on that note, here are some of the most exciting things that have occurred over the last few months, while I was finishing my master's.

I have so much to share that I am not quite sure how I am going to do it...all 1 blog or multiple blogs. So... keep reading... we can all get caught up!

With today being August 3rd, I have already had 2 school/work meetings to attend. This is what made Sunday, July 31st so hard. I knew that my summer was coming to a fast end, and that would mean returning to work full-time (yes, that's right, I got my full-time 5th grade teaching position back...which is fabulous). However, returning to work means leaving my new baby home (okay so he's almost a toddler, but he's still my baby). His new babysitter agreed to have him come a little early to help "Mom" with the transition. He did terrific today. Although, he hangs onto my leg whenever we go somewhere, it's not long, before he ventures out to play on his own. He did just that and without tears, I escaped to my meeting. And he was a happy boy when I returned. I might make it yet!

OUR STATE GYMNASTS!

Lilliana and Marina both qualified for state gymnastics this year, which is no small feat. With this being Marina's first year competing, we have been very proud of her efforts and growth. We all have an understanding of what a great accomplishment this was. However, Marina still struggled when the day of the competition she did not receive a medal. I hope she will weild that anger to motivation for next year. She recovered fairly quickly, but only after Auntie Marisa (the gymnastics coach) told her she did good, and she would work hard next year. I said the same things, but coming from me it just didn't work. They both had an amazing season, and Lilli her best season yet...placing 2nd in all around at State, and earning 3 other medals; 1st on vault, 3rd on bars, and 5th on floor. She really nailed it! It was a great weekend watching them succeed!

The gang was all there in support!

Even cranky, I need a nap, Esaias was there for both days!


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
This look might be a little familiar, as this was his costume of choice back in October 2010. However, Isaac sported this look again, at home watching part 1 again the night before and the 2nd time for part 2 in the movie theater on July 15th! Grandma Chris, Papa Joe, and Uncle Ben met us there, to share in the grand and sad evening for the Harry Potter Fans. We enjoyed ourselves. And the movie was fabulous. I don't know how many more times we will be blessed in our house to have Harry Potter visit, but it has been fun to share this with Isaac before it was all over. And Harry Potter definitely motivated our son to read! Who can complain about that?!?Nothing like a spooky full moon on the opening night of Harry Potter!!

A Toothless Grin!

Marina finally has been loosing some teeth. Many of our cousins and friends have been loosing teeth and they are much younger than Marina. If you read or were around for Marina loosing her first tooth, you know that there is major drama and anxiety associated with each individual tooth! How many teeth do they loose? No, I don't want to know!

Annual Zoo Trip

We had the fun of taking my good friend, and Isaac's 5th grade teacher, Heidi on her first Denver Zoo trip. My Minnesota friend has lived in Denver for 10 years, but somehow never made a trip to the zoo. We enjoyed our time walking around and running into some other friends from church. The zoo is one of our most favorite places to go each summer. Esaias really got into this time...making his barking noise for the animals he noticed. He loves dogs, animals and being outside...a perfect set up for the zoo! He finally fell asleep about 30 minutes to the end, and that was all he slept too! This is all for now. I will be catching up on the things I've missed over the summer and at the end of the school year, so check back for more updates! See you soon!