Our Very Own Timothy

At the kids' school they often give out a "Timothy" award to the student(s) with the highest GPA for the year.  This year, Ra earned that honor.  This is a very big deal for him and here's why:

We moved to Jax in April of 3rd grade.  His math curriculum in Utah didn't match up with his current schools'.  He missed a lot of big concepts which meant the first quarter of 4th grade was a struggle.  I was calling up his 3rd grade teacher asking her how to teach him certain things.  His 4th grade teacher was giving me extra work for him to practice at home.  He went in early 2-3x/week when extra help was offered.  He spent weekends doing math work to catch up.

His first quarter he earned an 81% in math.  2nd quarter was better - 95%.  3rd quarter his ADHD was in high gear and he skipped an entire page of a math test worth 67% of his math grade...well, you can imagine how that damaged his grade.  He worked really hard 3rd quarter but could only scrape by with an 88%.  The 4th quarter he was able to earn a 95% which gave him an overall grade of 90% in math.  The last quarter I gave a lot of control to him for studying, etc.  I wanted to see if he could do most of it without a lot of help...and he did!

His other final grades were:
Bible 97%
Language 93%
Reading 95%
Science 98%
Social Studies 98%
Vocabulary 98%

We are so proud of him and so is his teacher (his BFF's mom and who I joke is Ra's second mom).  It was extra special for her to award it to him because she knew how hard he had to work to earn this award.  She was bursting at the seams to let us know that he was going to be getting it!

We are taking both kids out for breakfast for their good grades.  I haven't seen Sissy's report card yet, but she's consistently scored 100% on EVERY sight word test, spelling test, and memory verse test.  We are so pleased with the progress of both of our kids.  Since Ra won this award, he gets to choose - so Metro Diner it is!

I know for Ra, this has been a great example of how you need to continue to run the race, to persevere to the end.  He has seen first hand, how hard work and the right attitude can produce great things.  He use to say he just wasn't good at math.  I had to remind him that he was behind in math, that he was always good in math before and he would be once again once he caught up.  There were times he worked so hard to get an A (in the 3rd quarter) but didn't make it.  He didn't give up, he kept working hard.  He's learned many lessons this year and I'm hoping this one makes the greatest impact on him for the future.

It reminds me of these verses:

James 1:2 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning it's shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Phil 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Being Healthy

Getting our fruits & veggies serving in for today.  My friend made these for the kids last weekend and Ra loved them - funny that when I made them before he never wanted any parts of them!  Fresh from the farm kale, organic strawberries, bananas, organic almond milk, local raw honey & ice.  

What a delicious treat on a hot day!

First Meet Success!

Sis has been practicing with her team for only 3 weeks.  She missed last week's practice because she was sick.  I'm so pleased with how much she's worked on her routines in just a short time.  Here are some pics from today's Ribbon Club Meet:

Waiting for their turn on the beam:

Here is some video of Sis during her meet:

Our little gymnast!

Thrilled she got a balloon & a trophy after the meet

Checking out her ribbons

Caught Momma taking pictures

The smile that melts my heart

Everyone who competed today

Sis was a nervous wreck before the meet.  She kept telling me how she didn't want to go, she didn't feel good, you name it.  After the meet I asked her if it was that bad...She said not only wasn't it that bad, it was actually FUN!  She said she can't wait for the next meet!

Competition Hairdo

I told Sis that a friend of mine has a daughter (in Utah) who competes in gymnastics at the same club she use to do gymnastics at and before every meet, her mom does a really neat hairstyle for her.  Sis thought that was a great idea.  This is what we came up with for today's meet.  Ignore my not so straight parts - it's hard to make Sis sit still for long, plus she can't see the back!  She's so excited now that we're going to use Aimee and London's tradition of doing a fun hairstyle for meets.

Happy Belated Birthday Ra Ra!

Because of us moving last month, Little Man was fine with us bumping his birthday party back to May so we could really enjoy the time with him and his buddies.  Andy took Ra, and his 3 best buddies to Dave & Busters for dinner and video games.  They had SOOOO much fun.  Ra has some incredible friends - when they were looking at what to spend their points on when his BFF says, why don't we put all our points together and get that car that Ra really likes.  Ra didn't want them to do that until the boys insisted.  Andy said it was completely driven by his friends and he let them work it all out on their own.  They all decided that was what they wanted to do, so they talked to the clerk, worked it out and they got the Lamborghini car model for Ra.  It almost brought tears to my eyes to think that his friends love him that much that they'd be so selfless to give up their own points and the chance to get something for themselves, that they'd give them all to Ra for his birthday.  I have told all the parents how much these 3 friends mean to him and how we want to cultivate their friendship so that they know that the other "has their back" and that they have someone they can talk to when they need someone.  All 3 kids come from great families and we want to encourage their relationships to grow and become solid for years to come.


Ra wanted to have whoopee pies for his party instead of cake.  I made GF pumpkin and converted my Nanny's lemon flavored into GF.  They were a hit with the boys!

Happy Birthday Ra!

The boys enjoyed a late night swim.  It was the first time we've used the pool at night.  Our pool was money well spent - the kids had so much fun and we have no regrets putting in a pool...One of our best decisions!

Ra had an incredible evening.  One of the boys was able to sleep over so the party continued into the wee hours.  I am so thankful for the friends God has brought into our Little Man's life.  I pray that these boys continue to be friends for life.

Pre Meet Dinner

Sis had a long day yesterday.  After her KDG party, she had a 2 hr. gymnastics practice.  She has her first Club Ribbon Meet today.  She's a nervous mess.  Worrying about if she'll do her routines correctly, afraid to everyone watching her, etc.  I took her out to her favorite place for dinner to settle her nerves and spend some girl time while Andy had taken Ra and his buddies out for his belated birthday party.  We had a great time.  This girl melts my heart.

Hoping she does well today.  I told her all I expect is that she'll do her best.

KDG Party

Sissy's End of the Year Party was yesterday and they had BEAUTIFUL weather!  The kids went to Pump It Up for two hours.  They had a blast jumping and bouncing all morning.  After they left the bounce house place, they went to Sunshine Park in Jax Beach for lunch and playtime.  The kids had so much fun!  Sis and her BFF had so much fun together.  They were both tired and ready to leave early.  We took them back to her friend's house for a playdate until the boys were ready to get picked up from school.

Sis and two of her classmates at Pump It Up.  What a fun day!  

4th Grade Party

This year's 4th Grade End Of The Year party was cancelled due to bad weather.  I can't say I was disappointed though.  The thought of going to a pool party on a dreary, yucky day with the threat of thunderstorms didn't appeal to me.  The kids ended up getting the day off from school.  Sis had to go to school, but Ra got to sleep in and stay home.  His buddy Cra Cra came over while his mom went and got some errands done.  The boys had just as much fun spending the day together playing Legos, shooting Nerf guns and swimming.  I don't think either of them cared that the party got cancelled.  They had a good time regardless!

My Very Own Little Mermaid

Sissy has started to call herself a mermaid.  I'm not surprised with the amount of time she spends in that pool!  I'm glad she loves it so much.  She begs to swim every day.  It's a great motivator for them to get homework completed or chores done!

My Blessings

These two are my whole world.  Often time it's just the three of us because Andy travels so much.  That means I have to wear a lot of hats.  My favorite one is "mom."  For Mother's Day, Sis brought me breakfast in bed - coached by her sweet KDG teacher.  She brought me a muffin and juice with a napkin on a tray.  She quietly tip toed in the room and placed it by my bed.  She also gave me a beautiful framed picture of her, a balloon, flowers to plant in a cute pot and my favorite, a book of pictures she drew of me.

Both kids went shopping with Andy and they all got me cards and then a beautiful cuff bracelet from Saltology as well as a gift certificate for Saltology.  After church, they took me out for lunch.  We were going to go to Angies - a family favorite, but while passing Taco Lu, decided to stop there because it wasn't very crowded.  

After a delicious lunch, Ra hit the beach with his 2 best friends.  Sis hung out with me and Andy while we tackled our "honey do" list that's been growing too quickly with him gone all the time.  I made us a yummy dinner since it would be our last as a family for a whole week.  It was a great day of feeling appreciated by my family.  I'm lucky to have these two kids who call me mom.

New Shark Discovered Off The Shores Of Atlantic Beach!

We've named it the Sissy Shark!  This is the first time I've seen a "shark's tooth" on a child.  I read a number of different opinions online so of course, I turned to Facebook to ask advice from friends and family.  The responses were also mixed.  Some parents took their kids to the dentist and the dentist pulled the baby teeth because they were in the way of the permanent tooth, others just let the baby teeth come out on their own and all ended up being fine.  I read a few concerns online where the permanent teeth did not move into the correct place and it required all sorts of intervention.  Our dentist (who I completely trust - her daughter was in Riley's class) said that Sis is already going to need braces due to her bite, so I guess I shouldn't worry too much...BUT my concern is that her bottom tooth became loose on Friday and hasn't progressed much if at all since then.  The other baby tooth to the left of the permanent is not loose at all.  If it doesn't storm tomorrow (although the weather channel is predicting a 100% chance), I may see my dentist at the 4th grade pool party and ask her then if she wants to see Sis in the office.  If it rains, I may end up just making the call to see if they want me to bring her in to have a look.  Who would have thought a first loose tooth would be this stressful...

A Day Long Date

Thankfully everyone was healthy on Friday and went to school.  My sweet, brave friend Leigh volunteered to pick my kids up from school and keep them overnight.  I headed to St. Augustine to meet up with Andy at his company's Customer Appreciation Event.  We stayed at the Casa Monica which is absolutely beautiful.
The Casa Monica in St. Augustine

We took a shuttle with some other GWRR employees and customers to  the TPC at Sawgrass.  I have never been there before, but Andy's been there a number of times.  We had a good time just spending the day together, people watching, golf watching, eating, drinking, etc.

We had a great time - just the two of us, no kids, no work, etc.

We hung out here at the famous 17th hole for awhile.

Isn't the clubhouse beautiful?

We took a shuttle back to St. Augustine and walked around town a bit then got ready for dinner at the White Room which is a beautiful roof top banquet facility.  It was a gorgeous night to look out over the marina and have a glass of wine.

The White Room above the A1A Ale House on the corner of King and Ponce De Leon

After the work function was over, Andy & I decided to continue our "date" by heading over to the Tini Martini Bar just a few blocks north.  I have noticed this place a few times and at Christmas it was decorated so beautifully, that I knew we needed to stop here without our kids along.  You can sit out along the sidewalk and enjoy the sea breeze and watch the people, horse drawn carriages, traffic and boats.

Isn't this place just adorable?

We had a fabulous time together.  Andy's been traveling so much these days that I treasure those moments just the two of us.  Thankfully the kids had a blast with their friends too!  It was Sissy's first sleepover with friends and she did great.

Not Again?!?

So today the phone rang again...this time it was Sis' teacher calling me from her cell phone.  She called about 30 min. after I got home from dropping the kids off at school.  Poor Sis had been crying since she walked into school because she said her ear hurt.  I decided to head in and pick her up at 8:30...School starts at 7:50!!!  I made an appt with the dr (again) to have her checked.

When I got to school, her teacher was holding her on her lap and the class was praying over her.  It was the sweetest thing.  My family is so lucky to have such incredible people loving on my children in my absence.  When I opened the door, Sis was in tears.  She came straight into my arms and I carried her the whole way out to the car.  She begged me to take her home and let her lay down in her bed.  Now those of you who know K, know this child does NOT nap.  I brought her in and got her changed into jammies and gave her some Tylenol and a warm water bottle for her to put her ear on as she slept.  The Tylenol took the edge off that by the time we got to the doc, she felt much better.  Sure enough...She had an ear infection.  This poor kid has had the roughest week and now is taking 2 different antibiotics!  If she hadn't been sick earlier with pink eye, I would have just called our chiro to get her seen instead of more meds, but I figured, this way we'll just kill any and all bugs taking up residence in her little body.  She spent 2 1/2 out of 4 days at home with me this week!  She's all set to go back tomorrow.  Hope this is it for her for awhile.  Poor kid.

Dinner Deal

Al's Pizza is known as some of the best pie in town.  Al's is located at the "corner" which is local lingo for the Beaches Town Center and is only 5 blocks from our house.  During the week from 2-5 they run a "Dollar A Slice" special.  Today we got there just in time...4:58pm to be exact!  We each ordered 2 slices.  The kids could only eat one slice a piece so we have 2 extras for tomorrow!

Nothing like sitting outside, people watching with my favorite people!  Since dinner was so cheap, I let the kids splurge on root beer.  Ra thought it was cool to drink his 'beer like his dad - straight out of the bottle!  A guy a few tables down had to do a double take when he saw Ra throwing back his root beer!  

When we got home, Ra did his homework outside by the pool.  We have our waterfall turned out and he likes the sound of the water and the birds while he's working.  What a great way to spend a beautiful evening.