It's BACK TO SCHOOL for Isabella and Giselle

The school season officially has begun! First day of school pictures and extracurricular activity photos!! Isabella is a Junior at Lockport High School and is enrolled in Math, English, Earth Science, U.S. History and Sign Language. Outside of her academics, she is in her second year as a Football Team Manager. Four days a week she stays after school and helps the football coach by flying the drone, taking pictures and setting up football plays. Maybe she can teach me a thing or two about football? Giselle is a Freshman at Providence Catholic High School and is enrolled in English, Foundation Catholicism, French, Honors Geometry, Honors Science and is also taking College Technology Classes which will be applied to any college she chooses. Outside of her academics, she is on the Cheer Team. Four days a week she practices over 43 cheer routines to cheer on the football team, basketball team, volleyball team and also compete at State. Two girls, two different school yet both have one common denominator. Every Friday, is “Friday Night Lights” where the excitement and tradition of High School football commences each weekend under those floodlights illuminating the game. As a parent, it is fun and a new experience to bounce between two different schools on a Friday night to support my girls. The spirit at each school is completely different. Ladies, these are YOUR YEARS to build character, work hard, embrace challenges, pursue your dreams and persevere as High School IS A STEPPING STONE to FUTURE SUCCESS. A famous quote by Dr. Suess – “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” and I will be by your sides every step of the way.

Giselle Graduates 8th Grade from Homer Jr. High

Giselle graduated from Homer Jr. High and was recognized as a “first honor” graduate due to her academic achievement and exemplary character. She received a special gold tassel to wear on her graduation cap to honor all of her hard work! Additionally, she received The Providence Catholic Veritas Award. This is awarded to incoming freshmen who best embody the Mission of Providence Catholic High School and show the potential to emulate the Augustinian core values of Truth, Unity, and Love. She also demonstrated a commitment to leadership and talent. We couldn’t be prouder of you Giselle and all your hard work and efforts this year in 8th grade. You knocked your GPA out of the park every semester with all A’s every subject and only one B! Lastly, you got accepted to Providence Catholic High School, quit gymnastics and then got accepted to join the Cheer team!! WOW!! It takes great strength to leave your school and all of your friends only to join a brand-new school with individuals you have never met before! The future has never been SO BRIGHT for you and I know you are going to do great things over the next four years in high school! To help celebrate your achievements – Grandpa Dale, Isabella, Daddy, Mommy and Tom were at your graduation. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT GISELLE – KEEP SHOOTING FOR YOUR DREAMS AND GOALS!

Giselle's 8th Grade Time Capsule - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL 2032

As part of an 8th grade project, Giselle had to create a time capsule that she cannot open until 2032. Inside, she included pictures, 30 things that make her smile and/or happy, a friends list, a bucket list and a letter to herself. She put it inside a manilla envelope and created a picture collage on the outside. I just know she is going to smile from ear to ear once she opens it seven years from now! It was cute for me to read her “bucket list” that included running a marathon, to travel to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and also live in Utah because she loves nature, mountains and cold weather!!! She asked me to put it in her special bin where I keep all of her keepsake memories – like trophies, special books, art work, etc. She also asked me if I could to put some “loot” in there. (I slipped a $50 bill in there!) In the event that no one remembers to open that envelope in 7 years, I chose to blog about it so she can read this and know where to look for it. I have turned this blog into printed books for them and each have a copy in their special bin – I don’t really create photo albums, but I have created this blog for them with pictures – so they can one day read about where they were in time and look back and their memories. Giselle – I hope you get to Paris – I know you will because you are even taking French classes right now and love it. I can’t wait to tag along with you! LOVE YOU!

FIRST DAY of School Photos

 I am surrounded by empty nesters.  For now, I am still celebrating the firsts.  There are always firsts in life...right? I have never been one to keep score.  Unless we are competing. Like sports.  And then there are lasts.  Work hard, play even harder.  And ALWAYS give 1000 percent in EVERYTHING YOU DO.  And do it with LOVE and your HEART.  At the END of each and every day, we are only accountable to ourselves.  We are responsible for our OWN actions.  

CHEERS to a new journey ladies.  GG - you're rocking it out in gymnastics!  7th grade here we come!  Bella!  You're just starting high school.  Geez you are a freshman!  And goodness...you're slaying it at tennis!  I am going to cherish these years.  Am I in for a wild ride?  You bet your bottom dollar I AM! Did your mother always tell you that you would have one JUST LIKE YOU?  Is it an old adage?  My favorite and still to this day was.....do you know what that means?  You don't?  GO GET THE DICTIONARY and LOOK up the meaning!  Hated it at the time.  But guess what.  VOCABUARY expands.  And its ALOT better than social media.

Have an epic year Bella and GG.  I know you're going to rock it.....Keep your eyes on the prize and shoot for the moon and stars! LOVE

READY TO ROLL

DO YOU HAVE TO TAKE MY PICTURE

LOOK out 7th grade

EXCITED

Back to School

 Just like that the summer is over!  It's time to head back!  I am not sure where the time goes, but we went from having a kindergarten graduation to an 8th grade graduation to starting high school!  We had the pleasure of attending her high school orientation yesterday where we walked around the entire school, took her photo ID, picked up her chrome book and gym uniform.  She was so excited to show me every single part of the school.  Earlier in the year, we signed her up for "Fresh Start- a program" where she spent three weeks getting acclimated to her new school where only the freshman attend.  She was able to learn her way around and also meet all of her classmates that chose to take advantage of such a great program!  I am so excited to see what her freshman year has in store for her.  I know she will do great things!  Have a great year Isabella!

8th Grade Photo Fun at Sunset

Kindergarten Graduation at Mary Sears

High School Orientation Day

Talk SOUP

My mother always had the craftiest sayings.  And when she DID, I would say TALK SOUP!!!!  She would get a SMILE from ear to ear, and her eyes would twinkle.  I believe sometimes you can recreate that memory without even trying.  Nostalgia?  Memory? Love?  Its ALL of the above.

For example, Isabella was at the dinner table tonight and said - "Can I have an 8th grade graduation party?" Of course, you CAN!  And then she told me what kind of party she wanted.  It was at that moment that I said - LET ME SHOW YOU YOUR KINDERGARTEN graduation photo. THEN and NOW.  She gave me that twinkle in her eye and laughed hysterically.  IF you point out the ONE similarity, everyone gets a DONUT in the MORNING.  Can you SPOT IT?  

LOVE IS HER THEME.  In her K graduation photo, grandma chug picked out her dress for her from Sams Club.  In her dinner photo, she picked out her sweatshirt from Target.  LOVE

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION

8th GRADE

One year

I thought it would be fun to post a picture from Christmas 2021 when Jasper and Chloe were puppies and then a year later, Christmas 2022.  What a difference a year makes in dog years.  My how they have grown and melded into their personalities.....

CHRISTMAS 2022

CHRISTMAS 2021

Let's start with Jasper (a.k.a) Jazz Man, Jazz the Spaz, Big Belly Jabber:  He weighs a whopping 20.7 pounds and that is his final weight.  He loves to chase squirrels, play ball, go on walks, car rides and his favorite thing to do is BOMB you when you're in bed and give you wet willies.  He has the most energy out of all three dogs and is always playing with a toy or chewing on a bone.

Next up: Chloe (a.k.a) Coco:  She weigh 15.4 pounds.  She loves to sleep with Giselle and cuddle under the blankets.  She is very sweet, mild mannered, gentle little pup.  She bites my ankles every time I walk down the stairs.  She hates going on walks and can be considered to be "prissy." 

And then there is Lily (a.k.a) Lily Bear, Big Booty Bear, Lils:  She weighs 48.5 pounds and has officially been with us for 3 years now. She has been an exceptionally good dog with guiding Jasper and Chloe getting settled into their forever home.  It warms my heart to see all three of them get along so well and often times cuddling together.