Science Fair 2009...

The Science Fair went very well today. It was the smallest fair we've had, but I think everyone who attended had fun. The students all did a great job with their projects. All the projects were very interesting and I believe all the students really enjoyed trying each other's projects.

I am grateful for all the participants this year and the past two years. John and I have looked forward to hosting this event for the past three years. It has been a great experience for our entire family.

John, reading, and the girls...

John has never been much of a leisure reader. You know, you pick up a book to read for fun. The few books he has read it took him a long time to finish (I mean years). He's just not much into it. So, imagine my shock when Monday night out of the blue he says he "is going to read more". I chuckled. But to my surprise he has been. His way of doing it is to read to the girls. He has been reading two chapters a night to them this week of an abridged version of "The Wizard of Oz". I am so proud of him. It is something he wanted to do and he found a way to make himself do it, by including the girls. And that is why I love him so.

Changes...

I'm not good with change of any kind really. So, when we returned from our vacation and found out our TKD school was moving to the local Recreation Center I was numb. I don't think it really set in with me until we were in class tonight. Not only are we moving but Mrs. Amy will no longer teach the Little Dragon class, nor will she be attending class. So many changes lately. Our last Disney vacation I spent trying to decide whether or not I should start TKD. Master Mike offered Chloe the chance to start class early and wanted me to start with her. This Disney vacation the entire school is moving. I'm thinking no more vacations!!

Aunt Dian came home from the hospital yesterday. She is still very tired and is not allowed back at work until she has her check up next week. I'm hoping she'll recover completely very soon.

Well we did it...

We had a real vacation after just two years! John hasn't been able to take off any time at work because they were short-handed, then he had school. We have been talking about what to do and where to go since October. We were hoping to go in December but his school was rescheduled for January and February (instead of November and December).

So, are you dying to know where we went or have you guessed already?! Yes, good ole Disney World, for seven glorious (I didn't have to drive at all!) nights. It really was a fun trip. Of course we got little to no rest but we had a great time. John even enjoyed a few things he was originally dreading (Nemo the Musical being one). This time we actually went to Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM), we've never been there before. And they just opened a new Toy Story 2 ride there last year...we LOVED it! We rode a ton of rides we never had a chance to ride before and the girls were tall enough to ride new rides too.

There are two things that stand out for me:

I was making a purchase and had to show and ID. My military ID was on top so that is the one I grabbed. Ms. Judy asked me if I was in the service or my husband. I told her my husband. She let Jesse pick a Disney pin to keep (no trade, just gave us one). She said she likes to do that for the service members. So sweet. Then later that day at Downtown Disney, John was paying for something and he gave me a strange look then said, "She has the Goofy pin." I had been looking for four days for a Goofy pin only to realize the pin I wanted had been discontinued. I told her my story, just as small talk not thinking anything of it, then she handed to me (again, no trading, just gave). I told her I couldn't but she insisted. I took her picture and now she is in our photo album so I'll always remember her. They were both just so sweet!

I think Chloe's favorite thing was meeting Tinker Bell. She loves Tink! The whole hour and a half she stood in line with a smile. Beaming, actually.

Jesse's favorite thing was Splash Mountain for the simple reason that she got wet! That girl and water!

As for John's favorite thing, I'm not sure but I'm going to take a stab in the dark...the Mickey Mouse Ice Cream. I think he is also most grateful for BARELY missing be made fun of at the Monster's Inc Laugh Floor. They pick people out of the audience to put on the screen to be Sully, Mike and Boo. The man sitting just to the left of John was picked to be Mike. He says he'll never go in there again! LOL "It was too close."

We really did have a great time and on the way home we chose our next destination (in 2 years)...Washington DC, by then both girls will be ready for it!

John and the girls at Epcot.

Jesse and Chloe with the pirate! ARGH! Boy has he been holding that wheel for awhile!!

Jesse and Chloe at Magic Kingdom.

All of us with Belle after "Storytime with Belle". Now, that was great fun!

We love Mater!!!

Hobbits...

okay, for the past three years Master Mike has called me a hobbit. Yes, a hobbit. Seriously, I'm not THAT short! Anyway. Here is my story: Tonight in class we were learning the 360 Reverse Jump Side Kick. Yes, as in 360 degrees. And he calls this "fun week"...geez! Anyway. We start by doing simple jump kicks. We do a few then I notice Master Mike has stopped and is starring at me with his eyes all wide. "Nice kick", said with enthusiasm even. Never in my almost two years has he ever complimented a kick of mine and there he was, impressed! Then, of course, he had to ruin the moment by saying, "I didn't know hobbits could fly." I just keep trying...

New things...

Well last night was my first weapons class. I knew it wouldn't be easy for me but I think I did okay. Personally, I think I'm better with my hands than a weapon but I'm hoping with a lot of practice I'll get to be just "good enough". LOL I did manage to whack myself in the face once, which hit my glasses which in turned rammed into my face. Can you say, "lack of coordination"? Oh well, for my second go (we did some of it once in our regular class) not so bad anyway.

My aunt Dian is still in the hospital. They no longer believe it was a stroke but they are clueless as to what the problem is. My mom said this afternoon that Dian is much better today. She knows whats going on and can carry on a conversation. She is also looking forward to see our girls tomorrow. They are doing a spinal tap tomorrow afternoon to see if they can finally figure out what the problem is; the only thing they are sure of is its in her head. Now, those you who know Dian can see the humor. Still love ya Dian!!

How things turn out...

is not always how you want them to. We came home tonight from TKD and I was frustrated with myself and lack of spinning ability for reverse kicks. I had planned on writing this wonderful post about Chloe's great job doing five forms in one night for her review of all the forms, there were second degrees who were impressed by it! Then right before eating a piece of toast, the phone rang. I knew it was my mom because she is really about the only person who calls. I could hear it in her voice something was wrong, again...

Now, I have to back up a couple of days. Over the weekend, my mom took my aunt Dian to the ER for a migraine. She had never had one before and was in a lot of pain. After all afternoon and into the evening they finally saw her and gave her a shot and a couple of Rx then sent her home. This morning my mom called to check on her again and she said as soon as Dian answered mom knew she needed to go back to the doctor. Dian couldn't remember her doctors number and had a hard time calling into her work. They went to the doctor and after waiting awhile was finally seen. They have now sent her to the hospital to be admitted. They believe she has had a stroke. I love my aunt Dian, we have been close most of my life and to imagine her in that condition breaks my heart. But I keep reminding myself she is a breast cancer survivor...she's tough! I love you Dian.

Its OVER!!!

John school is officially done! He graduated this morning and we had a celebratory lunch afterward at Habor Inn. Spectacular (both graduation and lunch)! John, I think, is very relieved. The past month-and-a-half have been a strain on his mind and body. Personally, I can't imagine doing PT (physical training) at 5:30am in 23 degree weather...which is why he signed the dotted line and not myself. I know he is not looking forward to going back to work but he is very happy not to go back to class.

Everything on the home front is going okay, I guess. Chloe has been practicing her white belt form and her low-yellow form. I'm hoping she can show those two to Master Mike today before class, then work on the high-yellow in class. To say she is excited would be an understatement.

Three black belts...

finally! While Chloe is not an official black belt, a black belt recommended, it was sure nice to see her wearing a black belt. She looked adorable and she was so proud of herself, as she should be. Graduation went well. Chloe did her form and board breaks very well; she even broke the board on the first try on her reverse elbow...she was beaming with that one! Jesse had a great time being up front with Master Mike. He even chose her to help him with the boards for Chloe's class. I think she had a lot of fun, even though she wasn't mid-terming. I did okay but I'm very glad that have an entire year to perfect this form before I graduate with it. I keep telling Master Mike I really want to improve my reverse kicks and jump kicks. We'll have to wait and see how a progress with that one.

I have to say this weekend was the best we've had in over a month (since John's school started). John was in such a great mood, even Jesse commented on it. We spent most of the weekend at home, it was so relaxing. Tomorrow John graduates and we've made it a school holiday so we can all enjoy it. I know John is looking forward to not having to get up quite so early and, honestly, so am I. We will finally have some sense of normalcy...at least until Wednesday when I start my weapons class, TKD four nights a week now. GEEZ, here we go again? :)

Where does time go...

I can't believe it's Thursday already. We've been working hard on our school work all week and have almost caught up to where I wanted us to be. Jesse, especially, has been working hard, simply because she has so many subjects each day. But she's a trooper and keeps plowing through the work. Chloe is just happy she's caught up.

John's school is almost over, only two days left then the third day will be graduation. YEAH!!! I can not explain how much this school has disrupted our lives. I will be so glad to get back to "normal" around here and have John's alarm go off at 6am rather than 4am. He is getting back to his "usual" self rather than the grump bucket we've been living with for the past month. Chant with me, "Almost there; we're almost there".

I've been thinking ahead about science in high school (yes, I know its way early!). I think I would feel more warm and fuzzy for it if I understood how I am suppose to grade it following the Well-Trained Mind. It kind of spells out what to do for science but nothing on how to grade it if you require a grade for reporting purposes. Really, this is the only subject I'm worried about. And really the only thing I'm worried about is grading. This is my worst subject, the only one I'm clueless on. I don't want to say I'm panicking (I do have a few years to figure this one out), but I also want them to be where they need to be in math for the science to be solid. URGH! I just keep going back on forth on whether or not to follow TWTM or find a program to follow that gives me tests and answers. But I really like the method behind TWTM path, its just the grading. I have a feeling I'm going to be dealing with this one for a while!

The last full week is here...

finally its John's last full week of school! I'm hoping it goes by smoothly and quickly. I think today was a good start, by the sound of John's voice when he called at lunch.

Friday is graduation at TKD. Chloe will be getting her "black belt recomended", which means she'll be learning all the forms. As a "little dragon", during her first six months of class, she didn't learn the entire form, only the first 5-10 moves; so, now she has to learn the entire form to receive her 1st degree. I will be mid-terming. Yes, its true. I'm not convinced I'm ready but Master Mike seems to think I am so I'll have to do it. After that, I start my first weapons training...see, THAT is why I'm not ready to mid-term yet!