Saturday, April 25, 2015

Summer plans underway...

When the girls get out of school at the end of May, we'll be heading for the beach for a few weeks for a little R&R! Woot, Woot!!! Ellie will take a break from softball and piano over the summer and Emma will take a break from gymnastics. I told Ellie she could pick horseback riding back up for the summer... she really misses it! She will also attend a week long summer camp at UGA. It's called Stop Motion Video. We were lucky to get her in! She is very intrigued with all the behind the scenes of filming and is always creating, editing, and splicing videos and writing short stories. She recently built a website. She will be going to the day camp with her friend, Alex Martin. He is the son of one of my dear tennis buddy's, Anna. Both Alex and Ellie are computer geeks/nerds, as Ellie refers to themselves. I say, they're both beautifully gifted in creativity and intellect. Speaking of creativity and intellect, my Emma, my little drama queen, will be going to a week of summer camp at OYP (Oconee Youth Playhouse). Ellie prefers being behind the camera and Emma loves the spotlight! OYP teaches dancing, acting, and vocals... anything and everything that has to do with performence. At the end of the camp, they put on a musical for the parents. I wanted to give her a taste of it before I sign her up in the fall. She's been asking to go there for a while... If she likes it, she will do that instead of gymnastics, as well as begin piano lessons with Ellie in the fall. Ellie will pick piano back up in the fall and have to choose between riding and softball. 

Emma will also attend VSB (vacation bible school) again this summer with her friend Abby, who lives a few houses down. Ellie is bummed that she has aged out of it. Ellie has begun reading her bible recently and asking lots of questions... she seems to be seeking her own personal relationship with God. We had some great conversations at the beach over spring break that have continued since. She thinks deeply and asks wonderful questions... I love watching that relationship unfold between her and Father and walking along side her through it.  

Since I have tennis and the girls have their music and sports, I told Keith he has to pick something that he enjoys. He's such a giver and never does anything for himself... Since we live in a golf community, he said he would enjoy playing golf once or twice a month, taking turns playing with one of our boys and spending some time with them. 

When we get back from the beach, me and Emily will start teaching swim lessons again. Ellie and Emma, of course, will help. I'm just offering Monday, Wednesday's, and Friday's again this summer. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends are reserved for family time, tennis, and running errands. I will take a few tennis lessons over the summer to keep my edge;) and play on a combo league on Saturday mornings when I can. I also have one decorating job scheduled and am considering doing personal training for a couple at their home Monday, Wednesday, and Friday's before swim lessons. I workout those days anyways, might as well just do it with them and get paid for it. Keith and I are planning on taking some Atlanta field trips with the girls this summer as well. We're thinking of going to the Coca-Cola Factory, the Atlanta Zoo, and the Georgia Aquarium... Then we'll finish off the summer with one more beach trip in July before school starts. Feels good to slow down a little in the summer, lol.

Tyler got a job!

Tyler has been trying to get a job with UGA while he finishes getting his teaching certificate and eventually his masters in mathematical education. He recently heard that he got the job and will be starting on Monday. He's so excited! He will be managing one of UGA's food service stations. This is a great relief for him and Emily. They are both in school while holding down jobs. It's a salary job, with great benefits, and the best part, free tuition to UGA after working their 6 months!

Ellie's weekend school assignment

Ellie's weekend assignment was to write a Mystery Poem using personification. It's a riddle. The answer is at the bottom. Don't peek!!! See if you can guess what it is. Keith never figured it out. Emma guessed it in 5 minutes. 

Mystery Poem
By: Ellie Nicholson 

I am extremely valuable,
There are a lot of me.
I look good or bad,
Depending on how you see.

I come in different shapes,
And many colors too. 
Each one of me is different,
Does that give you a clue?

I’m seen in many places,
You can find me in your dreams.
Or even in your nightmares,
And story books, it seems.

Some people really like me,
However, others do not.
Can you guess what I am?
Please guess before I rot!

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Answer: Written backwards... gnieb namuh

Proud Mama!

a sore back, but with his help, it's nothing an ibuprofen and a few beers won't fix.       Like     Comment    
   
   Lane Creek Subdivision
   
   
Andy Flippen (friends with Stacey Tweedell Wheeler) mentioned you in a comment in Lane Creek Subdivision.
   
Andy Flippen
April 24 at 4:21pm
Michele Denning Nicholson, Drew helped me this morning. You have a very nice, hard working kid there. He did a great job. I tend to be pessimistic about the future generations, but he restored a little faith. Anything else I ever need help with, I'll reach out to him. Thanks for sending him my way. I still have a sore back, but with his help, it's nothing an ibuprofen and a few beers won't fix.

Video clip of Alex's application for a program coordinator position at Camp Ocean Pines in California!

http://youtu.be/2BSnnVy2kUo

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Into the future...


Three devices going in one room... smart tv, iPad, and iPhone. If Keith weren't folding laundry, he'd be on his laptop doing work, lol. Oh, and then there's me, behind the camera taking a picture with my iPhone. I couldn't have pictured this scene 10 years ago. As a matter of fact, I guess I couldn't imagine posting these pictures on a blog with my iMac computer 10 years ago either.

Ellie SAE project, part 2






Sweet Aunt Nancy


My Aunt Nancy is now 90 and in perfect health, other than being in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's. She's my dad's eldest sister. Here she's holding Aunt Betty's dog Ruby.


Cousin Trey's son, Jake. Looks just like him, so handsome!


Aunt Nancy, still as sweet as ever!!!

Emma at Rowdy Roo's B-day party!


Rowdy is the son of my ARTL partner, kelly. I also teach him swim lessons. He is absolutely adorable. Her ego is prego with number 2 right now.




Friday, April 17, 2015

Celebrating end of spring season at Jittery Joe's!







This is Shelly, our fearless co-captain this season. Our fearless captain, Jackie, was the only one that couldn't make it. She just got her doctorate in midwifery and was traveling.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Spring Break/Easter 2015



Easter Morning!



Little Mermaid


Water Ballet


Pier Park Rides, ice cream, and movie!




We saw Cinderella, but took a few photos while waiting for movie to start!



Mani/Pedi


29th anniversary!!!


Lost 2 more teeth in 1 day after losing 1 last week!





Spectacular sunsets!





Walks on beach, volley ball in pool, tennis...






Kite Flying



Putt putt