Am I in school again?

I'm telling ya! I believe between homework, reading, and projects...I feel like I'm right back in school these days. I guess this wild ride will get even better come next year when Morgan is at the age to start these projects and I will have a Kindergarten student! Phew, I'm tired just thinking about it.

Who has a Science Fair project and a Influential Person speech/presentation within 2 weeks of each other? My son Mark does. His project was named "The Ice Test". We literally spent 7 hours watching ice freeze, taking pictures and graphing it all out. It wasn't the most complex, intellectual Science Project ever but seeing how I am not great with Science, I was his helper, it was the best idea and it worked! I am best at being limited to organizing the display board and being creative with ideas...don't let me help draw or create objects because it doesn't end up working out well about 99% of the time. For the visual piece of the project, my idea was to make an igloo...how else are we going to show ice after a week of sitting out at school??? Our 1st attempt was to paper mache an igloo. Let's just chalk that up to an epic fail. When my son said that the igloo sucked and he didn't think anyone would "get" that it was an igloo, we scrapped that idea and moved on. I then had the brilliant idea to build the igloo with play-doh. We had to sneak in while Mason was napping to snag his play-doh and off we went! With a few touches of some great artwork from Mark Sr, it was done to turn in last Friday. We were successful in our attempt at the Science Fair project this year! Mark ended up taking home 3rd place in his category.

I thought we were off the hook with projects until Mark conveniently reminded me that his other project going on. I sighed, silently huffed and puffed, and thought the school was trying to make me a little looney with it all. We bought supplies and off we went. Mark was assigned George W. Bush as his influential person to research, write a speech on, and create a visual to be displayed. After staying up until 9:30 on this last night, visual was completed with several highlights of George's career, quotes, and pictures. Topped off with my cute idea to tape little American Flags to the top. ;) Speech is completed and he is working to memorize. Friday will be the day that he has to dress up like George and give a 1 minute memorized speech to his class. Bring on a suit and a little flour to grey up his hair!

I just laugh and say to myself that there will never be a dull moment in my life. I don't know if I could handle it any other way!

Love and God Bless!

Melanie

Here it goes!

I started this blog about 3 years ago and then never did anything with it. I figured why not?? So here goes nothing!

We have officially moved to the wonderful land of Clovis, NM. Yes, it's true...we seem to be moving every few years. Love's has wisked us off to no man's land...and it is growing on me! We have settled into an older house- 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath. Our kids are growing like WEEDS! Mark III is almost 11 years old and in the 5th grade. Morgan is drama at its finest at the ripe age of 8 years old and she is in the 3rd grade. Mason is 5 years old and desperately ready for Kindergarten. Mase and I are pals and hang at the house. (Please note, that if you know me, you know that I am a busy body. I'm currently a stay at home mom. Love the aspect of time with my children, home cooked meals, clean laundry 99% of the time. On the other hand, my work was my sense of identity for sooo long that I feel like I'm having to find myself all over again. Pray for me!)

We are making this new location home for us...however long it might last. We are getting involved with a church, finally made a few friends, and the wonders of coaching/team mom for basketball and cheerleading. Go team, go!

Update on each of us:

Mark II- 32 years old...will be 33 this year (EEK!) He is finally General Manager of the Love's here in Clovis. He still plays basketball, eats too much junk food, plays XBOX, and is a kid trapped in a grown man's body. :) He is now the Coach of the Timberwolves (Lil Mark's basketball team).

Me- I'm 28, will be 29 this year. I'm desperately trying to convince myself that I'm still young and am aging with grace and style. Yes, I know I'm completely kidding myself. I just was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease in August of '11. I'm trying to figure out life and eating with it. I'm on a weight loss journey (when am I not??) to get High School skinny. Really wish me luck here. I'm a stay at home mom, crafter with too many ongoing projects, obnoxious reader, and complete and total team mom of my kids. I've embraced the inner "soccer" mom inside of me, minus the minivan!!!

Lil Mark- Will be 11 at the end of February. He is growing up to be completely handsome! Watch out ladies, momma bear will be tough to get past!! Mark is a lover of school, reading, and basketball. His life revolves around it. I mean who else walks down the hall doing fade away jump shots in the air??? He is a proud member of the Timberwolves and is really stepping up as the leader of his team. He is an all A student and is testing for the Talented and Gifted program at his new school.

Morgan- Lil Miss is 8 going on 18. She is the social butterfly of her class...I know this did NOT come as a shock to anyone that has been around Morgan for more than 5 minutes. She is a complete people person. She likes school but more for friends and activities than learning. She is super, super smart- A & B student, but school is not her top priority. To channel some of this energy and to hopefully stop the cartwheels in my living room, we have her in cheerleading. She has elected herself as the team captain and has convinced all of the girls to go along with it. =) Morgan also has her first real crush...OH LORD! The little boy also let a friend of a friend, who's brothers, sister, neighbor told Morgan know that he likes her too and she is totally cute. I know I am not Catholic but the nunnery is sounding more and more appealing for this little girl. I do admit that she is beautiful but this mom is totally not ready for the boy drama she will have!

And finally, Mason- He is 5 and full of life. He is extremely smart and ready for school. We have also signed him up for basketball (Go Celtics!) to get him out and finding his sense of coordination. Mason has a different idea of how basketball should be played...I mean, if you hop on one foot for about half of the game and then stop at half court when your team is trying to shoot...He has the game of basketball figured out! His skills are slowly developing. He is thrilled to be "playing" like his big brother Mark. Although, I'm not quite sure this is "his" sport. Time will tell! We are currently working on how to tie his shoes and starting the torture that is known as chores. He let's me know on a daily basis that chores are NOT fun and why does HE have to do all of it??? I mean picking up your dirty laundry, making your bed, and cleaning up your toys is right up there with getting a tooth pulled and all that.

Needless to say, we are busy and being pulled in 5 different directions...I don't think I would know how to function any other way!

For now-
Melanie