Today was a picture perfect day.  I started out by taking a walk around the pond.  There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the water was sparkling and the trees are so green.  This afternoon I got out my hammock and relaxed in it with my book.  After a short time  in the sun, I needed some shade.  I clipped some lilacs from my neighbors house (she’s not home this weekend) and made a fragrant bouquet for our kitchen.  The girls ran through the sprinkler, did a little tanning on their blankets and made slushies with their “slushie machine.”   We’re ending this wonderful day by putting a chicken on the grill and hopefully dining outside on the deck, if the wind dies down. 

We only have four days left of school and with days like this, it sure makes me want those four days to go by quickly!

Last night I went out with the girls that I work with.  It was such a beautiful and perfect night for sitting outside on the deck at Bonfire restaurant.  It was a “going away” party for our friend Verna, who got laid off at our school for next year.  We’re still hopeful that she could be rehired in the fall.   We tried not to talk about work or the kids we work with, but when your with your work friends, it always comes up.  But we had lots of laughs.  We still have four more days with Verna and I’m sure we’ll still keep in touch with her.  She may take another job over at one of our other schools, if Hidden Valley doesn’t have an opening next fall.  We got her a Barnes & Noble gift card because she’s such a reader.  She reminds me a lot of my sister.  They both see every movie that comes out and try to read every book that comes out!

Today at school was a big day for the 5th graders.  They got to launch their rockets that they built.  At the beginning of May, they started a unit on “how to build a rocket.”   Each student must pass two tests in order to be a part of the launch day….quite an incentive to study!   Megan designed her rocket by first, spray painting it black.  She then added a yellow shooting star and a few brightly colored rainbow stripes.  When it was time to launch her rocket, I ran over with my camera with every intention of getting a good shot.  So I’m aiming my camera up in the air in front of us, when her rocket took off up in the air and shot backwards.  I never had a chance.  As we followed her rocket high into the sky, it started to come down and the parachute came out (just like it’s suppose to) but then landed in a tree.   It’s so far up in the tree that we weren’t able to retrieve it.  Out of the entire 5th grade class, Megan was the only one not to get her rocket back.  I feel so bad for her.  No souvenir!   The tree is just a couple of houses away from us, so we’re hoping that a good wind or rain storm will cut it loose and we’ll get it back at some point.    I did however, get a picture of the rocket hanging in the tree!  It makes for a good scrapbook page. 

It’s been a fabulous weekend.  The weather has been absolutely beautiful and enjoyable.  Saturday I got all my chores done for the weekend and then headed over to my brother Jim’s house for a tasty steak dinner.  My brother Greg, joined us as well.  It was fun to hang out on lawn chairs, sipping on adult beverages and then be served dinner.  What woman wouldn’t love that! 

On Sunday, I drove out to my brother Mark’s greenhouses to get some flowers.  I bought geraniums, petunias and some herbs for my deck.  This year I went with red for my main color.  It looks nice against our brick/tan house.  After the flowers were potted, the whole family headed out to the St. Paul Saints baseball game.  We had such a fun time!!  The girls had a hot dog, cotton candy, mini donuts and lemonade all within the first four innings.  ha!  After the game, we watched incredible fireworks right in our seats.  It was the perfect ending to a fantastic day.

Today I will be relaxing and enjoying the last day of vacation.  It’s a bit windy out, so I may try and find a spot outside where I can read but not be blown away.    I hope you’re enjoying your long weekend as well~

Today, Megan and Kelly both took the Physical Fitness tests.  They had to pass four different tests, which included the shuttle run, pull-ups or push-ups, sit-ups and a sit & reach.  These tests are not easy and only about 4% of the kids who try out, actually pass.  Once you pass these four events, you move on to the mile run.  They have two chances to pass this in the time that is specified for their age bracket.  Megan passed this year with ease.  She was a whole minute ahead of what she needed.  She ran it in 8 minutes, 17 seconds.  A record for her.  Kelly totally surprised me today.  To be honest, I didn’t think she’d make an entire mile.  I thought maybe half-way through, she’d stop.  But to my surprise, this girl kept a steady pace and went the full mile.  She missed her targeted time by 7 seconds!  Aaahh, I was so bummed for her and at the same time sooooo incredibly proud of her.  She really wanted to do this and be successful and she showed everyone that she could do it.  I had tears in my eyes after both of them crossed the finish line.  It was so fun to be there and cheer them on!  Kelly’s going to give it another try next week and I’m praying that she makes it.  She earned it today and hopefully she’ll shave off those 7 seconds.

Today really felt like a spring day.  The wind wasn’t a factor for a change, so we could actually be outside and enjoy the warm weather.  After running a few errands this morning, I grabbed the puzzle section from the paper, pulled up a chair and worked on it while the sun warmed my face.  It’s so relaxing to just do nothing for a change.  I also put a roast in my crock pot, so dinner isn’t a problem either.  I sure could use more of these days.  The stress just goes away! Enjoy your day~

I had such a fun day today.  I started out by scrapbooking at my friend Dawn’s house.  I got over there around 9:45 and stayed until 2:30.   She had a yummy lunch of croissant sandwiches and deli meat.  Sort of a fancy sub sandwich.  We tried a new Dorito called, sweet & spicy chili and oooh are they good!!  For dessert, she had our favorite butterscotch scones.  These are becoming a scrapbooking tradition for us.  We love them!

After scrapbooking, I took Megan over to her friend Laura’s house.  She was meeting a few girlfriends there and then they were heading out to the Mall of America for an evening of fun and doing all the rides at Nickelodeon Universe.  Laura’s mom was having a garage sale, so I shopped around a little while I was there.  I ended spending $48 and getting Kelly tons of designer clothes, a pair of shoes and even a new winter coat with snow-pants to match!   I love scoring on those deals.

When I got home, I treated myself to a glass of Blue Moon beer and made Chicken Kiev for dinner.  Tonight we’re going to watch Get Smart and then I’ll call it a night.    Aaah, I so enjoy weekends!

Today we celebrate Mother’s Day.  I love this day because I really get to feel special.  My family treats me to brunch and dinner.  So no cooking for me at all on this day.  We started out our day by having a pancake brunch.  Then the girls & I went for a walk around the pond.  We took Jazz with us too.  After that I had a few gifts to open, which really wasn’t necessary.  I love them all, especially a new cookbook!  Something fun to read this afternoon.  Tonight, Nate is making a Crab & Asparagus Risotto with a lovely white wine to go with it.  I’m looking forward to that as well.  The girls were busy on Friday night.  They went over to my brother’s greenhouse and made these gorgeous pots of flowers for me.  I’m excited to watch them bloom all summer!!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Last night, my friend Dawn & I took my sister out for her 40th birthday.  We went to a restaurant called Granite City Brewery, in Eagan.  We started out with drinks,  had some dinner, and then Terry opened a few gifts from us.  We sat and chatted and laughed for the rest of the night, about three and half hours worth.  When I got home last night, I noticed that my throat was a little hoarse.  Going out with your girlfriends is always a fun time.  We had a blast and are looking forward to our next outing.  Happy Birthday Ter!!!

Tonight, Megan & Kelly had their spring piano recital.  Both girls did a wonderful job performing as did all the kids in the program.  It lasted about 40 minutes and then it was time for awards.  The girls each received their “gold cup” award for 3 superior ratings at Festival.  Festival is a yearly event in which they perform two memorized pieces in front of a judge and then get scored on their performance.  They also received certificates for performing at local nursing homes throughout the year.  A nice recognition for them.  After the recital, I took them out for ice cream at Dairy Queen for all of their hard work.