Independent, But Not Really

We raise children with the idea that we are raising them to grow to be independent adults, but we don't want them to be that independent, yet... Emily was adamant that she could do the chair lift alone. So I let her at the end of the day (but only on the bunny lift & also cuz my own legs were jello after 20+ runs on an empty mountain) and guess what? She did just fine. Emily was up and down the mountain every 5 minutes! She's a speed demon,that kid. My girls are FEARLESS!

Ms. Independent herself!

Me & Lex movin on up. Riding on cables are still scary to me.

Steve & Emmy riding down. I can't keep up with the three of them now. They go much faster than me. (I ride 'my brakes')

Lexi from the lift view. She's onto blue runs now. Go Lex!!!

What a ham!

Proud Parents

We are so proud of Emily!!! She has moved up yet another level in gym. She is now in the Silver Level - still Gymcats equivalent to USA Gymnastics Level 3 (of which she is now a card carrying member).

She lucked out and gets to be back with her old coach, who is amazing! I just found out why she is so amazing last night! Coach Elena was a former Olympian on the Romanian team. She was coached by Nadia Comaneci. That is SO COOL!! Emily is benefiting the coaching of two Olympians...I see more metals in her future!

Just a quick THANKS to my mom and Stephen's Dad for helping to pay some of Emily's gymnastics costs. She couldn't have had more gym time without their support. We are so grateful for their sponsorship! We are blessed to have such a supportive family.

Caught in the Act

My fifteen minutes of fame:

Not really fame...but on stage, at a small off strip, magic show. Magic Man made my wedding ring disappear. Stephen was convinced that they swapped out the stone for a look alike during the act. Paranoia...

Stephen got a turn too. We are all about audience participation. The girls got a big kick out of it, but were a bit perturbed that they didn't get "a turn".

What 'To Do' today?

Okay, So I am a bit OCD about To-Do Lists. Thanks H for the constant teasing! Even my two girls ask if things are "on the list"?!? During H's good matured teasing this morning, I posted today's list on Facebook so I thought I'd post it here too. I see a "Day In The Life" scrapbook page coming on...

1. Ebay (selling items I am purging from my scrap crap)
2. Yearbook page (for my class, due @noon)
3. Running/Training Plan (& LVAC schedule next week too)
4. Call Gymcats to schedule make-up class with David
5. Call to order magazines (Em's fundraiser)
6. Finish Bible Study
7. Find a scrap table (for my new Scrap Room - Old loft/playroom)
8. Write thank you notes
9. Watch movie w/Lex (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants)
10. Charlie Bath (w/Lex & Em)

How you spend your time shows what you value, right?

Granny, What Big Eyes You Have

Emily snapped this photo while we were visiting with Grandma Goodall. The girls had a great visit with their great grandma. She is improving so much! Grandma even tricked Lexi into spending an hour massaging her back. It was cute how some of their conversation started to sound a little like Little Red Riding Hood...

Snow Angels

My baby girls are beauties. Sometimes it takes my breathe away.

SURPRISE!!!!!!! Party

I have no idea how they pulled this off without me knowing anything...but Stephen, Stephanie & Greg planned an amazing surprise party for my birthday on Saturday!

I was 15 minutes away from showing up in my pjs, since I had been laying in my death bed all day. Stephen kept bugging me to shower...to which I replied, "It's just Stef and Greg!" He convinced me that I couldn't flake on our "fondue dinner" at Stef and Greg's cuz they borrowed extra fondue pots, Greg told him they already cut up all the meat and bread, etc, etc. He guilted me into going upstairs to brush my hair and put on clean clothes. Thank GOD!

It was a fabulous night!

Stef went all out on decor :)

The girls were just as surprised as me!

Greg, Taylor, & Stefanie

Rachel, Mom & me

My SATC girls - Samantha, Charlotte, Carrie, and Miranda
aka Hester, me, Beth & Kindra

Cute Cousins - Kaylee & Emmy

Par TAY

My sis and I kicked butt @ beer pong! (but no beer-cosmos instead)

Some of the boys - Jason, Dan & Stephen

Something bad...I can't remember but my mom, David, & Stacy (from HHS) were rolling! My BFF can throw a great party and makes cupcakes as good as The Cupcakery!!!!

A Perfect Day to BE 33!

6:00am Woke up to smiling daisies and breakfast in bed with my sweet, sweet hubby.
7:40am Smiled when the first words I heard entering work today where "Happy Birthday Jenny"
7:45 am Stefanie surprised me a Lemon Blueberry Cupcake from The Cupcakery. My favorite!
8:00am Found a mysterious cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee on my desk. Yea. Thanks Pam!
9:05am When I walked to my line, I was greeted by a chorus of "Happy Birthday Mrs. Rash" by my cute little class. They planned a surprise of treats for after lunch too! They were a little perturbed when they realized school would be business as usual though, poor kiddies. I think they expected a pinata or something?
11:30am Received a phone call from the office. There was a surprise for me! Flowers from my mommy! We all smelled them, everyone of my students had to take a whiff.
2:00pm A cute MMS from Alexa singing Happy Birthday and whoa - lots of texts too! So thoughtful!

5:00 pm Sake & Sushi @Sobe Sushi Bistro with the family. They were so much fun! Alexa even had her first sushi. She is now on my team! Emily didn't want to feel left out so she ate her french fries and chicken strips with chopsticks!

7:30 pm Met with Hester to go shopping for scrapbooking supplies & a pit stop at Starbucks. Good times.
10:15pm Home reflecting on a perfect day with family and friends as I finish a piece of my favorite homemade ski cake. I feel blessed!

25 Random Things

This 25 Random Things is flooding my facebook messages. I finally gave in! It took me over an hour to think of 25 things about myself.

1. I have been in a school non-stop since the age of 3! That's 30 years!!!
2. I love birthday cake with super sweet frosting
3. Stephen and I hooked up at a sorority formal that we had attended with other dates.
4. I have Rosacea (roh-zay-sha), not a sunburn!
5. I want to go to Europe someday to do everything touristy including ride in gondola. Or on a cruise?
6. I cry at almost every movie I see.
7. Making To-Do Lists is practically a hobby.
8. I drink more coffee-mate then coffee.
9. I hate wearing glasses.
10.I do not know how to NOT be sarcastic.
11.Foods with citric acid (lemon drop martinis & wine too) make my tongue swell up, but I eat/drink them anyway!
12.I would love to be a foster parent for a child who needs a place to feel safe and loved.
13.I love to sing...sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong. Don't worry if it's not good enough for anyone else to hear, just sing, sing a song... la, la, la, la, la la... la, la, la, la, la la... la, la, la, la la, la la
14.We canceled our wedding and ran off to Las Vegas to get married (strange now that we live here)
15.I can make myself cry on cue.
16.I have packed up and moved 20+ times. And I am NOT moving again until I retire!
17.I heart Jesus, my husband, and my daughters more than I can breathe sometimes!
18.I am a FlyLady Nazi and must have a shiny sink and freshly swished toilets.
19.I have read all the Stephanie Plum, Harry Potter, Shopaholic, and Twilight books.
20.I am continually 5 years behind with my scrapbooking, but don't care.
21.I love teaching, but each year I become more and more negative about the state of education. I fear I am becoming one of those crotchety, old, hag teachers that I promised myself I'd quit if ever became.
22.I can't kiss, hug, or sit next to my husband when our dog, Winston, is in the room.
23.I read trashy romance novels while soaking in a bubble bath for 3-4 hours sometimes.
24.I get really stressed out when things that are not organized well, even if I'm not in charge.
25.I secretly want a "tramp stamp" but would settle for something smaller and hidden if it wouldn't tick Stephen off and I wasn't terrified of the pain

Bunny Slopes

We took the family skiing for our anniversary. The girls took lessons for most of the day while Stephen and I got in some runs. Fun. Fun. Emily follows the pack one snowy day at Ski School.

Alexa's got her boarder chick gear ready to go.

School's out. Time for the kiddies to try a new run!

Emily? Fearful of hanging from a little cable, no way!
Cold wind, however, was another story!
Photo Opps with the gorgeous snow capped views from the top....
P.S. It snowed six inches while we were there.
Also, have you ever had your face sandblasted with tiny balls of ice? Ouch!

My hubby is HOT!
I tried to get some Stephen action shots, but he moves too fast!
So this is it...all I get. Him on his butt, putting his bindings on, and
waiting for me to finish taking pictures so he can go already!

(I am very aware that my beanie is all stretched out and falling over my face in a not so flattering way, but not for the first time, warmth beats vanity)
Time to go down the mountains.
The family is starting to get annoyed with Mommy and her camera.
(Especially Emily who felt the need for speed. Check her smiles)


Go speed racer!
Exactly one hour later.....


When can we go skiing again?