Beginning of June

I am completely behind on this blog. While I'm on vacation, I thought it would be a good time to update it. So, here's the first installment. I have been enjoying selling jewelry for Premier. It's been fun going to all the parties, especially when my hostesses pick out their free jewelry. I'll begin teaching again for Kaplan July 31st. This time, my weekly seminar will be on Thursdays at noon. It will be nice not waiting the whole day to do the seminar in the evening. Plus, this keeps my evenings available for jewelry parties.

In the beginning of June, we decided to have Alexander's 5th birthday party with his friends from school. We knew we were going to be away for his birthday, plus the school year was ending soon. So, we decided to get it in before his friends left for vacation. He decided on a Scooby-Doo theme. I found on a couple of websites ideas on how to make a scavenger hunt. I told the kids to come inside to open presents, but they were gone!!! In their place was a note saying they had to follow the clues. The first clue brought them to the dining room to color pictures of the characters. You can also see Scooby the pinata on the table. They found the clue to move on under the table.

 

 

The next clue brought them out to the yard for musical chairs. The clue to move on was on the fence. That brought them to another part of the yard where they worked in teams to make each other into mummies using toilet paper. The clue was on the shed. I put it up high so they couldn't reach it because I knew by then they would know what was going on.

 

They then moved to the lanai for cupcakes.

Under the patio table was the last clue, bringing them back to where the presents should be in the living room. Of course the note at the end saying, "I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for you meddling kids" went right over their heads. Here's the aftermath of the presents being opened. 

After presents, we did the pinata. and then they went swimming. He really enjoyed celebrating with his friends. He thought he should already be 5 and go to school with his brother on Monday. :)

 

The next day, Glenn and Alexander decorated Alexander's room with the leftover streamers. It was supposed to be a spider web.

On June 6th, Alexander graduated from Preschool. He was not happy about it. He did great singing the songs and reciting rhymes at the graduation, but was not happy afterwards. He knows he's going to another school next year and only two of his friends will be going with him.

His friends tried to get him to smile.

Later that day, I was just starting to make dinner when I heard a thump then a cry from Alexander's room. I went in and blood was gushing from his head. Turns out Glenn pushed him while they were playing into a toy chest and it hit him right square in the middle of his head. We knew right away he was going to the ER for stitches. I brought Glenn to our neighbor's house and we whisked him away to the ER. He did extremely well! He held a wash cloth to his head the whole ride, not wanting me to touch it. By the time we saw the doctor, it had pretty much stopped bleeding, but did need four stitches. They put some cream on it to help it numb, cleaned it up a bit, and then he didn't even feel the needle with more numbing agent in it. She was so good to make sure he didn't see the needle. He said ouch, but later said he didn't feel it. I'm so grateful on how well they took care of him. He got his stitches out after four days and you can barely even see the scar now. 

I will add more posts to continue the update when I get a chance. We are driving half way across the country, and camping, so I don't know how good a connection I'll have tomorrow. 

My Training Show

I finally had my training show last night as an independent jeweler for Premier Designs jewelry. My sponsor actually did the show, and I prepped everything and showed my own samples. It was an exciting night. I had 15 ladies here, who I thanked so much for supporting my new business. They had fun and I even got to know a few of my neighbors some more. With their support, I was able to get 13 new pieces to add to my samples to show at shows. I already have three firm shows booked and several in the works. Next Friday will be my first real show where I am all on my own. Who would have thought that I would be excited about getting in front of a bunch of people to talk? But I really am! And this job is really a blessing. Bob has three crowns (don't tell him I shared that) that he needs to get and other things always pop up. This will help so much, and I get to have fun while doing it!

Even more of a blessing is how I feel God working through me. I have two friends who are really in need of extra money. And now they are considering selling, too. If they do decide to become jewelers, I will become their sponsor and help them become successful. I didn't really get into this to help other people, but as I have been learning, it's not all about me. :) God has his own plan for me and if he wants me to help these friends, I am willing. I am just blown away at how great this group of jewelers are. Now only are they so supportive of each other, but God is important in all of their lives. I think living in the south also adds to this. It seems everyone I meet is religious. I guess that's why the south is also considered the Bible belt.

Well, that's my excitement  Glenn also shared some excitement today. He is, yet again, student of the month. This is the third time this year. He was already student of the month for his regular class twice. The P.E. teach apparently also chooses a student of the month and she chose Glenn for March for the characteristics of trustworthiness and honesty. I'm so proud of him. He is so eager to please his teachers (except when it comes to writing) and they enjoy him so much. I had a conference with his teachers earlier this week, and they really do love him. It's so good to hear that his has continued to be used as the example for the class. And he's always so modest about it. He didn't even want to tell Bob, because he knew we'd gush over him.

Alexander is his usual goofy self. He admitted to urinating on the trash can this week after I found it wet and smelly when cleaning. I couldn't get mad since all little boys need to try aiming at things other than the toilet. Hopefully that's the end of that, though.

I know you all love pictures, so here's a picture of the boys in a super bubbly bath. Glenn has quite an impressive bubble hat!

My Easter Boys

We had spring break last week. We went camping in our pop-up camper for the weekend beginning spring break (and my birthday weekend). It was up in Mayo, FL on the Suwanee River (about 2 hours NW of us). It was a nice campground, but we had bad weather. The first night was fine, but it rained most of the next day and night. We ended up going to the lodge a couple of times because of severe weather. But they had board games, which helped us pass the time. We did get a nice walk in along the river before the storm came. 

Then we spent the week in Daytona Beach with Bob's parents and uncle. We had a relaxing time. Unfortunately, it was chilly and very windy the whole week. We did go up to St. Augustine for the day mid-week. The boys played mini-golf every day. 

We got home the day before Easter. Who needs the Easter bunny when I have these cute Easter boys?

So, I have not posted on here about my new jobs. I actually have a couple. I'm still doing some work with Bob in the office. But I am going to begin developing an online course in epidemiology (the study of the spread and control of diseases) for my old boss at the University of CT. Once we have developed the course, I will begin teaching it. We should have it complete by the end of the summer. 

I am also a "jewelry lady!" I was making some jewelry and was going to begin selling it. But then I went to a Premier Designs home show, and fell in love with their jewelry. I also found that the compensation as a jeweler was amazing. So, I signed up last month and have my training show next week. I've very excited and have already received so many compliments when I wear my jewelry samples. This will also get me out of the house and have fun while I'm making money. Yes, I get out when I go to work at the office, but I'm the only female, so I'm not really socially engaged there. And doing online courses is great for a work-at-home mom, but it's not so good for the social aspect of my life. I have already met a couple times with the other ladies in my area that sell Premier jewelry, and they are a great bunch of ladies. We get together once a month for training and fellowship. 

To go along with my new jobs, I got a new haircut. I have been progressively getting shorter cuts. Bob liked my hair shorter, so I really got it chopped today. Bob even likes it straight better than curly, which is the first time he's said that. It's fun to play with my new hairstyle.

Love My Boys!

Thank you again to everyone who donated to the American Heart Association for Jump for Heart! Glenn raise $385!!! He was the second highest fundraiser in his school and got on the morning show at school today. We were at Alexander's school tonight for their Spring program. Alexander's friend has a sister who goes to Glenn's school and said that Glenn is famous, he was on tv! He was so excited when I picked him up from school. He even wore his Jump for Heart shirt today. I knew they would be announcing the top fundraisers, but they had said it would be tomorrow. So, I planned on cutting his hair today. Well, I was too late. It was getting really long. But I digress...

As I mentioned, it was Alexander's spring program tonight. He was so excited to sing tonight. Afterward, he said it was so much fun he wished he could do it again. Last year, he spent half the time picking his nose. But this time he was too busy doing the hand motions and singing. What a difference a year makes. :)

 

 

 

Last week, I had my camera out and Alexander asked me to take pictures of him. Here he is modeling for me. Notice his huge ear. He fell off a plastic chair (that he was standing on) and hit it on a wooden chair. It blew up instantly. We ended up going to the doctor and then to the ENT. Thankfully it was severe enough to be lanced. It's healing well, but will be discolored for a long time. At least he didn't break any bones!

 

 

 

I got my hair cut a few weeks ago. I have had it this short before, but not with so many layers. I don't know what to do with it. For it to be properly styled, I need to curl it, which I do not have the time for. So, I'll be growing it back out. I always have a headband or wrap in my hair. 

Alexander took the picture above. He did a good job.

 

The boys went camping for the first time last week in our new pop-up camper. They had so much fun hiking and cooking over the camp fire. I had a 5K (to speed walk) so I didn't go with them. But we will all be camping this weekend with cub scouts. Unfortunately, they do not allow camping trailers. So, we have to sleep in tents. We'll all go camping again in a couple more weeks together in the camper. We decided to get the camper as an investment in our family. It will be good bonding time. 

Jump Rope for Heart 2013

It's that time of year again! Glenn always looks forward to Jump Rope for Heart, which supports the American Heart Association. I asked him again this year why he was doing this and he said, "I'm raising money to help people with heart attacks and heart problems." You may remember from past years that he really gets this fundraiser. He is such a sweet and caring boy and I hope he never loses those qualities.

If you would like to help the American Heart Association with their research, please click on this link to Glenn's donation page.

Thank you!

It Takes a Heart to be a Hero