Happy Birthday Chloe

Chloe had a first this year on her 12th Birthday.  She's NEVER had to go to school on her birthday before because we've never lived anywhere where they started this early.  She thought it quite unfair, but, I'm pretty sure she thought it was a great birthday in the end!

She opted not to have a birthday party this year and instead wanted a trip to Universal Studios to Harry Potter World with her Dad. It did not disappoint!

 

 

 

As you can tell not only did she have school on her birthday, but also dance.  She was eager to get right to presents though.

 We couldn't figure out how to put candles in cake pops, so she just pretended to blow out the sticks...clever girl. 

 Chloe, we wish you a another year full of academic success, fun with dance, and most importantly the knowledge that you are a beloved Princess of God.

Happy 12th Birthday!

First Day of School

Can you guess what today was?

Our darling 2nd grader who is in Mrs. Fedorawhich's Class.  She also has her best friend Katie with her as well this year.

Our "cool" 4th grader who has Mrs Branz.  He doesn't have his best friend with him, but they still got to play kickball at recess today.  

Our beautiful 7th grader.  Her schedule is messed up, she has no classes at all with her best friend, and the bus driver is SUPER mean.......but.....she came home with a smile on her face and said it was "GREAT".  That's my girl!!!!!  See the positive......otherwise how can she possibly survive middle school?

Here's wishing you a fantastic 2014-2015 school year!

Cashiers North Carolina

This year for our summer vacation we decided to go for a trip to the Mountains.  We found a charming cabin in the Great Smokies of NC in a little town called Cashiers.  We had a fabulous time hiking to waterfalls, roasting marshmallows, renting a pontoon on Lake Glenville, and just being together.

Some rocks near Whitewater Falls.

 

 The kiddos at the Whitewater Falls overlook.

 

The amenities center that our cabin was associated with had a tubing track as well as mini golf.  We took advantage of both.

We drove the 1 1/2 hour drive to Asheville and spent a day at the Biltmore Estate.

The kids LOVED the firepit in the backyard.  Chloe's favorite question was "do we need the fire extinguisher?"

 We rented a pontoon boat on freezing Lake Glenville.  The water was a chilling 68 degrees, but that didn't stop the kids from tubing on it.  BRRRRRR!!!!!

 

 We found this charming ice cream shop called "Sweetreats" and it became Chloe's negotiating tool.  "Hey Kids...let's go try this activity".  Chloe would say,  "Only if we get Sweetreats after."

 My favorite spot of the cabin, the front porch swing and rocking chair.  There were many hours spent in these chairs reading and snuggling.

My favorite waterfall of the trip (we saw 11 total) was Rainbow Falls.  This very nice man took this picture for us and e-mailed it to me because at the bottom of these falls, I dropped Paul's i-phone into them after I persuaded him that I should keep his phone so he wouldn't get it wet.

It was a fantastic week.  I can't wait to do it again!

4th of July

This year to celebrate the 4th of July we went the Jacksonville's Suns game with our good friends the O'Sullivans.  Before the game...we had some festive snacks.

 Since we met them through our boys (Ryan and Ryan) playing baseball, we thought it fitting we go to the game with them too! They both have their baseball gloves in case an errant ball comes our way.

 Their beautiful daughter Morgan has Cerebral Palsey so we didn't sit in the same row, but they sat right behind us.

 What is it about little girls and cotton candy?

It was a great evening, the Suns won, AND the fireworks show at the end was spectacular.  

Happy Birthday to the USA!

Dance Recital

Just as Spring means Baseball to Ryan, it means Dance Recitals to the Shupe Girls.  This week was crazy with rehearsals every night.  Last night, it was all worth it as we sat and watched these girls perform their routines they have been working on since January.

Callista's costume was soooo cute.  It glowed in the dark and on the stage it looked electric.

Chloe's Jazz costume was fun and sparkly (itchy too, she claims).

Chloe's Tap routine was very sophisticated.  Her tap teacher brings out the best in all her students.

This male dancer needs to work on his technique or something!

I was just so proud, but promised Callista I wouldn't cry (she claims I cry at EVERYTHING!!!!)

Ryan presented the girls with flowers at the end of the night.  Now they get a week off, thank goodness!

End of the School Year

The 2013-2014 school has come to an end.  I have enjoyed having all 3 of my kiddos at the same school, and am sad that this will never be the case again.  

Callista had a fabulous year in 1st grade with Mrs. Cihlar.  She helped Callista realize that it's OK to take a risk, and not be such a perfectionist.

Ryan had an awesome year in 3rd grade.  This is the first year he actually received letter grades.  We are so pleased that he earned straight A's for the entire year.  He was awarded a plaque for reading over 500,000 words this academic year, and a trophy for his straight A's.  Awesome Job!

Sigh!!!!  She's off to middle school.  I am not ready for this....but she sure is.  This is beautiful Chloe on her Promotion Day.  She got really good at walking this path that morning as she kept getting called up to the stage.  She got an award for reading over 3 million  words this academic year, for getting straight A's all 4 quarters, the Barack Obama Presidential Award for getting Straight A's every year since 3rd grade, and she was 6th Grade girl chosen out of all her peers to receive the American Legion Award.  What an honor and accomplishment.  We are so proud of you, and love your "I'm so embarrased" smile!

 Chloe and DeeDee Phillips, Principal, Thunderbolt ES

We couldn't have made it through this school year without Rachelle Watts.  What a great friend she has been to Chloe.  She brings out the charismatic side of Chloe in school...(we all know she isn't quiet at home), which we greatly appreciate.  Thank you Rachelle!!!

It's been a busy school of projects, reports, and tests.  We are SO ready for summer break!