Back to School - Gabriel is a First Grader!

First of all, I can't believe I have a first grader. Secondly, I never thought in a million years we would be homeschooling! I've come a long way from a year ago when we were just "trying out this home school thing." We really see the benefits of getting to educate our son and all the perks that come along with it. We're so happy.

Here is his first day of school picture. He is saluting the new year:



At Sandy Springs "Big Trees Forest Preserve" for play in the creek with one of his homeschool groups.

Our Birthday Bashes

Both Gabriel and I had birthdays the month of August which turned out to be very special.

I plan my own birthday every year, which enables me to get exactly what I want. It's brilliant, I think. I take off from work and off from "home". Normally I get a massage and it's my one time a year luxury, but this year I found a place right around the corner which gives discounts with insurance. With the discount in place, I was able to get a two hour massage at the same rate I was accustomed to paying for one hour. It was so relaxing and still went by so fast. I remember her saying, "Ok, Marcy, we're going to begin." And the next thing I know she is telling me we are done.

Then Jimmy and Gabriel took me to Farm Burger in Decatur to get a good cheeseburger. The day ended with a date with my honey to see a movie, "Eat. Pray. Love." with Julia Roberts. Mixed reviews, but still enjoyed an evening out and being taken on a journey to lands I'll probably never get to go. My birthday continued the following day to Tacqueria Del Sol for lunch...one of my favorite restaurants.






Gabriel turned six - and I can still hardly believe. I wanted to package up the five year old age and keep it my pocket forever. We celebrated with a MythBusters themed party. It's his favorite show so in honor of turning six, we conducted six science experiments with his friends. Of course, we had to do the Mentos and Diet Coke Geyser one and we made a bottle rocket shoot off. I think the kids enjoyed it, but afterward, I asked Gabriel what his favorite part of the party was .... the experiments, dancing, opening presents, or the ice cream? None of those. I was secretly hoping he would say, "It's your marvelous organization skills Mommy," but was taken back when he said, "Playing with my friends." Such a sweetie. Ok, I must remember this for next year....Less is More.....maybe just cake and friends and less hoopla? We'll see....six weeks before his party, I may not be able to resist the planning....it's chronic.

Here's his birthday song. He wanted just ice cream this year - no birthday cake!


Here he is performing his birthday breakdance routine with his friend Kevin:

Sir-Marce-A-Lot, MC Mar-c

I recommend you rap at your next staff meeting!

Giselle is 17 months old

Giselle is quite the handful right now and into...EVERYTHING!!! She crawls up to the kitchen table and generally just wants to do everything herself. Here she is saying her latest word: "Up!

We're waiting for her to learn a new word but for now this and "uh-oh" are her favorites.

Our Very Cool, Hot Summer

It's been a blazing hot summer with the temperatures in the upper 90s almost every day. The heat index says 105° in some cases. But does that slow us down? No! We've had a very productive, fun and cool summer so far .... and it's not over ... I'm planning Gabriel's six year old birthday party. I've been bitten by the planning bug, what can I say? Some other planning endeavors are:

– Next will be a welcoming party for baby Callista for our neighbors Tricia and Corey;
– Then, with the creation of a Facebook group page am making an effort to plan our block party for our FireFox Community this October;
– And will try to organize a group trip to tour inside the Hindu Temple around the corner from us. Jim and Gabriel have called it the "Giant Wedding Cake" for years and we're curious to look inside and maybe learn something along the way.

In addition to my community-oriented organizational efforts, I'm happy to report that I'm making an effort for myself finally too. I'm not doing a strict diet, but being a carb-oholic I am trying to reduce my carb intake, eat more vegetables and work out. Jimmy bought us kettle bells and we work out sometimes in the morning and other times we sneak it in at night. No major weight loss yet, but am feeling more energy and tone to my body. The most exciting part is I bought myself a 10 class dance card at Dance 101 and took my first jazz dance class in years last Saturday. And who do I run into? None other than my old dance teacher and friend Leon Von Brown.
Believe it or not, the studio had been trying to get him to teach there for six years and it was his first day teaching there. It felt like a divine appointment to meet up with our firsts. We used to dance together with the Atlanta Ballet adult program probably 9-10 years ago. This is our non-sweaty selves just before class.

Gabriel and I are fans of the show "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD) and the producer Nigel Lythgoe has helped to begin the first ever National Dance Day. They held the event in Atlantic Station in Atlanta and we went to participate. This year seems to be shaping up to be a year of reunions, firsts and new beginnings.

Speaking of new, we moved Giselle into her brother's room.
They love being roommates and one morning proved it when I overheard giggles and peaked in on them. She was playing "peek-a-boo" and he was laughing and talking with her. It just warmed my heart so much. Jim and I are really enjoying watching them love each other and generally grow up.


We're healthy, happy and feeling really blessed.