Running in a Million Directions at Once

We are really getting the hang of this multiple activity thing.  Case in point, last Saturday we had a full day that was carefully planned out and the slightest miscue could result in catastrophe - well not really but it could upset a 4 or 10 year old.

Our day started at the baseball field - where Adam has been doing very well.  He's gotten better at stopping the ball and his hitting is improving.  Now if we could just get him to stay on his side of the field we'll be ok

After that I had an appointment, Grace had black belt karate class and Adam had a birthday party to attend.  Things did overlap a bit and I forgot to factor in other people.  But it all worked out as we split duties and everyone got where they needed to be.

The final destination for the day was the Kannapolis Intimidators game where Grace would be singing the National Anthem with the Odell Chorus.  They did a great job!  And we had fun at the game.

By the time it was all said and done we covered a lot of ground and still made it home in time to watch the All-Star race!

Good Intentions

I started this blog with good intentions - I was going to share pictures and stories about the things going on in our corner of the world but guess what I've been too busy enjoying our corner of the world that I don't get to update the blog; It's not that I don't want to.

So rather than fill you in on every single detail of the last, gulp, 5 months here's the highlights

Grace - earned straight As on her 2nd quarter and 3rd quarter report cards; became a black belt in karate; started golfing again

Adam - enrolled in kindergarten which begins in August; continues swimming; started playing baseball

Of course we've done a few things since our trip north at Christmas - we played in the February snow, we went to the beach in March and we spent Easter at the beach.  Here we are now in May - 4 weeks of school left.

Here's a couple pictures from the past few months.

Achievements and Accomplishments plus a little fun

This post is all about catching up with photos.  I forget that everyone is not on Facebook so I tend to skip the blog updates.  So here goes:

Halloween - Adam was a Ninja Turtle and Grace was Mordecai from Regular Show

Shortly after Halloween Grace received her report card for the first quarter.  She had three A's and one B which put her on the Honor Roll.  Right after that we received a notice that Grace was invited to the award ceremony for the UNC Research Institute Art Contest that she had entered over the summer.  To our surprise she won first place in the 4th - 8th grade category.  The topic was Keeping Your Neighborhood Healthy.

Thanksgiving was spent at home.  This year the kids made the pumpkin pie!!

As I've mentioned before Grace made the We R Odell chorus and this weekend was her first performance.  They sang at the Cox Mill High School Christmas Bazaar.  She was pretty awesome.  Can you spot her in the photo?

When the performance was over we walked around and took a moment to visit with Santa.  Adam told the big guy exactly what he wanted while Grace informed us that she wrote him a letter and that he knows what she wants.  Thank God only Mom and Dad know Santa's address.

Sunday, Adam went to a birthday party at a local stable.  He never took to the horses when Grace was riding, but he was all about getting on that horse with his friends.

So now we are all caught up.  Grace turns the big 1-0 this Friday and then we have Christmas and Adam's birthday on the horizon.  Thanks for checking out our blog.  I really promise to do better.

Is September Over Already?!?

Here we are starting the last quarter of the year.  I can't believe it's October 1st.  Of course that mean's I have slipped and did not post a thing about the month of September so here is an update on all things Buckelew.

Grace had a pretty good month.  She continues in karate and is about to test for her high red belt.  She auditioned for and made We R Odell Chorus.  They will perform at a few events in December including at Ronald McDonald House and a local retirement home.  Golf is still her favorite and she is doing well.  After not practicing her driving skills for a few weeks she hit a couple 75 yard shots; soon she might get to do a short round as her short game is great.  And finally this past week she received her mid-term report for the 1st quarter.  She was nervous and I have no idea why - she brought home a 95 in English, a 97 in Math, a 99 is Social Studies and a 94 in Science.  Hopefully the next four weeks will go just as smooth.

Adam is doing great.  He is officially in Pre-K at Tutor Time.  He is working hard on his letters, numbers, shapes and all things he needs to know for kindergarten.  Each day they get a color code on their chart to let parents know what kind of day he's had - so far mostly greens (which is good) with a couple yellows and oranges.  Let's just say the chart is a rainbow and red is BAD while purple is the BEST.  He's also doing well in swimming.  That boy is not afraid of anything (except bugs) and will jump in with his arms spread wide open.  He does keep his instructor on her toes.  And finally he has been playing soccer at school.  They have a group that comes each week and he's been doing great.  To quote the Coach "He is a joy to have in class".

David is still working hard.  If he's not at work you will find him in the garage watching a game, working on a model airplane or picking up the toys that have invaded his space.

As for me, I still burn the candle at both ends and the middle.  Work is busy as we have once again adjusted our focus.  My Mary Kay business continues to grow and I have won some pretty cool prizes lately.  The PTA newsletter is still my project though this may be my last go-round with that.  I'm running out of ideas.  I'm in my last few months as an Executive Council member of the Ladies of Coker but have accepted a spot on the Alumni Board so Coker is still part of my activity roster.

Yeah that's a lot of stuff happening with us.  And now we are in my favorite part of the year - Fall.  If you don't hear from me before - we'll have a new post at Halloween!!

First Day of School

I know, I'm a few days late.  Monday was Grace's first day of fourth grade.  She was very excited about going back to school.  We met her teacher at open house a few days before and learned she'd have lots of new friends in class in addition to a few she hadn't been with since kindergarten.  She also decided that she is going to audition for the Odell Chorus.  We'll keep you posted on that.

So far she loves her teacher and her class.  But we'll see how she really feels next week when the real work and homework start.  Just think next year both kids will be in school!!!

August Happenings

To say we love the beach would be an understatement.  This year we waited a week to go due to schedules and it worked out perfectly.

Our first day was the typical get used to what is onsite and figure out our plan for the weekend.  The next few days were pure fun for the kids and us.  We spent all day Friday at the waterpark and pool.  Adam never meets a stranger and made friends as soon as he hit the waterpark.  Grace on the other hand elected to keep to herself while swimming.

The water slide was a favorite activity for the kids.  Adam couldn't get enough of it and this year did it all by himself.  I just had to get the two of them to do it together for a photo op.

Saturday we spent the day at Broadway at the Beach.  We visited the Ripley's Aquarium, several shops, the Wonderworks Museum and had lunch with Uncle Sammy and Aunt Nancy.  Later that day it was back to the resort for more swimming.

Sunday was another lazy day at the pool.  Between the water park and the lazy river we had a relaxing day.  Of course we couldn't leave without a quick round of golf at the dinosaur mini golf course so Monday before hitting the road, we made our annual stop.

It was a great time for all of us.  We got to relax and enjoy the salt air.  Of course every day since we came home Adam has asked to go to the beach - soon buddy, soon! 

Catching Up

Things sure have been busy since school ended.  So busy that I have not been able to keep this blog updated.  Where to begin.....

Grace's dance recital was held the weekend after school let out.  She was only in one number this year since she only took Pom class.  The best part this year was that she got her year end trophy on stage since this is her 5th year of dance.  Unfortunately she has decided that she is over dance and will not take classes next year.

The weekend after that was my Administrative Professionals Conference.  This is the event that I coordinated.  After 10 months of planning I was so glad for it to be here and of course be over.  The evnt went well and everyone seemed to enjoy the seminars and programs.  I was excited that my chapter won the Best Website award - seeing as I am in charge of our website, I had a reason to be happy.

Once that settled down, it was time for Adam to start swimming lessons.  He loves the pool and we figured it was time for him to learn how to swim.  He did great at his first class.  He was enthusiastic and jumped in with both feet (literally).  This was a big change from when Grace took lessons.

Last week we got to have a long weekend for the 4th of July.  Both David and I had off Thursday and Friday.  We spent the 4th just hanging around the house.  That night we enjoyed the fireworks in the neighborhood - sure fireworks are not legal in NC but our neighbors don't seem to pay attention to the rules.  We just found a spot in our yard and watched.  The kids played with sparklers and had fun.

The rest of the weekend we did our usual errand and things and made our first trek to the neighborhood pool.  It's been open since May but we haven't had time to go.  Adam had a big time at the Kids Waterpark area and after passing the swim test, Grace enjoyed the big pool.

The next fews weeks will be quiet and then we are off to the beach the first weekend in August.  We can't wait.  Until then........