Long weekend, ahhh!

It's been a crazy four days!! The kids are out of school, and camp hasn't started yet, so we are all enjoying spending time together. Thursday I took Aiden AND Anna to My Gym, and we all had a blast. I also got a call that same day that our negotiations to add a 3rd Kindermusik location came through. Starting in the Fall, my business is going to offer 20 classes in 3 locations. Holy Moly! I never in my wildest dreams thought that we would grow so fast. But Rachael and I are very open to new and exciting opportunities, and these wonderful ones keep coming. Much more info to come... but now now that is what is going on. I had a LOT of paperwork to do to prepare for the transition of the current Kindermusik program to ours (the current teacher is moving away). But that work is done now, and it's back to my normal work load. Processing Summer camp registrations.

Thursday night my friend Kristin cooked a yummy dinner for a bunch of us and I was out until 1:30am or so....no time to blog that night. That is the same bunch of ladies I'm going on my Mom's Weekend with in 2 weeks! Yey!! I can't wait!

Friday was a big work day. Elizabeth and Rachael came over and we worked on all sorts of Grow and Sing Studios related things. The kids had a great time playing...

Yesterday we took the kids to a birthday party. It was for a now 1 year old who comes to our Kindermusik classes. The kids had so much fun! There were water games outside... here are some pics!

Today, Will braved the stores with me while I did some shopping. I've lost enough weight that I'm finally needing some new clothes. I also decided that I would try on some bathing suits. This was VERY scary for me because even at my thinnest years ago, I HATED wearing a bathing suit. But... with the fact that I don't own one suit that fits, plus that I'm going away with my friends (who will all be wearing 2 pc suits), I decided to at least try. I actually found one that I liked a lot, so I bought it. I had Will take a picture because I honestly don't see myself the way I look now, I see myself that way I looked 20 lbs heavier. It's very hard to see your thinner self when I've been overweight for so long. I am posting it here, mainly because if I can post it here, I can wear it, right? Well, we'll see....

Tomorrow we are going to Kristin's house for a Memorial Day gathering. Dori and the crew are coming too, so it should be fun.

Hope everyone is having a good long weekend! I'll be back on Tuesday with this week's weigh in results!

Love, Holly

Big questions from a little girl...and other stuff

Wow. The other night I was reading to Anna at bedtime, and after we were done, she asks, "Mommy, how did the first person in the world get born if there was nobody there to have them?" I was shocked! Not by the question, but more the fact that it was asked by a 5 year old!

Well how does anyone answer this to a 5 year old, when we really can't officially answer it ourselves?.. well all I can say is, we did our best, and I plan to find a kid version of the Old Testament to share with her, but we let her know that we really don't know for sure. We let her know that many people in the world have different theories (and then we got into the definition of theory), but there is no way to answer the question for sure. I asked her if this was something she has been thinking about for a long time, and she said that she thinks about things like this all the time. wow. Okay so...

Now for my update. The last time I posted was Saturday night, after Anna's dance recital. So, Sunday... Molly and Alan spent the morning with us, so we went to a park for a while. My mom met up with us there as well. Then we went to lunch, and after that Molly and Alan got on the road back to Plantation. We decided to take the kids to see Shrek 3. It was cute!

Monday, swim lessons, kindermusik work, but NO dance class to rush off to. At least not for the Summer.

Tuesday Anna's VPK class had their last "hurrah" at a park. Here's a picture as we were walking to the park. I didn't ask them to hold hands...they did that on their own. I simply slowed down to get this pic.

Then I had my weekly Weight Watchers weigh in! It went VERY well. I lost another 1.8 lbs, for a total of 14 lbs! When you join or return to weight watchers, they ask you to focus on losing 10% of your body weight first because research shows that if you lose that much, you receive many health benefits. Well, I did it!!! I reach my 10% this week!! It was VERY exciting to be there again, and only 5 lbs away from my goal.

Today after the kids had swim lessons, I took them over to the mall to stroll around. I'm in desperate need of clothes, so I wandered into Express. For the last 5 years, Express was NOT a store I would easily go into. Everything always runs small to me. But I did it. AND... for the first time in 5 years I bought shorts. Not cargo, or bermuda's. No, SHORTS, that show my LEGS. It was a pretty hard leap for me, because I have been "hiding" my legs for so long... I also fit into a size I haven't been in since before I was pregnant with Anna. So that is exciting too. Since my friends aren't going to believe me that I actually bought these, here's some proof! :)

Anna was very proud of a drawing she did on her chalkboard. It's a picture of her and Miss Simone during Swim Lessons.

I'm definitely enjoying the relaxed week. Tomorrow I'm taking Aiden to a makeup My Gym class since we missed on Tuesday due to the VPK park day. Then I have a Mom's Night Out. Yey!!!

Nighty night!!!

Love, Holly

GO Anna GO!

We just put Anna to sleep, after such a big weekend, and after reading her a chapter from a Junie B. Jones book, and peacefully tucking her into bed...something happened. Something that TOTALLY reminded me of ME. Anna started to cry, and we just thought she was tired from the craziness of the weekend. But then she said, "I don't want my special day to end...it was the best day ever!". AWWW!!! I used to do that at the end of vacations as a child. So much build up to the excitement, then it happens and then POOF, it's over. But I explained to Anna that if things didn't end, other wonderful things couldn't begin! Poor thing, she's so tired, and just letting all her emotions out now.

So with that as my introduction, here is an account of the past two days!

Friday was a normal day in the morning, she had school. Then she came home, and relaxed while Molly and Alan arrived. We got ready to go to her Pre-K graduation. While we waited in the crowd for Anna to enter, the school projected a slide show with pictures of the VPK class that were taken throughout the year. SO cute! Anna's fan club and cheering section included Me, Will, Aiden, my mom, Jerry, Molly, Alan, Dori, Kayla and Brandon.

They dressed the kids in caps and gowns, and they came marching in to Pomp & Circumstance. So cute!!! We were all asked to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I had NO idea that Anna even knew the pledge. They sang a bunch of songs, including "I believe I can fly". They they each were called to receive their diplomas, and the head of the school moved their tassels over. The biggest cheerer of all in the crowd was Aiden...who couldn't resist clapping for everyone and yelling "yeah yeah!" at any chance he had! Then the kids passed a microphone to each other. It was evident that they had been practicing for this moment. They were supposed to say their name, and what they want to be when they grow up. Anna said, "My name is Anna Lesnick, and when I grow up I want to be a VET." Anna said this with confidence and poise, and we were SOOOOOO proud of her!!!!!! The kids were given parting gifts a plenty, sang a goodbye song... and that was it! I still can't believe she is headed to Kindergarten in just a few short months. Wow, just where does the time go???

After the graduation, we had to rush Anna over to her dance recital rehearsal. Since she missed the actual rehearsal because she was at the graduation, they just got her up on stage to show her where her color was, so she would know where to stand, and that was it! Then were were off to Applebees for dinner. She just impressed us so much at the graduation. She was so funny, kept on waving at all of us and smiling that beaming smile of hers!! Okay, now for the pictures from Friday:

There's our little graduate!


Getting her diploma

Giving hugs to cousin Kayla


Family picture


Anna with Miss Nancy


Today was Saturday, recital day!
Anna was SO excited when she woke up this morning. We encouraged her to relax and conserve her energy for the big show. We got her dressed, did a quick run through of the dance and off we went! Promptly at 1:30pm, Will and I brought her to the stage door. She posed for a few pictures with her friends, gave us both hugs and then said, "I'm ready to dance.", she turned around and off she went! Will and I just looked at each other like "what happened to our shy reserved child?". We were so proud of her and we were so happy she was excited! Thankfully we didn't have to wait long for her number as she was the 3rd group to dance. All I can say is, it doesn't get cuter than that!!! She did an amazing job and definitely knew her stuff. At intermission she was given an award for participation, and we all gave her gifts.

We asked Anna a few days ago where she wanted to go to eat after her recital to commemorate both occasions, and she picked Too-Jays. She likes their chicken fingers and black & white cookies. So after she got changed, off we went! Anna was SO excited, and kept calling today her special day. Anna and Kayla couldn't stop gabbing and laughing, as Aiden took a snooze through most of the meal (which was nice for Will and I!). After that we strolled a bit and went home.

Which of course brings me to where I began....with Anna crying that her "best day" was over. However, we are going to remedy that by taking the kids to see Shrek 3 tomorrow after Molly and Alan leave. I think she will like that.

So.... if you've made it this far, then you deserve to see some pictures!!!!

Doing some last minute primping...

Anna and some of her dance friends


Opening gifts at intermission






Grandpa wearing Anna's bumblebee hat.




At Toojays

Everyone have a GREAT Sunday!

Love, Holly

BIG weekend!

My little girl is graduating from Pre-K tomorrow! Oh my goodness! She keeps asking when she is going to Kindergarten -she is eager to start! But of course first comes camp....which she is also excited about. Well our big weekend is about to begin, with her last day of school, arrival of Will's parents, then her graduation, followed by her dance rehearsal. Then Saturday is the big recital.

Yesterday, Wed... Aiden and I are normally at Kindermusik, but since we are on break for that, I took him to the park. Just the two of us. It was so much fun. Here's the A-man on the swing!


Today I watched Anna at school during Gymnastics. Her confidence has grown so much since the beginning of the year.

Tonight, Anna and I made cookies for her class tomorrow. "Last day of school cookies". She stayed up late and decorated cards for her teachers as well.... and if I didn't know any better, was a bit excited about this weekend...okay A LOT excited. Me too.

Lots to post really soon... "I'll be back". ;)

Love, Holly

Mother's Day Festivities!

What a nice weekend! I hope all moms reading this had a great Mother's Day!

Saturday we took the kids to a birthday party, and then Will was off to shoot a wedding. I hired a sitter, and Dori (my sis) and I went out for dinner, just the two of us to Season's 52. We haven't done that in so many years. We had the best time! We both brought cameras, and were so busy talking until almost midnight, that we forgot to get a picture taken. Oh well!

Today was fun, AND yummy! Everyone let me sleep in, ahh! Then I was greeted downstairs with cards, and gifts from Will and the kids. We ordered food from TooJays. Bagels and lox! Yummmm...one of my favorite things! Everyone came over here, and we just ate and relaxed while the kids played. OF COURSE, I snapped some pictures...and here they are:

The kids were SO excited to see each other, and gave a big hug!

Everyone enjoyed a yummy brunch!

That's me singing to my adorable nephew Brandon

The girls had fun dressing up

Anna gave her Grandma a pair of earrings that she picked out.

Dori, Mom and Me

Dori and I with our beautiful kids

After everyone left, I went upstairs, closed the door and watched chick flicks! It was GREAT! I never get to do that in the middle of the day. So it was a wonderfully relaxing mother's day! :)

This week is Anna's last week of preschool, AND of dance class. I honestly can't believe it. Wow. Her Pre-K graduation is on Friday, and her dance recital is on Saturday. Big weekend coming up!!!!

Have a great week everyone. I'll be back soon!
Love, Holly

Green....

John Mayer posted again about his little project. Check it out:
http://www.johnmayer.com/blog#337

Love, Hol

Losing Weight and Feeling GREAT!

Happy Friday once again everyone! :)

I wasn't able to weigh in on my usual Tuesday at Weight watchers, because of the kid's swim lessons, so I went on Thursday instead. I lost another 1.2 lbs! I'm now down almost 13 lbs. I am feeling SO great. Here are some updated pictures front and side views...

This week we wrapped up our Spring Kindermusik session, so I'm on a "break" for 5 weeks before Summer classes begin. Of course being a business owner, you never REALLY get a break, what with processing summer registrations, returning calls, lesson plans, etc... but at least that is all done in the comfort of my own home. I'm going to have to step up the workouts though because teaching Kindermusik is a GREAT workout! Just when we thought Grow and Sing Studios couldn't grow any more this month, we had a meeting today with a private school in town, and we might be negotiating with them to provide Kindermusik over there in their studio. WHOAH! It's all exciting, but OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

The kids are doing GREAT with their swim lessons. Anna is swimming really well, and Aiden is floating and turning over. I'm really impressed with how far they have come in only 3 lessons. Aiden woke up from his nap yesterday with some SERIOUS bedhead...I had to take a picture:

This should be a fun weekend. Tomorrow we are taking Anna to her friend's birthday party. Then Will has to work, but I have gotten a babysitter, and I'm going out with Dori for dinner. We haven't done that in SO many years that we can't even REMEMBER the last time we went out just the two of us. So I'm really looking forward to it. :)

Sunday is of course Mother's day, and my family is coming over to our place to celebrate with brunch and relaxation. We normally go out, but we all decided that this year, it would be SO much more relaxing to order lox and bagels from TooJays, and chill out. So that's the plan! I of course have to budget my weight watcher points for that! :)

Tonight after dinner, we took the kids to Bruster's Ice Cream for a treat. Everyone ate ice cream except me. I decided to stay within my points and ordered a Diet Coke. Ironically the cup says "Treat Yourself". Well, I have decided to "treat myself" to another successful week on Weight Watchers. That is more a "treat" than any ice cream would be!!!

I wish all you mom's a wonderfully relaxing Mother's Day.

Love, Holly