Long but funfilled week

wow, it's been a few days... I've been trying so hard to keep up, but it's been a really busy week! On Tuesday, we went to Animal Kingdom with Carrie and Chris. I earned some Disney tickets from singing at Epcot this past Christmas season, so what better time to use them! Lots of fun, but very crowded.

Here are some fun pics from that day...

Self portrait on the dinosaur ride


Will and Anna on the dinosaur ride...

Me and Carrie

Me and Anna

Anna in her minnie mouse ears with Will in front of the tree of life...

Carrie and Chris

On Wednesday, Carrie and Chris ventured out by themselves to Universal while the rest of us went on business as usual. I taught my Sign and Sing class, took Aiden to his Kindermusik class, and then went back later on in the afternoon and taught our Family Kindermusik class. Busy day...

Today, Carrie joined me at Kindermusik to check out what I do. It was really fun having her there to sing and play, and I think she had a great time with all the babies and toddlers! Then later on in the day, my sis and mom came by to see Carrie...

Here's a pic of Carrie with my mom and Brandon...

Tonight was a Mom's Night out, so Carrie and I joined the girls at the movies, and saw - Music and Lyrics (with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore). It was surprisingly good!!!!!! I loved it! We captured a pic before we left...


Now I'm SO tired and want to go to bed... (I just couldn't let myself get through another day without blogging..it's addictive!)

Love, Holly

Some major bonding going on!

We just couldn't get enough of the Diamonds this weekend! haha! Kayla wanted to come over to play, so it ended up being a fun visit with them on Sunday afternoon evening.

The boys bonded together for really the first time.

The girls played a lot, and then enjoyed some popcorn and a movie!

We all had spaghetti for dinner....

and then it was time to get ready for Carrie and Chris's visit! They got in very late last night, so the kids didn't even get to see them until this morning.

It didn't take long before Carrie was invited into a fun game of Princess Wishes...

We had a nice day down at Lake Eola today... The weather was gorgous...

Here's Me and Carrie....

Here's Aiden!

Me and Anna....

Tomorrow we are off to Animal Kingdom. Should be lots of fun! Stayed tuned for more pics!

Nighty night,

Holly

Hitting the stores!

The last couple days have been fun! Yesterday Aiden and I met up with Rachael and Seth to look for some things at Old Navy. Even though to most, this wouldn't seem like such a big deal... Rachael and I find ourselves so busy with our Kindermusik business, that most of the time when we see each other lately, or talk on the phone, it's Grow and Sing Studios related. It was SO nice to just get together with my FRIEND and have a shopping trip. It was quite a successful shopping trip actually, we found some really cute stuff, and I even remembered to snap a picture!

Rachael and Seth in the dressing room

As most of you know, between my Kindermusik birthday party business and Will's event video business, we don't see each other a whole lot on Saturdays. Today was no exception. Will is out shooting a wedding... so the kids and I met up with the Diamonds at Lakeshore learning for their craft day. It was very sweet. Anna, Aiden and Kayla got really into making their chickens.

Aiden working hard...

Kayla and Anna concentrating....

What a fun Saturday activity!

and here are the finished products!

Aiden showing off his work of art...

Here's Anna and Kayla's beauties....

Well, as we head into Saturday evening and Sunday, we are excited and eagerly anticipating the arrival of one of my best friends, Carrie and her new hubby Chris. They are arriving late Sunday night and staying for a week. Carrie was one of my roommates at FSU, and we have been friends for a Loooooooong time. I was just a bridesmaid at her wedding in New York. I can't wait for some great quality time that we'll get this week and also getting to know Chris better as well.

Okay, I'm off to play games with my beautiful Anna, while Aiden takes his nap... I'm sure there will be more to post soon!

Love, Holly

Valentine's Day II

The day started out without a hitch. It was the first day in a LONG while where I didn't have to get up early to teach Kindermusik, and BOTH kids were going to A Kid's Gym for the morning. Will took them while I leisurely pulled it together, and when Will got home, we had a chance to *clears throat* ummm.....work! LOL. But then, as I was about to process a contract for IFM, the phone rings. It was the very first time we got a call from Anna's school. Apparently Anna's throat hurt and she was having a hard time, so I ran to get her, took her to the doctor, ran back to pick Aiden up, and finally got home. Goodness!

My mom came over to bring the kids some Valentine's Day goodies. The kids were thrilled to see her, and of course to rake in on some gifts!

Here's a sweet pic.


Of course, all I could think about ALL DAY was my dinner out with Will! It was SO yummy, and the conversation was pretty good too ;) .

Here are a couple pics from the evening...

Off to watch Ugly Betty on the DVR. Nighty night all. Wish me luck falling asleep!

Love, Holly

Sleepless in Orlando

Today was lovely, but I was so tired. For whatever reason, last night I just couldn't fall asleep. So I layed in bed watching old 80s movies until about 3am at which time I finally got some zzzzz's. But that made for a very drousy mama Holly today. However, despite that, much was accomplished. I had a lovely meeting with Rachael and Elizabeth in preparation for the next couple weeks of Kindermusik classes. Lots of fun stuff coming up! Then I had a lovely lunch with Rachael at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. I wouldn't normally mention where I eat (well I guess that's not true, I linked to Colorado Fondue a few posts ago. LOL), but there is finally a smoothie place that also has FOOD! It's really yummy and so if you live near one, check it out! Anyway, then I picked up my 5 year old Valentine from school and took the kids over to the park to meet up with my sis, niece and nephew. It was a very windy day, but felt GREAT. Lots of Valentines goodies were exchanged:

We of course snapped some pics....

Tired me with sis Dori and Nephew Brandon (who was lovingly gazing up at me... )



Kayla and Anna. Anna LOVES her new green M& M doll!!

Windy day at the park....Anna, Kayla and Aiden

I was able to work in a nice nap when I got home (THANK YOU WILL!!!!)... and apparantly there was some silliness going on!! Anna made a cute hat at school and here is Aiden wearing it...


Hope everyone had a lovely day and felt the love that surrounds you! Will, can't wait for our romantic fondue dinner tomorrow night! Love you!!!

"If you love the life you live, you will live a life of love" (Unknown)

Love, Holly

Valentine Wish...

Myspace Graphics

My weekend, and then some...

The weekend flew by, and I realized I didn't blog. :) Here I am... so let's see...

First of all, I had the best date with my little girl on Saturday night. Anna and I have season tickets to the Orlando Repatory Theatre, and on Saturday night we went to see Go Dog Go! The play was an adaptation from the Dr. Seuss book, and was SOO cute!! I have never heard Anna laugh so hard at one of these plays before, she loved it, and actually I found myself laughing a lot too. If anyone hasn't gone to The Rep before for the children's series, I highly recommend trying it out. The next show we are going to is Seussical the Musical. Here's the link to the rep in case you are interested... I just love the time Anna and I spend together going to the shows. It's something I will cherish forever.

Carol took a pic for me on her phone, not the best quality...but I love it.


Saturday we met up with my sis, bro-in-law and my niece and nephew at the mall.

Here are Anna and Kayla reading together at Barnes and Noble.


I was SO excited that John Mayer won two Grammy's last night. He SO deserved them, and I was literally applauding in my living room. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So last night I went to a meeting for the Central Florida Partnership of Kindermusik Educators (aka: CFPKE), and was voted in as the new President (aka Local Rep) for the Central Florida Chapter. So, it is my quest to bring all the KM educators in our area together to share ideas and create a camaraderie that helps us all not feel so isolated in our own little worlds. Not an easy quest since this chapter currently reaches out to a HUGE area (tampa, daytona, etc. etc.) It's hard to convince everyone that it's worth getting together. All I can say to that, is, I went to the National KM convention in November and it was one of the most valuable and inspiring experiences I have in very long time. I'm really excited about my new position, but also know that it's going to be quite a challenge. But hey, you know me, I'm ALWAYS up for a challenge!!!

Oh, and when I was at my meeting, Will was up to no good.. He snapped this pic. If you have seen Animal House, you'll get this picture. LOL! Actually, here's a side by side comparison:



Today was Anna's dance class, and I snapped a pic of her in her taps before she went into class. What a cutie pie!



Tonight, after dinner, I was laying on the couch just relaxing (the first time ALL day), and both kids climbed up on me to cuddle. Will was able to capture it! Enjoy!!!






I wasn't expecting much for Valentines day because of my wonderful John Mayer concert surprise, but I'm excited that Will and I are going to dinner at Colorado fondue on Thursday night to spend some nice time together. Yummy, Can't wait!!!

So, now I'm off to finish doing lesson plans for next week (we are off this week which is a nice little mini-break), and then going to watch Heroes - AWESOME SHOW!!!!!!!!! Have a perfect evening everyone.

Love, Hol

Need your opinion!!

My friend Kristin took great pictures of Aiden for his 2 year pictures, and I need help deciding what to pick. Thought I would share them with my blog readers so check out the pictures on her smugmug account and let me know what you think! I also just wanted you to see Aiden's adorable punim!

BTW, if anyone reading this lives in the Orlando area, Kristin takes great pictures at reasonable rates, so call her! :)

Meet the cousin

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting one of Will's first cousins for the VERY first time. Yes, Will and I have been married for 8 1/2 years, and I just met Cousin Pete for the first time. He was in town for a conference from Virginia at the Florida Mall hotel, so we headed out there to eat dinner with him. Of course I snapped some pictures of the occasion (who knows if we'll have to wait another 8 1/2 years to meet him again!).

Why the first time? Well, Will has a HUGE family!!! Will's mom has 3 brothers who had a total of 10 children (all Will's first cousins on Molly's side), who have almost all had kids... Out of everyone, until yesterday, there were TWO left that I hadn't met. Now we are down to one, Cousin Chris. We'll have to make sure a meeting happens before our 10th wedding anniversary!!! LOL! Anyway, we had a great visit and Cousin Pete is a really nice guy!

Here we are...


Of course I had to snap pics of my cuties


After dinner we all took a stroll over to M&M's world. Anna WAS very happy about that!

This and that...

How can it be Wednesday night? I haven't blogged in a few days. What to say? I talked to a very old friend (well, he's not actually THAT old...haha) who I haven't spoken too in quite a long time, and it was like we had spoken the day before. Joe, it was GREAT talking to you, and I look forward to our next conversation soon! :)

On Monday is was "watching day" at Anna's dance class... I watched her practice her tap, and let me just say, that girl has rhythm. I was so proud of her! She just had the biggest smile on her face the whole time, knowing that I was watching, and every so often she would look up at the window at me, and wave just to make sure I could still see her. It was so sweet. She has come a long way, as last year, she was the shy one in the bunch. Not this year!!! Will and I are still in shock that we had to call her new Elementary School today to find out when Kindergarten registration begins. How in the world is that possible that we are getting her ready to go to Kindergarten!!!!! OMG!

So yesterday, Will quietly called me into the foyer, to show me the sweetness he was witnessing. He was able to get a picture.

Lucy our beagle and Sam D. Cat having a little snooze together...


Okay, Will and I are about to watch the "worst of the worst" American Idol auditions. Should be quite amusing and painful to my ears.

Until next time...

Celebration.......

What a nice weekend! Aside from the fact that we all are still fighting these colds and virus' going around it was a great weekend. We celebrated "Kindermusik style" for Aiden's 2nd birthday. I think everyone had a great time. Aiden sure did! Here are a few pictures from the occasion...

Aiden checking out his birthday cake.....



Mommy helped blow out the candle


Will, Anna and I got Aiden his own Thomas train to ride on... and he LOVES it!


It was really fun being able to do a Kindermusik party for our friends and family. Rachael and I spend many a weekend helping others in the Orlando area celebrate with their families. It was such a joy to do it for my own. Everyone got really into it too!! What fun! :)

Will's parents of course were in town for the birthday party, and requested that we try to get a picture of the 6 of us... well, of course we didn't think of that until today, when there wasn't anyone else around to take the picture for us... so we finally had to figure out how to work the timer on our camera.. here is Will making sure the timer was working



and here is the picture we were able to capture!


I know the rest of the country is watching the SuperBowl right now.. but okay, I admit it, I could care less. The Prince half time show was pretty good though. He is quite a performer, and to do it in downpouring rain.. well, all I can say to that is WOW!

Will and I are still fighting these colds... I'm still standing though a little scratchy, so I'm whipping up another batch of Matzoh Ball soup. YUM! It's time to finish that up so I can have some! It IS Jewish Penicillin, and it works!

Have a wonderful evening everyone... and I'll be posting again soon.

Love, Holly

Here comes the weekend!!!!

It's Friday!

We woke up and Anna got dressed for school. Today at school was their pajama party... so Anna wanted to pose for the camera to show off her attire. She was also told to bring a favorite blanket (Anna chose one that I sewed for her, with Ballerinas on it), and a favorite stuffed animal (she chose a bear that her daddy got for her).






After we got Anna off to school, I took Aiden to My Gym for his last class as a 1 year old!! :) Here are some pictures from that!

Playing some b-ball


He LOVES riding the train


Working on jumping, he LOVES the trampoline


Aiden and I at My Gym


Then we got home, and later on in the day... Anna helped me get the favor bags ready for the party tomorrow. She was big help!





Aiden came down from his nap and got in on the act.....


Tomorrow is going to be so much fun! Nighty night all...

Love, Holly