Where has the week gone?

Man, what a week this has been. Between Luiza starting school, all the programs that I oversee at the Salvation Army starting up, working at the doctor's office, and taking care of all the other little things, I looked up and BOOM, it was Thursday.

Well, Luiza is having a blast at school. She absolutely loves it. Apparently she was ready. Monday, she came home telling me that she was mad she didn't get to swim. I really wanted to say "I told you so!" but I thought that might not be the best choice of words to use. So I opted for "remember how we talked about preschool not being a place where you swim?" She was not so fond of that answer anymore than if I had said I told you so. Then Wednesday, she was ticked that she didn't get to paint. I reminded er yet again that school is for learning LOTs of things, not just painting. See you have to understand that her teacher is my best friend, and a person that has spoiled Luiza to death with anything and everything she has ever wanted!!!!! So for Luiza to tell Anne that she wants to paint, and for Anne to tell her that painting comes later is a total foreign concept to her. But it is one that she is learning. She really seems to like all the kids, and I can already tell a difference in how she carries herself. She's becoming such a grown up little girl. (I'm not sure I like this....I think I still want my little baby back)

Next Monday she starts going 3 full days a week. In the morning she will continue going to her normal American preschool, then in the afternoon she will be going to her new Chinese preschool right across the hall. I know, I know, you are probably reading this, and going back and rereading that line, but let me tell you , you read it right. My little Rushkey is going to be learning Chinese. It has been a program that has been in the works now for 4 years, Oakland county being the only one, aside from the pilot school in Lansing, where this is offered. Currently Luiza's preschool is the only one right now that is offering it for this age group. So after much thought, prayer, and research, I decided to give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I've already talked with the teachers and told them I would pull her out, but Luiza is tickled pink to start her Chinese class because she thinks Mulan is her teacher. (for those of you reading this that may not know who Mulan is, she is an Asian character from a Disney movie that Luiza just adores.) Hey, if that is what she wants to think, I say go for it!!!!!!!!!

Well, I'm going to head off to bed. Talk to you soon.

Blessings!

Guess Who Started Preschool Today?

(Well here she is, my little preschooler!!!!!!!!)

If you guessed me, you were wrong...It was Luiza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My baby is a preschooler. I can't believe it. She was such a big girl. Walking up to the school, I had tears in my eyes just thinking of how far my little girl has come. And now here she was holding my hand walking in to her new school for an amazing adventure. She had a great time, meeting new friends (15 according to her) playing outside, coloring, learning new songs, and just having a blast. Both her teacher and I really expected her to be the observer, especially during this first week. Well, we could not have been more wrong.....apparently she was quite the social butterfly, playing with all the kids, and making the ones that were having a hard time, feel at ease. What a great feeling to know that my child has a heart, and a gift for reaching out to hurting kids. IT made my heart swell when her teacher told me that.

I'm so proud of you Luiza. Thank you for being such a big girl, I love you.

The Dreaded "D" word

This is a picture of Luiza took of me at the cottage this past weekend, not bad for a little girl who could barely hold the camera up.

OK, well I officially started my diet today. (see I told you it was the dreaded "D" word. ) I was doing so good a few months back, but then I through my back out, and I never got back on track. Bad Sarah, bad, bad Sarah. But now I am ready to go for it again. I love the show Biggest Looser, and since it started last night, I am so excited to be "dieting" right along with them. I figured if I put it out there in blog land that this is what I was doing, I would have a more people to be accountable too. If any of you out there would like to join in the weight loss crusade with me, please do. We can do it together, exchange healthy recipes, possibly meet as a group for a walk or bike ride, encourage each other and be each other's alli's. I think it would be fun, and being accountable to others is a great way to stay motivated.

OK, enough about that, let's talk about something FUN!!! How about scrapbooking? I'm putting this out here as a reminder for those of you that ignore your emails, this Friday is scrapbooking at the Salvation Army, please let me know if you will be able to attend. Also, I am taking "reservations" if you will for the Scrapbooking Retreat, Oct. 19th & 20th. (marcie, I know you are reading this...you better come) It is going to be a very relaxing, enjoyable, productive, memorable, and exciting weekend. I hope that all will be able to attend. Invite a friend, or bring a family member, but what ever you do, do not miss out on this. There are fun things planned for the weekend, but there is still PLENTY of time to accomplish projects and layouts gallore. Sign up is going on right now, if you need more details please email and I will answer all your little questions.

I also wanted to draw your attention to a new link I added to my "Favorite Blogs" section to the left...My friend Niki Bakeman is the most AMAZING photographer I have come across. Her eye for design is amazing, and enthusiasm is contagious. If you want beautiful pictures of your family, your kids, you alone, your pets, whatever, than go here. I'm telling you you will not be disappointed. When Luiza and I had our pictures taken we went to the gardens of Cranbrook. Holy Smoke. Amazing.

Well I think that is all for today. Talk to you tomorrow.

Blessings

I'm Back..

(don't you just love the new fake 4 year old smile?)

Well happy belated Labor Day to everyone out there in blog land. I hope you all had a great time enjoying the time off. I had a BLAST!! Luiza and I went up to the cottage, and let me tell you we could not have asked for a better weekend (well, it would have if I had remembered my bathing suit, but I'm sure the people around me were thrilled I forgot it) I won't go into detail, but I will give you a run down:

BBQ Ribs

Sun

Scrapbooking outside

Homemade Ice Cream

Boat Rides

Momma Julia's Rolls

A Prime Rib birthday dinner

Falling asleep watching the Food Network

Catching frogs

Swinging on the swing

Double Chocolate Birthday cupcakes made from scratch

Feeding the "swans" - really just a swarm of sea gulls that appeared

Driving the tractor

Cleaning up the seaweed - yes, I find this extremely relaxing fun to do, not to mention my only form of exercising I do while there.

Watching Luiza jump off the dock

Luiza and Papa Fishing

Luiza and Gramma J making pancakes

All of us enjoying one another's company

We really did have so much fun. Here are a few pictures from the weekend, and since I was not here for Favorite Photo Friday, consider a few of these my entry.

Talk to you soon

Blessings