Happy New Year 2023

We had a few really nice (fun) offers this year to ring in the new year, but Andre and I felt like doing nothing more than staying home and taking it easy! We rang in the new year with the kids around 9:30 because Everett was getting pretty tired and Clara went to bed shortly after, although she would have preferred to stay up until midnight. She has been doing a great job sleeping in this break, however, Andre and I didn't have it in us. We were close, a solid 11:30 but we called it and got some rest! We had a great time with our party of 4. 

K

New years day we went to the pier to play at the park, visit Corrie at her Gulf Planks store, and grab some food. Perfect outing, great weather!

Xmas 2023

K

Xmas break 2023

We were supposed to meet cousins for the movie above, "Migration". However, there was a change in location via text that I missed so it was just the three of us. Thankfully the kids went with the flow. <3 

I won a "prize" at work. Everyone kept not picking the bowling for ten for two hours, I thought maybe they weren't seeing it!!! ;) Everyone was picking the 10$ gift cards...so finally I won and snagged this beauty!! Liberty Lanes is a bowling alley by my work, once in a blue moon my friends from work and I will grab a drink there, it reminds me of home. The kids can play in the parking lot while we grab a fair priced heavy poured bevy. The Fegers have six and we have four so there's the ten going bowling for two hours. Fun had by all. In total a $140 value compared to the 10$ Starbucks. 

Annual night before Christmas

Fun family competition. Andre beat Dylan after a fight. Dylan did just take on his dad prior and won so he may have been a bit tired. He is determined to never lose to Uncle Andre again. 

Christmas EVE, we put our food out for the reindeer. 

Santa gets a sprinkle loaded cookie AND chocolate milk this year!

Nancy. although moving prior to Christmas, still made time for lasagna for the Feger family. SO delicious, as always! 

Nunu's bday, we sang and each had a mini piece of chocolate chip cookie cake!

Loving time with our Uncle Jeremy!!

Christmas eve opening one present!

Love them!

Nunu in her new duds

Peppa Pig house for Everett - these kids love playing make believe!

Aunt Ana tasked with setting up mouse trap, that was no easy feat, but she conquered! 

Clara never gets excited about clothes. The only clothes she has ever requested is, "I like clothes from Old Navy." This year she asked for long floral dresses. I found some, but got a few additional long dresses. She looks WAY too old! 

Santa listened, she must have been a good girl! We all know she always is. She got the robot she wished for!

Nunu got a ballerina outfit. 

Everett had a peppa pig theme this year!

We watched some oldie but goodies - a little Ernest goes to school and Mr. Bean 

Playing with the medical "kit" - everett "fell" and broke both arms

Some library time! Clara read all 10 books she checked out in one day. We went to fly her new drone in an open field by the library. I guess we should have done that first because she couldn't break away from her books to play with her drone, so Everett and I did. 

Cool gifts from Ana and Lori. We hung out by the pool with Dad and Al for a bit before Ana and Lori had to take off. 

Back to school…2023

First day of school! I can't believe I have a 4th grader and second grader, thankfully not a third grader. I don't know what I'd do if that sweet boy had to deal with third grade this year! It's...a lot. Clara going to a new school. She handled it like a CHAMP! I was super sad not to have my girl with me, both my kids not with me, BUT I'm thankful they're together and at the school they are at for sure!

My true feelings after we pull away. I smile for them but dep down I'm devastated we're not at the same school. It will never feel right not being with my babies. I do feel like this is the best scenario, for now. What I want most is time with them. Having the ESOL position allows me to have less work to take home, which gives me more time outside of school with my kids which is the goal. When I didn't get the job at Madeira (where they go) a few years back, I was devastated. I became a teacher to be with my kids, like I was once with my mom at school. Being with my mom at school gave me a comfort I'll never be able to describe. I knew I'd want to be with my kids and watch them grow, through elementary. I had to let this dream go.  I knew deep down it was for the best somehow, and now I see why I didn't get the job at Madeira. Having the ESOL position gives me the ability to teach kids, which thankfully ended up being a passion of mine and something I'm great at, along with great hours and time off with my own kids.  I took and am posting this ugly cry picture for my kids. So they'll know, although I smile when I pull away, I'm never really happy without them by my side. I love you two SO much!

There's no doubt you two will continue to make me so proud this year as you always do. I'm the luckiest mama in the world!!