I need to set aside time to write every week. I have been so busy with life and work that I am lucky to be standing after 5pm on any given day. Both kids have begun daycare at O2B Kids College and love it. Especially Lucca. I am amazed daily at all the new stuff he has learned. He stopped me today to sound out the word “sauce”, because he just wanted to know how to spell it. Abrianna is finally adjusting to her life without Lucca during the day. Girlfriend is very much a drama queen. The second I arrive to pick her up the lip pouts and tears stream. Keep in mind I always spend a few minutes observing her at play where she is perfectly happy.

School is definitely different here but I have the pleasure of working with a great group of people that keep me laughing to say the least. I really enjoy teaching LA all day. I feel like I’m definitely at my best getting to focus on one subject at a time. The students are pretty cool too. If it weren’t for the decrease in pay I’d say that moving here was a perfect idea.

Okay, Lucca and I are spending our last hour together before picking up Pea. He wants to watch “Jason” which is code for General Hospital. Don’t laugh, it’s an action packed show : ) When we return we’re gonna bake a lemon cake I think.

Our vacation was amazing!  We started out with Grandma Bonita and PawPaw (as Abrianna came to call Grandpa), complete with the best trip to Chuck E. Cheese ever (thanks Grandma!). Then we went to visit the most exciting people in Baxley! The Ewaldsens.

I have to say we’ve spent time in a lot of places and we came across the two most amazing families ever. The Ewaldsens are the first. LeeAnne and I live vicariously through each other. Both babies are about two months apart from each other (Lucca and Collin, Abrianna and Emily). We’re both teachers, got married in the same year (even got engaged around the same time) and have great husbands that were meant to be fathers. We are both avid cake bakers (she’s way better…check out her blog emiecakes) and adore our children. Anyhow…it is so sad that we only get to see them about once a year so we look forward to our time with them. We spent a lot of time in the pool, at the various playgrounds Baxley has to offer and in the kitchen. Our kids felt like they were right at home which made everything so much better. I could actually relax and not worry that they were breaking something. Except for the fine crystal faucet in the bathroom that Abrianna pulled off ; ). Word on the street is that Pea is no longer allowed to bathe at their house per John Paul. I bet he’ll change his mind once he gets a whiff of one of her diapers… Back to the point, these are people that I strive to be like, open, generous and lots of fun. I can’t wait to see them again.

Next we were welcomed to Grandma Lori and Grandpa Nino’s house. We started out at the pool (where Abrianna was happy to leave her mark in their bathroom…do you see a trend?). On Saturday Lucca got his fill of Monkey Joes for a while. We don’t have anything like that here in Gainesville so he really looks forward to getting to GA. Then it was great to just hang out with the family before heading back to Jacksonville for our flight to Colorado.

Grandma Bonita was kind enough to drive us to the airport for our flight. She got us there so early we were able to actually get on the earlier flight for the morning. As soon as we got on the plane, Lucca announced “Colorado, here we come!”  And this is where I have to stop because I am being poked in the eye and getting lots of “help” with my typing. So maybe tomorrow I can finish Colorado, or at least start. FYI: It’s the best place ever!!!

I am taking a quick break to update ya’ll on our summer plans : 0 We’re leaving to go to Orange Park for a day then off to Baxley! I can’t wait to see LeeAnne and her crew. Lucca is so excited to see his buddy Collin and I can’t wait for Emmy and Abrianna to play together. I hope my little princess isn’t too sassy.

After that we’re off to our old stomping ground, HOTlanta. Okay…Dacula but it’s close enough. We’ll get to see family and catch up with the peeps we didn’t get to say good-bye to. (Sorry Christy!) Then we get to go to Jax to fly out to Colorado!!!

Lucca is probably most excited about this portion of the trip. He thinks the place is made of icecream and playgrounds. Not to mention that you have to take a plane to get there. What could be better than that?

We wrap up our trip by spending a week with the Scruggs side of the family in Michigan at a reunion and resort (http://www.nettiebay.com/). So look for twitter updates and pics. When I get home I’ll post pics!!!

Check us out!

Hello world! I am in entering my third week as a Florida resident. I am certainly beginning to like it here more and more. Could it be because of my husband’s presence? Even though he is locked away in the back room right now working on the finishing touches of the film, it is great to have him home. We got to do all sorts of fun things this week.

We started off by driving straight down Archer Road to Cedar Key. Literally it was straight down, no turns (until you get into the town but that doesn’t count). This was a very cute spot to hang out for a while. There is a playground on a little spot of the beach. Although I have to say that the genius that put wood mulch on the playground should be shot. Kids playing at the beach generally don’t have shoes on, and when they’re 1 and 3 their attention span is very short. With this the kids can’t decide whether they want the beach or the playground at any moment. So yeah…NO MULCH that could possibly cause splinters.

Then we went to a museum on campus that is free (minus the $3.00 parking fee!) and the Butterfly Rainforest. Lucca and Abrianna had a blast. The museum has fossils, a cave, and a million other cool things to browse and experience. We loved it so much we joined. With the student discount it was reasonable and now we get to go to all of the “paid” exhibits for free and the Butterfly Rainforest. Speaking of which is majestic. Lucca attracted the most friends to land on him. It was all so beautiful until we got kicked out. Abrianna found a lolipop in my purse and any candy (or food) is strictly forbidden. Try explaining that to her. So the man, who I swear I just saw tossing back a snack, told us we had to go until she was done. Doesn’t he know that we are proud donors of the museum? Maybe if he knew who he was talking to….Thanks. So we just went home and rested. Good thing we are members  or else I would have been really upset!

Thursday I did the one thing I have been dreading…picking out a preschool for my babies. They’ve always been at home with a sitter or one of us. I know it isn’t horrible for them to be socialized or learn something it’s just all of the diseases and lack of control. Okay I admitted it, I have control issues. Anyhow we found an amazing place for them that is going to be perfect. Lucca and I took a tour (his second time) and hung out in his prospective classroom. The teachers were amazing and full of life, and patience. So we signed both kiddos up for August 17th. Lucca doesn’t quite understand this because he wants to go to his school NOW! It is so cute!

Friday was supposed to begin Lucca’s swimming lessons but “severe weather” got in our way. We had to wait in the laundry  mat to meet the instructor. I hope Lucca likes it and cooperates for the guy. I am saying a little prayer. By the way I would like to know who taught this dude to call people a dork. It is a regular part of his vocabulary now. Okay dork? You’re a dork? Hey dork! etc… Really? Or the “just a second!”…I told him that was a bad phrase and if he said it again…so this morning it was “in five minutes…” Can’t say he is stupid. Very creative just like his daddy.

And now for my news…no job yet. I know it the burning question on everyone’s mind. I am working very hard at it. I did have an interview and I am patiently awaiting a response. I say patiently but I mean going crazy! I am starting to wonder if the principal thinks I’m a stalker from all of my e mails. I’m not, just want to know what to plan on for my family. On Monday I’m dressing up and heading out to the schools personally. Really how could you say no to this face?  So you’ll know as soon as I do when I have things worked out. Things are a little slower here than they were in GA. It’s crazy that Friday was their last day of school here.

Alright I think I have met my quota for the day. Will write more soon when things liven up around here!

Welcome to Gainesville, FL! I am finally reunited with the family…well most of them anyway. Vinny is in KY @ Spalding working on his MFA until June 1st. It is weird being here again as an adult with kids. I still feel like I am only visiting for a day or two. Hopefully it’ll sink in soon that this is permanent. This is an awesome location to be in during the summer. There are several places to go for a day trip or just over night. If you ever visit North Florida you should definitely check them out. I’m thinking our first trip will be next Monday! Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, Poe Springs…just to name  a few.

I have a job interview on Tuesday for middle school. I know all of my elementary friends probably think I am crazy but I am super excited. Language Arts is my favorite thing to teach. I love inspiring children to read and encouraging them to dig deeper in their comprehension of what they read. Then there is writer’s workshop!!! The kids produce the most amazing writing when you give them a chance to see how creative they really are. Many of my students had never experienced such a focus on writing but soon fell in love with that hour of the day. The best part is that it is easy to monitor their progress because you can compare samples. Anyhow I know that it is official that I am a big dork, but I do love my job. I would be even more stoked if I got to teach my favorite subject all day to an “older crowd”.

I am off to unpack my bedroom. It is the last frontier. Vinny left it for me (which was a wise choice because I would have had to just re-do it all anyway!) Have a great week! Will write more later!

Vinny and the kids surprised me with a quick visit this weekend. It was a lot of fun and it made me want to be with my babies even more. Lucca defied gravity last night at the mall (when I get a chance I’ll upload the pic). Let’s just say I don’t think he’ll have any issue with roller coasters! Abrianna is just so sassy and cute, you can’t help but laugh around her. To ease the pain of my family leaving, I went out with the girls to the mall. I got a new pair of capris and shorts but they are currently in the dressing room of Nordstrom. I just hope the folks there are more honest than the Chinese lady @ Sun Garden. (long story). We’ll see. I am off to bathe and prepare for tomorrow mentally. Only 8 more days of school!

Lots of things are going on in my world. Today marks the final day of testing. I have one student that the proctor and I keep wanting to put a mirror under his nose to make sure he is breathing! It is SO ANNOYING! Everyone else is finished and that child is counting ceiling tiles.

My house is in shambles, thanks to packing. It is taking everything in me not to dump everything in a box and call it a day. But I am going to be a trooper and keep on organizing and ONLY packing the things we need.

With our garage sale money we were able to buy Abrianna her bed set and me some new sheets. Lori gave us this amazing comforter but we didn’t have sheets to match, which has been driving me CRAZY! Luckily we found a set with 2 sets of sheets for $69, for a KING that is amazing since that is how much one set costs. I even looked at slumming and getting the t-shirt sheets that pill up after the first wash and they were $45, so I am proud of my deal.

Moving day is next Tuesday and we get the truck on Friday. Vinny gets 22 days alone with the kids while I finish out the school year. Pray that I find a job at a great school soon!

Last but not least, look out for more info on Vinny’s film! We had the final test screening last night. If you haven’t already, sign up for the mailing list so you can stay updated.
www.aninconvenienttax.com

I am so glad to have a vacation! I am trying to balance in my head how to have fun with the kids and get the house in order for the move. Vinny is helping but submersed in the final stages of the film. I figure now is the time to do my part because he gets to set up the apartment while finish out the school year here. (only 46 more days, including weekends)

We are so excited about moving to a new place and down sizing. It is amazing how much crap you accumulate throughout the years! Then deciding what to keep and get rid of is a whole different battle. Our garage sale area is piling up which is good, if it all sells. 

I feel like I am just rambling now. I’ll write more when I have more interesting news to share…

Jess

PS What do you think of this bed set and shower curtain (the bed set would be for Abrianna)

On my list of goals was to write at least weekly here but man! I will certainly catch up on all of my technology soon. We are very much on the verge of our move and I can barely wrap my head around all there is to do. I just twittered about LeeAnne and how she should be my Sou Chef for Spiderman, I’d love her decluttering skills too! She’d make sure that we left with nothing but the necessities. I am off to finish my latte so I can watch a movie. Any time I want to do anything alone it has to be after 9! Talk to ya’ll soon…Lucca’s birthday is Saturday, can’t wait!!!

For the past month or so we’ve been without Direct TV. This has provided me with an amazing opportunity to be blissfully ignorant about what is going on in the world. I don’t have to hear how stupid the president (or amazing depending on the channel) is, celebrity gossip, or any other meaningless, time wasting material. I am not saying that we don’t need the TV, I am definitely missing General Hospital and Top Chef but I’ve just been watching movies instead.

We were so ready for something new to watch so we hit the $5.00 bin at Wal-Mart. Out we came with Ghost Busters! Lucca is completely in love and now I remember why I loved it so much as a kid. I’ve decided that there needs to be a Ghost Buster’s 3. I hope they have all the original cast members. This time Will Smith can sing the theme song, I am definitely ready for one of his catchy tunes. Okay, I don’t have nearly enough time to write because Abrianna is pulling me (literally) away from the computer.