Wednesday, August 29, 2007

National Jr. Beta Club

Kayla has been invited to join her school's branch of the National Jr. Beta Club. Only those in 5th grade who received only 2 Bs on their report cards for the entire 4th grade year are invited to join. The club promotes leadership and community service. It is a very high honor to be invited to join.

Congratulations to Kayla! We're so proud of you!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Transformers - More Than Meets the Eyes

On Saturday night the whole family went to see the movie Transformers with some free tickets. (A special shout out to Mrs. Sessions for making that possible.) We weren't sure if Alex would make it through the whole 2 1/2 hour movie but he did.

The movie was full of action and fast moving. Logan thought it was even cooler than Spiderman 3 (we saw that at the IMAX!). Logan sat next to me during the movie and I got to hear all the exciting comments he made during the movie. All the that's cool! and that's Optimus Prime and that's Bumblebee. I have that decepticon.

Even Alex liked it, in fact after the movie all he would say was "I loved that movie." Of course the rest of us (Phil, Kayla and myself) all gave it a big thumbs up as well. We were glad to have experienced it in the theaters and will definitely add it to our dvd collection.

If you haven't seen the Transformers yet you should. As it says in their theme song - "Transformers - more than meets the eyes." That is definitely true!

Athletics First Scrimmage Game

Last night was the Athletics (the team Logan plays for) first scrimmage game against the Red Sox. The scrimmage was moved up a week and a half due to an earlier opening day. Despite that the team (from Phil's account) did okay. This is the first season Logan will play where he'll actually be thrown out. He did hit off the tee at both of his at bats but was thrown out due to the way he was positioned at the tee. Good thing he was the last batter because he didn't return home after getting thrown out but continued running all the bases.

I can't wait to see how much the team improves as the season continues.

Monday, August 27, 2007

A Possible Change for Kayla

As Kayla gets older her desire to try new things increasing. Although that means giving up old things as we only have so much time and money. Kayla now wants to try Tai Boxing instead of gymnastics for the next three months. Tonight she is going to watch the Tai Boxing class to see if that is truly what she wants to do. This has been a very difficult decision for Kayla to make.

We've told Kayla the older you get the more decisions you have to make. Often the decisions we make are hard. We did tell her if she chooses to do Tai Boxing and doesn't like it then in 3 months she can go back to gymnastics or try another athletic activity. Maybe she'll go back to do dance? One never knows.

Reiniche Family - Busy!

I think I can honestly say I'm getting a small taste of what the next 15 years have in store for us. Now all three kids are involved in extracurricular activities and you pair that up with Phil taking his Masters classes then you can pretty much say - home, we have one?

Monday (except this week) is one night we're all home. But not tonight - tonight is Logan's Tball's teams first scrimmage of the year. Kayla is checking out a new activity as well (more on that later).

Tuesday - Phil and Alex have rookie tball practice. Phil is coaching Alex's team now. Kayla is havign to help because without a little extra attention we can't get Alex to stay on the field for long. He really just wants to hit the ball. Meanwhile at another location Logan has his tball practice and I'm the team mom.

Wednesday - All the kids are home but Phil has his class from 5 pm to 9 pm. So the kids, the dogs and I are all at home hanging out and weather permitting the kids are in the pool.

Thursday - Logan has tball practice and Kayla has gymnastics. I have once a month a service unit meeting for two hours. Then in 6 weeks Phil has his Masters class.

Friday - Logan has tball games until the middle of October on Friday nights. One Friday night a month Kayla and I are at the Junior troop meeting. (This year I'm the troop leader).

Saturday - Logan and Alex both have tball games. Luckily none of these are at the same time. Kayla periodically has girl scout camp and girl scout activities.

Sunday - This is our day for church and rest. Although I don't think we rest much because we're usually cleaning the house because we've been gone so much.

So I can't think of any other word to describe us but busy.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

How To Make the Summer Last

I read this list on a website called Everyday Made Special and I thought it would be fun to share with everyone. On those days where stress and life has you going in circles sit down and choose one of these activities to relax and make the summer last.

1. Watch fireflies dance across a meadow

2. Host a big cookout

3. Help your kids set up a lemonade stand

4. Treat yourself to a red, ripe watermelon

5. Eat dinner outside watching the sun set

6. Churn homemade ice cream

7. Gaze up at the stars

8. Swing on a front porch at night

9. Take a moment to appreciate the honeybees and the work they do

10. Make your own popsicles with fruit juice

11. Fly a kite on a perfect July day

12. Drink an ice-cold slushy drink

13. Spend a weekend at the river

14. Say “yes” to a friend’s pool party invitation

15. Eat sliced tomatoes with mozzarella and fresh basil

16. Stop and admire the sidewalk chalk

17. Plant sunflowers with your daughter and watch them grow

18. Cheer on the kids playing kickball in the cul-de-sac until dark

19. Roast marshmallows on a campfire

20. Collect seashells at the beach

21. Wear pink flip flops

22. Plant a vegetable garden

23. Take a cool shower and pat on baby powder

24. Smell the rain during an evening thunderstorm

25. Let the music of the crickets lull you to sleep

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Kayla is Beautiful (He Thinks I'm Beautiful)

Today Kayla tells me that she was talking with her friend Jake and his Mom (Mrs. Hatcher) after school about their Focus Language Arts Class. Jake said she was beautiful yesterday. His mom asks who your teacher or Kayla. He points to Kayla. Perhaps its time to enroll Kayla in the convent. :)

Who Am I Noah?

As you know we seem to have a plethora of animals in our home or home combined with school depending on the time of year. Normally Phil is the one most adored by all of our animals be it the iguana, the geckos, the cats or the dogs except for last night. Last night I seemed to be the honored pet owner. The puppy is laying next to my calf and then Mandy comes and plops up right against my thigh and then along comes Tim.

I turned to Phil and said, "Who am I? Noah?"
Phil replies, "Must be, I'm not even chopped liver because then I'd at least have one dog by me."

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

First Day of School


Today was the first day back to school for everyone. It's a milestone year for Kayla since this is her last year in elementary school. She's finally a 5th grader! Although she looks and often acts older than that. She was excited to get back to school because she was up and ready (dressed and hair brushed) by 6:30 a.m. and that rarely happens.

Equally excited was Logan. Today was his first day of Pre-K. It's the stepping stone for Kindergarten. He was so excited to be able to carry a back pack to school just like Kayla does. Even yesterday when he met his teacher and I told him that some days he would have homework he was excited. I guess we'll have to remind him of that when he complains about having too much homework.

Alex wasn't so excited. He wanted to go to Daddy's school instead of his own. But he ended up having a good day in Ms. Tracey's class anyway. Everyone came home happy and tired. Let the school year begin!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Warning - Not For Those With Weak Stomachs

We never thought we'd see the day but Sunday in the wee hours of the morning (around 2:30ish) all three of our kids were throwing up. In the 3 years that we've had 3 kids they've never been sick like that on the same day. Back to back days of illnesses have occurred but never at the same time.

It's funny you'd just lay down after helping one kid and be slowly drifting back to sleep when another kid starts throwing up. I think I've witnessed enough vomitting to last the rest of the school year.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Other Dad?

Today is Logan's last day in the Pre3 classroom and he moves up to Pre-K. In honor of the kids moving up the class is having a little party. Logan wanted to bring watermelon. Phil forgot to bring it and had to drop it off on his way back to work this morning. This resulted in me finding out I have another husband. Here's the conversation as I was told:

Phil walks in the classroom to drop of the watermelon.

Daniel(friend of Logan's): Hey Logan what happened to your other Dad?

Mike - if you're reading this is that you?

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Back to School - Almost

It's almost back to school time. Monday started Phil's first day back to work signaling the start of the 2007-2008 school year. So far each day has gone smoothly - well mostly especially since we've added the new puppy in the mix. Today did result in a bit of an adventure for Phil.

Alex had a blow out accident on the way to drop Kayla off at her friends house. Luckily Ms. Amy has some spare clothes - some girls panties and shorts (gender neutral in color). She was kind enough to provide Alex with white panties and not flowered or mermaid panties. As she stated, "She didn't want Alex to get beat up at school." As anyone who has a 3 year old can attest that is definitely a possibility.

Hopefully tomorrow won't have the same kinds of adventures awaiting.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Meet Montana






Saturday also brought with it an unexpected addition to our family. We were pricing a specific animal product for Kayla's friend at the local Petco. Well, we did price the item and then went back to see the animals that the Hall County Humane Society was offering up for adoption. We saw this dog.

Well we couldn't resist the eyes of the cute little chocolate brown lab and decided to take him home. Mandy (our other dog) thinks that he's her puppy. We named him Montana. We'll definitely be finishing up fencing in the backyard this spring!

Stormtrooper at Jungle Jump Adventures


Saturday we went to the 4th birthday party of one of Phil's friends children. It was at Jungle Jump Adventures (a place with large moonwalk stations). Of course, this is one of my boy's favorite places to go. Kayla likes it too. While we were there another party came in and had a Stormtrooper as their guest. Here's a photo of Logan and Phil with the Stormtrooper.

Holding Baby Lizzie


Of course I also need to include the photo of Kayla holding onto Baby Lizzie (equal time for both of the new cousins).

Fun at the Naples Zoo



On Saturday while we were in Florida, the whole family enjoyed a trip to the Naples Zoo. It was fun to be able to get so close to the animals and really see how big they are. The kids enjoyed the predator show, walking around the zoo, the boat ride around monkey island and just being outside. I've just attached a couple of photos because otherwise it would take up ten pages.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

The Next Florida Adventure - Bowling!






The next big Florida adventure happened on Friday. That night we got to go to the bowling alley where Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Nikki are on a bowling league. We got to bowl. Luckily for our mom the alley we were in was down by the video games so when someone got tired of waiting for his turn they could "play" some video games. Thank goodness for bumper bowling. This was the first time that Logan and Alex have ever bowled. All in all they did really well.

Sadly, mom lost every game to the kids. Kayla won twice and Alex won the last game (followed by Logan, Kayla, then mom).

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Things We Must Do For School

Today was Logan's well check up(for age 5) and appointment to get the necessary paperwork for him to start Pre-K (a Georgia funded program for all 4 year olds and those not 5 by 9/1). What started out as a normal day had some kinks in it. Logan's appointment was at 9:30 this morning but while he (and Phil and Kayla and Alex) was waiting his turn everyone had to evacuate the building because of a gas leak.

Approximately two hours later he finally was able to reenter the building and be seen. Unfortunately that resulted in 4 shots (as is necessary at 5 years). He was a brave boy throughout the whole process. He's know 41 inches tall and 36 1/4 pounds. Way to go Logan - no more shots until you're 16!

Walking Pet


Another favorite activity of the kids was going with Grandma to walk Pet. I'm not sure but I think Logan loved it most of all. Here's Logan taking Pet for a walk.

Doing Crafts



Grandma and Aunt Jo supplied us with a basket of things to do while we visited when it rained or when we needed a break from the hot Florida sun. One of the things we did was paint stained glass pictures. We had a lot of fun doing it. In fact, Logan couldn't wait for his to dry (and he was worried that I didn't pack it when we left to come home).