Another School Year is OVER!

This year has been super busy, and I suspect as the kids get older it will just continue like this! We haven't posted since November, but if you are a friend on facebook or part of our everyday lives, you know what we have been up to.

The BASICS: Danny was at a new school this year. He loved it. We loved it. All is great and we're glad he'll be there next year for 3rd grade. Annelise finished her last year at the nursery school. She was there full time (9-4, 5 days a week). She doesn't know it yet, but she will seriously miss the school next year! Jen (ME!) completed another year as an ESOL teacher at the elementary school level. Our ESOL enrollment seems to be increasing, so job security for me is good right now. Randy had the busiest year of seven-day workweeks (he did take a couple holidays off) with many late nights and early mornings. He submitted his manuscript to the publisher (May) and turned in his tenure packet to the English department (last week). We are all sooooo happy to have him back into our lives! I essentially went into survival mode these last nine months. Glad to have a partner back in the home.

The EXTRACURRICULARS: Danny participated in a Math club all year that met on Thursday afternoons. He also joined the swim team in September. During the school year this means 3 practices a week (2 afternoons and early on Sunday morning). Annelise took dance classes this year. She enjoyed it, although I don't know how long we will continue. She was also on a T-ball team this spring. I served as the President of the Board at Annelise's nursery school for one final year. And other than that, I tried to keep our household running this year. I was able to do a couple of girls weekends this year: one to Las Vegas in the fall and in the spring I went to the beach. Randy had no extracurriculars. He has had one single focus this year (and some teaching, too!). We had family visitors (Randy's mom for Thanksgiving, my parents for Christmas, and Randy's dad, brother and his family during spring break). As a family, we haven't traveled since the triathlon last September!

***These two pictures happen to be the only family pictures we've taken all school-year. The first was for our Christmas card (taken in November) and the second was taken (with my long arm) on Mother's Day.