Enjoying the summer weather!!!!

at the recommendation of a friend, we took Mia to meet up with the coach of our local swim team. Coach Bill recommended Mia come out to the pool where the team trains so that he could assess her abilities and her level of swimming. Once he observed Mia swim, he told us he wanted Mia to join the team. After explaining to us, what commitments we would need to fulfill, Mike and I decided that if she wants to do it, we should do what ever we can to give her the opportunity. She is going to train and practice for the next several weeks and will participate in her first swim meet in August. This has happened rather fast and we are excited!! We have been giving Mia a taste of many different activities, so that she may decide what her niche is. Mike and I were both very fortunate to have parents that were very supportive of us athletically and we want Mia to share the same type of childhood we both experienced.

~4th of July in the FL Keys~

it has been a while since we have been to the Keys and we have decided we are NEVER going to wait that long again! We went snorkeling at John Pennekamp State Park, fed the tarpon at Robbies,

relaxed by the pool and really enjoyed our family time!

Having a great time in Marco Island! Mia gives it 2 thumbs up!

Mike's goddaughter Makenzie graduated from high school this past Friday! We are so proud of her and will always be there for her no matter what!! We pray that she will continue to follow her dreams despite all her bumps along the way!

emotional day yesterday saying our goodbyes to Kendall Academy where Mia has attended pre-school since she was 21 months old. The staff is like family and I attribute many of Mia's success's to them! At 5 years old and ready to start Kindergarten , Mike and I are blown away and are very proud of what she has achieved in her pre-school years. Mia is a strong reader, enjoys math and most of all is a confident well mannered girl that is always concerned for others and is very lovable. She really enjoys arts and crafts and as the director mentioned as she crossed the stage last week to get her diploma, "Mia can make art out of anything, whether it be scrap paper or a piece of mulch!". Many days it would take me a good 15-20 minutes to get out of the school because she wants to hug and kiss everyone before leaving. When we did our final good bye's yesterday with all her personal belongings in tow, she was the one that said, "It's OK, I will be back to visit!"

Can't wait to get my hands on this month's issue of our local Parenting magazine! Mia is on the Summer Fun Section!!! I just love this photo!! I submitted it to the magazine when I took it because it looked so "summery". The editor LOVED it and asked me to sign a release!@

Beautiful graduation and show last night!!!! All the children did great!!!

Mia decided that she wanted to wear her hair curly, so I set it in hot curlers and it came out REALLY curly! Maybe we left them in a little to long! ((ooops)))

In the end she loved it and said she had hair like me!

Graduation Day 2011

today Mia graduates from pre-school and has her ceremony tonight at 7:30pm. We have some grandparents that are on their way up to join the celebration. I am just blown away that it has flown by so quick!! Where has the time gone???

We have been so very blessed to have found a pre-school that has prepared Mia so well to embark into Kindergarten!! Mia's pre-k teacher is Miss J and she adores her, she is always writing her love notes to bring to school. Next week will be her final week and it will be sad to say our goodbye's, but VERY exciting for a summer full of fun!! Mia has been attending that school since she was 21 months old and has formed many many special friendships!!!

Practice Makes Perfect ! !

gearing up for some summer vacation snorkeling!

Happy Mother's Day!

It's not always the easiest job but being a mom is the best job I've ever had.

Easter 2011

Easter weekend was filled with egg hunts, visits to the farm, and poolside relaxing! Mia absolutely LOVES my Dad's clams oreganato and she devoured her share of clams!

The Easter Bunny delivers Mia basket to the front porch because we have a greyhound named Kayla and she will chase him away!! One of Mia's goodies was a snorkel and mask, she has been asking to learn so she could accompany us when we head out. Well I am proud to say, she took to the whole thing like a champ and is doing great. A couple more times practicing in the pool and I think she is ready to hit the ocean!!

Cousins...there is nothing like them