2nd grade here we come!

Today starts a new school year, today is the first day of 2nd grade! I can`t believe how time flies. Just 2 years ago we arrived here in AZ and she started Kindergarten. So small and so little..and now I have 2nd grader who is very much looking forward to her new year!

In her own words: Mommy I am excited, but also a bit nervous!!

Well so was her Mommy...but all went well and here are some shots from this morning.


Little brother is excited too

New backpack and new lunchpack

The classroom

Here`s to a good school year with lots and lots of fun.

Can`t wait to hear all the details when I pick her up in a bit.

Nina

XXXOOO

I am back

Yes thats right, I am finally back!
I get so sidetracked sometimes and so many things are going on that I forget to update my blog.

So lets see what all happened.
May and June were 2 very busy months with Mother`s Day, last day of school, my 38th birthday, our 10th year wedding anniversary and Naiyas 7th birthday and party.
I am definitely good with bday parties for a while especially with the organization of it.

We spent most June at the pool and waterpark since Naiya was on summerbreak and thats just what my kids love to do. A few weeks of art camp and then our beautiful vacation to Strawberry!
Oh how much I heart this place!
Hiking, fishing, swimming in the streams, just being outdoors and being with my family. As always time went by way too fast and I got very sad returning back home.
Of course once you are back in the day to day routine with loads of laundry and a house to take care of it`s all good..lol.

So now we are on our very last week of summerbreak before my lil girl will start 2nd grade.
Kind of sad.We didn`t get to do all the things we wanted to. But definitely had some nice summer memories and still have whole August to enjoy before fall creeps up.

My lil man will start Pre-K in August and then it is only one more year before he goes to school.

Time is so precious so make sure you make the most of it.Before you know the kids are grown.

June 21 was another very special day in our lives. My 2 beautiful twin nieces Raha and Leni were born. Congrats to my brother and his girlfriend.
We are blessesd to welcome those 2 precious angels to our family.

On another note I started to become a personal trainer.Yay for me. It`s a lot to study, but I hope I can be done by end of September.

Night night for now.Quick update for today.Pictures to follow :)

Nina
XXXOOO

Happy Easter Weekend

Hope you all had a great and sunny Easter Weekend and the Easter Bunny was good to you!
We had a lot of fun.

Saturday started with an Easterfest at the local park where Calan`s class was performing 2 songs.

I can`t describe how proud I was of my lil man standing on the stage and singing his little heart out. He did soo good and Mommy for sure shed some tears.

The fun continued with about 10 bounce houses and an Easter egg hunt.


Sunday morning the kids managed to sleep until 7am before they stood in front of our bed ready to look for eggs. And they already had spotted some.
So it was time to get up and after a strong cup of coffee the kids got the ok to start looking.

Apparently my kids had been VERY good because they were lots and lots of eggs...

Here are some pics of them in the backyard and at the Botanical Garden.

All in all a great weekend and most important it was magic time for the kids. Oh to be a kid again and just believe....

Hope it was magic for you too!

Nina

XXXOOO

My first half marathon

I know it`s been a while and I meant to write this post WAY earlier, but life gets in the way and the day never has enough hours. Art least not mine.

So I finished my FIRSS half marathon a few weeks ago.
13.1 miles, all running, YEAH baby!!!

What an incredible experience, I felt so emotional, overwhelmed with feelings when I crossed the finish line.
It was hard, very hard and even though there were moments when I felt like fainting right there and then, something inside of me kept me going, that very competitive part of me and it carried me over the OH SO WONDERFUL FINISH LINE!

And now? I am hooked. Yes I am addicted. I guess I am a runner now! Love it!

Next run? 10K Cinquo de Mayo Run :)

Gotta keep moving!

XXXOOO

Nina

I can sew

Never thought I could actually really sew, but I did.
Here is the result, isn`t it cute??

Some friends of mine and I got together last weekend for a sewing and chatting afternoon.

We all have sewing machines, but never used them. In fact the only reason why my machine was out of the box was that I needed the box to ship something. Ha ha

So I tried to remember everything what I learned back in Middle School in home economics (Handarbeiten) and some of it actually stuck with me.

We worked after a pattern which my friend Claudia brought and surprisingly it wasn`t too difficult. I just need to remember to stay patient and work slow...

Anyways I am hooked and can`t wait to do more..hmmm but what...Pajama pants, tablerunners, bags??? Oh so many options, we will see...

Have a fabulous weekend!

N

XXXOOO

Fitness 4 Life Photo Shoot

We had the unique opportunity through Fitness 4 Life to do a photoshoot with the amazing James Patrick. Reason being the successful end of our 8 week challenge.

What an experience to do a professional photoshoot! Quite nervracking (thanks to Terry and Cheryl for the drinks at 11 am to relax us), but also very exciting and a great feeling to be part of such an amazing group!

So here they are, my model pics!

Not totally at my goal yet, but definitely on my way!

May I introduce you...

...to my 2 nieces due in June:

Yes you see right...TWINS....I am sooo excited!!

Totally in pink mode, I am sure my brother and sister-in -law will be very happy to get flooded in pink..HA HA!

And then all those onesies and tshirts that say: My Aunt is cool or My Aunt rocks!!!

Not sure when I will meet them for the first time since they live in Germany, but I will be making sure they get spoiled!

Girlpower!! YAY!!