Overachiever mom!

Today I met with Lexie's teacher for our scheduled conference just to make sure she is doing what she is supposed to and to see if there is anything extra we need to be doing. Her teacher said she is doing well...all E's and is one of her top students. What was funny is there is one exercise they do and are timed for a minute to test fluency. We practice this at home on Monday nights for homework. Every week we have a goal to do better than last (Lexi and I). Apparently they only expect the kids to get 8 of these letters in a minute...and Lexi gets over 70 already. Of course she is super smart...and mommy is always pushing her. I laughed because I thought the whole goal was to get to 100...and the goal is actually to get to 40 for the year...yeah, Lexi is already way past that. It is also a sad commentary on our education system that we expect so little out of our kids.
My Alivia who started pre-k this year, only going 3 days a week, is also doing very well. She can almost write her name. Can you believe that there are kids in Lexi's class who did not know this when starting Kindergarten? It is baffling to me, especially since K-4 is provided free from our state.
I will be proud to be an overachiever mom and never let them settle for mediocrity.

Pooped!!!

Mama is pooped. Sure takes a lot out of me when we have company. The girls had a blast with the pinata, silly string, swimming in our pool and playing with their cousin.
The food was yummy...jerk chicken, pulled pork, tortellini salad, broccoli salad, green beans, and mac and cheese... Then cupcakes and ice cream.
This was just round one. Tomorrow night is Chuck-e-Cheese for round 2.

Here's a recipe for the broccoli salad..sounds strange, but it is sooo good, promise.

A head of broccoli cut up.
Coleslaw mix, with a cup of mayonnaise, and 2 tblsp of vinegar.
A whole bag of trail mix...I used the one with nuts and m&m's
A bag of craisins.
Just mix and refrigerate for a few hours and tada.

My cousin made this a while ago and I loved it!!! Try it!!

My Alivia is turning 4

Anyone hate cleaning house as much as I do? Ugh...the thing about it that makes it so dreadful is that it is neverending. A mama's job is never done. I love a clean house, I just don't like all the work it takes to get it that way.
But I must clean today because tomorrow we are having a cookout. Alivia is turning 4 on Monday!!! We are having a small family party Sunday to celebrate with lots of yummy food, cupcakes, and a pinata. Then Monday evening we will go to Chuck-e-Cheese with a few friends to celebrate some more. To be a kid again!!
I will try to post pictures of the festivities! I can't believe how fast time has flown. 4 years ago, Lexi was only 22 months, just a baby herself. I was working at a doctor's office and went to my last appointment at my OB's office. They scheduled my induction for the next day!!! How surreal was it to go to work, come home and go from one to two babies just like that. It was a very difficult transition for me...having 2 babies who needed me so much...but she has been a great addition to our family. From the first day to now, she has always had a mind of her own. She is a comedian who never misses an opportunity to perform for her audience. She is a little thing, but her personality is large. She keeps us either laughing or pulling our hair out... I love you Alivia and happy 4th Birthday!!!