Well.......

So yes, it has been awhile since I have updated my blog, and yes, I have lots of excuses, but bottom line....nevermind...

Since my last post I have nearly survived my first year as an Assistant Principal, Riley was in her first wedding as a flower girl (and did perfectly), Christmas...New Years...Easter....and a trip to the beach..... No one really wants to read all about it, so I will just post some recent pictures.

Where have the Mank's been???

BUSY!!!

I didn't even realize it had been September since I had posted last. I am sure if I had any real followers of my blog, I have lost them by now :) but so be it...

September was pretty busy. I started my new job as Assistant Principal at and Elementary school. I love it, but it keeps me busy for sure. All the changes all at once left me a little overwhelmed for a couple months. I have since snapped out of it and am floating instead of sinking :)

Riley is doing GREAT! She is back in dance classes and had her first dance performance of the year last weekend. She did great, but was very disappointed when it was over. She cried for the next hour because she wanted to be back on stage. I'm thinking this comes from her Auntie Cafern... :) She also got her first "real" haircut, and did very well. She loved the lady washing her hair. That she must get from her mom. I love people playing with my hair.

Instead of writing a whole lot, I am going to post pictures that tell our recent activities... enjoy!

Where does the time go?

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post.  Where does the time go???

Well, lots has changed since July... I did end up getting an administrative position

 at Dellview Elementary School as the Assistant Principal.  I was thrilled!!!!! I got a phone call at 9:00PM 

on a Monday night telling me to report to leadership training the next morning at 7:00AM.  Since then I have been running pretty fast to keep up.  I love it though!!! I am exactly where I am supposed to be!  

The second week of my new job, I went to drop Riley off at her school, to find out that there had been a fire the night before and they were being relocated to a different daycare for a couple of weeks.  All her teachers and friends also went to this new school so Riley was excited!  She thought it was so neat that mama and Riley both had "new schools" to go to every morning.  

In addition to Riley starting at her new school, she has also joined dance again.  I really didn't plan on enrolling her again after last year, and her apparent non-interest, but after the recital, she really wanted to be a

 part of it again.  The group she is now a part of has 2 performances a year so I am sure I will have plenty for your viewing pleasure soon...

I also took my mom and Riley to see Dora Live at the Majestic.  I wanted to take Riley because she still has an infatuation with Dora, and I wanted her to start having memories of going to the Majestic like I have from when I was young.  She absolutely LOVED it.  Hugh crocodile tears when it was time to go, and she is still talking about it.  The performance was at the end of July.  I can't wait to get another opportunity to take her to another kid friendly show.  

During my last couple of weeks of summer, I also tried to get a little home improvement done.  Here are some before and after shots.  I was pretty happy with how everything came out.  It will be awhile before I have time to do more.....

Summer fun!

For me, summer finally began the second week of July. Instead of writing a whole lot, I am just going to post a visual diary of our summer so far...
FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL--it was HOT HOT HOT

Riley's first amusement park ride on her own....

HORSE BACK RIDING

I think she liked it just a little.

SPENDING TIME WITH COUSIN HAILEY

BEACH-TIME

those are dolphins...not sharks... :)

As for me..... I am still trying to find an administrative job for the fall.  There is still a lot of movement happening in the district so it isn't too late, but I am biting at the bit to have a sure thing locked in.  I have had a couple of interviews, so my name is out there and that is always good.  I am not losing hope or motivation.  If it doesn't happen this year, it will happen soon enough....  I will keep you posted.

WHY?????

For about 3 1/2 years, my father has been telling me that Riley is a spitting image of her mother. I always took that as a compliment and hoped it would continue... About a year ago, he mentioned a phase in my life, when I was about 3, when every other word that came out of my mouth was, "Why?" Now when he was relaying this fond memory of my childhood to me, he didn't have the loving and longing look in his eye he normally does when he is remenicing about the past. I couldn't understand "Why?" that could be....
NOW I KNOW "WHY?"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Mama, WHY we aren't going to the gym?"
"Mama, WHY you have to water the grass again?"
"Mama, WHY we have to brush our teeth?"
"Mama, WHY I not going to school today?"
"Mama, WHY you being mean to me?"
"Mama, WHY you tell me no?"
"Mama, WHY WHY WHY..................

I am VERY proud of my precious girl for being so curious, and I know it will pay off in the long run, but there are days I want to change my name! Today was one of those days.