A Recap of 2010

A Summary of 2010 *


*January -- There was swim team practice four times a week, ballet classes, piano lessons & Kumon. Got Mom a remote start installed in her car for her birthday, Katie's 3 year check up (36 1/2" tall 28lbs), was a reading helper for the First Grade Class on the 26th, and hosted a Pirate Party for Jack's 7th birthday (the whole First Grade Class attended) and the "pirate" never showed up.

* February -- Parent-Teacher Conference with the First Grade Teacher who said she wouldn't have known that Jack was gifted but for the test results she had seen (UGH!). We start looking into catholic schools for the 2010/2011 school year. Went to Disney World with Paul's parents--wet & cold most of the trip but had a great time. Continued swim team practices, ballet, Kumon & piano lessons, Paul worked the swim meet on February 20th. Jack had his 7 year check up (501/2" tall and weighed 59lbs). The kids attended birthday parties for Andrew, Trent & Gayatre.

* March -- Swim team ends for the season, ballet, piano lessons, and Kumon continue. Jack leads the pledge of allegiance over the school announcements on the 8th. We visit St. Andrews' School, Jack has multiple dentist appointments to correct dental issues that were not discovered by his first dentist. I turn 46. Surprised the kids (didn't tell them until we picked them up from school with the suitcases in the car) and drove to Disney World for 4 days over Easter weekend on the spur of the moment. (One of the most memorable trips ever...for everyone.)

* April -- More dental work for Jack (poor kid). More birthday parties for friends (Carson Dunagan, Jack Learner, Hayden Garrett.) Attended Amanda & Gil's Wedding Reception (they went to Vegas and got married on the 17th) Visit St Agatha School. Katie starts Gymnastics. Baseball begins—Jack plays, Paul coaches. Took Grandma to the Maple Festival (signs of Alzheimer's becoming apparent.) We begin regular twice a month board meetings for PetPromise.


* May -- Golf classes for Jack begin, Baseball continues as does Ballet, Gymnastics, Kumon & Piano lessons. PSR (Public School Religion) Classes conclude for the 2009/2010 school year. Decide that parochial schools will not offer the academic challenge that Jack will need. Decide to stay in the Upper Arlington School system and pray that the next year will be better. Attended a Mother's Day Tea with Jack's First Grade Class where he announces that the funniest thing about me is that I stay up all night on the computer and that I watch "What Not To Wear" all of the time. Attend the Montessori Spring Fest on the 15th where Katie wins a raffle and Jack does not (Jack is crushed— Katie shares her basket.) I am a Reading Helper for the First Grade Class on the 18th. We join the Swim & Racquet Club. Jack starts summer swim team practice. We attend Katie's first Montessori School End-of-Year Picnic concluding her first year of preschool. I appear on WSYX with Precious, Princess, & Angel to plug the PetPromise Rescue Run. The 10th Annual PetPromise Rescue Run goes without a hitch on the 29th and we raise over $44,000 for homeless pets. Katie participates in her first Ballet recital on May 30th. (So sweet!) Whew...the Carson's were tired after the month of May!

* June -- Katie attends a Princess camp June 1-4th. Baseball, Swim Team, Gymnastics, Ballet, Kumon & Piano continue. Jack starts Dive Team and Katie participates in a Toddler's Golf Camp and starts swim lessons at Swim & Racquet. The first screening of Eroded takes place on the 5th and we see Jack on the big screen for the first time. WOW! First Grade is officially over for Jack on the 9th. Katie attends Gigi's & Sophia's birthday parties. Jack participates in Lacrosse Camp from June 14-16th and Jack & Katie start Tennis lessons at Swim & Racquet on June 21st. We attend lots of swim and dive meets throughout the month and spend lots of time at Swim & Racquet for lessons or practice. We attend Jack & Katie's piano recital on June 26th. (Katie's first recital). Jack plays "In My Red Convertible" and Katie plays "Hot Crossed Buns."

*July -- Swim Team and Dive team practices, Swim Lessons, Tennis Lessons, Kumon (for Jack), Piano Lessons, Ballet (for Katie), Gymnastics (for Katie) and Kumon (for Jack continue). Lots of time spent at swim meets and dive meets at local pools. Jack is back at the dentist and starts Golf Camp on July 12th. We refinance the house on July 13th (for a rate of 5 1/4% on a Jumbo Loan). We go to Disney World from July 23rd through July 31st with Jana & her family. Stayed at the Boardwalk—Club level...really nice! Unusually Hot in Florida this trip.

* August -- Celebrated Paul's 58th Birthday on August 5th. Swim & Dive Team over....Tennis Lessons finished. Continue Kumon, Ballet, Piano, & Gymnastics. Have the kids' annual portraits taken at Celebrity Kids. (They are beautiful). School supply sale & school pictures on the 20th (that is insane—it is still summer!) Jack meets his 2nd Grade teacher, Ms. Ruf –Room 112 on August 23rd (love her!) School starts August 24th. Welcome to Second Grade, Jack.

* September -- Katie starts her second year of preschool at Montessori Children's House (seems happier this year). I attend parent Information night with Ms. Ruf...it's going to be a good year! Gymnastics, Piano, Kumon & Ballet continue. Jack starts Karate. PSR classes begin. Jack prepares for First Communion this year. Settling into the 2010/2011 school year.


*October -- Ballet, Gymnastics, Karate, Piano, and Kumon continue. Winter Swim Team practice begins. Attend Barrington Clown Around. Katie is photographed at one of the carnival games and appears on the front page of the Arlington Paper. Kids win two fish. Peter Pan & Ariel die a few days later. Paul is parent helper for the 2nd Grade trip to the pumpkin patch on the 6th. Both kids go to the dentist. No cavities! Attend the Tremont Fall Festival on the 16th and the Fall Fest at Fancyburg Park on the 17th. We walk through the Haunted Forest on the 21st and set up the Haunted House in our yard on the 23rd. We attend the Karate Halloween Party, go tot Boo at the Zoo on the 24th, attend the First Communion Parents Meeting on the 25th, trick or treat on the 28th (Jack is a vampire & Katie is Eeyore, and attend Boo at the Zoo one last time on the 31st. Tired again!

* November -- Katie quits Ballet (she wants to swim instead). Piano, Kumon, Karate, Swim Team, Gymnastics & PSR Classes continue. Kids get flu shots. Parent teacher Conferences (Katie will not talk in school...very social with other children...very sweet but shy. Jack is extremely smart. Tested out of 2nd grade spelling and math...going to have him tested for gifted now...can't believe how advanced he is.) LOVE Ms. Ruf! Take our 4th trip to Disney World from November 13-November 18th(have an annual pass this year) and stay at the Animal Kingdom with the Fetherolfs & Cousin Mary Ann. Have a great time. Night goggles, Woody & Jessie and anything Toy Story were a hit. Wrote letters to Santa and mailed them in Santa's mailbox. Thanksgiving at home with immediate family...then a visit with Paul's parents. Petpromise meets with Maverick Builders to discuss the design/construction of the future PetPromise Adoption Center.

* December -- Katie turns 4 (OMG!!!) Host Katie's "Under the Sea" Birthday Party at our home. Ariel really does show up. Huge hit! Decorate the house and tree for Christmas the week of December 6th. Swim Team Practice & weekend meets continue as does Piano, Kumon, Gymnastics & Karate. Visit with Santa at Christmas in the Park. Santa knows all about the kids and their pets and what they do in their free time. Jack starts private swim lessons...his times start to improve. IAT Meeting with school Principal, Ms. Ruf, Gifted Program Directors, and Mrs. Murphy (3rd Grade teacher) on the 16th. All are amazed at Jack's gifted testing results. He tested above 99.9% of all children his age across the country. Haven't had a child test this high before. Moving him into 3rd Grade for math...with a plan to do 4&5th grade math through gifted program next year...and start Middle School math when he is in 4th grade. Already doing 3rd Grade spelling and reading at adult level. WOW! Helped with 2nd Grade Christmas Party on the 17th. Hosted a Boy's Pizza & Polar Express Party for the boys in Jack's class on the 17th. Twenty 7-8 year old boys over...craziness, popcorn and toys everywhere, craziness, sleeping bags, craziness, 6 boys spend the night. Priceless. Host the annual birthday/holiday party for the Carson side of the family on the 18th. Hosted a Little Girls' Pizza & Polar Express Party on the 19th. Four 3-5 year old girls (and one big brother) attend. Giggling, giggling, giggling...all girls head home by 8:30pm SWEET. To Cleveland to visit Great Grandma, Aunt Paula, Debbie & Derek. Grandma's Alzheimer's is apparent. She seemed glad to see us all. Attend Midnight mass at 10pm on Christmas Eve. Said goodbye to Elvis the Elf on the Shelf. Wake up to an overload of presents from Santa including new bikes, a doll house, Shleich castle set, rock tumbler, Ariel vanity...too much to mention. Christmas dinner at home. Visit to Grandma & Grandpa Carson's on Christmas Day. Cozy New Year Celebration at home with the immediate family. Everyone stays awake to ring in 2011!