Meet the Teachers & Back to School

Maddy & Mikayla both had Meet the Teacher events at their schools the Friday before school started last month. Thankfully they weren't at the same time!  Maddy of course is a seasoned student at her school.  3rd grade is serious business but we hope she's ready for the challenge!

Maddy will learn multiplication & cursive this year... plus she'll have her first taste of Florida Comprehension Assessment Testing... also know as Fcats.

After Maddy's Meet the Teacher, we hopped over to Mikayla's school for hers!

Last year Mikayla attended her preschool two mornings a week, now that she's in VPK she attends school five mornings a week!

Meet the Teacher at the girls' schools was a success!  I'm so glad the schools invite the students & families in before school starts so that everyone has a chance to meet, explore and get excited for the 1st day of school!

At this point the girls are a whole 6 weeks into their new their new school year!  Mikayla is doing great!  She's a smart cookie and a little social butterfly.  Maddy of course has a lot more on her plate academically but so far she's doing well, we hope that she can keep up the hard work!

Here Comes the Bride!

Back in August my little cousin Jenna who was the flower girl in my wedding 12 years ago, got married herself. She's an accomplished so much at young age and now she has the man of her dreams by her side to share it all!  Mike & I were honored to be a part of their special day!

Jenna & Townsend had a short & sweet ceremony at a church in her parents' South Tampa neighborhood. 

After the ceremony I was thrilled to see my Dad & his siblings all together!  From the left: Gordon, Roger (Father of the Bride), my Dad & Marsha.

After the ceremony we drove over to the Tampa Metropolitan Museum of Art for the reception, the setting sun after a rainy afternoon set the mood for a wonderful night!  Dinner was delicious, the drinks were flowing and everyone was ecstatic for the Bride & Groom!

The cake was perfection! I had a piece from the lemon tier!

It's been a long time since the Copp family had a chance to cut loose and have fun together!  My Dad & his 3 siblings live in 3 different countries so our reunions are far & few between to say the least!

Since Mike & I don't get out together very much, we decided to leave our girls with a babysitter so we could have the night to ourselves!

Here's Mike & I with my cousins, Oliver, Rachel, Misha, my Uncle John & my StepMom Karen...

Karen & my Dad

My Daddio & Me

Jenna & Townsend came out to the terrace to get a cigar from their cigar rolling bar!  A Tampa reception wouldn't be complete with out one!

The Mother & Father of the Bride (my Aunt Cindy & Uncle Roger) came out for a stogie too!

Everyone was having a great time... it was quite the par-tay!

John, Oliver, Rachel & Marsha

Gordon, Misha & Elizabeth

Marsha's family, Gordon's family, Mike, my cousin Ian (the Bride's brother) & his girlfriend Casey.  

Casey & Ian

At the end of the reception Jenna & Townsend left in style... through a path of gigantic sparklers and onto a river taxi that took them back to their hotel!  Congratulations my cousin & her new husband!  What a night!  Mike & I had a great time!

Mikayla's First Haircut

The Back to School preparations were in full effect the week before school started! The Maddy & Mikayla both needed supplies, shoes & haircuts!  Luckily, I got off easy with uniforms & book bags this year.  Their book bags from last year were in great condition, I washed them with some oxy and we were good to go. AND the uniforms... I had a friends at each of the girls schools who moved and graciously handed down shirts to us that were in near perfect condition!  My good sense & my thoughtful friends saved me close to $200!

Anyway... Mikayla turned 4 years old this June, and after a Summer FULL of swimming she desperately needed her first haircut!  This was probably the last of the 'baby milestones' that I will experience with her, it was a bittersweet moment for sure.  She's such a big girl now.

Our stylist took her time so I could take pictures and she put some locks of hair in envelope for me to save.  Maddy got a haircut too.

Afterwards we walked down to Ross for a quick browse, the girls spotted this pink girls table & plush chairs.  Super cute but where would we put it?  We took a picture to remember it and I bought the girls ice cream instead!

That same week Mikayla had her 4 year well child check up.  She's currently measuring 41 inches tall and 36 pounds. Dr. J says "She's in the 50% percentile across the board and developmentally smart as a whip!" That's our girl!!

Dr. J is a pediatrician, but he also sees Mike & I.  He's such a happy guy who takes great care of all us!

**Stay tuned! We have more posts about our Back to School adventures to come!**