Thursday, December 31, 2015

~~The End of 2015~~

I figured since today is the last day 2015, the least I could do was post some pictures that never made it onto Instagram and/ FB and include just a small summary of the last 6 months of our lives.

We honestly are not a very exciting family, but I do try to take a lot of pictures so hopefully I can fill this post up with just a few.

I have had a couple of family member "scold" me because of my inconsistency with this blog, so in the spirit of the New Year and resolutions, I will try yet again.  I do realize that while I try to post regularly on Instagram, FB, and now even on SnapChat... I still don't include a lot about the kids ins and outs... and hat is the true purpose for this particular blog.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE CURTIS KIDS!


No promises on getting better, but I will try.

2015 was a good year for the Curtis Family.  Most years are to be truthful.  Nothing to exciting for us this year.

Damian kept busy all year with teaching and gigs as per usual.  He is still working extremely hard on all of his hip hop production "stuff".  And please don't take that the wrong way.  I don't say "stuff" to make it seem not important.  There is just so much involved in that area of his life, and as ashamed as I am to admit it, I just don't understand most of it.  I do know that he has plans for working more on the studio in 2016.  He wants to work on the ceiling and the walls as the weather starts to et warmer again (not that we have had extreme cold weather so far, haha).   Damian has also made a huge lifestyle change for himself.  About 2 months ago he decided to cut gluten out of his diet-- and let me tell you-- he is doing awesome and I think he has noticed some definite changes in his body because of it!

Madison as usual, has been a dancing queen.  She is now in the 7th grade and doing well.  Not quite as well as she would like so far, but she has assured me that she will be working on that for the next 6 months.  We decreased the amount of dance classes that she has been taking so that she could have a little more "free" time and get more involved in school activities.  She is her class president and will be playing the part of Young Nala in the school's production of "The Lion King."  Back in May, she was accepted into a talent agency... but because of me, we haven't really moved forward with this particular agency.  I have spoken to the director and has we enter the new Year, the 2 of us will be working closely to get Madison all set up with them and what, if any, opportunities arise from there.  I have also been looking at other dancing opportunities for her throughout Connecticut-keeping her local at this point in time is more feasible for the family.  We love Morlock School of Dance and have no intention of leaving.  But with Madison's drive and passion for dance, I am looking for additional outlets for her with her tap dancing. I think the thing that she is looking forward to the most this upcoming year is turning 13-- my baby will be a teenager!!!  I guess we will see what this new year will have in store for her.
Always taking "selfies"

First day of 7th grade


Myles had a pretty good year as well.  He finished his first year of school and is well into the 1st grade.  He is doing phenomenal.  He is reading way above grade level and his math skills seem to be above as well. Damian and I are trying to work with his teacher to make sure that he gets the extra challenges that I think his brain longs for to help keep his interest up.  He does complain on occasion of being "bored" in school, so we are working on remedies for that. Myles also started playing the piano this year.  He seems to be doing well, but unfortunately I haven't seen him play nearly as much as I would like.  Pop Up takes him to and from lessons and then he did have  recital shortly before the Christmas/Winter break... but it was a student only recital.  He does practice at home and while sometimes he seems fed up with practicing, once he starts, he normally seems to enjoy it.  He is still extremely into Lego building and video games and I don't foresee either of those losing his interest any time soon.  When I asked him what he was looking forward to for the upcoming year, he told me, Summer so he can have a break from school hahaha.
First day of 1st grade for Mr. Myles


At the dance recital this summer.. Miss Marci with her 1st year dancing trophy.  I think these 2 are seriously best friends!!

Mayci is... well, Mayci.  I think Mayci ALWAYS manages to have a fun time and a good day.  She is just an exceptionally happy child!  She has still been keeping herself occupied hanging out with Damian during the earlier part of the day and with Mama for the afternoon.  She asks me occasionally when she will be able to start school... and I honestly can't believe it, but that time will be here come Sept 2016.  She has also been doing dance as well and had her first recital this year.  IF I can, I will try to post the video from the recital here because she was so cute. 

She started off dancing and looking sort of miserable and then when she noticed us in the audience she got really excited.  It was the cutest thing.  She is the fourth one from the left. She has been asking to do both karate and cheerleading, so I am really hoping to get her into that this year.  When I asked her what she was looking forward to for 2016, she just gave me a blank stare.. but then said that she can't wait to be the new girl at school and meet friends who are really strangers.  Don't ask-- Lord knows that I didn't.

This year has been an up and down for me.  I spent most of the year working on learning to really "find" myself.  Let me tell you, this has not been an easy journey and it is certainly far from over.  I actually quit my job at the gynecology office and was working as  a logistics coordinator for about 3 months... in the end, I ended up back at the gynecology office.  While I am always keeping my options open for something outside of the medical field.. I can tell you this- Logistics is certainly NOT my thing- haha!!  I am hoping to go back to school in 2016 for Criminal Psychology.  I may be 33, but I don't think that you are ever too old to learn something and try something new.  I have also been slowly working on getting a job with the Department of Corrections.  The only thing I have left to do is the physical fitness portion and I am just waiting to hear if I made it to the part of the application process.  I will keep everyone posted on my progress with that, if there is any.  One highlight that really sticks out for me from this year was when Damian and I had the opportunity to see Stevie Wonder live in concert for his Songs in The Key Of Life tour in October.  And that is not even the best part...  As we were walking in, we were stopped by XL Center staff and had our tickets upgraded to FRONT ROW!!  I couldn't ask for a more rewarding experience.  It was so nice fro Damian and I to experience that and to experience it together.  Lisa was so kind to babysit on a Sunday night until after midnight so we could attend!!
NO CAPTION NEEDED!  IT'S STEVIE WONDER!!

Other than the usual working, bring kids to their activities, and watching my favorite shows on Netflix, nothing really worth mentioning has been happening for me.  I am hoping that 2016 will bring some excitement and some more progress in my self discovery journey-- and if you are ever interested in that side of me, feel free to check out my other blog - www.makeupofmichelle.wordpress.com
That blog is more of my "all about me and what interests me" blog and I would appreciate your support in checking that one out as well.

As the year 2015 comes to a close, I hope that all who are reading this are in good spirits, good health, and among friends and/or family. If you ever need a place to retreat to- please know that our door is always open for you!


Our family with Grandma Betty ( my mother's mom) July 4, 2015

From the Curtis Family to yours -- we wish you and amazing and prosperous New Year!!

Love,
Damian, Michelle, Madison, Myles, and Mayci