Weekend in Review April 15- April 17th

Such a good weekend with even better weather!!  I have to say that this was probably one of the nicest weekends I have had in a while.  All 5 of us were home and got to spend some time together.  Albert, Luques, Karina, and Zeni were all in town on Saturday into Sunday.  I missed seeing Zaccai, but he was around Sunday night for a gig.  All in all -- such a great family oriented weekend.

Saturday brought some beautiful weather with it!  After karate with Mayci, lots of time was spent outside playing, cleaning up the yard, and the little kids doing a bit of their digging holes in the backyard gardening.

By mid afternoon we headed over to Mama and PopUp's to see Luques, Karina, and Zeni-- it was Zeni's first trip to CT so it was quite the BIG DEAL!!  Mama was super excited to show off her newest grandbaby lots of people came by to greet Baby Z and see her proud new parents!!!!  Yvette, Paul, Nikko, Melina, Natalia, Angelina, Abigail, Jacob, Monica, Jorge, Titi Tata, Carol, Veronica, and Albert are just to name a few.  The kids decided to stay over longer because they were having such a good time and Madison was hanging out with Nikko and Melina, who are just a year older than she is :)


Mayci at the park-- pretending to be the Statue of Liberty

Myles and I racing...

Yup--- I won the race.. the little girl next to me is some friend that Myles met at the park named Emily

Miss Zeni Bea

Mama with her newest grandbaby

Quality time for Mama and Zeni

Sunday was a low key day for the family as well.  The Curtis Brothers Quartet had a gig in Hartford on Sunday night. So the family, excluding Myles and me, went to go support them also.  Myles and I stayed back so that we could ensure that he would get to bed on time and be prepared for his first day back at school after a week long Spring Break.  I was pretty surprised to find out that Damian also ended up playing a little as well.  I have heard from many that went that it was a great show and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

The weather was so beautiful on Sunday, that the kids just HAD to eat breakfast outside on the back porch

Thumb wrestling match between Albert and Madison

I hope this upcoming weekend bring some lifelong memories as well...

Engaging in some intense conversation with Zeni

~~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

Easter Weekend 4/3/15 - 4/5/15

Four months into 2015 and I have yet to post to this blog.  I SUCK!!  Plain and simple hahaha

EASTER WEEKEND

Friday April 3, 2015  --- GOOD FRIDAY
     And a good Friday it was.  No dance or activities for the kids, Myles and Madison had no school, so the kids just hung out during the day.  Madison stayed with PopUp all day since she was planning on going to a gig with him later on.  The little ones came home for a little while and then we dropped them back off to Mama after the play at Church so they could spend the night.
     Damian also had no gigs, so we decided to head down to The Side Door in Old Lyme to see the Ralph Peterson Sextet.  This meant we got to see Zaccai and Luques play also.  Such a nice place.  I had never been before and it was quite the spot.  We also got to see Josh Evans play, who I honestly haven't heard play since Damian and I were dating. UMMM--- Talk about a great performance!!  Ralph OBVIOUSLY put on a phenomenal show and it was nice to see him as well.  The other 2 members of the band were Marcus Strickland (who I had heard of but never heard play-and boy was he GREAT) and Hailey Niswanger( who was also fantastic).  It was such a great show and I had an awesome time.  Tom, Paul, and Yvette also came to see the band and it was nice to have some time to catch up with Yvette who was enjoying day 1 of her and Paul's kid free weekend!!I also got to see Yunie, who I hadn't seen forever.  Do you see the trend-- I never see anyone-- I really need to get out more :)

It was good for Damian and I to get out and do something together, since it doesn't happen often.  Not to mention, it must have been must have been my lucky week because I also got to see Karina..and that would mean that I saw her twice in one week.  Seriously, that is a rare thing.  Between her schedule and Luques' and then Damian and mine with the kids, we HARDLY see each other.  Definitely not as much as I would like.  But we are working on that.  We try hard to stay in touch by texting/ calling occasionally, but sometimes the time lapses between texts makes me ashamed!  We are hoping, well at least I am, to start getting together more often.

Here are a couple of "selfies" from when we saw Karina when she was up for the Passion of The King play at the end of March:

Oh how I love her!!!!!!  I miss her so much and wish we didn't let so much time pass between seeing one another!  She is one of my favorite people!!

Saturday, April 4, 2015
     All the kids were at Mama and PopUp's for the morning, Damian had to work as usual, and me---  well, I was getting ready to run my first quarter marathon or 10K-- 6.55 miles.
I was meeting up with Jen, Whitney, and a few of their friends to run the Greater Hartford 9th annual quarter Marathon at the reservoir in West Hartford.  I was so nervous, did lousy, BUT-- I FINISHED!

My view at one point while I was running... the fact that I was able to take this picture shows that I really wasn't using all of my energy for the run haha

 I had to walk more than I ever would have wanted, and once I start walking, it is harder for me to get my groove back.  I will be running another one at the end of May in Mystic, so I hope to do better then.  I am also starting a new training regiment that I hope will improve my motication, discipline, and pace just a little.
 I will never be a FAST runner but I AM A RUNNER!! I am going to try to embrace that term.  Doesn't mean that I love running, but I do love the feeling I get at then end of the run.  I feel invincible! And I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything.
   For the afternoon on Saturday, Madison went off with Lisa to a birthday party at Launch Trampoline Park and the little ones and I headed over to Grandma Virginia's house to hang out and color some Easter eggs (which I stupidly left over there, uuugghh)

Me and Jaida attempting to decorate an egg.. she only lasted about a minute before deciding she didn't want to have anything to do with eggs

Sunday, April 5, 2015 --- EASTER SUNDAY
     The kids woke up pretty early to get their Easter baskets. Well, Mayci woke up them up early because she was crying about a sore throat.  Damian decided not to join us for the baskets because he was so tired, but Lisa Face-timed with us!

Note Jaida's little basket at the far left :).. then Madison, Myles, and Mayci's baskets-- we don't go to crazy for Easter in our household

Myles, was extremely unimpressed with his basket.  Unfortunately the Easter bunny got him a movie that he already had at Mama's house, a lego set thing that he doesn't like, and he has now informed me that he does NOT like M&M's anymore- yet I swear he ate a whole bag the week before, but you know-- kids....  **epic Mom/Easter bunny failure**
Madison seemed to really like the outfit she got and she actually picked out the movie she got in her basket so I know she liked that.  And Mayci-- well, Mayci likes everything- I think her favorite was the jelly beans.  Sadly though, she only ate 1 jellybean and then ended up throwing up shortly after and feeling sick for a better part of Easter morning.

Mayci's set up in the earlier part of the day-- peep the "throw-up" bucket to her right :)

We headed over to Ted and Abby's in the early afternoon and as always, they had cool treasure hunts, hidden eggs and baskets for the kids to find.  Thanks to some interesting remedy that Zaccai gave us, Mayci was feeling pretty good so she was able to participate and have fun with the rest of the kids.  Julie, Justine, Obed, Davian, and Dej all came by also.  So great to see them and the kids had a blast.  Mayci and Dej played so well together and Madison and Davian always get along GREAT!!  I love watching them interact with one another!

I swear I was taking a picture of something here... if you squint  your eyes, tilt  your head to the left and look in themiddle towards the back of the picture, you will see Madison and Davian (they sort of blend in to the trees)out on their treasure hunt  They are just sooo darn cute!!

Madison getting all  up in Dej's face while Dej is trying to look at her Easter basket in peace

They all sang Happy Birthday to Pop Up whose birthday is on April 8th

Dalila and Iliana came by to hang out as well.  It was nice and laid back.  Although the weather was rainy and at one point, there were even some snow flurries, it didn't stop the kids at all from running around outside to look for "treasures" and candy filled plastic eggs!  The kids asked to stay over Sunday night into Monday since Julie, Zaccai, and Davian were staying and because Damian and I are such pushovers **HAHAHA**  we said yes!!

Hopefully you had a fun filled weekend, whether you celebrate Easter or not!!


 

Weelend in Review - Friday Sept 19-Sept 21, 2014

Lots of pictures from this weekend... well mainly from Friday night, but lots of pictures either way.

Friday September 19, 2014

Damian was home for the majority of the day today.  He worked on getting the window on the van fixed--that was long overdue-- and he spent some time with the little ones when Myles got out of school.  Madison has dance of Fridays this year, so our schedules are a little off.  I just wrote in my last post how we are limiting the amount of Friday night sleepovers with Mama and PopUp, but this particular Friday, Damian gave the go ahead and  the kids ended up over there after some quality time with Daddy.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO PRINCESS CHARLIZE!!  It was an honor to Charlize's 3rd birthday with her.  I will remember the day she was born on September 9, 2011, like it was yesterday.  I was blessed enough to be able to share that moment with both Jermaine and Brooke as Charlize entered the world and I can never thank them enough for letting me share such a personal moment with them.  This little girl is so special and has an amazing group of people that love and care about her.. and I am right there with them

After dropping Madison off at dance I headed over to Brooke's house so I could sing Happy Birthday to Charlize and give her her present.... Well-- that was a fail!! I definitely left Charlize's gift at my house and still have it.  I swear I will get it to her.  UUUGGGHHH-- things like that make me feel so bad!!

Enough of my failure, let's get to the exciting stuff!!  It was so nice to see Brooke, Brooklynn, Charlize, and Jermaine.  Brooke and I don't get together nearly as much as we would, through no fault of Brooke, that's all me.  So when the opportunity arises, it is always a good time.  I love both Brooklynn and Charlize as I do my own children and it is always so great to spend some time with them.  Brooke had originally wanted to have a little party, but life sort of got in the way, so she cancelled it.  When I got wind of this, I asked her of she was planning on being around on Friday, because since it was already in my planner to go over there, I still really wanted to. I guess a couple of other friends sort of felt the same way, so when I got there, Bethany(Charlize's Godmother) was there as well. And then shortly after Allison came with Kyree and Silas.  I also only see Bethany and Allison just a couple of times a year, and we always have a good time catching up with each other and each of our crazy, busy lives. 

I had to leave early to get Madison but came back right after for some cake and ice cream...  All Frozen themed of course.  Nothing else would have been good enough for Miss Charlize Zuri!!  Anthon (Charlize's Godfather) also came bearing gifts for the belated birthday girl.  Even Jermain's cousin Craig stopped by and was lucky enough to be able to share in some cake and ice cream as well.  Chachi (as Charlize is better know by many) was in her own little "Frozen" heaven. It was so cute as she opened her gifts and got excited about items and wanted to play with them right away.  She donned her Princess Anna apparel almost immediately and the only way to get her to go to sleep with out her princess dress was to promise her that she could keep it next to her while she slept. :)  Kids are great!!

"Yay Daddy.. thank you so much for my new favorite outfit"

"Mommy, don't hate that you don't have a cool wand like me!!"

ALL HAIL PRINCESS ANNA/CHARLIZE

Being crowned a princess

"Yes Peasant-- you MAY take my picture"

Admiring herself in the mirror

Silas trying to steal the Cran Apple Juice

Beautiful Birthday Girl

Opening my gift from My Godfather Anthon

Look at what I got!!

CAKE TIME!!

"Everyone is singing Happy Birthday to me!!"

Blowing out my candles

Silas trying to eat his cake in piece

Mommy was clearly playing with my dollhouse and dolls!!

Brooke was kind enough to let Madison spend the night with Brooklynn and it seems like they had a good time. Unfortunately, I had to pick Madison up fairly early, but we have a sleepover planned with Brooklynn for a couple of weeks from now, so hopefully they will have more time to spend together then.

Most everyone knows that I do not have many friends.  While I had met both Bethany and Allison through Brooke and gotten to know them more and more, I really do consider them friends.  They are great people and I have loved that we have shared experiences together.  Everyone deserves friends like the two of these women are to Brooke. I am not around quite as much as they are and know that Brooke is extremely lucky to have these two women who care about her and her children so dearly in her life!! 


Saturday September 20, 2014

As usual, since it seems to be a regular thing in my life now, I met up with Jen to go for a run! We spent most of the time walking and catching up since we both had bad weeks in regards to getting  run in.  :)

My original plan for Saturday morning was to go to the NorthWest Country Fair with the kids, take Madison to a birthday party, and go see Damian play at the Library.   And as always-- everything go switched up.  I was running way later than I had planned, never got to the Fair, and by the time I went to go get the kids to bring them to see Damian play, they were already at his gig waiting for it to start with PopUp-- I am not sure if Mama was there, I didn't even think to ask. 

So I went and dropped Madison off at her friends house and by the time I would have gotten to Damian's gig, it would have been almost over anyway, so I went and spent some time with Jaida, my mom, and dad.  this is also becoming the new weekend ritual.  We had a small little photo shoot while I was there since she actually liked me for a little while:

Ummmmm..Anutie Michelle-- I am sort of done taking pictures now



Trying some salmon tempura or something like that... Did you know that Sushi was raw fish???  OH LORD!!

Damian said he had a good time at his gig and he was extremely happy that 2 out of our 3 kids were able to make it to see him.  He even posted about it on Facebook-- he doesn't write many personal things on FB, so it may have been a little dig at me since I was there, but nonetheless he enjoyed having that moment with the little ones, so I will take it :)  Myles ended up going to New Haven with Mama for a graduation party for Damian's cousin Carissa and Mayci hung out at the park with PopUp. Damian headed out to New York for a WuTang concert with Joe and HellRazah while Madison ended her evening with her friend Naijah.  The little ones came home tired and ready to call it a night. 

Sunday September 21, 2014

Sunday was a laid back low key day for the family.  Damian had a rehearsal, Myles went to church with Mama and then came home with Daddy.  Mayci spent time with Grandma Virginia, Grandpa Wayne and Jaida, while Madison was still with Naijah.  I ran in the Union Street Tavern Trot with Jen -- a 3.5 mile run that didn't go as well as Jen and I had hoped, but all in all was still a good time.  I picked up the girls after the run, headed home and the whole family just lounged and hung out.  I took a nap and Madison cooked dinner.  Like, she really cooked dinner.  Chicken and then she did corn and green beans.  The vegetables were delicious and since I no longer eat meat, I didn't try her chicken but it smelled great and everyone ate it and said it was good!!

I hope everyone had a fun filled weekend!!