Week 11

This week was a short one. The election day and teacher work days made it zoom past. That did not stop us from celebrating Daddy’s birthday.

I made an adult and a kid menu!

First time for steaks a long while!

In other news, we are still waiting on our things to come from Fiji. I hope it is happening this month. I will feel a lot more settled then. I also got the boys appointments for their Covid vaccines. Come Christmas time we will all be vaccinated and I can feel a bit better about life.

Speaking of Christmas time, I apparently need to get started on gifts. When did this happen? Why do I feel rushed about Christmas gifts at the beginning of November? This is absurd. Trying to roll with it. Looking forward to a fun winter break where we all can relax.

Halloween

We made it through the first quarter of the school year, just in time for Halloween.

It was a wonderful experience. After three years overseas, the boys got to experience a true Halloween and actually remember it. We got a couple of big pumpkins and carved them before heading out to trick or treat. We even brought Silvio and Walter out for the experience. The neighborhood was hopping and the evening was perfect for walking around outside.

Almost to the End of the First Quarter

Amazing! The end of this week marks the end of the first quarter of the school year. In the meantime, we completed a bunch of doctors appointments. All good news - Thomas had some sealants on molar teeth done. John saw a pediatric cardiologist and received an all clear for some concerns we had over the summer. I got a night guard which means improved sleep. I am not waking up feeling like I have a massive headache every day.

We also had another round of visitors - Grandma Dee, Grandpa Nick, and Amber. We headed to Cox Farms for some fall festival fun.

Closest I’ll get to Stonehenge - Foamhenge!

We also spent some time getting our house outfitted for the upcoming spooky holiday!

The boys each participated in the school’s big fundraiser - Rock n Run. I volunteered for part of the day so I got to see them in action.

Also, the weather has finally gotten a smidge cooler. That means I get to enjoy more evenings with pugs in this position:

Week 8 of School

Holy Moly! We made it to week eight. The boys have been participating in two months of school. It is amazing but I can not believe how busy and how much of a whirlwind it has been.

This past weekend we enjoyed a bit of an extended weekend with Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day. It was needed by all, especially me. I took a substitute teaching job somewhat last minute last week. I was surprised by how some things about teaching, while rusty, came back pretty quickly. But I was also surprised by the detriment to social development that kids have had due to the pandemic. I felt a bit horrible for not getting to everything and also for feeling unprepared for level of movement and wiggles that took place. I have some ideas for what to do better next time. 

We also convinced a few visitors to stay with us, namely, Grandma Carol and Grandpa Ron. It was such a fun time that I did not get a chance to take any pictures. Shocking! We spent some time at the National Museum of the US Army. The boys really enjoyed that and they spent some allowance/chore money on some lego-style sets at the gift shop. Later that same day we had the pleasure of having Aunt Kathy and Uncle John come over for a little barbecue and fire pit action. On Sunday, we enjoyed a slightly less jam packed day filled with some church goings-on followed by John, Thomas, and myself getting our flu shots.  I am still feeling a bit achey from that jab. Better safe than sorry!

Anyway, this week looks to be busy with some doctor appointments, which make the schedule crazy, plus another shot at substitute teaching for me. We are looking forward to another weekend of visitors as well.

Oh, but before I sign off, two weeks ago the boys had school pictures taken. I got an email with the final results. Can you believe we have not had school pictures taken in about 3 years? Check out this 5th and 3rd grader!

Which background do you like better? I only ordered a couple of little wallets and such but the company is linked with Shutterfly, so I could probably make some weird projects with their faces on them.

Week 5, 6, and the start of 7

So, this is what happens when I forget to write down "write a blog post" in my to do list each week. I can barely remember what we have gotten into.

After school clubs are being enjoyed by all. I like a little extra time in the afternoon. We have been enjoying the fall weather. I even got some rain boots for when it rains.

We have added a few more furniture pieces. A bit more storage space in the kitchen and additional seating on the patio.

The pugs especially like the outside couch.

We have even enjoyed some fire pit evenings.

Other big news, I got a job substitute teaching. I am slowly easing back into things. Not diving right in but getting a day or two in each week. Exciting times!

Four Weeks

 I probably shouldn’t jinx it. It has been four full weeks of school. The boys seem to be adapting fairly well. We may be getting into a rhythm. It has been a little difficult managing everyone’s schedules and making sure that everyone has transportation when they need it. Only having one car makes it a bit rough. Not to mention all fo the followup visits for dogs and doctor visits for the kids. It just gets a bit messy.

Then we are going to add a few more things on our plate. I decided to help the PTA with an upcoming event in October. Not quite sure what I got myself into but I am sure I will figure it out at some point or another. This week some notices came home about after school clubs and they are right up the boys’ alley. Both of them will be participating in the LEGO building club. Thomas is also signed dup to participate in the Chess Club. I think he will have a lot of fun with that one. He has been back to reading his book about chess openings again.

We also started Faith Formation classes with the church. There may be other fun and interesting things on the horizon as well.

Three Weeks

 Three whole weeks of school complete. I am kinda shocked at the moment. But still trying to enjoy everything. We have signed up for new things like:

Soon to be cello player in the school Strings.

and potentially the Chess Club for Thomas.

We had the deck cleaned and sealed (it wasn’t looking so great). But now, it does marvelously when it rains.

We took a moment to enjoy the fabulous weather this week (looks like it will get hot again next week) by having dinner outside. We tested out our old but new again Coleman grill.

Silvio has not been feeling so hot though. This necessitated a trip to the emergency vet. An eye with a scratch, a left ear that was yucky infected and a right ear with a ruptured ear drum. He now has his own little pharmacy of meds for the next week or so.

And right now, I am watching as the second child learns how to handle the lawnmower. At the very least the yard will be looking good. We still need to work on a bunch more things in the house but may be a post for another day.

September

The start of September means we have finished two weeks of school. The boys seem to be settling in to their classes and the rhythm of school.

It was also my birthday.

We went to have a birthday dinner at a nice Italian restaurant called Via Veneto.

We are also spending the weened celebrating John's tenth birthday.

and then again with other grandparents...