An Update

Ahem.

I am being told by a newly online member of my family (who thinks he's hot stuff in a Dixie cup with his new Dell) that I need to post more pictures. They'll be on by the end of the day, Mr. You-Know-Who.

Also - Happy Birthday to my Grampa (whom Jessica calls, "Grampa the Great!!!). I am not allowed to reveal his actual age, much to his delight. And he is pretty spiffy, as well as great.

Here is a long overdue update:

Jessie is doing well! (insert big silly grin here) We're still seeing lots of ups and downs, but she is also, ahem, very "6." Jessica us what I affectionately call "quirky" but I think it's in large part due to her personality. She is doing quite well in school - lots of days where she is coming home and telling me she was green all day, with no yellows or reds. On the (only) downside, she tends to be very reactionary to things - if something doesn't go her way, she'll spontaneously combust. It's like having a two year old tantrum, but in a 6-year old's body. That's sort of challenging when it happens, but Chris and I are trying to just be firm and matter of fact and usher her into something quiet when that happens. The almost funny thing about the meltdowns is that I can clearly see a glimpse of the future teenager. If this is karma coming back to kick me in the arse, then this is going to be.....interesting, at best. Jessie is doing Brownies this year, and I am co-leading her troop. She is having fun at the meetings and looks pretty cute in her Brownie vest. We're learning all about the history of Girl Scouting and just had a Birthday party for Juliette Low.

Anneliese is going to be 3 in one week! I can't believe it. This little sprout seems to know almost the entire alphabet, loves to sing, and has developed a sudden independent streak. She likes to take her socks off and put them back on again. She's learning how to pull up her pants (hellllooooo potty training) and adores my friend Kelly's son, Nicky. They play together a few times a week while Kelly and I crochet or just hang out. She has a new love for balloons - we can give her one and it can keep her entertained forever. She likes Max & Ruby ad nauseum. (Ruby is a sassy bossypants). Anneliese LOVES seeing Jessie come off the bus in the afternoon...lol.....and 15 minutes later they are screeching at each other. Gotta love sisters.

Halloween here was fun - we had Princess Jasmine and a Lady Bug. My pictures are still on my camera and I'll stick them on the blog today. The girls took turns ringing doorbells and they were very good about saying hello, please, trick or treat, and thank you to people. Which is always better than grabbing the candy and bolting. The weather was ideal, and this was the first year since moving here where we were completely out of candy by 8:20pm. Off went the light, and then the kids were off to bed.

Chris and I are doing pretty well. We just had a nice weekend on the Cape to visit his Dad while Karen had the girls and it was nice, but a long time in the car. We came home and went out to Nicky's 4th Birthday party - at the local gymnastics center - and Anna was asleep before we made it home! The girls were exhausted after such a fun weekend. They had so much fun at the gymnastics center, I am thinking about signing the girls up for a tumbling class.

Our back yard is a huge, glorious mess at the moment (septic system installation) and we're getting ready to buy some furniture for the living room....and plan for Christmas...so the budget is going sky high but at least we can flush the toilets without worrying and sitting on actual furniture. (Although, I have gotten several complements on the Care Bear furniture currently in place...oh, well). Hopefully the dust (and dirt) will settle by next week and then more on holiday planning.

On the holiday front, I started to batches of Amish Friendship Bread starter (one for me, one for Kelly). We're planning on boatloads of bread to bake and give as presents. I love to bake around this time of year and I am allready planning the recipes: eggnog bread, peanut brittle, candied nuts, cookies up the wazoo. I shall give the gift of calories this year. Chris and I also discussed the Griswold vs. Stuffy New England decor on the outside of the house, and I am slowly losing the bid to Griswold. I may sneak in something tacky at the last minute if I lose....otherwise it'll end up being little white twinkly lights, bows ang greenery. I have mini plastic snowmen and I am not afraid to use them.

Work has been good....on the 27th I start 2 days/week. I am learning a lot and it's a mix of being thankful for the education and a little overwhelmed with the responsibility. But, seriously, it's all good. I have never worked somewhere where the doctors actually sit and read with the technologist. I am used to presenting the films/scans and beating a trail out of the reading room. No the case any more: here we sit at the computer with the cardiologist, present the scan, and actually have a dialogue about the results. And I'm loving every minute of it!!!

Pictures coming soon - halloween and piles of dirt in the backyard.