tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87042435753579527422024-03-14T14:39:23.455-04:00A look into lifeA Look Into LifeJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.comBlogger724125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-37984870620702578652013-10-15T20:05:00.002-04:002013-10-15T20:05:47.007-04:00Busy Enjoying SchoolHannah is absolutely adoring third grade. After her open house and meeting her teacher, she has literally strived to do the very best she can. She does her homework as soon as she can manage from getting in the door. Some days we have too much going on and she doesn't finish until after dinner, but there is no complaining from this kid. She is too much.<br />
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Norah had her open house tonight, and her teacher said she is just wonderful. She gets along with all the other kids and is always happy. Now clearly this isn't the Norah I know, I'd prefer her having that alter ego at school. While we were at Belcher, Hannah visited her old teacher who are still there, and they both loved to see her. The kindergarten teacher Hannah had was sad she didn't get Norah, and I know her former first grade teacher is hoping to get Norah next year.<br />
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As for me, I'm loving my photography class, and am spending as much time as humanly possible with my schedule, in the darkroom. I was graded on my first project and I got an A, so I guess I either know what I'm doing, or he likes what he sees anyways.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-6443524473803639092013-09-04T09:13:00.003-04:002013-09-04T09:13:39.981-04:00After a Fun Filled SummerIt's back to the school frenzy. Yesterday was Hannah's first day of third grade, and she rocked it exactly like I figured she would. She bounced off the bus at 3:05 insisting that it was the best day ever. Her favorite thing is that one of her specials is science. She was sad they aren't learning about cheetahs (her new obsession) but was excited they'll be learning about the solar system, except that she has to wait until June. She has some friends from last year in her class, and likes her teacher very much. Even riding the bus wasn't as bad as she anticipated. Fortunately she's one of the first picked up and dropped off. <br />
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Next week Norah starts her Kindergarten Debut. She's excited to meet her teacher tomorrow and Friday has her Kindergarten orientation. She is insisting she wants to ride the bus like Hannah, but should she change her mind, I am able to drop off/pick her up, I just can't do both kids. For some reason school choice doesn't actually mean much in Chicopee. So they are stuck going to separate schools because of where we live. Every other elementary school is K-5, except Norah's. <br />
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I'm starting actual classes on Campus today, my first photography class requirement towards my degree. I'm excited, but possibly a little nervous. I skimmed my photography book and while I'm looking forward to learning to develop film, I'm anticipating that being something I may struggle with.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-49827379488448414322013-06-12T15:52:00.000-04:002013-06-12T15:52:27.657-04:00LifeLife seems to get in the way these days. Everything jumps up at once and nothing gets done. Norah is officially in her room, and it's a lovely shade of green. She is coming in on the home stretch of school, and is looking forward to skipping school Friday to hang out with Auntie Sara and Carlee.<br />
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Hannah has another week of school and a few extra days. She is looking forward to summer vacation and planning our week off in August.<br />
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Both girls are sad about losing Nana last week, but time does heal all wounds, and they are less sad and easier to distract every day.<br />
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I'm finished with school and enjoying having slightly more free time.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-42603015221744853352013-04-18T12:24:00.001-04:002013-04-18T12:24:39.496-04:00New RoomHannah and Norah somehow got it into their heads that they no longer enjoyed sharing a room. Hannah decided she would like her bedroom to be upstairs, and Norah could enjoy the downstairs bedroom next to ours by herself. A couple weekends ago the girls picked out some paint colors they liked, and last week Steven started stripping the wallpaper border from upstairs. Once that was finished and the holes were patched, Hannah picked yet another pair of paint colors, and Steven and Heather got to work. By Saturday afternoon, her room was two very nice shades of purple, and we had all her furniture up and the bed remade. So far she really seems to like it up there. She doesn't even notice the cats running around playing half the night. Good for her, better for them I think. She doesn't seem bothered by the fact that we are still awake and downstairs where she can hear us after she goes to bed. She is always soundly asleep when I check on her.<br />
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Norah is getting excited for her room now. She does have her own room, but Steven promised to paint it for her. Since her favorite color is green, I anticipate a lot of green, and hopefully some new decorations that are all her own. We're going to wait until after Mother's Day to paint her room, since Hannah's first communion is next weekend, and we'll need a weekend to recover from that.<br />
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My school is nearly finished for the semester. I have one more chaper to focus on in each class and then continuous studying for the final. I'll be totally done in about a month, and I'm tempted to start counting down the days. <br />
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The girls are on vacation this week, and Kat and I have been alternating who goes where on which day. So Monday all 5 were here, and Tuesday there... alternating every day. They haven't gotten to really do anything fun, which is a bummer, but we have had pretty nice weather, so lots of time outside!Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-7050622236712042542013-04-04T20:23:00.001-04:002013-04-04T20:23:13.386-04:00GrowingNorah spent last Friday being tired, and the more I thought about it, it seemed like she had been tired a lot lately. I was really hoping she wasn't sick. Turns out she must be hitting a growth spurt. She has literally eaten everything at every meal all week, even asking for a snack before bed. Maybe she won't be the tiniest 5year old foreverJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-84196209250585714442013-03-20T13:11:00.002-04:002013-03-20T13:11:58.709-04:00Birthday MonthMarch is a birthday month here, and we are finally finished celebrating for the most part. Norah is officially 5, Hannah is 8, and Steven is old. They were pleased to have cake and special dinners to celebrate. Norah also got a trip to Boston to visit the science museum. Hannah wants to ride horses for her celebration, so we're waiting until it gets a bit warmer to do that.<br />
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Both girls are smart as whips, and are trying to coerce me into letting them go to a taekwondo tournament in Rhode Island. We'll see about that though, it's not cheap, and I'm not sure it's a necessity.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-70664627952074959142013-01-31T07:49:00.004-05:002013-01-31T07:49:42.600-05:00Strange WeatherAfter a week of temperatures in the single digits, and well below freezing overnight, this morning when we got up it was 60* outside. Outside, it's only a few degrees warmer in the house. I realize it's the end of January and it obviously won't last, however I'm loving it anyways.<br />
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The girls had Taekwondo last night, and Norah got her last tape, so she's ready to test for a blue belt. They also did board breaking, so they each broke 5 boards with different breaks. Hannah is apparently ready for a tournament, so I'm looking into it. I have a video of Hannah breaking last night, I'll see if I can get it up here at some point.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-26558233768522207482013-01-09T13:00:00.003-05:002013-01-09T13:00:58.115-05:00Happy New YearThe girls had a busy and merry Christmas, and a happy New Year spent having a sleepover with Grampy and Mimi. They got more stuff than I could have imagined for Christmas, considering we bought them very little. There are a zillion legos, which is great, and as Uncle Donny tells them "you can never have too many legos." <br />
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They are finally back in a routine of school and the regular things we do weekly. I still have a little less than 3 weeks before I go back to school. I'm taking Statistics and Meteorology this semester, and I'm hoping to keep my GPA up this time taking two classes that count!Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-83214534763895168612012-12-20T07:48:00.003-05:002012-12-20T07:48:53.017-05:00A good studentYesterday was the holiday party for the center where both girls take taekwondo. There were awards given out and food. I wasn't planning on going, because honestly, rooms full of people I don't know make me crazy. However, I got a heads up that Hannah was going to get one of the awards, and I figured she deserved some spotlight. Sure enough, Hannah got a rather large trophy for Student of the Year. I was told she was their obvious first choice. She is very proud of herself, and we of course are proud of her too! Norah is a little sad that she didn't get a trophy also, but I think she'll get over it. Of course, there's always next year.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-71953165908341502522012-12-10T12:49:00.000-05:002012-12-10T12:49:16.269-05:00Much BetterNorah's visit with the pediatrician went well. She agreed with me that it didn't seem broken and said she thought it was a serious skin irritation. Hydrocortisone twice a day and a generous layer of aquaphor at night and her toe looks MUCH better than it was. Not enough to stop using it at the moment, but even she seems to feel better about it.<br />
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We are gearing up for Christmas here, with a load of gifts under the tree already, everyone is looking forward to the big day. We're deciding on a menu for all of the 3 gatherings being hosted here, and I'm hopeful we can have a fun, peaceful time at all of them!Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-89632136896862070872012-12-06T07:53:00.001-05:002012-12-06T07:53:10.937-05:00Questionable InjurySunday evening I noticed one of Norah's toes was all swollen and red/purple. She didn't say she had hurt it, and while it looked bad, it didn't seem to bother her much. She walks normal, and basically doesn't complain about it at all unless she can see it. I figured give it a few days and regroup. Last night they had taekwondo, and it still looked bad. So today I'm taking her to the pediatrician to have it looked at. It always looks VERY bad at night, but by morning it just looks like a red bump and hardly swollen at all. I don't know if it's related to her shoes, or how she walks, or the fact that her toes point inward toward her big toe. I guess we'll find out today. Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-84076522712839114702012-12-04T19:57:00.002-05:002012-12-04T19:57:28.984-05:00Ho Ho HoWhen I was pregnant with Hannah we decided that we would not do Santa. We would make sure that our kid(s) knew that we chose and purchased the gifts they received and glory and disappointment would be distributed accordingly. I never once told either of these girls that there was no Santa, because I didn't want my kids to be *those* kids. So we simply told them that Santa needs help, and that since he doesn't come to our house, we buy the gifts. It has totally worked fine up until this year. This year when Hannah would normally be right on the edge of when it's socially acceptable to still believe in Santa. When she might be questioning things. This year they ask to go see Santa at the mall. Since the line was short, I indulged them. They climbed up on Santa's lap and told him exactly what they wanted. Dreamlights and The Lorax topped the list, which is funny because I knew that and they are getting both. So I wonder what prompted this. They have seen the wrapping paper I bought for them, so when Hannah rips the paper off The Lorax joyously, there will be no question who wanted her to have it. Yet she trusted us so little to get something she would enjoy, she asked a disturbing old man she's never met who plays with elves.
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Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-2656192187412448072012-11-29T07:46:00.000-05:002012-11-29T07:46:29.061-05:00Surprise!Last Monday at Taekwondo, Norah got her final tape that meant she was ready for testing. Then they were closed until this week. We normally go on Wednesday, so we headed over last night for their regular 6:30 class. The instructor informed me that he was testing other kids, and since Norah was ready, did I want to test her too? Sure, why not. I just happened to have enough cash to pay the testing fee, and so it was. She was thrilled, and is now the proud owner of a green belt. The test was shorter than some of the others, since it took place during normal class time, but she wowed everyone still. We're so proud of her, she's the smartest four year old I know.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-78913416502750445542012-11-06T07:39:00.003-05:002012-11-06T07:39:58.250-05:00After Green....Comes Blue :) Hannah is testing for a new belt at Taekwondo tomorrow night. She's excited, and she definitely knows her stuff. It's been a couple months since the last test, and I think she knows what they want her to more solidly than she did last time. I'm looking forward to a longer break between belts coming from her. In the last six months she has breezed through white, yellow, orange, and green. <br />
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Norah isn't quite ready to be tested. She's finding the increased requirements for the orange belt more difficult, either because she is four, or because she is also difficult. She is getting there though, so I am sure it won't be too long before she's also ready for a new belt.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-4500226682563622512012-11-04T07:46:00.002-05:002012-11-04T07:46:22.805-05:00Score!At the very end of the first half of the last soccer game of the year, Hannah scored her very first goal. Ever since last year I've been telling her that everytime she scores a goal I'll buy her a donut. I've never had to make good on that bargain, but yesterday we stopped at Dunkin twice. Once on the way for warm drinks to keep mommies and cousins warm while we cheer, and once on the way home to fill her wish for a chocolate frosted donut. She is so SO thrilled to have scored, and it just so happened that she scored the only goal for the whole game, making it a tie at 1-1 instead of a loss. She is hoping to be able to do some indoor soccer over the winter, and then spring soccer next year. Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-76393896026541311842012-10-26T13:21:00.000-04:002012-10-26T13:21:03.775-04:00HalloweenLife just keeps getting busier. Today is insanely busy for me. I worked this morning, bought some groceries and put them all away. I have to pick up Hannah in a few minutes, and I'm running her over to the park for something special she and I got chosen to do. After that I have to run back to get Norah from Kat, find them dinner, run them to taekwondo, and directly after that go late to Norah's Halloween Dance at school. <br />
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Tonight at the Halloween Dance they are going to be taekwondo girls, and for actual halloween, I have no idea. They'll pick something out of the dress up trunk, if we don't get hit with a hurricane and Halloween gets canceled again.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-23468717445662648442012-10-12T07:30:00.003-04:002012-10-12T07:30:56.122-04:00BetterThank goodness we're all feeling better here. Life is back to it's normal craziness. Norah is finally doing better about dropping off at school. I instituted stickers for every day with a good drop off, and something special to do together when she gets five in a row. She likes it, and the fact that I bought cute stickers helps I'm sure.<br />
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Otherwise life is just it's usual busy. Hannah has a couple more weeks of soccer, and they're still going to taekwondo twice a week. Hannah also has CCD on Mondays in preparation for her first communion in the spring. Kat and I went to a meeting last night at the church about the second graders and how the first communion works. Hopefully we can get our three "triplets" all in the same section. Our church does it in two sections because this year they have I guess over 70 second graders. The dates are either April 13 or April 27. We chose the 27th, and hopefully we get to keep it.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-24992026638162052072012-09-28T07:44:00.002-04:002012-09-28T07:44:46.790-04:00Busy with being sickGetting sick is the worst. There are a zillion run of the mill colds that go around elementary schools all winter. However, it's only September, and we've already had one really ugly stomach virus hit home. Hannah was first, then Norah. It's so sad when they're sick and you can't do anything for them. I got it next, and spent the day feeling miserable. Amanda had it too, so the only person to escape unscathed is Steven, which is pretty normal around here.<br />
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So we are back to status quo here for the moment. Hannah has been playing soccer and having fun with it. She has a game this weekend, and she's hoping to win again. They finally won their first game last weekend, 1-0, which is a good game to watch. I love it when they're close games, it means they had to work for it.<br />
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Norah is having a few issues here with school. She cries when I drop her off, which is strange since she was fine the whole first two weeks. I'm hoping I can find out what is wrong with her so I can fix it for her. I want her to love going to school and make new friends.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-11445960264973105392012-09-12T15:52:00.000-04:002012-09-12T15:52:09.644-04:00School!We are officially a week and a half into the school year! Hannah seems to like her class and her teacher. Norah started just on Monday, and so far enjoys herself. She doesn't seem to miss me, and was offended that I was going to pick her up today after I finished at work. So, seems good for everyone. I'm working on lots of homework myself, digging into algebra doesn't make my day, but I guess it makes my transcript look better.<br />
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Norah and Hannah both tested for their belts a couple weeks back, and now Hannah is green and Norah is orange. They still take class twice a week, and are progressing through their sadness that their favorite instructor went back to college.<br />
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Hannah had her first soccer game this past weekend, and while they didn't win, they played a great game overall! There were only six of them, so everyone played the entire game. They were exhausted and sweaty when they finished, but I was so proud of all those girls!Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-33589374935133245832012-08-24T10:33:00.000-04:002012-08-24T10:33:04.884-04:00Testing... testing... 1...2...There is a group test tonight at Tae Kwon Do, and both girls are ready to be tested. I paid their fee last night, so all that remains is to be there for 6pm and watch. They're very excited, though Hannah is a bit nervous about her flying side kick. I'm debating going out to the store to get a bigger micro sd for my phone, so I can take video's of both girls tests. I don't think I have enough room for two videos on the card I have now. They can't wait, though it will be their last "class" with Instructor Matt, since he's going back to school next week. They'll be super sad when he's gone, he really is SO good with them.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-59418043804862789832012-08-21T14:28:00.001-04:002012-08-21T14:28:24.942-04:00Summer VacationI can't believe that school starts for Hannah two weeks from today. It seems like she JUST got out of school, and here she is going back as a second grader already. She's so smart and funny, I know she's going to love it. She already got her teacher assignment, and while it wasn't who she wanted, she's not upset about it. <br />
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Norah starts school three weeks from yesterday, and I can't believe that I'm sending my baby to school. Real school with teachers and friends... it boggles my mind. I swear I was just doing preschool with Hannah, and Norah was an infant in a sling or a wrap at every drop off and pick up. Then she was a scheming toddler, with plans of her own, and an adorable smile. Somehow she's nearly 4.5, and totally ready to make new friends and have a good time at school.<br />
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The girls are testing for belts on Friday at Taekwondo. Hannah is moving up to a green belt, and Norah's testing for her orange belt. They're both ready and excited. Hannah is a little nervous about her breaking (a kicking break instead of a punching break), but she practiced last night, and is going to an extra class tonight to be sure she's very ready. Norah knows how to do her elbow strike break, but it's hard for her to practice since all the practice boards are too thick for such a tiny girl. I have faith it will be fine though. Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-83836221057666668582012-08-16T13:50:00.000-04:002012-08-16T13:50:07.680-04:00SchoolThat time is coming again, and what's more exciting is that this year Norah is joining the fun. She'll be attending the same preschool Hannah did, just with a different teacher. Just yesterday I got news that Magi will be going mornings also, just in a different class. She's really excited to start school, and be a "big girl that goes EVERY DAY!" Just like Hannah, only for half days instead of all day. It messes with my work schedule a bit, but I have managed to work it out, and it just might give me more time for my own school work, which starts again right after Labor Day. Seems like summer just started, even for me, and I finished six weeks earlier than Hannah.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-69469039765546108802012-08-13T20:34:00.002-04:002012-08-13T20:34:12.707-04:00HomeAfter an eventful vacation, we are home! Vacation started for me on Friday, and I took the girls with Kat to Six Flags for an afternoon of fun. They went in the water park, Hannah did some slides, and Norah some of the smaller kid things. Then we hit the rides. Teacups, roller coasters, and lots of kiddie rides. We stayed until about 8:30, when they finally decided they were hungry enough to leave and get dinner.<br />
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Saturday was a staying home kind of day, but Sunday we went to the Great New England Airshow. The girls were thrilled to get to sit in lots of different kinds of planes, and Hannah is convinced that the B 2 Stealth Bomber is really Batman's plane.<br />
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Monday we headed to the ocean, for a picnic at the beach. There was lots of swimming in the ocean and digging in the sand. On our way home we took a long way and stopped at Ikea for some things we needed. Plates, bowls, and dishtowels.<br />
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Tuesday was fun because we hit the Springfield Museums and got to play in the Lego exhibit. The girls and even Steven had a fabulous time building and being in awe of the massisve lego sculptures. There were lots of other interesting things, including a huge Tyrannosaurus Rex that terrified the life out of Norah. <br />
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Wednesday started the big fun. We got in the car early in the morning and headed down to Delaware to visit Sara and Zach and Baby Carlee. After a long ride, we finally got there around 2:30, and spent the rest of the day snuggling Carlee and catching up. <br />
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Thursday Sara and I took the cousins to the pool while Steven golfed and Zach slept, then we did the Dover AFB Air Museum, got amazing $1 ice cream, and grilled out for dinner. It was inhaled by everyone and enjoyed immensely. <br />
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Friday we thought our day would be spoiled, because it rained and thundered crazily when we got up in the morning. Fortunately for us, the weather changed and it was perfect to head to Longwood Gardens like we planned. We spent a lot of time there walking and taking pictures. We had a fabulous dinner and headed back until very late, catching about half of the fountain light show. After a long ride back, the girls were informed they had to sleep in.<br />
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Saturday we all got up around 8:30, and after cooking a big breakfast, we packed up and headed for home. We pulled in around 5:45, and as much as we hated leaving Delaware, it was nice to be home in our own space and our own beds.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-2693107058031779012012-07-31T16:35:00.002-04:002012-07-31T16:35:16.491-04:00Vacation!I'm counting down the days until we're on vacation. I'm officially done working about noon on Thursday (two days from now, yay!) but Steven isn't off until late Saturday night. We have some fun plans, and I can't wait to get started. I know it will all go by much too fast, especially the part in Delaware where I get to see my fabulous new niece! We skyped Sara over the weekend and got to "see" Carlee, but it's not the same as when I get to smush those cheeks in person. I hope to have tons of pictures, since we'll be staying with them, and already made plans to go to a gorgeous garden for a light show the night before we leave. Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663900424512843047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704243575357952742.post-53321302298998172012012-07-23T20:37:00.002-04:002012-07-23T20:37:50.858-04:00Yellow YellowNorah passed her yellow belt test! She's super proud of herself, and her instructors are impressed with her ability to learn and remember. She got her yellow belt at 6:45, and by the end of class at 7:15 she already had her first tape stripe. She's amazing, and we are so proud of her.<br />
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