Busy with being sick

Getting 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.

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.

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.

School!

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.

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.

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!

Testing... 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.

Summer Vacation

I 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. 

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.

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.

School

That 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.

Home

After 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Vacation!

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.