Catch-up

Summing up our lives in the past 7 months or so:

Abi started 3rd grade and is doing AWESOME!  She loves learning new things and has become quite the reader... Current favorites are Judy Moody, Ivy & Bean, Amelia Bedelia.  She has even finished reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe".  Thanks to cousins Ryne and Kailen we have a few other chapter book ideas in the works.  We will have to check those out soon.  Her favorite phrase (said hours after she is supposed to be in bed) is "Sorry.  I got caught up in a book."  If that is the worst she does in life, I'll take it! ;)

Mikayla started Kindergarten and is SO taking charge of that.  She has an amazingly sweet teacher who she adores.  Mrs. McFarland is "the sweetest teacher in all the school" according to Abi.  When asked what she likes most about school, Mikayla's answer is "Mrs. McFarland."  I imagine that is a pretty standard answer for most Kindergarteners, but still. :)  Mikayla is learning to read and desires to be able to, but her real passion in learning seems to be with math.  She has asked me to make up homework for her because she doesn't get any.  She goes through math fact flash cards when Abi does her homework so she has something to do. :)

Not to be outdone by her two sisters, Elaina also started school. :)  She is in the 2 year old, 2 days per week program at the same preschool Abi and Mikayla went to.  The preschool is awesome!  Why else would we keep going back? ;)  She wasn't so sure about it to start, but has quickly warmed up to preschool... now onto potty training!  She is being quite stubborn about that, but we aren't really pushing it just yet either.  We talk about going potty, but don't really stress it too much.  I think of potty training as more of a summer battle. :) 

Greg is still teaching at Herkimer-BOCES, but has changed to a different building (and has had 2 different classrooms this year) after a school consolidation that happened recently.  I think he still enjoys the teaching, but not all the 'other stuff' that seems to come with it... I suppose that is every job, right?

I have changed positions and stores as of October 1.  I was asked to move to Waterville to be PIC (Pharmacist in charge).  It is supposed to be a temporary position of 6 months or so and then the option will be mine to stay or go back to Little Falls.  The new store has presented me with lots of learning opportunities of which comes quite a bit of angst and stress.  I am trying to take it all in stride and continue to learn as I go.  I am generally not a 'manager type', but do enjoy problem solving...  We shall see what the future holds. 

So that is our academic and professional update...

Onto other adventures:

We had a Dolleslager family vacation in August which was fun.  :)  We met Mom, John, Annette, Ryne, and Kailen in St. Ignace, MI (where we went 2 years ago) and it was SO much fun!  Just tonight, Elaina was talking about "going back to Michigan".  I asked what she'd want to do there, she said "Play Lego's"  (her current favorite and happened to be what we were doing at that time).  I asked then if she wanted to go to the beach.  Her reply was "The beach with Grandma D".  :)

My mom has been here for two visits this year.  She was here in September and stayed for nearly 3 weeks!  It was awesome and SO much fun.  The girls really enjoyed having the time with her and I hope she realizes that (Yes, Mom, I know you are reading this!).  We didn't do too much while she was here then other than get back into the school return and enjoy each other's company.  :)  Mom and I did get some canning in (a first for me).  I have many, many memories of Mom and Dad canning or maybe it was Mom canning and Dad freaking out if I walked into the kitchen or dining room during the process... hard to say what was the real memory.... Either way, I can recall walking into the pantry and seeing jars and jars of peaches, pears, green beans, or tomatoes.  While Mom and I didn't can _THAT_ much stuff, we had fun and I feel that I could do it alone now without much anxiety. ;)  Although I suspect canning by myself would not be nearly as much fun and may even be considered work. 

The second visit was a surprise!  Mom showed up in our family room (with help and knowledge from Greg) for Christmas this year.  It was such a nice and amazing treat to have her here.  Again, the girls enjoyed the experience as well. 

We are already looking forward to another visit in April.  We are trying to come up with a few ideas that we can do as day trips...  any suggestions?  

Our next big trip for our family is happening in May... heading to ND to celebrate Ryne's graduation from high school!  HOLY COW!  How is it possible that my baby nephew has reached this point?!  He has become such a handsome, mature, sensitive, and smart young man.  I am so proud of him and only wish I had words that could adequately express that!! 

Well, now that I have chatted and typed for the past 1/2 hour or so... meaning I haven't gone upstairs to retuck in Abi or done any of the other paperwork I was supposed to be doing...  I shall end this for now. 

Maybe, MAYBE I'll post a couple more pics by week's end?