It's been a hot and busy summer around here, so I've been off the blogs. Living and loving real life. Lots to update:
Marielle has already started at a new school, a local Catholic elementary, as it offers preschool for the same odd partial day that her brother will be in school. It's her third and last year of preschool, though she'd be ready for kindergarten, if only she were a wee bit older. It is also likely where she'd stay if we were living here and going private for elementary, but our public schools are crazy top notch (all their schools and others they could attend made this and all lists, which is another reason why we still haven't moved, our district is now amazeballs), so she is likely just going to the one down the street next fall. This serious little girl is so big and just had to have her cardigan on and buttoned. She just slays me sometimes. You should have seen her dance recital, a total pro.
Alistair starts this week at yet another new preschool for his last year, the school district's, after I decided to get him assessed last spring. He's always been a little slower than his sister (walking six plus months later, potty training a year later, etc.), though not behind his boy cousins, but she is a speedy one, so we weren't that concerned. He's always been a leftie and sensitive (to sounds, bright light, temperature, feelings in general, etc.), and has had more trouble writing (switching back and forth/ambidexterous, less overall dexterity) and dealing with transitions. I'd heard good things about the preschool, so we decided to give it a try. They don't have stringent qualifications if they think they can benefit from help, so even though he has done fine in his other schools, we are hoping that some occupation therapy and extra help will get him really rocking and rolling to begin the all day kindergarten down the street arm in arm with his sister next fall. He's also taking the bus, so that will be another exciting adventure. My big brave boy is so excited!
After I put him on the bus, I felt jittery and thought I was really losing it (it's his first ride alone, but his third year of school). But then I realized later when it didn't subside that I'd mistakenly had some caffeine, which totally wigs me out. There should be some sort of disability program for mothers with low caffeine and alcohol tolerances like I have.
My step-father's prognosis is sadly pretty grim. He is doing well with his regimen of weekly chemo and daily radiation, but his surgery in a month or so to remove what they can of the very large tumor will be very debilitating and long term survival rates are low. He is continuing to work as long as he can, as he wants to/can, and we are all just taking it as well as we can and we are spending lots of extra time up north to visit.
We just got back from visiting the Hamptons via NYC and Pittsburgh to beach it up and spend some time with my sister and her boyfriend (now officially fiancé, wedding date pending). Lots of great fun, but enough for its own several posts...someday.
I've already completed a whole new project with my former CMO for the same client as the last. And we have another international one for them on deck. Working from home, on my own schedule, making bank with no overhead, using my brain and skills, not selling anything or abusing my social networks. Life is beautiful, so I'm riding this gravy train as long as it lasts.
We finally decided that we are in fact taking a trip sans twins for our tenth anniversary and my 40th birthday next month. My mom will be busy travelling for her 50th high school reunion (though thankfully for us, my dad was opting out), so my dad and step-mother are coming down and taking on the kids for a long weekend, so we can get away. We went back and forth about how far we were comfortable going (a few hour direct flight) and for how long (a few days) and also where (since we've been most everywhere within that proximity), but we settled on Savannah, since we've both never been and it's supposed to be fun. We had such a great time with just an overnight away last year for DH's 40th, you'd think we'd do it more. We can't wait!!
Marielle has already started at a new school, a local Catholic elementary, as it offers preschool for the same odd partial day that her brother will be in school. It's her third and last year of preschool, though she'd be ready for kindergarten, if only she were a wee bit older. It is also likely where she'd stay if we were living here and going private for elementary, but our public schools are crazy top notch (all their schools and others they could attend made this and all lists, which is another reason why we still haven't moved, our district is now amazeballs), so she is likely just going to the one down the street next fall. This serious little girl is so big and just had to have her cardigan on and buttoned. She just slays me sometimes. You should have seen her dance recital, a total pro.
Alistair starts this week at yet another new preschool for his last year, the school district's, after I decided to get him assessed last spring. He's always been a little slower than his sister (walking six plus months later, potty training a year later, etc.), though not behind his boy cousins, but she is a speedy one, so we weren't that concerned. He's always been a leftie and sensitive (to sounds, bright light, temperature, feelings in general, etc.), and has had more trouble writing (switching back and forth/ambidexterous, less overall dexterity) and dealing with transitions. I'd heard good things about the preschool, so we decided to give it a try. They don't have stringent qualifications if they think they can benefit from help, so even though he has done fine in his other schools, we are hoping that some occupation therapy and extra help will get him really rocking and rolling to begin the all day kindergarten down the street arm in arm with his sister next fall. He's also taking the bus, so that will be another exciting adventure. My big brave boy is so excited!
After I put him on the bus, I felt jittery and thought I was really losing it (it's his first ride alone, but his third year of school). But then I realized later when it didn't subside that I'd mistakenly had some caffeine, which totally wigs me out. There should be some sort of disability program for mothers with low caffeine and alcohol tolerances like I have.
My step-father's prognosis is sadly pretty grim. He is doing well with his regimen of weekly chemo and daily radiation, but his surgery in a month or so to remove what they can of the very large tumor will be very debilitating and long term survival rates are low. He is continuing to work as long as he can, as he wants to/can, and we are all just taking it as well as we can and we are spending lots of extra time up north to visit.
We just got back from visiting the Hamptons via NYC and Pittsburgh to beach it up and spend some time with my sister and her boyfriend (now officially fiancé, wedding date pending). Lots of great fun, but enough for its own several posts...someday.
I've already completed a whole new project with my former CMO for the same client as the last. And we have another international one for them on deck. Working from home, on my own schedule, making bank with no overhead, using my brain and skills, not selling anything or abusing my social networks. Life is beautiful, so I'm riding this gravy train as long as it lasts.
We finally decided that we are in fact taking a trip sans twins for our tenth anniversary and my 40th birthday next month. My mom will be busy travelling for her 50th high school reunion (though thankfully for us, my dad was opting out), so my dad and step-mother are coming down and taking on the kids for a long weekend, so we can get away. We went back and forth about how far we were comfortable going (a few hour direct flight) and for how long (a few days) and also where (since we've been most everywhere within that proximity), but we settled on Savannah, since we've both never been and it's supposed to be fun. We had such a great time with just an overnight away last year for DH's 40th, you'd think we'd do it more. We can't wait!!