Fall

We are having such a nice Fall. We've been keeping busy with Hannah's school days, Sadie's playgroup, and recent Fall festivities. This is my favorite time of year and there is much to look forward to over the next few months. Hannah and I will be heading to South Boston next weekend for Donna's baby shower...and then we'll have a new niece in the matter of weeks! Also, I'm enjoying following Erin's pregnancy day by day :) I'm so excited to become an Aunt....I think I'll be a really awesome one!
Something else has been keeping me busy lately...and that is trying hard to keep everyone healthy. Lysol is my new best friend.
Chad and I got our regular flu shots last weekend...and the girls go this week to get theirs. I have been on the fence with the H1N1 vaccine. I had actually decided NOT to get the girls vaccinated. It makes me nervous that the vaccine was just thrown out in no time flat...and first they needed one shot, then they needed two...so much confusion. I have seen interviews with well known physicians saying they won't be vaccinating their own kids. Anyhow, now I know of 3 families within MOMS club alone who's children have been diagnosed with Swine Flu. The girls have not been around the infected kids, but with Hannah going to school...I'm sure she will come in contact with it eventually. She's healthy to start with, so if she did contract it, she would most likely be okay...but why take the risk of her even getting sick if it can be prevented? This is something I've been struggling with ...and I still haven't made up my mind. I will probably make my decision on Thursday when I speak to her doctor. Chad thinks I'm down right crazy...and he's going to be the first in line to get his when Winchester actually receives it's supply.
Going to spend some time with Hannah while Sadie's napping... More later!
Oh- and Hannah says her favorite words are "Watermelon" and "Tasty Sweet".
LOL

Busy Bees...

Ooops, I'm slowing down on the blog posts. I've discovered Facebook is a much easier and less time-consuming way to keep everyone updated on our adventures. However, I want to keep blogging until the end of the year because I'd like to have at least one entire year that I can print out and keep for the girls. Cheaper than scrapbooking :)
We've had a busy couple of weeks. Hannah went back to school last week, and is already in love with her teacher. There are alot of kids in her class...the majority of them girls. I think she is having a blast and making new friendships. So that is fantastic! Also, she started her dance class. She really enjoyed it, but she was upset when the class ended and she didn't get to do a ballerina "spin". She thought that she was going to learn EVERYTHING in one day, so I have to keep reminding her that she'll learn a new skill each week. Her first class, she learned how to walk on her tippy toes like a princess.
Sadie had her first little playgroup meeting yesterday, and I think she will enjoy that. Hannah had the benefit of a playgroup when she was a baby, so I think Sadie should have the same. So on Mondays, while Hannah's at school..Sadie is playing with HER new friends. She is the youngest in the group by a few months...but is the same size as the oldest ones. It will be nice for me too!...It is always pleasant to have an adult conversation every once in a while :)
My Mom came up this past weekend and we had a fun visit. We went apple picking, but the girls mainly just wanted to run and play on the playground at the orchard.
As I suspected, Sadie woke up this morning with a super runny nose....which is probably the result of all the contact with new children. Oh well....it begins :)

Here, Yucky Ducky...

Little Lady Sadie has been sick this week, with a fever ranging from 99- 102. I finally took her to the doctor this morning....her fever is gone, but now she has a rash on her torso and face (even up into her scalp). My gut said it was just a virus, but I wanted to rule out strep throat...so I took her in for a test. No strep...it was just a yucky virus. Her rash may last up to a week, but at least she's not contagious anymore. Poor little thing....I can tell she's starting to feel better though.
Went to Hannah's school last night for "Parent's Night" and got to meet Hannah's new teacher. Ms. Gretchen has 23 yrs of experience under her belt and seems like she'll be great. Hannah's friend, Katy is in the same class....along with several other friends from her class last year. So it looks like she'll have a fun year. I'm so excited for her! I know she's ready to get rid of me-lol!
The weather has been gorgeous this week and we fed the ducks at the park the other day. These ducks were fearless....a few even reached up and grabbed bread from Hannah's hand. A bit frightening...so, once we were out of bread we high-tailed it out of there!

Looking Forward to Fall

I'm really excited about all the things that begin in the next couple of weeks. Hannah's first day of school is the 11th. Parent's Night is this week and I'll be finding out who her teacher will be. Today I took her out and bought her some new clothes for school...not as much fun as I anticipated. She was over it after trying on one pair of jeans, but at least I know what size she is now. She's really looking forward to seeing all her friends...hopefully she'll have some familiar faces in her class this year.
Also, we decided to enroll Hannah in a dance class..which will last the length of the school year. Every Saturday morning...same time her Little Gym class was. It's a dance studio in Stephen's City...and she'll be in a class of 3 1/2 yr olds, learning basic dance and rhythm and some beginning ballet! She's totally stoked! She got to pick out what color leotard she wanted to wear...along with white tights and pink ballet slippers. She tried her outfit on this afternoon and pranced around the kitchen.....I think she may be in for a surprise when she realizes that she'll have to practice the dance moves the TEACHER tells her to do...instead of just breakin' it down however she wants. The class starts the 12th. Yay!

I've put Sadie in a playgroup through the local MOM's club....so we'll be in a group with about 5 other moms and 1 yr. olds...she's actually the youngest in the group. (But I'm sure she will tower over them all!) We'll meet every Monday morning while Hannah's in school...so that works out well.
We are having a humid/rainy weekend. We decided to do the grocery shopping as a family this afternoon...and were reminded of why we don't usually do that! Between Hannah running every which way and Sadie squawking to get out of the cart, my head felt like it was going to implode. Now, we are having some quiet time as Sadie naps...Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

She's Got the Moves :)

Sadie's dance moves crack me up. You better believe she'll be ready for her first Dave Matthews Concert.

For the Love of Cat P*ss

Just wanted to post this cute photo of Hannah giving Tinsley some (unwanted) affection. The darn cat has been peeing and pooping outside the litter box for months now, and I asked Hannah if we could give Tinsley away to a new family. She protested, "NO! Tinsley is MINE FOREVER!!". geeze. We have tried everything...even a special additive for the cat litter called "Cat Attract"....basically cat nip for the box. Nothing has worked...I'm thinking our little orange cat might be living the big life on a farm soon. I don't know how much longer I can deal with the smell of cat pee in my house.

Summer Vacation

Summer is continuing to fly by...and now that we are in the dog days of August, I'm ready for Fall! Hannah still has about a month before she starts school, so it's been a bit of a struggle trying to keep her busy while avoiding the steamy heat.
Last week, we had our vacation and went down the Virginia Beach to stay with my family. We crammed about as much as possible into the week and had a wonderful time. On Thursday, Chad and I took Hannah to Busch Gardens, where they have a new area devoted to Sesame Street! Hannah couldn't believe her eyes when Elmo, Grover, and a slew of other beloved furry monsters came right up and hugged her. There were tons of rides that she could do....she was even tall enough to ride the Big Bad Wolf! Chad was gunning for it...but I insisted that ride might ruin her love of roller coasters forever. Instead, she rode Grover's family coaster...FUN FUN FUN! .....boats, airplanes..and the swings (the swings used to be my favorite ride when I was a child, but when I rode them with her I totally wanted to vomit!) We ate lunch at the German Fest House, where Hannah danced to her heart's content. We dodged the rain perfectly, as it started to sprinkle right as we got to the car. She had a blast...and it was nice being able to spend some time with our big girl, while Sadie enjoyed the day with Mom Mom.
Our entire purpose of choosing that particular week for our trip was, of course, because our Dave Matthews Band concert was that Friday. It's our favorite summertime tradition and even better when we get to spend it with Erin and Matt. Then, Chad's parents and nephew came down to the beach for the weekend and we got to spend some time with them. Hannah had a ball playing in the hotel pool with her cousin.
All in all, an awesome trip....the kids even slept great!