93 degrees!!!

This first picture is of Sarah "helping" Daddy fix the entertainment center door that she broke the week before. It had to be glued back together and the brackets put back on the unit. She was right in the way and loving it.
We went to a local pumpkin patch today. Not like the one we are used to where our parents live - there you go out into the field on a horse drawn wagon and pick your pumpkin right off the vine. We have gone there every year for 13 years except for this year because we just couldn't get down there to do it.
So, to the local patch we go - where they have already picked pumpkins :( They did have a corn maze though and Brent took Brandon and Hannah out for about 45 minutes or so. It was just too hot for Sarah to be out there. It should never be 93 degrees on the day you go to the pumpkin patch. We were looking for the cooler weather we had a few weeks ago when we were visiting our parents for the local "cultural festival".
The kids had a ball! Brandon and Hannah ventured into the maze gung ho looking for the 6 hole punch stations to punch their cards so they could put it into the drawing for a Best Buy gift card. (Brandon has high hopes for it!) Meanwhile, Sarah and I enjoyed sitting in the shade people watching.
Brandon and Hannah rode on the barrel train while Sarah waved.
Then the all the kids jumped in the bounce house and Sarah played in the sand for a bit.
We picked up 3 pumpkins and were off. All in all a fun filled afternoon.

First day...

today's picture is Hannah ready to go to Pre-school. She was so excited and nervous this morning - just like her Mommy! It isn't a great picture since we were in a real hurry to get out and going - I wasn't sure how the transition would be at the daycare but all went fairly well.

My day went well - met most of the kids and some of the teachers. It seems like it will work out okay. Hoping that next week we will know more about it being a full time position.

When I went to pick up the girls it was during "nap time" Everyone is settled down for a period of time in the afternoon throughout the center. Hannah wasn't asleep and started crying when she saw me - so much for the excitement. The teachers said she did well - she, however, said she had a bad day. Not too sure yet how it was bad except she didn't want to share something with someone and someone pulled her sweater. She also didn't like taking a "nap". I told her she didn't need to sleep but did need to stay on her mat quietly. I'll be picking her up during this time until my position becomes full time so it isn't a horrible thing for her to be quiet for a while.

Sarah was asleep on a mat on the floor when I went to get her - I was surprised since she doesn't like to lay down for me like that but it worked for them today. Her teachers said she did well but was a bit teary a few times - not surprising.
I sure missed them today but it was nice to get out and back into the classroom. Keep praying all goes well with the girls and the job changes to full-time soon!

Want to see a cutie? or two?

We have been home with Sarah for 3 months now and she is growing and changing daily! These were taken this afternoon. The older two were playing with their small stuffed animals - putting them in the back of their shirts and "taking them for a walk". (See Brandon's picture) Sarah thought it would be fun to do but wanted her "babies" in the front. She was so proud of herself. She has two animals because the first one was Hannah's baby and she wanted him back so we put MingMing (the duck) in her shirt instead. I didn't get a picture of Hannah with her babies in her shirt because by the time I got around to taking pictures she had striped down to her undies.
(Check out the hair on Sarah - it is getting much thicker!)

The kids are teaching her many "tricks" -
*she loves to play chase (they run screaming away from each other, usually the older kids from her).
*If you say "If you love Mommy raise your hand." She says, "me me me" with her hand in the air - yup loving that one! You can insert Daddy as well and she will do it too.
*She identifies her eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, belly, hand, and foot
*She "sings" Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star - even trying to make a diamond with her fingers.
*She still says "mama" for most things - I think it is the default word but it does definitely mean me when she is excited, hurt, wanting out of her crib, etc.
*She says "dada" and "gege" but has started saying "nana" this afternoon for Hannah (Brandon loves being called "gege" and Hannah was feeling a bit left out) She also says duck, da (dog), and uh (up)
*She is starting to imitate language more and more - still not much concrete but getting there!
*She will go get her baby doll if you ask her where it is and bring it to you as well as "sing" to her and take her for a walk in the stroller and feed it from a bottle.
*She waves bye-bye when we are going somewhere or we tell her someone is leaving as well as blowing a kiss to whomever is leaving or we are leaving
*She says nigh-nigh at bedtime knowing that it is late.
*She knows what she wants and wants it right now - the little scream and grunts mean a WHOLE lot!
*She is starting to take comfort in us - laying her head on my shoulder when I rock her in the evening especially. This is a big change because before she would really fight us cuddling with her and want to lay down facing away from us. I love the few snuggles I'm starting to receive.
*She also gives kisses - not always on request but definitely if someone kisses Mommy she wants some of that action as well and will give kisses to me and whomever just kissed me. Such a sweet girl!

The girls start daycare tomorrow. Hannah is quite excited about being in preschool although is disappointed that she is not in a "big class like Brandon". Not sure what that means - maybe going to a real school? But, she will be able to start Kindergarten next year in the district I am working in - not in the one we live in. Employees also get free afterschool care through the kids programs so I'll be looking into that as well. Hoping the plans all fall into place!

New Job!!

So, went in for the interview that was postponed until 3 p.m. instead of 1 p.m. and met someone I had worked with a few years ago. This will be her last year because she is retiring but it will be nice to have someone I already know at the job - but I'm getting ahead of myself!

I was pretty nervous - I haven't done an interview since my last teaching job and that was back in 1998! They asked most of the basic questions and since I've already taught in the district my answers fit with their expectations. They didn't ask my weaknesses with is pretty unusual - I had an answer too! They also didn't ask if I had any questions - not that mine were important I just came up with some so I looked interested in the position - I'm sort of glad I didn't have to ask them. Then they asked me to sit in the lobby while they "chatted". When the principal asked me back in she said I am a very strong candidate (thank goodness I interviewed well!) and the district must offer the position but they are going to recommend hiring me on. So, the special ed teacher who is already there (and will remain) showed me the room we will share - reminiscent of when Erin and I shared a room at my last job in the district. The teacher, Beth, seems really nice and I'm glad I'll have someone to help me out with the paperwork part of the job. The long-term sub will probably be available for the first few days I work to help me get to know the kids and where they are academically so that is a relief!

The position will start as a part-time position and hopefully open to a full-time very soon. The school has the numbers but the district hasn't process 2 of the children so until that happens it will remain part-time. Pray they get that done quickly! I don't want this job only to cover daycare otherwise it won't be worth it to me and I will need to finish the year anyway because I will have a contract.

I registered the girls in a daycare by my last school - it was clean, bright and the staff was very friendly. The rooms are huge and there are tons of toys. Each program has lesson plans that look fun for them. I voiced my concerns about Sarah adapting to the programs and asked how they will handle her - they had the best answers I could ask for and I pray they will follow through. I'm afraid she will think I am abandoning her those first few days. Hannah should be fine - she is excited about starting preschool. We visited her class and several of the kids came up and asked who she was. They were talking about dogs this week. My concern with her is that they provide food (breakfast and lunch and a snack) and I'm not sure she will eat it all. They told me they would let me know what is going on and if I need to I will provide something for her to eat. But what a relief not to have to make 3 more lunches during the week - only mine!

Brandon is still a little concerning. At first he only needs afternoon care but will eventually need morning and afternoon care. His school is on break next week and I can't get in contact with anyone until they start up again. A little stressful for me!

The district did call me at about 4:30 and offered the position which I accepted because it gets me in the district. I have paperwork to complete a week from Monday and I start on the 15th.

October 3

today at 1:00 p.m. I have a job interview for a Resource position. I'm really nervous about the interview itself - just because I stress out about those kinds of things. Think about me at 1:00 please!