Yes, we're here!!!

With starting back to school for both myself and the kids, trying to get into the school routine again, finishing up soccer with one-three practices a week and games on Saturdays, starting Olivia's new year in dance (3 classes on Thursdays from 4-6:10), trying to purge and reorganize and finish odd jobs around the house in order to put the house on the market in January, working on a resume, cover letter, applications, etc in search of a new job 3 hours from here, it's been a whirlwind! Blogging has just been the thing to put on the back burner.

Thanks to Google Reader I'm able to follow along with most of your blogs, but since blogs are blocked at work, even on my free/plan/lunch time, I can't work on mine or leave messages on yours! :(

Olivia has had quite a rough start this year. Her body gets SO EXHAUSTED easily and that exhaustion comes out in being overly emotional, frustrated, and behavioral at times. We combatted that over the summer with naps, so even though we were extremely busy in FL and traveling, the rest during the day evened her out. With no more naps, getting up early again, soccer, and now dance, we've had some rough days. In addition, the jump from second to third grade has been quite the challenge for her. She moved buildings, and left the teacher she had for two years (some teachers at the lower level "loop" first and second grade classes.) Third is quite a jump anyway, but this made it harder. She is learning lessons in responsibility, and so far still has a lot to learn! :( We are having lots of "talks." :) It seems to be getting better, so I hope we're on the right track.

Braeden is doing great! He says he wants to "quit school" from time to time, but that hasn't transferred into the classroom and his teacher says she loves him! :) I hoped more than anything for him that he could get a teacher who could see past the activity and behavior to the kid inside. She does! :) The other day he said to me, "Mom, Mrs. L... told me what her husband's name is!!!" giggle, giggle, giggle, "Mr. L...!!!!" LAUGHING! He thought it was HILARIOUS that they had the same name, but for the Mr. and Mrs.! It was too cute!!! :)

Liam is doing great too! He is at a good friend's for day care, is pretty much totally potty trained with occasional accidents, goes to "speech school" which he thinks is so cool, and is growing like a weed! We watched The Wizard of Oz today which was his first time... he was mesmerized! He loved it but said it was scary! :) He is so funny! :)

We're doing good! Hope you are too!!!