A few Christmas Eve pictures. The girls loved their new pj's from Daddy. If only mommy could have remembered which present contained Daddy's new pj's, we would have been all set.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The kids were finally asleep by 9:00 Christmas Eve, which is very late for them. They were just so excited, but Avery was sawing logs in seconds (she knew Santa would not come if she was still awake).
I was the first one up (at 5:30, still a kid at heart). Avery followed quickly behind me and seemed to make an extra amount of noise (trying to discreetly wake up her sister and Daddy).
We had a great Christmas this year. Avery was so excited that Santa brought her a "real" camera. We practically had to pry it out of her hands at bedtime last night. I think she took about 500 pictures, including a lot of pics of people's backsides. That's what you get when you give a 4 year old a camera (it was actually cheaper to buy a real camera than a kids toy camera, not the best quality but she is only 4).
Brennyn loves her little people ambulance and bus, and all the other loot she scored from nana and poppa, grandma and grandpa.

Today is pj day at our house. We're just going to hang out and reflect!

'Tis the Season

Race day

I'll upload some pictures soon, honest I will.

In other news, unrelated to children, today is race day. I'm participating in the "Egg Nog Jog" 10km race. It looks like a bit of a difficult course, lots of hills so my goal is just to cross the finish line. I hope not to come 600 out of 600, but we'll see.

Unfortunately, they are calling for a massive snow storm today. It must be a Canadian thing, to hold outdoor running races in the winter! Nobody else would be that crazy. I should add that the race sold out too, weeks in advance. They don't call us crazy canucks for nothing.

EDIT: DID IT! It was icy and rainy, but I did it. I didn't come in 600th either. I'm just so happy that I ran 10.8 km. Never thought I'd do something like this.

Conversations in the car:

Avery says "Daddy, poppa is retired right". "Yes he is Avery"
"Oh, so that means he is tired of working". I think that sums it up perfectly!

In other news, the cast came off. Everything looks good so far. Brennyn was able to pick out the colour of her splint and picked purple without hesitation.

We are off to sick kids again tomorrow. The cast is being removed. Hopefully, the fingers look great under that bulky cast.
I think Brennyn may miss that cast, she's been showing everyone and anyone her cast. Doesn't matter if she actually knows that person, she goes right up to them and says "look, look at my cast". If for some reason, they dare to ignore her she says it louder and practically shoves the cast in their face.

She may also miss using her cast as a weapon, thank goodness she only figured that out today. She may have almost strangled her sister. Sometimes they get along, honestly.

Anyway, crossing my fingers that everything has healed up correctly.

Someone in this house is really catching up developmentally and with speech/thought patterns.

Here's a few fun examples:
Blair says "Brennyn please come upstairs right now"
Brennyn says "Daddy, you're bossy".
Mommy spits out her tea in laughter.

I look over into the living room and the Christmas tree lights are suddenly on. The only person sitting near the tree is Miss Brennyn.
I ask "did you just plug in the tree lights".
"Yes mommy, it was dark and I needed light". I should add that I was in the kitchen which is beside the living room. This girl works quickly and stealthily.

I also caught her munching on a big box of smarties. They were at the back of the counter, but somehow she managed to get ahold of them.

My girls keep me on my toes!

Blair took the ambulance to Brennyn's preschool a few weeks ago.
He asked the class what he was and Brennyn answered "MY DADDY". She answered every question after that, no other kids had a chance. It helps when it's her Dad who is the paramedic and has reviewed what a stethoscope was and what a paramedic does "Take sick people to hospital".
One little girl took a liking to Brennyn's daddy. Her mom told me yesterday that thsi little girl thinks Brennyn is so nice (because she brought her daddy to school with a real ambulance). She was following Blair around all morning that day, so cute.

Children are amazing

Brennyn is doing so well. You would never know she had surgery 5 days ago. She's been running around, trying to wrestle her sister, jumping off stairs (I think she's trying give her mother a heart attack).
I had to force her to watch Treehouse Sunday, just to get her to relax on the couch. Even then she said "no sleep on couch, it's not night-night time mommy".

The only sign that Brennyn is in any discomfort is her odd bout of crankiness. Oh, and she has been going to bed by 6:30 every night. Not by her choice, but she is asleep in seconds.

Her skin graft is starting to cause discomfort, but only because it is so itchy. Brennyn keeps telling me that she is so itchy. The surgical bandage comes off tonight and the surgical tape underneath will eventually fall off.

We go back to sick kids next week and the cast comes off. Blair and I decided to take Avery out of school that day so we can make it a family day. There is enough to do at Sick Kids that Avery will be entertained while we wait, and wait for the doctor to remove the cast.

I've mentioned this before, but I need to say it again, Sick Kids is an amazing hospital. It really is the best of the best, and I feel so comfortable and relieved that Brennyn is seeing a surgeon at that facility. Yes, unfortunately it takes so long to have surgeries done but at least you know they have so much experience working with children.

Brave little girl

Home again! First surgery done (first in Canada anyway).

I am so proud of Brennyn and am in awe. She was fantastic. I don't think an adult would have handled her situation better. Oh, and she won the nursing staff over in seconds! One of the nurses even ran out and got her a new doll!
My baby had her last bite of food at 6:30 Wednesday evening. Her surgery was booked for 2:00pm on Thursday, but was delayed until 5:00. She did not even ask me for food until after 3:00, and did not whine or cry once. She just said "mommy I'm hungry". Blair and I felt so bad for her and did not eat in solidarity (okay, we did have breakfast while she was still sleeping that morning).
She did exactly what the nurses and doctors said to do. Finally, when the surgical nurse came to get her, Brennyn just said "bye mommy and daddy". We watched her walk down the hall and she yelled "see you later alligator". Blair turned to me and said "are you crying". Of course, I said "umm, no, my eyes are just itchy" (I was bawling, but Brennyn didn't see).

Just over 21/2 hours later, we were called to recovery and the surgery was finished. Still, Brennyn did not complain. She looked at us, closed her eyes and went back to sleep (after the nurse gave her some morphine).
We went back to her room, read a story and Brennyn slept for the rest of the night. Blair and I squished ourselves onto the daybed and slept on and off.

By the time we got home, Brennyn was acting like her normal self. I had to make her watch tv (only way to keep her resting and not jumping around, damaging her hand).

She is very sleepy tonight, so I'm hoping her hand doesn't hurt her too much. She said it doesn't hurt, but I don't know how it could not hurt. She has a cast from her fingertips to her shoulder, that will come off Dec. 7th. She also had some skin taken from her leg for a skin graft.

So, surgery 1 is done, only 3 (or 4) more to go!

surgery

We're going down to sick kids tomorrow anyway. The anesthetist has the final say and there are no other surgeries booked. They said to come down and hopefully if her cold isn't too bad, they will go ahead.
I'm crossing my fingers and toes.
Poor Brennyn can't eat anything after midnight tonight but her surgery is not until 2:00pm.
We'll be staying overnight with her.
I'm so nervous for my little girl. We've tried to explain everything, but how much does a 3 year old really understand about surgery, and not getting to eat for a day, and pain.

bad timing

We finally got the call from Sick Kids today for Brennyn's hand surgery. Unfortunately, Brennyn has a runny nose so they may not be able to proceed until January.
They don't want to risk any kind of infection, which I totally understand. I'm just so disappointed about the timing. We've been waiting for this call for 8 months.

Stupid cold germs, ughhhhhhhhhh.

I really need to figure out how to post video's on the blog. Avery has been arriving home from school each day with new songs. Of course, when you ask her what she did at school, she always answers with "nothing". An hour or so later, she'll be belting out a song I've never heard before, so cute.
I need to get her on video singing "peace like a river". The first time she sang it, actions and all, I almost fell off my chair. It was so funny, and super cute (I'm biased, I know).

Brennyn also is learning a few tunes at Teddy Bear school. Her favourites right now are Bumblebee, and twinkle twinkle little star.
Speaking of Miss Brennyn, I have noticed at school (while I am spying through the parent view window) that she still goes from big buddy to big buddy. She doesn't like to sit still at story time and just wanders from person to person. The buddies tell me "oh, I'm her favourite today".
She has come so far in a year, but obviously, we still have concerns that we are working with.

Bad blogger

Once again, I don't know where the time goes. I get up in the morning with grand plans of getting things done (cleaning, laundry, blogging) but before I know it, I'm back in bed and it's 10:00 at night.
Between school, gymnastics, soccer and working (the odd shift) my days fly. I'm kind of debating the whole working thing to be honest. It's very difficult when my husband has a second job that seems to be more involved than we initially thought. Thank goodness Nana lives around the corner, because we have shamelessly been using her services far too much these days.
I guess I just feel rushed and worry that I may be missing some time with my girls. I just took a bag full of toddler clothes to the local salvation army the other day. We don't need them anymore. Brennyn wears the same size as Avery (size 4 and 5). My babies are growing up so quickly.

Not much time to post these days. In fact, I don't know where the time goes.
Avery's busy with school, and Brennyn is just busy in general. I don't know why I took up running, keeping up with Miss Brennyn keeps me in shape!

Here is an example of how my girls are so different:
I missed a step on the stairs the other evening and wiped out. Avery was walking behind me and proceeded to laugh like a maniac. She was laughing so hard that I swear tears were coming down her face. My loving (advance care paramedic) husband was too busy getting ready for work to see what the loud bang was. Oh, he did say after that "I didn't hear any crying so I figured it was you that fell and not the kids". Thanks for the concern darling husband.
My sweet Brennyn did run to the top of the stairs and yell "what happened, you okay mommy". She's still in the will, the other two may have to be cut!

As an aside, I was okay. It's amazing how quickly a fall happens though, and I can see why elderly people break bones, etc.

Avery did stop laughing enough to say "you're so funny mommy, adults don't fall down". Guess she doesn't know her mommy that well, I am known to be on the klutzy side.

Pictures

Celebrated Avery's day with a cake. Poppa came over and had a piece.
Spent the next day with friends, celebrating the day we met our girls. Avery picked out matching necklaces and bracelets for her "best friend" (that's what Avery calls her, and they actually play together). I still find it so hard to believe that we met our daughter's 4 years ago, in a hot, crowded hotel conference room. I think M and J were one of the first to get their daughter, while we were almost the last. Now, the girls are both in their first year of school.

Avery

Happy Avery Day, my sweet little girl. Four years ago today, our lives changed forever. I will never forget the first moment I saw you, or the instant you were placed in my arms. We both cried, me tears of happiness, you tears of terror and anger. You were the most beautiful baby and today are such a beautiful, intelligent girl. You are such a Daddies girl, much to your Dad's delight.

How quickly these last 4 years have gone.

Four years ago, in China, two people were anxiously counting down the hours until the next morning. Not much sleep would be had that night, but it didn't matter. All we could think about was meeting our daughter. We were nervous, excited, a little scared, and happy. After years of waiting and wanting to have a family, we were about to meet our daughter.

4 years, it's hard to believe how fast the time has gone. It's hard to remember what life was like before that moment we first saw you and held you. I know that I will never forget that night, 4 years ago.

Pictures from the festivities! Brennyn didn't last too long, but I don't blame her. It was freezing this year, and there may have been a few flakes of snow. Blair and Avery made it another 45 minutes after Brennyn and I gave up on the trick or treating. The girls had a great time and Avery was very sad to hear, this morning, that Halloween was over.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

I don't know who is more excited, the kids or moi. I loooove Halloween. Avery has been asking every day if the next day was Halloween and now it is! Brennyn just said "I go trick or treating like Caillou and Yo Gabba Gabba" (we've been watching a few TreeHouse Halloween specials).

Pictures to follow!
Happy Halloween everyone!!!!

House of germs

Once again, our house is officially plague ridden. My poor husband started complaining of a sore throat last week (and I may have ignored him), but by the weekend he was a mess. Finally convinced him to see the doctor on Monday and he has bronchitis and sinusitis. He is on some serious antibiotics and finally can speak again. He did have to pay $20.00 for a doctors note, even when the doctor was the one who insisted he could not go to work. I'm sure the retirement homes and hospital would have loved to see him come to the door and wheeze all over the residents/patients (he's a paramedic). Not to mention that he could barely get out of bed anyway.
Avery was up half the night last night complaining of a sore throat so I gave in and let her sleep with us. I could tell she was better in the morning because the first thing she said to Brennyn was "I slept in Mommy's bed last night" which started Brennyn crying.

Here's hoping the germs move on by this weekend. We have some serious trick or treating to do!

Odds and Ends

A few more fair pictures. Avery was too cool for her mom to help her on the pony ride. "Mom don't touch the pony and don't hold on, I'm big now". I still had to stand beside the pony because the man in charge of the ride may have felt differently (probably not good for business if a kid falls off a pony). I tried to snap a few pics, but apparently she was too cool for pictures as well.
She does love the pony rides though (although she would never admit it).
The other picture is of Avery dressed in an old Star Trek mask. Avery just about gave me a heart attack when she came down the stairs in that get-up. Avery and her Dad laughed for a good 10 minutes after that.

Let's see, what else??
Applied for the perfect job. I saw the job posting in our local paper and almost cried with excitement. Seriously, this job was made for me. Unfortunately, it is considered a town job and half the town will want it because of the pay scale (puts my retail pay to shame but what job doesn't pay better than retail). I haven't heard back so I may be out of luck.
However, I am proud of myself. I think I've mentioned this before, but I am a little on the shy side. It took a lot for me to go in and ask for the HR person and apply but I did it. I think I should have spoke a little more while I had the chance, but it was my first time applying for a job in more then 8 years. Next time I will just be more assertive!

Let me set the scene:a very rare family dinner (Blair and I seem to be on opposite schedules these days). Avery is chatting (being interrogated by Blair and I) about school when she says "Dad, you are smart like me". "We are very smart aren't we Daddy". "We know everything". I interrupt to say "uhhh, I think Mommy is smart too". Only to be shot down by my 4 year old "mommy, it isn't all about you, you know".

I don't believe that she is only 4, I think she is a 20 year old in a 4 year old's body.

On a totally unrelated topic (hmm, or maybe Avery is on to something and it is all about me)I'm thinking about joining a half-marathon clinic in the spring. The only problem with a half marathon clinic is that one is expected to actually run a half marathon (20km) by the end of the clinic. That seems like a lot of kms, yikes. I did run 6.5k yesterday but it wasn't pretty and that is a far cry from 20.

Oh, and the resume is complete (with a little help from my darling husband, who is kind of scary in his creativity and wording).

It's our annual put out the Halloween decoration day. Avery loves when we pull out the orange coloured Tupperware bin. She's been asking to decorate for weeks now. Of course, she has also been talking about Santa and Christmas since July.

I am the Halloween nut around here. I've always loved Halloween. I don't know, something about ghosts and goblins, dressing up, and don't even get me started about the chocolate and candy (I have a sugar addiction, it started when I was young). My affection for the holiday has not waned as I've aged. I love it now just as much as I did when I was 10. I'm not sure who is more excited, me or the kids?

I'm really just procrastinating right now. I'm in the midst of typing up my resume, and it's been about 8 years since I've last done one. It's a work in progress (in other words, I've been at it for 2 days now).

Thanksgiving recap

Busy weekend with work, visiting family, stuffing my face, hanging out at the fair. This year I was spoiled and did not have to cook a meal. We ate at Blair's parent's crib on Sat. and my parent's on Sunday. I think I may actually be turkeyed out (may have taken some leftovers/handouts and ate it all today).

I did make a pie, from scratch. I think my pie making ability is much improved (if I do say so myself). Nothing like whipping up a pie (pastry and all), homemade brownies and having to be at work by noon.

Anyway, the girls loved the fair, lots of junk food had by all. Did the old pony ride, bumper cars and space ships. Spent $10 on $1.00 stuffed animals, the girls just had to play the fishing game. It was worth the money just to watch the looks on their faces when they "caught" the fish.

I'm off to succumb to my turkey coma.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

We'll be eating dinner at my in-laws tonight, parents tomorrow and hitting the World Famous Rockton Fair.
Okay, it's not world famous, but the sign does say that. It's the fair of my youth, so many amazing memories. Funny, how your perspective of the fair changes as you age. I'm sure the girls will love it. Rides, games, and cotton candy for all!

Interesting day, a little panic gets the heart racing

The day started off good, beautiful fall weather, girls up and ready to go to school. Bus on time, Brennyn off to Teddy Bear school, morning to myself. I decided to park the car in the garage, even though I had to go pick Brennyn up again in a few hours. I set off for a morning run around the neighbourhood (did I mention the beautiful weather, 18 degrees and sunny, leaves changing colour on the trees). Anyway, 20 minutes before I have to head out I hear a loud bang somewhere in the house. I checked around, but nothing seemed amiss.
Finally, I'm in the car and hitting the garage door opener and nothing. Okay, I'll just manually open the door, no problem. Umm, wait, did I suddenly get very weak because this door is not budging. My car is being held hostage by the garage door.

Thank goodness my In-Laws live the next street over. I raced to their house in a calm orderly fashion (ha, I was in full blown panic, had to get Brennyn and make it home in time to meet Avery at the bus stop).
My FIL drove me to the school and we made it back with 1 minute to spare, crisis averted. I do not know what I would have done if my in-laws weren't home.

$150.00 later and the garage door has let free my car. My FIL even knew exactly who to call to fix the door, phew! Who knew a little spring could cause this much trouble??

The things they say

"Oh ma god, you have a necklace mommy". Perhaps one should watch what they say around here. You never know what kids hear.
I did fall off my chair laughing last week when Brennyn said "oh f@cky F#ck". What she was trying to say was "oh foxy fox" (at least I think that is what she was trying to say). I know, laughing only encourages these things but I could not help it, I have a sick sense of humour.

Brennyn's latest favourite "oh, don't worry mommy". That goes for anything, say for example when I point out that she broke something or made a big mess.

Waiting

It's October. We are still waiting to hear from the surgeon at Sick Kids. Originally, Brennyn's first operation was to be in the summer, then September, now we don't know. I am so happy that she is being seen by such a well known specialist, but I'm not so happy that this is taking so long. It's a double edge sword in a way since the best has so many other more urgent cases that bump us out (for a good reason, just stinks to be waiting for almost a year).

We are also still waiting on the genetic testing. I think I have found the answer to my questions on that end. It still would be beneficial to have the genetic results for a concrete answer. I have been fortunate to "chat" with another mom whose daughter seems to have a similar condition as Brennyn. Unfortunately, it is a very difficult syndrome to diagnose.

Time passes so quickly, but I feel like we are stuck in this waiting game. I don't think I'm very patient anymore. I want the best for my daughter and I would really like some answers for her sake!

On another note, I finally sent a letter and some pictures to Avery's birth family in China. I should have included a return envelope but didn't think of that at the time. I'm crossing my fingers that they receive the package and respond.

Not so easy getting two girls to stand still for pictures these days. I love the picture of the girls laughing, my new favourite!

My girls

Took the girls out tonight for an Autumn Moon Festival get-together, a little solo parenting (Blair was working). I was wondering how this evening would go, 2 kids, buffet style restaurant, you can imagine my apprehension.
The girls surprised me. They both sat at a table with some other kids, without mommy. Okay, I did try and make Brennyn sit with me, but she wanted "sit with sister". Avery insisted on helping Brennyn and told me to go sit on my own "I'm the big sister mom, I can watch her you know". Who am I to argue with that? They were both so grown up.
I do find it fascinating to watch their different personalities. They are like night and day, these two and I love it.
Brennyn is so curious, she just cannot sit still for very long. People to see, things to touch and exploring to be done. Avery prefers to watch, and she does not miss a thing. She is one smart little cookie!
However, once she sees little sister having fun and running around, she must join in.
I was explaining to Avery that all the kids at the party were also adopted from China. She looked at me and said "no mom, not all the kids". I was thinking, hmm maybe she still doesn't understand this yet and she said "Katie isn't born in China Mooooom" Right she was, Katie is the big sister of one of Avery's friends who was born in China.

Brennyn's first day

Brennyn's turn. It was Brennyn's first day at Teddy Bear school (preschool at one of the local high schools).
Avery went for two years and now Brennyn. Avery probably said 10 words in 2 years, Brennyn would say 10 words in 5 seconds. I love that my girls are so opposite, keeps me on my toes!
Blair had to pick Brennyn up from school today since I was at work. Apparently, her buddy said that Brennyn was good, but very busy and likes to play with everything. I'm guessing circle time was probably a bit of a challenge for Brennyn's big buddy (Brennyn is not known for sitting around, she likes to move/explore/people watch).

Hard to believe that she'll be getting on the bus with Avery next year. Both my girls are growing up so quickly!

First day back at work, followed by Brennyn's day celebration. Pizza and Brownies for all! It's a tradition in my family that the person whose day it is gets to pick what food they want to eat. We don't go out to eat or give presents, it's just a special day spent with family.
I don't really remember what I used to pick to eat on my day, I'll have to ask my mom one of these days.
I've altered the tradition by also adding a cake/special dessert.
Of course, both girls always want to know why Daddy doesn't have a "Blair" day. Avery always forgets that her Dad wasn't adopted like Mommy, Avery and Brennyn.

One year ago

September 21st 2009, can it be a year already? The day was one big rush, rush to the airport in Beijing, rush from the airport in Xi'an to the hotel, rush to the bank to exchange money (I won't even go into why we had to exchange money 45 minutes before we met our daughter), rush to change, rush to the civil affairs office and suddenly time stood still.

There you were, a bald 2 year old, happy as can be playing with your nanny and checking the place out. Your little cheek had a huge red welt on it (we realized later that someone may have been pinching your cheeks trying to get you to swallow food you had been storing). You looked up at us and immediately resumed playing. It wasn't until I brought out the snacks that you came up to me. Of course, once I tried to put the snacks away, all heck broke loose. I didn't clue in until that night (when we tried to eat in the hotel room) that you had food issues and trying to win you over with snacks may not have been my best idea ever.
Amazingly, you went willingly with us to the waiting van and back to our hotel room. You took one look at the rickety old crib and looked back at us as if to say "I don't think so" and you have never been in a crib since!

It was the most difficult 2 weeks of my life (so far) and I'm sure you felt the same. You didn't know who we were, where you were going, or what was happening. You were terrified of all these changes and had no way to express that fear, except to scream. You wanted nothing to do with us, except for feeding time.

Baby, look at you now! You are such a cuddly, outgoing, happy little girl. You speak in sentences and have no problem letting us know what you want and don't want. I can freely admit that you have me wrapped around your little fingers and I give in too much. Oh, you can still scream and throw a mean temper tantrum but it's nothing like it used to be.
Honestly, I barely remember all the hard times but I know underneath it all you will never forget. I wish you could, and I wish you didn't have to go through all that pain but I can't take that away. I can just do my best to be the mother you need and love you with everything I have.
Happy first ever Brennyn Day!

More pictures

Both girls love watching Mom put make up on. I think it's because it's such a rare sight (never was much of a make-up person and it's only gotten worse as I've become lazier, I mean older). Of course, they wanted to be made up "like a real lady" too.

The rest of the pics, are just some odds and ends from summer. Ahh, what a great summer it was!

First day of school would have been a little smoother had the bus not driven by us, while we stood at the stop in the pouring rain.
Oh well, Avery was driven to school instead. She ended up having a great time and can't wait for Monday.

first day of school

Pictures to follow after the big event!

Avery's first official day of school is today. We will be walking her to the bus stop and watch her go off on her own.

Avery is very apprehensive about going to school. She told me that she is much too young to go to school and should not have to go until next year.
This is going to be an interesting morning!

Pictures, finally

I know, I've been slacking on the pictures again. In fact, I think I've been doing too much blah blah blah and not enough cute.

First race

Have to admit, I'm a little nervous. Running my first race today. It's more of a charity fun run thing, so no pressure. Haven't run as much the past 2 weeks, so I'm hoping I make it across that finish line.

Avery gets on the bus in 4 days, her first day of school. I can tell she is nervous about it, but she will not talk about it.

Brennyn starts teddy bear school the week after. She is very, very excited about that!

I return to work next week, not so excited about that. Okay, I kind of am. Adult interaction is always nice. We are just not sure how well it's all going to work out because Blair also just got a promotion in his part-time gig (used to be a volunteer think working with youth, but now it's paid and a lot more time involved). My working gig may be short lived, we shall see.

Husband away all week equals not so well behaved children and a crazy mother. Just saying. When does school start again? Maybe they won't be tears of sadness after all.
I love my children, I do. They are just too smart for me, and they have figured it all out. Daddy is the disciplinarian around here and mommy is the big pushover.
However, when Mommy has finally had enough, it's no fun anymore. The big mean mommy sent both kids to bed without any stories. If you know my girls, you know this is serious.

On another note, first every 5km race is on Sunday. Not much time to run this week so here's hoping I can still run. I'm kind of excited!

Last weekend of summer, kids start school tomorrow. Wait a minute, my kid starts school. How can she already be old enough for school. Wasn't it yesterday that she was a little baby?
Technically, Avery doesn't start school until next week, they like to stagger the JK kids so it's not as overwhelming for the children. I do have a meeting with her kindergarten teacher tomorrow morning. We met the teacher last week when we went to show Avery her classroom. It was her teacher's first day back to the school and she happened to be coming out of the classroom when we were peaking in. She gave Avery a tour of the room, etc. It was perfect timing.

I did not think I would be one of those mom's who cry as their child is boarding the bus for the very first time. I'm starting to think I was wrong. I may turn into a blubbering mess.

On another note, I've decided to return to work part-time in two weeks (very, very part-time). Good old retail, I just can't escape. I always feel the need to tell people that I did go to University, honestly. Much to my mother's delight, I haven't used my degree in the 15 years since I've graduated (and she reminds me of that every other month). Instead, I spend my working days selling bling to people.
At least I work 6 minutes from my home, and I can try on said bling all day long (since it's not exactly in my price range even with my employee discount). I also happen to really enjoy the company of the ladies I work with, and I kind of miss them.

Had a girls only trip to the trailer. Grandma, the girls and I had a blast. Spent hours at the beach in the water. I think Grandma and I were more exhausted than the girls.
Tried to get a picture of the beautiful red sky at night, but it just doesn't translate as well in pictures. Would have been better if I'd been on the beach, but I was too lazy to get off the porch.

I missed getting some pictures of Avery scoring her first goal in soccer (and the two goals right after that one), so I'm substituting one of her running for the ball.

Needed some pictures on here, so I finally uploaded the photos.