My blogging seriously lagged there for awhile and it will probably happen again at some point, but for now here is a little update on our life right now.
As I have mentioned, Wally started school on August 13th so the kids are back to Punky's 4 days a week. The beginning of the school year is always rough for Wally. With Back to School Nights, coach's meetings, and golf practices and matches he sees less of the kids which is difficult for him. It doesn't help that this year he was given a zero-hour class to teach so he is out the door by 6 AM so most mornings he doesn't even see the kids before he leaves. Although, they might have caught on to that because they are both waking up earlier and earlier these days and have been able to see Daddy for a few minutes at least.
Punky's has been going well. Paige was struggling with drop-off for awhile at the end of the summer, but she has actually been great the last 2 weeks. I laugh because usually if I tell her to go sit down for breakfast she is off and running - no tears when there is food! She is eating at the table with the big kids now too - no more highchair for her. And they told me that she raises her hand for more food just like the older kids. She is also napping on her own cot with the big kids too. Does this make her a big kid now too? Aaahhh!
Luke is less than a week away from becoming a preschooler. He starts after Labor Day. I have been so excited for him, but just recently it has started to hit me that he will be somewhere completely new to him and not know anyone. It makes me nervous for him! We have been talking about school a lot though and hopefully he will do just fine. We have a parent's meeting tomorrow night and then "Meet the Teacher" is Thursday morning which I think is huge. Luke will get to meet his teacher and classmates, see his classroom, and bring his school supplies. Hopefully all of that will help him feel fairly comfortable come next Tuesday morning. Wally was able to take off of for a few hours this Thursday morning so we can all go meet Luke's teacher together and have a special lunch just the three of us!
We have had eye issues in the past week. First Paige woke up last Wednesday morning looking like she was in a fight overnight. Her eye was swollen and just about completely shut. She had no fever and no runny nose, but rather than assuming it was pink eye, I went with it was a cold that settled in her eye - that seems to happen to my kids. We wiped the gunk and headed to Punky's. I was taking a chance that they were going to let her attend for the day. Punky was fine with it and her eye was still a little red when I picked hr up, but she had no issues with it after naps and by the next morning it was fine.
Then Luke woke up with his eye stuck shut on Friday morning and it really freaked him out. All was fine on Saturday and then it happened again on Sunday and Monday morning. Today was fine. Hopefully that is the end of all that gunk!
As for me, I started the couch to 5k running program at the end of July with plans to run the Brookfield Zoo 5k on September 23rd. All started well and then we went to the Dells. I woke up early the day we left to get my run in and then packed my shoes knowing that I only needed to run one day while we were there. Well, of course I didn't do it and then I didn't run for 2 weeks! Luckily I was early enough in the program that it didn't hurt me to take those 2 weeks off, and I finally got back on track. I am halfway through the program and have officially signed up for the run. I have been running every other day or sometimes back-to-back days depending on Wally's schedule and when I can fit it in. I have realized that I hate running with the sun beating down on me and my legs don't work in the morning, but I love running at night. (I shoudl really sign up for a night race instead!) I have never been a runner and swear I don't have the lung capacity to be a runner, but I am pushing through it and feel great when it is over! Other than running around with my kids for the last approximately 4 years, I have been pretty inactive. It feels good to be up and moving again! We gave our treadmill (well, actually Kathy's treadmill) to Stacey to use so I am restricted to running outside only and that is probably best. I don't think I would enjoy running on the treadmill and therefore wouldn't even do it. Stacey is also doing the program so we will be running together on 9/23! Wish us luck!
With school back in session, I knew that I absolutely needed to get back to meal planning and I have to admit I have been very successful at it for the last few weeks. I plan out the week, grocery shop, and prepare as much the night before as I can. I generally have a 1-year old hanging on my leg as I move from stove to refrigerator to sink so the quicker I can get everything prepared and served the better! My house is finally clean top to bottom so my goal is to maintain that and not let anything fall behind. That makes for a happier Momma and more free time to do fun things.
I guess that is really it for the last couple of weeks. We are just getting back into the swing of the school year.
And of course, some random pictures taken over the last couple of weeks!
Road trip to LP
Maud Powell Festival Drum Circle
Park fun with Grandma & Grandpa
Golfing with friends
Outside fun
Silly girl!
Self-portrait
Blondie :)
A glimpse at an evening with 2 kids :)
