So far, life is great, and I am feeling so, so thankful. The first week was pretty good, we were all a bit tired, but we got through. Ken was feeling a bit lost, but that makes sense, he's going to have a different year this year. I really wanted to transfer closer to home, and end up part time. Neither of these things came to pass, I feel like it wasn't time yet. We don't know where we want to settle, if we in fact do want to relocate, and transferring is a big deal. It isn't something I want to do every year. In any case, we had agreed that if I couldn't go part time, Ken would. Two full time working parents is crazy. It would be nice to avoid that for the next little while, who knows, maybe even longer?
Tuesday Sept 8 - Kate's first day of school. Ken and I were sitting in the office and at 6:30 Kate came downstairs fully dressed. It was so cute. She doesn't like to get dressed before breakfast, so this was a big deal. She didn't want to miss the bus. Ken said she ran for the bus.
After they dropped off Kate they went back home to play for a bit, and Fiona had her meet the teacher appointment at preschool at 10am. Ken said that she loved playing - Alice did too. After the appointment at preschool they went to Newmarket, a part for my computer, and had pizza lunch.
Kate's teacher is Mme Paciocco.
Wednesday Sept 9 - Fiona's first day. Ken tried to take her picture on the porch and she wouldn't cooperate.
Fiona had a great first day. Alice hung out at home with Dad.
I took the girls to the park after dinner. The ran through the field. It was cute.
Thursday Sept 10 - Alice's first day of Junior Kindergarten. Alice was a little dejected last week when she realized that she was starting school last. It didn't make sense to her that she was the middle sister and she was starting last.
Things started out well.
When the bell rung, Alice got knocked over, her knee was scrapped and she stood by the wall crying. Ken said it was very sad to watch from behind the fence. Miss Ibscher took her by the hand and she went in, and she was okay.
Miss Ibscher was Kate's teacher for two weeks last year, and I was so excited today when we found out that Alice would be in her class! Ken texted me first thing this morning and I cheered to myself! She sent pictures of Alice's first few days of school. This was Alice's first day.
Melissa started today - she did all the pick-ups and although there is still some confusion with the busing - how we give permission - it all worked out. The timeline is tight, and if we're late getting Kate, the bus driver will bring her back to Alliston - hopefully that won't happen! I am so happy/thankful/relieved that Melissa is able to fit into our care plans for the girls. She's doing pick-up for Fiona Tue/Wed/Thurs, and pick-up for Kate and Alice on Tue/Thurs. She's really, really great - an answer to prayer. She loves the girls, and they love her - and Madison too!
Oh, and I almost forgot. Annie - a Mom friend - Harrison was in Kate's class the last two years, and Olivia was in Alice's pre-school class last year - and of course T-BALL - Ryan was the coach and Annie the unofficial assistant coach. She was the duty Mom at pre-school today and sent me this adorable picture.
Friday Sept 11 - So weird that 9/11 was fourteen years ago. I remember so clearly being at King City P.S. and going into the staff room at recess and watching footage of a plane flying into the second tower. I was numb. It was crazy. The world turned upside-down in that moment - I suppose series of moments really, as there were several. It's funny, the first few years after it happened it was still talked about so much, but this year, every single kid I teach in elementary was born after, the grade 8s were born in 2002.
This was a picture from Alice's second day.
The plan today was for Ken and Fiona to come pick me up and take me out for lunch. Ken and Fiona had to go to Canada Computers again - another part - the hard drive this time I think, needed to be replaced on my computer. Fiona fell asleep, so Ken and I had food from Burger's Priest in the van. I chose badly, but oh well.
Towards the end of the afternoon there was a message on my phone from Kate's school. She was in the office and she wasn't feeling well. Ken went up to Alliston, picked her up and then picked up Alice. She had an upset stomach - but seemed fine? We thought it might be bowel movement related...
Kate and I made a new LPS book tonight - we opened up the bag and chose more this week - a back to school treat. Fiona wanted to help too.
Oh and Kate had red day at school.
Saturday Sept 12- The last t-ball game! It was cold, the girls weren't happy, but they survived. I need to do a separate post all about t-ball. After t-ball we went to Hockley and had breakfast.
After that we went home and packed up to go down to my Mom and Dad's. The plan - drop the girls off, Ken and I test drive a couple cars, go back, go swimming, eat, then go home. We dropped off Kate and Alice, but decided to bring Fiona with us. We were going to go to Honda first and then Toyota. We were going to test drive, but NOT buy something... ha ha ha oops?! So, we went to Honda, walked around the showroom. We've been talking about cars - thinking about this for months now. We were thinking Civic or Corolla, but then trunk space and fitting the double stroller - as soon as I went back to work, I realized that needed to be a factor.
Back to Honda, we decided that we would (well me) drive a Civic, and then? Well, we went around the block in the Civic, Fiona screamed - cried lots, it was not pleasant. Then Ken and the car guy - Eddie (Ardalan) tried to get the stroller in the trunk - no go. I really didn't want a CRV or an HRV - too big, too expensive, so we tried the FIT. And, the stroller FIT. This time Eddie and I drove around the block (Ken stayed with Fiona while she played in the play house), and I couldn't stop smiling. I loved driving it. It was awesome. I was so excited. Then came the games. We ended up getting a thousand dollars off, and felt good about that, so we signed. We're getting a 2016 Honda Fit, blue or grey.
Ken and I had Persian food, we picked up McDonald's for the girls, and went back to the parents. We did go swimming and even though we were out for quite a bit longer than we had anticipated, it's all done, and we feel good! Now to wait...
Sunday Sept 13 - We had Stake Conference today, and since we don't all fit in one building we have it broadcast to several of the units. We went to Orangeville and were there in time so that Ken could stand up to be sustained as the second counselor in the Stake Sunday School Presidency. We're still not sure about nursery, how much he'll have to travel, or what his calling entails, but he accepted.
Week TWO - We survived. Fiona cried at drop off - but Ken was assured that she was fine. Alice had some tears some days, but was fine. And Kate, she was great!
Highlights - At some point over the weekend I found out that Kate was sick because she couldn't go to the bathroom at school because in her words, the hand dryers were too loud and she has very sensitive ears. We chatted about how she could cope, and I thought/hoped she would be fine. On Monday after school I asked her how it went, and she replied that she didn't use the bathroom. That's right, she went to school all day, left the house at 7:40 and didn't use the bathroom. PROBLEM!
Monday night we went to Home Hardware and picked up earplugs. And, problem solved. YAY!
The week was great. Ken was great. The girls were great. We had a family movie night (Wednesday or Thursday, I can't remember) and watched Big Hero Six - it was so nice. No one did any work (being Ken or I) we all just watched a movie together.
Friday after school we went to Newmarket. Lone Star for dinner - gotta love those dough balls.
Afterwards we went to Michaels to pick up the Fiona cross-stitch and we went to Once Upon a Child and bought a few more things for Kate. I'm really happy with how the cross-stitch turned out, but to do over again, I'd do a really small little piece for each girl. What in the world am I ever going to do with this enormous framed monstrosities?! I want to hang Kate's above her bed, so for now, all three will be in the girls' room.
And there it is two weeks down - someone said 37 to go? I'm feeling thankful and peaceful and hopeful. It's going to be a great year!
