Few updates

I updated my Favorite music and added to my book club reads. Just an FYI.

Been awhile

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post- how can one be busy and not that productive? I feel like I have had no time- yet I do not have much to show for it. I'll catch you up on the last month (!) since my last post.

Apple picking and photos
We had a great time apple picking and were able to get some awesome photos (look for them on our Christmas card). A friends daughter took them and she is a great photographer (you can see her work and some of our photos, although not sure this years are up yet, here Carrie Marine Photographics ). The weather was very cool but sunny so we flew our kite as well. Afterwards we purchased some baked goods from the great bakery and headed home. We have enjoyed eating the fruits of our labor (ok it was fairly easy picking) with Charlie's apple crisp and pies.

Halloween
We had a wonderful time as usual at my friend's Trick or Trunk party (now that girl is busy and productive- luv ya Heather!). Hannah was Minnie Mouse, Owen was a tiger (handmade by my Mom for a cousin a few years ago) and Izzy was Eeyore (now all 3 children have been my beloved Eeyore). The idea is for toys, crafts, games and "healthier" treats, instead of loads of candy. The night before this, Charlie and I went to another friend's house for a Halloween party. They had their house completely decked out- it was really neat. Plus hanging out with friends (especially our friends!) and playing games is always a fun evening in my book.

On Halloween Eve, Hannah and Owen, had their church choir Halloween party- Hannah as Minnie again, Owen as a red Power Ranger this time and Izzy still Eeyore. Halloween day was party time at school- Hannah went as Jasmine and Owen as a Pirate (we have a lot of hand me down costumes and dress up clothes in case you could not tell)- they loaded up on candy! Then we did the traditional Trick or Treating (Hannah was Aurora and Owen was the Power Ranger again). We invited a friend of Hannah's from school and her parents over to join us and we had a great time and they got even more candy. I sorted through it all -leaving them about 15 pieces each (and a few for Charlie and I) and brought the rest into work (I seriously think I brought in 4 pounds of candy!). They had more taken away when they were caught sneaking it (brought a much smaller load into work) and only have about 3 pieces each left. Glad that is all over for another year.

Hannah
Hannah had a cold with a cough that lasted about 2 weeks, now just a stuffy nose. Hannah is doing extremely well at school- her reading ability is amazing and her teachers adore her (wonder where she gets that from?). I think she is bored on occasion- but overall likes school. She is even starting to enjoy PE- a class she used to say "I don't like PE, but I try my best". She is still singing in the church choir, but no longer taking gymnastics- she dropped out and we will wait another year before signing her up for anything again.

Owen
No croup episodes and he has actually been fairly healthy this month- a slight runny nose is all (probably just jinxed us). He's doing well in school as well. We are having his speech evaluated for his mild lisp and trouble with some letters- although they all tell me he is fine and it's normal at his age- I just want to be sure. His writing is going really well- he can write out the whole alphabet and numbers 1-5 with very little help. He is even starting to spell a few words and recognize/read some. He is singing in choir and took over Hannah's gymnastics. He will probably continue it and still do the Tumblebus at school too.

Izzy
Favorite new thing to do is climb. Everything is an opportunity to climb- beds, couches, chairs, boxes- you name it- she'll try to get to the top of it. She has taken a few tumbles and is presently sporting a nice bruise above her right eye from going over backwards in her rocking chair (someday she will learn to sit and not stand on it). She is getting over a horrible staph infection on her bum- which caused a nasty red, bumpy, itchy rash. It's resolving thanks to oral and topical medications-but talk about a guilty mom moment as we tried to treat it like any diaper rash for a week before going to the doctors. She is not saying as much as Hannah did at this age, but she is smart and knows exactly what you are talking about. She wants to be very independent and do everything her self- so we are experiencing a few tantrums. She is still at home until Charlie gets some steady full time work.
Charlie
Has a part time job!!! He is working from home doing web editing for travel site. It takes all the hotel's special packages, breaks them down and tells you if it is truly a deal or not. He's happy to have a job- but is still pursuing teaching. He has been fingerprinted and can now get on the sub list. He takes his Praxis I in December. I still am in shock that he wants to teach junior high math! He is singing still as well and just keeping this household stable.

Me
I'm hanging in there. On the work front I'm doing about 1 extra shift a month- so not too bad. We are looking for a part time doctor to help us out- we will definitely need help once spring rolls around next year and we start our "busier" time of the year with tourists and summer folk. The slower pace has helped me catch up on all my administrative tasks though- I only have doctor evaluations to do now, but those entail developing a whole new evaluation process, so will take some time.

Went through some old toys and had a toy swap with some moms from the MOMS group- scored a pop up tent for the kids to play with in the house, a soft sorting toy for Izzy and some new books. I'm all set (except for a few small stocking stuffer things) for Christmas. Yep that's right I have all my shopping done (it helps that older nieces and nephews just get money and gift cards and I'm going in with my sisters for my parents and younger nieces and nephews). I'm working on some homemade gifts for teachers and friends- so those still need to be done. Still have to order the Christmas cards too- my goal is to actually get them out on time this year!

Joined a Biggest Loser competition on my scrappy message board. I'm not huge and I am ok with how I look right now- but in all honesty I could lose about 25#. So I'm watching what I eat (difficult to do this time of year, plus all the goodies that get brought into work), starting to exercise again (hope to get running again soon- taking it slow and just walking on the treadmill for now) and will start the free weights again too. Plus for some fun we did get a Fit for our Wii.

I guess that is everything- we'll see how I do with updating now that the Holiday season is upon us- don't hold your breath!

Fall is here!

Well it has been cool for a few weeks now. Only the occasional day that is 70+ degrees. Definitely long sleeve and fleece jacket weather. Leaves are looking beautiful and believe it or not some trees are bare already! We are heading to Rocky Ridge Orchards this Friday for some fall photos and apple picking. My children go through apples like water! Not unusual for Hannah to have 2/day- Izzy loves to munch on a whole apple and Owen- my fruit and veggie hater will even eat one daily.

What else have we been up to in the past week and half since I last posted? We went to the Brunswick Fire station for an open house on the 8th. Got to climb around a fire engine and slide down the pole, plus got some plastic fire helmets. Owen won a stuffed dog in a raffle- we were gunning for the ride to school in a fire engine- no such luck! Owen and I also go a tour of the Topsham Fire station today with our MOMS club. We have had a productive Fire Safety Month.

Got word this past weekend that the doctor who had left on emergency family leave is not returning to Maine- so we are on the search (again!) for a new doctor. So I will have a few extra shifts- but not many- we are trying to conserve hours as even the veterinary business is feeling the lows of this wonderful economy we are in right now. I'm ok with less extra shifts time wise but the extra cash was nice. Charlie has been studying for his teachers certificate, doing some free lance stuff and applying for jobs.

We are super busy in the next few weeks with Halloween parties- but will post more and some new photos soon.

O-Dog is 4!!!!

That's correct Owen, O-Dog, O-Dizzle is 4 years old. The big day was Wednesday October 1st, but he had some friends over to celebrate today. Since he really likes Spiderman we had that as a theme. We played pin the spider on the web, played with some silly string/webbing and ate cupcakes adorned with spider rings. He recieved some great presents and I think everyone had a great time. The silly sting was O's favorite part!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there are many ways to get involved. I am once again participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk here in Maine. The purpose of this walk is to promote awareness and early detection of breast cancer while raising funds for breast cancer research, education, advocacy and patient support programs. In 2007 over 3,500 Maine residents participated, raising more than $475,000! A wonderful client of mine is a survivor and runs the walk in Damariscotta, Maine. So even though there is a walk in my town of Brunswick- we head up to Damariscotta (about 20minutes away) to walk in her 3 mile walk. If you would like to support me in this walk please go to my homepage http://main.acsevents.org/site/TRC/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY09NewEngland?pg=peditor&fr_id=11715&px=1551356 to make a donation. Wishes and prayers for nice weather are also appreciated.

My friend Jennifer over at ListPlanIt.com has a couple of items specific for this month of Breast Cancer awareness. One is a Brest self exam worksheet and another is a Buddy Check Contract so you and a friend or family member can be accountable to each other for monthly exams.

Melissa Frances (www.melissafrances.com), a breast cancer survivor herself, is hosting an Altered Bra contest this month in honor of National Breast Cancer Month. The details are at her site.

PageMaps is hosting a "Pink Sketch Challenge" on the PM Blog starting October 9th, with an awesome pink prize package up for grabs.

Please remember that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer

Way too busy

Well as you can see I have been way too busy to be on here updating. Wow I can't believe I slacked off for 20 days- bad Erica! Well I haven't actually been slacking, the blog was just not priority one. So, sorry to keep you out of the loop for so long- now to catch you all up.

So Hannah is into her 4 the week of school and it is going well- she has the routine down and we are getting into it as well. She is also doing gymnastics with 2 classmates and church choir. I have a parent/teacher conference tomorrow (that kind of makes me feel old) and Hannah has school photos on Friday. She has weekly show and tell with the letter of the week, as well as computer, art, PE and a trip to the library once a week (oh yeah and mas every Friday morning). One Friday a month we can join her for a spaghetti lunch which is nice.

Owen has started his preschool program and is doing very well with writing his letters and numbers and is learning some site words already too! He will soon start Gymbus (a converted bus that goes to the school so the kids can do some gymnastics- it has rings, trampoline and matts) and he also has been singing in the church choir!

Charlie, Hannah and Owen enjoyed the last Brunswick Naval Airbase Air Show the first weekends in September. We visited my sister the second weekend and saw the cutie Harrison. He's a bit gassy (and stinky) but adorable. It was a bit crazy to see Izzy and Alexa together. Alexa is 1yr and 1 month older than Izzy yet only about 1/2 inch taller and if I'm correct weighs less. Alexa would sit on the ride on car and Izzy would push her!

I have been working a lot. The doctor that left for a family emergency is not returning anytime soon (if at all), so I have been needed to do many extra shifts. I have been doing 4-5 hour days (with most of those days being 11 hour days by the time everything work related is done). The little bit of extra cash is handy since Charlie's last day was this past Monday, but it is very tiring and stressful. I have managed to schedule a small 4 day mid week vacation at the end of October.

We have also been sick- started with Izzy last week- congested- she was diagnosed with bronchitis and is on antibiotics and doing much better. Hannah picked it up mid week and I did too one day later. We are all improved with just the runny noses lingering. Amazingly Owen has not caught it yet- maybe our croup days are over (knock on wood).

We are in the midst of planning Owen's birthday. We had a small shindig at my sister's house complete with cake and gifts (too many gifts- Grandy!). We will have cake on his actual day and give him a few presents from us and then the Saturday after his "real" birthday he is having some classmates over for a Spiderman party. We will play pin the spider on the web and I'm going to make targets for them to spray silly string at. Wish us nice weather!

Well that is about it- I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but believe me we have been straight out.

First week of school

Hard to believe my oldest is ready to start kindergarten, but she is and she did! She was so excited too- up early and pestering me for 1/2 hour that it was "time to go", didn't want "to be late", "is it time to go yet?". "when can we go?". I'm glad she is so excited for school- I think she may get that from me- I have been called a "gunner" by some (who shall remain nameless). Hannah is extremely smart and that is not just proud Momma talk- she really is. She can read very well, can spell many words, can add and subtract and is working on multiplication. She also has an amazing memory (like I used to- 3 babies later has really taken it's toll). So off we went with her in her uniform (she is so stinkin' cute!) and her Hello Kitty backpack with Barbie lunch box (she's my girly girl don't forget). She walked right into her class and then told me I could leave- "you can go" she said and waved me away. I was proud of myself- no tears! Ok well a bit teary eyed but no active crying. I had work to get to so couldn't be a blubbering mess.

Owen is actually doing well at preschool without Hannah. He also gets to stay home with Izzy and me on Wednesdays and besides constantly asking when we were picking Hannah up, I think he is enjoying some alone time. We are working on writing his letters and his speech. Also gearing up for his 4th birthday party- Spiderman of course!

Izzy is walking more- but still prefers a hand or something to hold on to. Although she has no problems crawling up the stairs- boy is she fast and she figured out the gate too ( I think I have another trouble maker on my hands). Thankfully she knows to go down on her belly feet first. She is starting to talk more as well and has a great sense of humor- she cracks us up. She loves to play hide and seek and chase and loves any attention form her sister and brother.

With the school year, comes all the other activities as well. Hannah will be signing in the church choir again this year and is excited to do so. We will see if Owen wants to join or not. Charlie will be starting back up again as well- he took last year off to help me with the children- so this Sunday will be interesting to see me arriving/juggling them at church. My guess is I'll be spending a lot of time in the nursery getting Izzy adjusted. Hannah did not want to do soccer this year- so maybe ice skating this winter and T- ball in the spring? I'm content with only 1 extra-curricular activity thus far.

Another busy month. I have 3 extra shifts this month and then hopefully the other doctor will be back. We have the Air Show this weekend- the last one here as the base is closing. The planes and jets have been practicing all week- causing Charlie to rush outside every time he hears one go by (I like to laugh at him). I work this weekend so I'm hoping the air show keeps everyone busy and I can get some administrative stuff done. Then next weekend we travel to NH to visit my family and see our new nephew- Harrison, another cutie. I also have a continuing education meeting later this month- so every weekend is booked with work or activities. I'll get some fun though too- a book club meeting and a night of Bunco with some great groups of friends.

I think that covers everything for now. Hope you all are well and catch ya later!