First Day of School

Well, today was the first day of school for the kids.  I am anxious to hear how it went for Tony & Kristen and will share when I get more details later. 
Emily was so excited to go to school today that she popped up as soon as her alarm rang, she got dressed and came downstairs all before I even knew she was up!  I am liking this and plan to enjoy it while I can.  She picked out her outfit at Justice and had to have a scarf (do you think she looks up to her big sister at all?) and then had to have a pair of Twinkle Toe shoes.  She was pleased with her outfit and that made me happy.
We took some pictures at the house and then Emily and I dropped Vinnie off at daycare and then took her to school.  You could tell that she was still excited, but starting to get a bit more anxious as we got closer to the school.  She started to panic thinking that she didn’t know how to get to her classroom, but I told her I’d be with her to help her and that I suspected that when she started walking down the hall she would remember.  She was quite pleased to learn I was right as she walked right to her classroom all by herself.
I left her in the classroom working on a worksheet.  I can’t wait to hear all about her day!!  I hope it is going great!
Here are some pictures from our morning:  http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=jcdonato&target=PHOTO&id=5373927413978172994&aid=5373927233925056497&authkey=Gv1sRgCO2_hcONmfDelAE&feat=email

 

 

 

Kid Updates

Just thought I'd give a quick update on the kids.

Tony: Just returned from a week at band camp and the strangest thing is happening ... he is enjoying band this year. Like really, really, really enjoying band. He had a ball at camp and has nothing but positive things to say about all things band. It is confusing, but good to see. I sent a schedule of his football game performances to many. If you want a copy, please email me.

Kristen: Finally got the all clear on her foot last week when she went to her follow-up appointment. She is cleared for all physical activity, so bring on soccer. She and Tony should be playing on the same soccer team this year and games will be on Sunday afternoons. We will keep you updated as soon as we know the schedule (although, this league isn't always forthcoming with details).

Also, Kristen got her stitches out on Friday and her finger is healing well. Hopefully we can keep her in one piece for the remainder of the year.

Emily: Emily is wrapping up summer camp. I can tell that that novelty has wore off. She started off the summer by wanting to go to camp every single day, even if I was home from work. That isn't the case anymore. I can barely get her there on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays. I think she is ready for the change of pace and for school to start.

One quick Emily story - last June we went to the the Dublin pool and we discovered that in order to go down the water slides, Emily needed to pass a swim test which was swimming in the area that the slides dump into. In June, she tried it twice and could not do it. I was surprised, but figured we'd do it again later. Due to the weather and the trip to Myrtle, we didn't make it back to the pool in July. We went back in August and Emily wanted to try to take the swim test again. We decided to try it on our own before the lifeguard test and I figured out what was going on ... there was quite a current in this area. Which I guess is why they require the test. But Emily did it twice and could not make it across. I figured she would give up the idea, but as soon as the whistle blew for break Emily announced she was going for the swim test.

I was hesitant to let her, but figured that I should let her go and let it play out. She went for the test and I was nervous for her and wondered how it would play out and if she would be disappointed. She started across and had no problems, but that was with the current. She started back across against the current and she kept going and going and going and going! SHE DID IT!! She made it across and got her wrist band so that she can go on the slide. I was so proud of her. (And so glad I kept my mouth shut and let her try.)

The kids start back to school on August 25th. I think Emily is ready. Tony is getting there with the band schedule. Kristen? This is going to be a complete shock to her system.

Another trip to the ER

Yesterday afternoon, Kristen was at her Mom’s getting ready to feed the dog and trying to open a can of dog food, when something happened and she sliced her finger.  Tony & Kristen were the only ones home, but Tony held it together (or got it together – he doesn’t like the site of blood) and drove Kristen to the Children’s Hospital Urgent Care that is up by us.  Unfortunately, he got there before they opened.  However, as they were walking out Diane caught up with them and took Kristen to the Dublin Hospital Emergency Room.

 

A lot of time and six stitches later, they got out of there. 

 

Kristen was in some discomfort last night.  I haven’t been in touch with her today (surprisingly, teenagers aren’t usually up before I leave for work), but hopefully she is feeling better.

 

I guess she goes back in 7-10 days to have them removed.