Number 30...is in!

Abby auditioned for the Nutcracker production that is being put on by the Moscow Ballet. She got a part as a snowflake! The performance is at the Lyric in Baltimore. She is beyond excited! I can't wait till they give us more info. The packets are due at the practice next week. The only thing she knows besides part of her dance is that her costume has a crown. I am so proud of her!

Maybe not so genetic

The girls had their second riding lesson last night. It seems like the whole thing makes Jenna "nervous". Her words! Poor Abby had a scare with Rosie acting up and now she is unsure if she wants to go back. Part of me is happy. I had forgotten how danger was in every part of being around them. They look so small that it stops my heart constantly. The other part wanted them to like it as much as I do.
It seems like we might be piano shopping this weekend. At least a piano won't toss you to the ground and stomp on your head. (mark's words:) Jenna has vetoed the lessons in favor of cheering or gymnastics.
Katie is talking so much it just kills me. She is so funny. The other night she put her hands on her tummy at the table and makes this face. "I'm full!" She is into fridge magnets. Mark has spent several hours looking for the box that has the Leapfrog ones. It is driving me nuts...not being exactly sure of where our stuff is.
School is going really well. I am so proud of Jenna. She has turned into this confident little girl. I really think the structure in kindergarten is much better than the craziness of her preschool. I think she really enjoys the direction. Preschool stressed her out because the other kids were wild and the teacher let them run loose. We will be looking into other preschools for Katie in a few years.
The girls are having a cousins only sleepover at Aunt Kristen's to celebrate Jocelynne's birthday. Looks like it's no sleep for Aunt Kristen tonight!

First Day pics

They are home! Jenna sounded like she really had a good day. She enjoyed riding the bus home. I guess that can be a highlight! '

Abby is exhausted. Third grade is a lot of work she said. She knows lot of kids in her class and was thrilled about that.

The paperwork is minimal ...I was really surprised. Off to purchase the things on the list for donations.

Big Day!

It apparently never gets any easier to send your kids to school. I can't believe how small Jenna looked when I dropped her off. They made them go in the front door not the one they ususally go in when you drop them off. She looked worried and was holding tight to Abby. Abby was going to walk her to her classroom. I hope they let her! She will be upset if they didn't. Mark is home today and we are running some errands. I have a doctors appointment and we are getting the new Ariel movie for Jenna. She LOVES Ariel!
I'll post some pics when I stop crying.....

It's genetic!

Rosie...getting ready

Abby and Jenna had their first official riding lesson today. They loved it...it looks like despite all Mark's warnings at birth about no ponies they have taken to it. Check out their faces! Rosie looked a little bored. She has two speeds walk and stop. She prefers the standing around...regardless the girls were safe and thrilled beyond measure. Plus as a bonus Rosie took me for a few spins around the indoor. I am thinking about trading a child for a pony....

DONE!

I wish that the title referred to the house business. We have had an offer. An icky one from someone who wants to buy it to rent it back out. We countered and are waiting on his response. Liz thinks he will probably only be looking for the houses that he can get the cheapest. Mostly trying to catch people who are trying to avoid forecloseure. So we continue to clean and box. I cannot stress how much i want to be moved before christmas!

I have officially given up the leader role of my brownie troop. Abby has decided to try new things (piano, horses , 4H) and I simply couldn't take the drama that came with the 3 new co leaders this year. I know that I have been out of middle school for long enough that this stuff should not be bothering me! Yikes. I mean these women are in their 40s! I feel a great sense of relief.

Jenna is going to try gymnastics again. I am going to wait for the second session. I think we have to get settled into school first and then get going on something else. She also might try the cheerleading program they have there. I guess we will see what the schedule looks like!

Kate is talking in phrases now. Mommy get cup, Daddy wash it! That 's her favorite. Wash her paci...wash it , my paci! She has this little voice and the comands sound so funny. We are trying to remind her to add her please to the end.

Getting ready for the consignment sale. I have tagged a whole box. I am heading to mom's tonight to hit the bins in the garage. I guess the majority of it will wait for the spring. There are boxes I cannot even begin to get to right now.

We met Jenna's teacher and some of her classmates. There are 3 other kids in the neighborhood all starting kindergarten and they all got different classes! Jenna thinks her teacher is pretty and likes the cubbies for her things. I am so glad that they have seperate bathrooms and playgrounds. She still seems so little to me. I cannot believe I am getting her off a bus on Tuesday!

Abby knows quite a few kids in her class. I am so glad for that. She is excited and her teacher seems really sweet. It looks like I will be her room mother.
I can't wait for Katie and I to be able to volunteer this year.

Everything Tastes Better Mouse Shaped

Well, it's done. I have gone and turned 31. I even have a brand new licence to prove it. I spent two hours at the DMV with three kids! It actually isn't so bad though. I am just amazed at how ten years ago I thought turning 21 was going to be the best. I have much more to be thankful for now! I never thought I would have three smart wonderful girls. I am so lucky to be able to own my own house and cars. I have an awesome husband who works so hard for us. Now if we could just sell this house we own....
Jenna marched in the Hampstead parade on Saturday. That qualified as the longest, hottest and most boring parade. We waited to step off for close to 2 hours!
The girls went to a birthday party for Faith and Hope and had a blast.
My current obessession is tiny yarn animals and Mickey Mouse shaped kitchen appliances. I am hoping to press my crochet "abled" mom into service in the tiny yarn animal department. I just have to get the patterns! As for the Mickey stuff I am trolling Ebay looking for ways to make the food taste better. In my opinion EVERYTHING tastes better when it's MOUSE shaped!!!!

New baby pics

I went down to the hospital last night to see Rachel and the baby. She is perfect and just so small. I had those little flashes of want...I got over it! I am happy to be an aunt again and looking forward to more baby holding. She looks alot like Brianna. She also reminds me of Kate with her voracious paci appetite.

We can't wait for them to come home!

Julia Lynn!

The baby is here! 7 Pounds 8 ounces. I will get more details from my sister tonight when I go see her. The girls are so excited to have her come home so they can hold her!


The house that we were hoping to put a contract on has been rented arrghh! The owner is doing a rent to own. Oh well....we are just going to keep looking. I know we have looked at at least 40 houses by now. How depressing is that?

Down we go

Counting down to school. Dropping the price on the house. Counting down to new baby Julia. Counting down to being 31.

School is soon! Jenna is ready. She is so independent and smart. I can't wait to see what her year brings. We are hoping to have the class assignments soon.

Third grade for Abby. Ummm, sorry what?! I am not old enough to have a third grader!

Interest has increased on the house but still no offers. In today's market we have decided to go down and see what that brings us. We really would like an offer soon because there is a short sale house that we are interested in and we have to have a contract here to do one there.

Julia will be here Monday. Birthday week interloper! She might arrange to be here sooner if Rachel does not slow down! We can't wait to meet her. The girls are pestering Mark for "one more" baby sister. Even Kate gets involved but only because that is one of her favorite sayings....one more. She holds her little pointer finger up in front of her face and says one more....over and over! (disclaimer...i am not pregnant nor will I become pregnant again )

Ahh... the birthday month has begun. The birthday week will be here soon. I have no feeling about being 31 except the fact that I have to go to the DMV for a new liscense. Arrgh Who wants to take kids to the DMV?

Open house here this weekend ...Wish us luck!

The above pic is from our trip to the Smithsonian with Molly and Tricia.The girls had a blast!