Fall Fun

The school year is off to a great start. Both girls LOVE their teachers and I do as well. Emily has a renewed love for school, something she did not have last year. She is happy and excited to go each day and she comes home just as happy. Gone are the belly aches, tears and anxiety. Her teacher this year is energetic, fun and engaging. We are so excited!! Alyssa's teacher is the same 1st grade teacher as Em had. She is very nice as well. I was happy to see her name when we got teacher assignments. I am positive that she is the perfect match for Ali.

Fall fun has begun as well. Both girls opted out of dance this year. Alyssa after dancing 3 years and Em after dancing 5 years. They both love Girl Scouts and Alyssa is a Daisy Scout and Emily is now a Junior Girl Scout. I am happy that both enjoy this activity as the focus is all about being good community members, volunteering in the community and being kind to each other. Nice values that we all want out kids to learn. Alyssa is in her 3rd year of soccer and loves it!! She is up a division from the last two years and the real "rules" and penalties start this year. Still, it is the one thing that she loves to do!! Emily has decided to join a bowling league and is enjoying this new activity. She really wanted to take art classes, but it has been hard to find a class that is instructional, in our area, and during a time that we can do. Once bowling is over, I will look into this as well.

Religion classes for both girls have restarted after being off for the summer. This keeps us busy, but again, it is with a great group of kids and teachers so it is something that they look forward to in between Sunday school.

All of that keeps us very busy....throw in homework every night and my full time job and it is no wonder that I have been exhausted. It has been a bit of a struggle for me to be focused and get with the momentum this Fall. I have been busy getting things ready for Madison's arrival. Starting my Christmas shopping, getting my packing started, and obsessively trying to figure out when I might travel. It is a good chance to travel before Christmas and as equally possible to travel just after Christmas. Just depends on how quickly these final approvals come along with my Travel Approval. Then my agency can scramble to get Madison a Consulate Appointment. After MUCH thought and discussion, I have decided that if these appointments come at a time when I will need to be IN China during Christmas, I will postpone my travel until the holidays are over. As much as this breaks my heart, I know that I can't leave Alyssa and Emily during Christmas. Madi is safe and she will be fine if she waits an additional 2 weeks...although I hope I will be :-(.

That's it for now. We hope everyone is enjoying the Fall. It is my favorite time of year and it is just beginning to feel that Fall crisp air here in NY. We hope to go Apple Picking next week!! No pictures this time ;-)