Quick Catch Up

Between work, two kids, kindergarten, birthdays, and shortening days… it seems like there is never enough time to get everything done.  Alas, blogging sometimes apparently falls later in line than I hope.  Looking back over the past few weeks, I’ve missed a couple things – they made facebook, sure; but not the blog.  So here’s a quick catch up review.

Kindergarten?  Yup.  You read correctly.  How did I miss posting about Tatiana’s big step toward Kindergarten?  Seriously – someone tell me, because I can’t believe it myself.   When we left school last spring, the plan was for T to enter Young 5’s – however with cut backs in the state, Young 5’s was one of the first things to go.  Don’t get me started on that…  so alas, come September it was off to Kindergarten.  The only other option was back to preschool – which really wasn’t an option.  Intellectually, T is ready for Kindergarten – but socially she’s not quite there yet.  Putting her back with kids as young as 2 1/2 would be fun, but she’d  probably be bored.  And bored kids at school… well, we all know what happens there.  So Kindergarten it is. 

We’ve had some struggles this year – which is new.  Last year she LOVED going to school.  This year parents aren’t allowed to go IN to the school beyond the office in the morning.  This seems to be causing some heartburn for Tatiana.  Some mornings we have tears, some mornings it’s only stalling and feet dragging.  Either way, it’s hard on us both – not sure who it’s harder on though!  (Including Mrs. Armbruster – the secretary!)   She’s also had some issues following directions – which doesn’t surprise me.  Tatiana has always had her own agenda in life. 

Here’s the princess on her first day:

Ready for school!  And yes, my backpack is still almost as big as me!

Last Friday, as you probably remember, was Alex’s 2nd birthday.  2nd Birthday – 1st party.  All in all – he was a total trooper.  We had the party on Friday evening at the restaurant we always go to – and Alex did well.  It was just family and some close friends.   He didn’t seem to care much about the cake – which is a shocker because UNLIKE his sister, he LOVES sweets.  The older kids were a little slap happy after a long week – and there was lots of running around.  Alex so badly wanted to be one of the big kids – and just wanted to run around too, so cake wasn’t his priority.   Here’s some shots of the evening:

 

Hey everybody!  I’m 2!

Finally, in other “anniversaries” of sort – 3 years ago yesterday I received a call and subsequent email matching me with a child in Vladivostok, Russia.  That day I wrote this post.  Most of you know the history – in the end that referral was not meant to be.  I’ll always remember Baby V though, he was a crucial step on path to meet Tatiana. 

I think we’re all caught up now.  At least to the best of my memory!  I am sure there is SOMETHING I forgot… and if there is – I’ll fill you all in later!