My last post was from Helen but a lot has happened since then. I'll update by person...
Ashlyn:
For halloween, she was a bat. I'm not so sure why she chose this but that's what she wanted and she stuck to it. We attended a Mom's Club Halloween Party and a party for a boy in her class. They were both a lot of fun. We didn't even leave the bday party until 9:30. That may be due to not having Chloe with me and therefore there wasn't a meltdown:). In school she had to be a book character so she was Ladybug Girl. I scored some 90% off clearance items last year and so I got my use out of that one. Ashlyn is still loving school and hasn't been below green in a LONG time. This is a good thing. Maybe she has stopped talking in class OR at least she has for now. She's growing up before our eyes this year. Reading, writing, and asking all sorts of questions. I keep telling her she needs to slllllllloooooooow down. She is still our easy going, care free child.
Chloe:
Some days I have to count to ten and walk away. She is our head-strong, don't-mess-with-me kid. She is doing great in school and loves it. The teacher said she is perfect in class and never gets in trouble. Although she is known to raise her hand, shrug her shoulders, and say "uhhhhh I already know this." School comes easily to Chloe but she doesn't want to sit and do it or try. We will be working with Ashlyn on something and, out of the blue, Chloe shoots out the right answer. She has many friends and her teacher says "she rules the playground." Basically she is bossy and maybe a little bit of bully---I don't know. She was Snow White for Halloween. She went trick or treating to a few doorsteps and then declared that she was done. Most recently she has had pink eye and an ear infection. Well she complained of the eye and it looked like it might be pink eye so I came home from work early to take her to the doctor. Brandon stayed with her the first part of the morning. Since it was just pink eye, we thought it would be easier to go to the MInute Clinic. I did, got in and out, got her medicine, and was home. Once home, I went to put her down for a nap. She said her ear hurt. I would rock her, lay her down, and then she would complain. Then it occured to me that they never checked her ears. I thought they always did. I went back and sure enough, she had an ear infection too. They charged me for two visits. I complained to no avail and left a little angry. I was back within an hour and a half of the first visit. So I called the 1-800 number and, to make a long story short, I'm getting refunded for the second visit.
Brandon and me:
We have been going to a new church since the beginning of September. We love it and so do the kids. I feel that we are growing stronger as a family since we have been going there. This weekend, we went on a couples date night with the church and stayed at a hotel downtown. A church member owns a karate studio and they held a lock in for the kids. I wasn't sure about them staying over but they were so excited about it. Believe it or not, I cried when I dropped them off. The only people they have stayed over night with are my parents in PA and that obviously doesn't happen often. Brandon thought I was crazy but it just happened:). We had an awesome night having dinner and getting to know other couples within our church. After dinner, we played games including the "not so newlywed game' and Brandon and I won!! It's a good feeling to know that this is a place where we belong and can grown spiritually.
Brandon:
Brandon has lost over 40 pounds and looks and feels awesome! He has incredible willpower.
Me:
I am actually down 19 pounds but still have a long way to go. I fell off the bandwagon for a month or so but am getting back into making my health a priority. It's crazy to think that I've lost almost 20 pounds and I don't really see it in the mirror yet. I've really let myself go over the years. This is the hardest season though. So we shall see how it goes.
