Friday, August 29, 2008
Football season begins
Here are is one of the critters we often find in our back yard!
Well, Evan's first game of the season was a loss to Morton Ranch by a score of 14-6. Maybe they needed to get their first game jitters over with because there were some "boo boo" plays that should have never happened that most likely cost them the game. The red team who played after Evan's won by a score of 14-0. As a mom who's used to seeing her son on the field 110% of the time in Junior High it was a change to see Evan play only two series the whole game. I'll admit it may not have been different at Southmoreland and the defense wasn't on the field a whole lot even considering the score.
So here we are, it's the Labor Day weekend. Not much planned. We have this Sunday off from choir, but I imagine we won't have another "off" Sunday until the end of May or June. Tomorrow we're going to Jeff's secretary's son's four-year-old birthday party. Other than that we'll just be hanging around the house until the kids go back to school on Tuesday. Oh - Evan DOES have football practice on Monday.
This week I got three real pieces of mail! One from my friend and former choir member Susan Shannon, my BF Kelli and my mom sent me a couple articles to read and items she found obviously at the house. It's nice to get real mail once in a while and not just bills and junk mail! :)
Well, Evan's first game of the season was a loss to Morton Ranch by a score of 14-6. Maybe they needed to get their first game jitters over with because there were some "boo boo" plays that should have never happened that most likely cost them the game. The red team who played after Evan's won by a score of 14-0. As a mom who's used to seeing her son on the field 110% of the time in Junior High it was a change to see Evan play only two series the whole game. I'll admit it may not have been different at Southmoreland and the defense wasn't on the field a whole lot even considering the score.
So here we are, it's the Labor Day weekend. Not much planned. We have this Sunday off from choir, but I imagine we won't have another "off" Sunday until the end of May or June. Tomorrow we're going to Jeff's secretary's son's four-year-old birthday party. Other than that we'll just be hanging around the house until the kids go back to school on Tuesday. Oh - Evan DOES have football practice on Monday.
This week I got three real pieces of mail! One from my friend and former choir member Susan Shannon, my BF Kelli and my mom sent me a couple articles to read and items she found obviously at the house. It's nice to get real mail once in a while and not just bills and junk mail! :)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Evan's first days in high school
As many of you know my Evan is a young man of few words. I start waking him up at 5:50, then go back upstairs at 6 to give him the 20 minute warning which usually gets him going. It was suggested to me that Evan take the bus because traffic around the high school is horrible in the morning and it's a good 15 minute ride just one way from our house.
He says he has six minutes to get to each class and seems to be making his way around fairly well. He says the halls are particularly chaotic between classes and he has yet to find his locker and it's almost Thursday.
One nice thing is that football is considered his 7th period class, so they practice during 7th period and it carries over until 3:30. Tomorrow is his first game. He's on the freshmen white team. I'll let you know how it goes.
Have I ever mentioned how much I love apple pop? We could get it occasionally at Margarittas, but here you can buy either Manzanitas of Sidral Mundial at any grocery store! I remember drinking it in Guadalajara when we spent a month there when I as 13. It is SO good! I'll have to take some back to PA with me when I visit! :)
He says he has six minutes to get to each class and seems to be making his way around fairly well. He says the halls are particularly chaotic between classes and he has yet to find his locker and it's almost Thursday.
One nice thing is that football is considered his 7th period class, so they practice during 7th period and it carries over until 3:30. Tomorrow is his first game. He's on the freshmen white team. I'll let you know how it goes.
Have I ever mentioned how much I love apple pop? We could get it occasionally at Margarittas, but here you can buy either Manzanitas of Sidral Mundial at any grocery store! I remember drinking it in Guadalajara when we spent a month there when I as 13. It is SO good! I'll have to take some back to PA with me when I visit! :)
Maia's school adventures
Well I thought I would divide Maia and Evan's school adventures into separate blogs.
Maia missed the bus the first day. It was scheduled to come at 6:50, but we have learned in three days of school that Maia should be waiting in our drive way by 6:40, because he bus driver shows up at any time! Jeff took her the first day and besides forgetting what her bus number was I expect the school expects things like that, she made it home just fine.
The next day Maia got on the bus on time but got off at the wrong school! She didn't know (and neither did I) that they bus junior high and intermediate students together with buses stopping at Willow Wood Junior High first then going on to Northpointe. Maia is smart enough to go to the office and approach a secretary who directed her to a bus that would take her to school and she made it without being late. Turns out another little boy (who was red faced from crying) did the same thing.
Maia is sitting at a table in class with three Mexican students who are bilingual. She seems to be getting along with a girl named Daisy. She has also reported that there are two other Asians besides her and she has become friends with a girl named Valerie. She has also said that at lunch there are three tables for each class. The Mexican (or Spanish speaking students) sit at one, the Asian and white girls sit at the middle table and the boys sit at the other table.
The school seems to be pretty strict about dress code and behavior - which is good, kids need to learn to follow rules somewhere!
It's a challenge to get up at 5:45 to get Evan going first and then Maia. Believe me I head back to bead with Eli until he gets up for the day!
Maia missed the bus the first day. It was scheduled to come at 6:50, but we have learned in three days of school that Maia should be waiting in our drive way by 6:40, because he bus driver shows up at any time! Jeff took her the first day and besides forgetting what her bus number was I expect the school expects things like that, she made it home just fine.
The next day Maia got on the bus on time but got off at the wrong school! She didn't know (and neither did I) that they bus junior high and intermediate students together with buses stopping at Willow Wood Junior High first then going on to Northpointe. Maia is smart enough to go to the office and approach a secretary who directed her to a bus that would take her to school and she made it without being late. Turns out another little boy (who was red faced from crying) did the same thing.
Maia is sitting at a table in class with three Mexican students who are bilingual. She seems to be getting along with a girl named Daisy. She has also reported that there are two other Asians besides her and she has become friends with a girl named Valerie. She has also said that at lunch there are three tables for each class. The Mexican (or Spanish speaking students) sit at one, the Asian and white girls sit at the middle table and the boys sit at the other table.
The school seems to be pretty strict about dress code and behavior - which is good, kids need to learn to follow rules somewhere!
It's a challenge to get up at 5:45 to get Evan going first and then Maia. Believe me I head back to bead with Eli until he gets up for the day!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Happy Happy Joy Joy
It's about 11 p.m. Sunday night and Eli and I are sitting on the couch watching Thomas the Train. It's late and I should head to bed since I need to get Evan up about 5:45 a.m. and Maia at 6:15 a.m., but (big smile) school starts tomorrow yippee! :) Maia's lunch is already packed and in the frig and Evan's account has money in it too. The stories after school should be interesting.
I have a dentist appointment (just a routine cleaning) at 10:25 and other than that Eli and I will be hanging out for the day until we a. pick up Evan from football practice or b. Maia comes home. Both get done about 3:15.
Choir and church today was a pleasant surprise. One of the older ladies took me under her wing (although I can't for the life of me remember her name) and led me through the service. We sing at 9:30 and the 11 o'clock service, however the choir leaves after they sing the anthem at the 11 a.m. She told me there are usually about 30 in the choir. The Senior Pastor Kevin Rudolph is a very energetic speaker whose delivery reminds me a lot of Jim Hepler in that he is very animated and passionate during his sermon. All in all it was a good day.
Watched the end of the Olympics tonight and so now I look forward to Evan starting his football season on Thursday and then Steelers and the Houston Texans will start the regular season so I'll definitely be able to see that game!
More tomorrow...
I have a dentist appointment (just a routine cleaning) at 10:25 and other than that Eli and I will be hanging out for the day until we a. pick up Evan from football practice or b. Maia comes home. Both get done about 3:15.
Choir and church today was a pleasant surprise. One of the older ladies took me under her wing (although I can't for the life of me remember her name) and led me through the service. We sing at 9:30 and the 11 o'clock service, however the choir leaves after they sing the anthem at the 11 a.m. She told me there are usually about 30 in the choir. The Senior Pastor Kevin Rudolph is a very energetic speaker whose delivery reminds me a lot of Jim Hepler in that he is very animated and passionate during his sermon. All in all it was a good day.
Watched the end of the Olympics tonight and so now I look forward to Evan starting his football season on Thursday and then Steelers and the Houston Texans will start the regular season so I'll definitely be able to see that game!
More tomorrow...
Friday, August 22, 2008
It's rainy in Houston too
Jeff commented to me as we were waiting for the rain to pass at Evan's scrimmage that as many people said "you know it's hot in Houston" they also failed to mention that when it rains - it rains! I imagine some of what we're getting is fall out from Fay, but it's rained every day this week.
Evan's scrimmage was played on one field but two separate games red and white teams. The coach called out first team white defense and Evan jogged onto the field. Unfortunately he didn't do too much because they didn't run any pass plays. Then there was lightning and thunder, the coach sounded the horn and it was pretty much over.
Maia and Evan start school on Monday - so we're going to enjoy our weekend sleeping in (now that Eli is feeling better) and I'll be singing on Sunday, so I'll let you know how that goes! :)
Evan's scrimmage was played on one field but two separate games red and white teams. The coach called out first team white defense and Evan jogged onto the field. Unfortunately he didn't do too much because they didn't run any pass plays. Then there was lightning and thunder, the coach sounded the horn and it was pretty much over.
Maia and Evan start school on Monday - so we're going to enjoy our weekend sleeping in (now that Eli is feeling better) and I'll be singing on Sunday, so I'll let you know how that goes! :)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Make a Joyful Noise
As you know, last night I joined the Chancel Choir at Windwood Presbyterian. If you'd like to check out their webpage it's www.windwoodpc.org. I'll admit I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. I'm pretty sure I'm older than the music and worship guy Bob Vandervliet and the choir director Joe Akers, but after me everyone else is well..."older." There is a nice sound to them.
At Windwood they have what they call a "convergent" service meaning it's a mix of Praise and Worship and a traditional service. I'm singing alto and we actually spent a good 10-15 minutes doing warm ups including those darn lip trills that I can't stand. (Sorry Jim Overly) We are singing an original piece written by Bob called "Now is the Moment" for their fall kick off service.
We're to be there at 8:30 to go over the piece with the praise band, first service is at 9, second service is at 11, but the person I was sitting by (I can't remember her name) said that they usually leave after they sing for the 11 o'clock service.
It's exciting to not have to direct and sing three different parts and it's fun to sing alto because it's more challenging than soprano. A sweet older lady tried to talk me into playing in the Bell Choir as well. She seems as enthusiastic as Tottie was about the bells. Rehearsal is before choir, so I might try if I can get us eating and settled for the evening before then. And by the way yes, they do have a robe short enough for me! I'm not sure how many are in the choir, I'll try to take an educated count on Sunday.
Evan has his first scrimmage tomorrow! Woo hoo! I'm not sure how they're going to run it with both teams on the field, but I do know they're feeding all players from freshmen, JV and Varsity (300 total) Chik Fil A after the game!
Hasta manana!
At Windwood they have what they call a "convergent" service meaning it's a mix of Praise and Worship and a traditional service. I'm singing alto and we actually spent a good 10-15 minutes doing warm ups including those darn lip trills that I can't stand. (Sorry Jim Overly) We are singing an original piece written by Bob called "Now is the Moment" for their fall kick off service.
We're to be there at 8:30 to go over the piece with the praise band, first service is at 9, second service is at 11, but the person I was sitting by (I can't remember her name) said that they usually leave after they sing for the 11 o'clock service.
It's exciting to not have to direct and sing three different parts and it's fun to sing alto because it's more challenging than soprano. A sweet older lady tried to talk me into playing in the Bell Choir as well. She seems as enthusiastic as Tottie was about the bells. Rehearsal is before choir, so I might try if I can get us eating and settled for the evening before then. And by the way yes, they do have a robe short enough for me! I'm not sure how many are in the choir, I'll try to take an educated count on Sunday.
Evan has his first scrimmage tomorrow! Woo hoo! I'm not sure how they're going to run it with both teams on the field, but I do know they're feeding all players from freshmen, JV and Varsity (300 total) Chik Fil A after the game!
Hasta manana!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Football 101
For those of you who might be a little footballese challenged - the question was posed to me today by an unnamed reader - what does a Strong Safety do? Here is your answer...
Definition: A defensive player who generally lines up in the secondary to help stop the pass, but often aligns close to the line of scrimmage to help stop the run.
Examples: In most defenses, the strong safety lines up over the tight end and is responsible for both playing the pass and supporting the run.
For those of you who are Steelers fans - Troy Polamalu is a Strong Safety! :)
Immunizations - turns out when I didn't have health insurance that I didn't keep a good record of Evan's immunizations. It wasn't until we started going to Dr. Lim that we had any record to speak of. It occurred there might be some at Dr. Brubaker's office?
Anyway, to make a long story short - I had to take Evan to a walk-in clinic so he could get a MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot and start the Hepatitis B series so I could register him for high school. Luckily we could still register today after the nurse signed off on us. Evan will be taking Art, Biology, English, Spanish, Algebra, History and football counts as his P.E. this semester I guess.
That's all for today. Tonight I'm going to go to choir practice at Windwood Presbyterian down the road. They practice for 2 hours! I'll be singing alto - I already know that...it should be interesting!
Ciao! :)
Definition: A defensive player who generally lines up in the secondary to help stop the pass, but often aligns close to the line of scrimmage to help stop the run.
Examples: In most defenses, the strong safety lines up over the tight end and is responsible for both playing the pass and supporting the run.
For those of you who are Steelers fans - Troy Polamalu is a Strong Safety! :)
Immunizations - turns out when I didn't have health insurance that I didn't keep a good record of Evan's immunizations. It wasn't until we started going to Dr. Lim that we had any record to speak of. It occurred there might be some at Dr. Brubaker's office?
Anyway, to make a long story short - I had to take Evan to a walk-in clinic so he could get a MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot and start the Hepatitis B series so I could register him for high school. Luckily we could still register today after the nurse signed off on us. Evan will be taking Art, Biology, English, Spanish, Algebra, History and football counts as his P.E. this semester I guess.
That's all for today. Tonight I'm going to go to choir practice at Windwood Presbyterian down the road. They practice for 2 hours! I'll be singing alto - I already know that...it should be interesting!
Ciao! :)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Magic Rub Erasers and Rockets
There was one final item that eluded us on Maia's school list which easily ran me over $50 if you count her locker shelf, mirror and memo board. Anyway, the item was Magic Rub Erasers which I had NO idea what they were. I'm still not exactly sure, but they are white, three to a pack and you can only get them at Office Depot. I also learned at registration for Maia that you can buy the items on the school list at the school for a set amount and not worry about running around to Target and other stores to get what you need! That would be a note to self for next year.
Maia has been going to gymnastics for three weeks now and they had student evaluations today. She was promoted already to Rockets. Classes begin with Sparklers, then Firecrackers, then Rockets. Hopefully this class will challenge her a little more. I don't worry about the tumbling part but she needs more work and experience on the balance beam and uneven bars.
Went to register Evan today at the high school, but looks like the immunization sheet I got from Dr. Lim's before I left was incomplete as far as dates goes, so I had to fax the office in Mt. Pleasant so they're fax directly to the high school hopefully he's up to date because I have another appointment tomorrow at 1:40.
It's supposed to rain all weekend - I suppose some fall out from Fay which is over the Florida keys right now.
Maia has been going to gymnastics for three weeks now and they had student evaluations today. She was promoted already to Rockets. Classes begin with Sparklers, then Firecrackers, then Rockets. Hopefully this class will challenge her a little more. I don't worry about the tumbling part but she needs more work and experience on the balance beam and uneven bars.
Went to register Evan today at the high school, but looks like the immunization sheet I got from Dr. Lim's before I left was incomplete as far as dates goes, so I had to fax the office in Mt. Pleasant so they're fax directly to the high school hopefully he's up to date because I have another appointment tomorrow at 1:40.
It's supposed to rain all weekend - I suppose some fall out from Fay which is over the Florida keys right now.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Long weekend
Well today is Monday and Eli I believe is finally over the hump of this virus. I say that because after only eating little nibbles and being sustained on chocolate milk, he ate 3/4 piece of toast without him crying that it hurt his teeth and mouth! I say it was a long weekend because Jeff and I didn't get a whole lot of sleep. Eli would just cry and cry. No doubt because his mouth hurt, but nothing seemed to console him. Poor Maia who has been sleeping in our room actually went and slept on the couch a couple of nights because he was keeping her up. I told her if his restlessness continues that she should try sleeping in her room. I told Eli if he does a good job at lunch that we would take him to Chucky Cheese for dinner tonight.
We have a few things to wind up as far as school supplies. I'm done shopping for Evan with the exception of some new shoes which he is very particular about. Maia I got some tennis shoes and one outfit. She is super picky about colors, patterns, if there are buttons, etc. They start school next Monday! Elementary school starts an hour earlier here with the first bell ringing at 7:50 a.m. Evan will catch the bus at 6:20 a.m. and Maia will follow suit at 6:50!
We went to the Houston Premium Outlets Saturday to do some shopping. It is a relatively brand new mall, however we learned it can be miserable when it rains! It was a pretty successful trip and I imagine I'll be returning with Eli once the kids are in school.
Evan will continue football practice this week from 3 - 5. I'll go to register him tomorrow at 11 a.m. and he will have Camp Cougar (for new students) on Friday followed by a scrimmage at home against Magnolia at 4:30 p.m.
Still watching those Olympics. Boy I'll be bummed when they're not on anymore! :)
P.S. My piano bench DID make the trip. I guess it was in a box and Jeff unpacked it, because I came home from the store and there it was in front of my piano! Now I just need to buy a dining room table!
We have a few things to wind up as far as school supplies. I'm done shopping for Evan with the exception of some new shoes which he is very particular about. Maia I got some tennis shoes and one outfit. She is super picky about colors, patterns, if there are buttons, etc. They start school next Monday! Elementary school starts an hour earlier here with the first bell ringing at 7:50 a.m. Evan will catch the bus at 6:20 a.m. and Maia will follow suit at 6:50!
We went to the Houston Premium Outlets Saturday to do some shopping. It is a relatively brand new mall, however we learned it can be miserable when it rains! It was a pretty successful trip and I imagine I'll be returning with Eli once the kids are in school.
Evan will continue football practice this week from 3 - 5. I'll go to register him tomorrow at 11 a.m. and he will have Camp Cougar (for new students) on Friday followed by a scrimmage at home against Magnolia at 4:30 p.m.
Still watching those Olympics. Boy I'll be bummed when they're not on anymore! :)
P.S. My piano bench DID make the trip. I guess it was in a box and Jeff unpacked it, because I came home from the store and there it was in front of my piano! Now I just need to buy a dining room table!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
At Last!
Almost a month to the day I put our belongings on the truck - we got it today! :) Well most of it. My piano bench seems not to have made it, Jeff's table was nicked, and the blankets they wrapped our dresser in was greasy and made a mark on our carpet that thankfully came off!
Eli is sick at the moment. Poor little guy. It started Tuesday evening, then I noticed sores in his mouth so I took him to an emergency care clinic since we haven't established a pediatrician here. Eli has decided he doesn't like doctors and screamed bloody murder just while the nurse was asking me questions, then he really freaked out when the doctor came. It took two nurses and me to hold him down just so the doctor could look into his throat. So he was diagnosed with Herpangina which unfortunately is a virus and can't be treated. He prescribed some "Magic Mouthwash" which is Benadryl, Maalox and something else, but Eli isn't about to use it. We got him to once. So basically we're just controlling his pain by rotating Tylenol and Motrin. What it does is you get sores (like canker or cold sores) on your tongue, throat, etc. It's very painful and you can't eat. The doctor said kids are susceptible to it. I'm taking him to a pediatrician down the road tomorrow morning at 10, so wish me luck!
My friend Tracey and her husband Michael left today for China to adopt their little girl Sophie Cai. I can't wait to meet her some day! I can't imagine leaving one day a parent of one child and return parents of two!
I think I'm going to register Eli and me for the Mom and Me class where Maia is taking gymnastics. It will be an opportunity for us to get out and clearly a lot cheaper than doing a Mom's Day Out program which runs anywhere from $85 - $240 a month at churches and Montessori schools around here.
Needless to say we are all happy to have our belongings. Maia had fun riding her scooter up and down the road and Eli pepped up enough to ride his tricycle up and down the sidewalk. My friend Beth wrote and said she's been obsessed with the Olympics. I have to admit - I am too! :)
Eli is sick at the moment. Poor little guy. It started Tuesday evening, then I noticed sores in his mouth so I took him to an emergency care clinic since we haven't established a pediatrician here. Eli has decided he doesn't like doctors and screamed bloody murder just while the nurse was asking me questions, then he really freaked out when the doctor came. It took two nurses and me to hold him down just so the doctor could look into his throat. So he was diagnosed with Herpangina which unfortunately is a virus and can't be treated. He prescribed some "Magic Mouthwash" which is Benadryl, Maalox and something else, but Eli isn't about to use it. We got him to once. So basically we're just controlling his pain by rotating Tylenol and Motrin. What it does is you get sores (like canker or cold sores) on your tongue, throat, etc. It's very painful and you can't eat. The doctor said kids are susceptible to it. I'm taking him to a pediatrician down the road tomorrow morning at 10, so wish me luck!
My friend Tracey and her husband Michael left today for China to adopt their little girl Sophie Cai. I can't wait to meet her some day! I can't imagine leaving one day a parent of one child and return parents of two!
I think I'm going to register Eli and me for the Mom and Me class where Maia is taking gymnastics. It will be an opportunity for us to get out and clearly a lot cheaper than doing a Mom's Day Out program which runs anywhere from $85 - $240 a month at churches and Montessori schools around here.
Needless to say we are all happy to have our belongings. Maia had fun riding her scooter up and down the road and Eli pepped up enough to ride his tricycle up and down the sidewalk. My friend Beth wrote and said she's been obsessed with the Olympics. I have to admit - I am too! :)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Thank God for FedEx and Geoff Bennett
Well we will officially be getting our stuff that is in a warehouse in Murrysville on Thursday. Jeff's boss Geoff has "had it" with our moving company and us not having our belongings for almost a month on Saturday, so he arranged for a FedEx truck to pick our stuff up and transport it as a Critical Shipment with pick up at 11 a.m. tomorrow and delivery at 6:20 Thursday evening! It's so exciting, but I'll believe it when I see it. Jeff called his dad to go to the warehouse to make sure everything that is ours is loaded onto the truck.
The weekend was pretty uneventful. Monday Evan started football camp. He'll be playing Strong Safety on the Freshmen White Team. The first day was pretty brutal with it being 97 degrees. It is nice that they give the kids their shorts, shirts, and socks and then wash them after practice! Today I convinced him to wake up early enough to eat a blueberry muffin and some fruit and it was only 87 with some rain at the beginning of practice.
This weekend we're going school supply and clothes shopping because it's - tax free weekend! (imagine that last phrase in an big echo voice). Sales tax here in everything is 8.25% so it's a big deal when you don't have to pay sales tax. The retailers around here are gearing up with ads galore. Evan has football pictures Saturday morning, then we'll head to the Houston Prime Outlets. Woo hoo!
I'll let you know if we get our stuff Thursday for real! :)
The weekend was pretty uneventful. Monday Evan started football camp. He'll be playing Strong Safety on the Freshmen White Team. The first day was pretty brutal with it being 97 degrees. It is nice that they give the kids their shorts, shirts, and socks and then wash them after practice! Today I convinced him to wake up early enough to eat a blueberry muffin and some fruit and it was only 87 with some rain at the beginning of practice.
This weekend we're going school supply and clothes shopping because it's - tax free weekend! (imagine that last phrase in an big echo voice). Sales tax here in everything is 8.25% so it's a big deal when you don't have to pay sales tax. The retailers around here are gearing up with ads galore. Evan has football pictures Saturday morning, then we'll head to the Houston Prime Outlets. Woo hoo!
I'll let you know if we get our stuff Thursday for real! :)
Friday, August 8, 2008
Getting Somewhere
Let's see...we've filed complaints with the BBB, American Moving and Storage Association and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Jeff told me today one of the groups is providing pro bono legal help and that if they hold it 30 days they are in clear violation of any contract. So at least there is help out there and hopefully it means we will get our stuff in the near future!
Today the kids and I visited Jeff's office and met the secretary, sales rep and Jeff's boss Geoff. We're going to dinner with him and his wife at P.F. Chang's tomorrow night.
Tonight I am watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Bejing. How visually stunning was that! It reminds me that my dear friend Tracey Thornblade Belmont and her husband Michael will be leaving Aug. 14 to adopt a little girl they have decided to name Sophia Cai. I'm so excited for Tracey and Michael as their family will be complete with little Nicholas staying home with both sets of grandparents to keep busy!
Probably one of the major things we're getting used to is the bugs. In the house there are usually centipedes and spiders. Outside the mosquitoes can be brutal as Maia, Eli and Jeff can attest.
I called a Christian school about a Mom's Day Out program nearby...for one day a week from 9 - 2:30 is $80 registration and $85 a month! While I think it's a good idea for Eli to socialize with other kids his age, and I like the idea of a Christian school, I think I may look for another alternative.
Evan is reading over my shoulder as I type this and he knows I hate that! :( So I'm signing off for today! :)
Today the kids and I visited Jeff's office and met the secretary, sales rep and Jeff's boss Geoff. We're going to dinner with him and his wife at P.F. Chang's tomorrow night.
Tonight I am watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Bejing. How visually stunning was that! It reminds me that my dear friend Tracey Thornblade Belmont and her husband Michael will be leaving Aug. 14 to adopt a little girl they have decided to name Sophia Cai. I'm so excited for Tracey and Michael as their family will be complete with little Nicholas staying home with both sets of grandparents to keep busy!
Probably one of the major things we're getting used to is the bugs. In the house there are usually centipedes and spiders. Outside the mosquitoes can be brutal as Maia, Eli and Jeff can attest.
I called a Christian school about a Mom's Day Out program nearby...for one day a week from 9 - 2:30 is $80 registration and $85 a month! While I think it's a good idea for Eli to socialize with other kids his age, and I like the idea of a Christian school, I think I may look for another alternative.
Evan is reading over my shoulder as I type this and he knows I hate that! :( So I'm signing off for today! :)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Nothing we can do
Jeff and I are obviously pretty stressed out about this whole moving company situation. If I ever move again we are packing our own stuff, putting in a U Haul and moving it ourselves! Who would have ever known we would be heading towards the third week in August and no stuff! Jeff has talked to the owner of the company who says he doesn't know when he'll manage to get it here! Jeff spoke to a Pittsburgh attorney this morning and unfortunately he's said there's nothing we can do. There are tons of "scum bag" moving companies out there and he hears tons of complaints like ours. I also found a blog here that lists horror stories about the company that so far are worse than mine.
I registered Maia for school yesterday. She'll be attending a 5th and 6th grade school called Northpointe Intermediate. There were actually quite a few parents registering they're children there. Maia will return on the 15th to get her schedule, textbooks, teacher and locker assignments. We were allowed to walk down the fifth grade wing and see the cafeteria. I'll register Evan on the 19th.
Today is the last day of camp for Evan. After practice today they get a locker and their pads, etc. Monday they start regular football practice. The weather is supposed to be in the upper 90's the rest of the week. It's funny, one day during the Edouard storms it was 87 and it was nice, but humid with the rain in the air.
More tomorrow! :)
I registered Maia for school yesterday. She'll be attending a 5th and 6th grade school called Northpointe Intermediate. There were actually quite a few parents registering they're children there. Maia will return on the 15th to get her schedule, textbooks, teacher and locker assignments. We were allowed to walk down the fifth grade wing and see the cafeteria. I'll register Evan on the 19th.
Today is the last day of camp for Evan. After practice today they get a locker and their pads, etc. Monday they start regular football practice. The weather is supposed to be in the upper 90's the rest of the week. It's funny, one day during the Edouard storms it was 87 and it was nice, but humid with the rain in the air.
More tomorrow! :)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Not much of a storm
For all of the hoo ha that was made about Tropical Storm/Hurricane Edouard, it didn't bring much more than a morning and part of the afternoon of rain. Some of it was strong, but at least where we live there wasn't a whole lot of wind. They did close down Jeff's work early so he was home by 11:30 as I was on my way home with the kids from Evan's football camp.
Maia went to her first gymnastics class at the Cypress Academy. They initially put people in the beginner class (Sparklers) and determine where they fit in. Clearly Maia was WAY better than the other little girls in the class. They did basic skills on the floor, vault, beam and uneven bars. Her instructor for the day, Billy said she belonged in the Firecracker group, and so she is officially signed up... ($83 later) $30 registration fee and they prorated the rest of August. She's excited though and since we were a little worried about her being lonely and bored until school starts I'm glad we decided to go this direction. She told me as we were waiting for our dinner pizza she wishes it was every day and not just one day a week. The facility is HUGE and it's really interesting because there are gymnasts of all levels boys and girls are practicing. There were some older boys who were doing feats I've only seen on TV!
I called our sofa sales lady to find out where our end tables were that were supposed to be in the end of July. She said they are on order and won't be in until Sept. 12, so I'm going to the store this week to find ones that will be in. I hate not having furniture I paid cash for two weeks ago!
Tomorrow I believe I can register Maia for school and I postponed Evan's physical until tomorrow.
Hasta manana!
Maia went to her first gymnastics class at the Cypress Academy. They initially put people in the beginner class (Sparklers) and determine where they fit in. Clearly Maia was WAY better than the other little girls in the class. They did basic skills on the floor, vault, beam and uneven bars. Her instructor for the day, Billy said she belonged in the Firecracker group, and so she is officially signed up... ($83 later) $30 registration fee and they prorated the rest of August. She's excited though and since we were a little worried about her being lonely and bored until school starts I'm glad we decided to go this direction. She told me as we were waiting for our dinner pizza she wishes it was every day and not just one day a week. The facility is HUGE and it's really interesting because there are gymnasts of all levels boys and girls are practicing. There were some older boys who were doing feats I've only seen on TV!
I called our sofa sales lady to find out where our end tables were that were supposed to be in the end of July. She said they are on order and won't be in until Sept. 12, so I'm going to the store this week to find ones that will be in. I hate not having furniture I paid cash for two weeks ago!
Tomorrow I believe I can register Maia for school and I postponed Evan's physical until tomorrow.
Hasta manana!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Hurricanes and other things
Well it officially feels like the beginning of the school year is nearing with freshmen football camp starting today. Evan said there were about 70 total and 7 running backs including himself. He said it was hot but didn't really complain about it too much. Tomorrow I'll be taking him to get his sports physical so he can "officially" play in the fall.
I also called the Cypress Academy to sign Maia up for gymnastics classes. She needs to start meeting kids her age since we don't have access to the pool here yet and she seemed interested in the flyer we received in the mail for "new people" to the area. It should be noted that two current members on the Olympic gymnastics team are alum of the same academy! They have a competitive team, but Maia's going to start in basic class at this point. Anyway, her "trial" class is tomorrow.
Otherwise all over the news is hurricane Edouard. My sister-in-law Mel wrote me an email today and said she couldn't believe we were here only one month and there have been two hurricanes come through the area. All we've had to this date is rain, but it's some rain when it does! I guess we'll see what this next one brings...
I called a friend of mine's father who unbeknownst to me (until after we hired Frontier) is the Operations Manager of a franchisee of Atlas Van Lines in Tarentum. I called to get his opinion of our situation. For one thing he said he had never heard of them and didn't see them in a listing of movers he had...hmmmm, that's a problem! He said we could file a delay of delivery claim and would get back to me sometime tomorrow. By the way, he said he had three trucks going down to Texas this week. :( We need to get our stuff away from this company or get them to deliver it!
The saga continues...
I also called the Cypress Academy to sign Maia up for gymnastics classes. She needs to start meeting kids her age since we don't have access to the pool here yet and she seemed interested in the flyer we received in the mail for "new people" to the area. It should be noted that two current members on the Olympic gymnastics team are alum of the same academy! They have a competitive team, but Maia's going to start in basic class at this point. Anyway, her "trial" class is tomorrow.
Otherwise all over the news is hurricane Edouard. My sister-in-law Mel wrote me an email today and said she couldn't believe we were here only one month and there have been two hurricanes come through the area. All we've had to this date is rain, but it's some rain when it does! I guess we'll see what this next one brings...
I called a friend of mine's father who unbeknownst to me (until after we hired Frontier) is the Operations Manager of a franchisee of Atlas Van Lines in Tarentum. I called to get his opinion of our situation. For one thing he said he had never heard of them and didn't see them in a listing of movers he had...hmmmm, that's a problem! He said we could file a delay of delivery claim and would get back to me sometime tomorrow. By the way, he said he had three trucks going down to Texas this week. :( We need to get our stuff away from this company or get them to deliver it!
The saga continues...
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Still no truck
It's August 3rd and still no moving truck. If you could see our faces at this point we're totally disgusted with Frontier Van Lines and would never recommend them to anyone moving anywhere. I was reading the quote they sent me and at the bottom it says, "I know you'll be satisfied with our service." Well...I'm not! Who knows when we'll get the rest of our stuff, but Maia and I are tired of living off of a few outfits. I had to buy Evan shorts today for football camp that starts tomorrow. Who knew we wouldn't have his (or any of our stuff) by now! Frustrating does not even describe how we feel. Jeff said although it's frustrating at least we're together...
Today I went to pick up Evan from his week with Mike in San Marcos. I took a different route from last time. This was a little more scenic, but just as fast (still a three hour trip.) I saw a couple of dead armadillos on the road (although in general you don't see a whole lot of road kill here) and as I was driving I thought, "only in Texas can you see cactus growing on the side of the road." The trip was on the whole uneventful. My car thermometer was reading 103 when I picked Evan up, however as we neared Houston the sky got dark and I had to drive through some torrential rain during the last 10 miles of the trip!
Needless to say Evan is very glad to be home. Mike and his now wife Abbey (they got married by a JP this week) live in a small border town. Evan said everyone is bilingual (well Mike isn't really), all the TV stations were in Spanish and he watched a ton of movies and played PS3 with now his stepbrother Julio who is 16.
Tomorrow Evan starts freshmen football camp. We'll see how it goes - we'll be out the door early at 7:40 to get him there by 8!
Hasta la vista!
Today I went to pick up Evan from his week with Mike in San Marcos. I took a different route from last time. This was a little more scenic, but just as fast (still a three hour trip.) I saw a couple of dead armadillos on the road (although in general you don't see a whole lot of road kill here) and as I was driving I thought, "only in Texas can you see cactus growing on the side of the road." The trip was on the whole uneventful. My car thermometer was reading 103 when I picked Evan up, however as we neared Houston the sky got dark and I had to drive through some torrential rain during the last 10 miles of the trip!
Needless to say Evan is very glad to be home. Mike and his now wife Abbey (they got married by a JP this week) live in a small border town. Evan said everyone is bilingual (well Mike isn't really), all the TV stations were in Spanish and he watched a ton of movies and played PS3 with now his stepbrother Julio who is 16.
Tomorrow Evan starts freshmen football camp. We'll see how it goes - we'll be out the door early at 7:40 to get him there by 8!
Hasta la vista!
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