Well, the new school year is in full swing now and so I thought it would be good to give an update on the Hamers adjusting to school. First, as some of you know Dennis is a bus driver so when the kids go back so does he. That means I have to take at least one of the daycare stops (usually morning drop-off). I have to admit it's been nice not having to worry about this over the summer as I got use to getting to work sometime as early as 7:15! So far things are going okay with drop off. There's been a few tense mornings as we run around making sure we have everything in the backpacks, etc but for the most part we are doing pretty well getting the day started.
Now an update on the kids. Katelyn is a 1st grader this year and has adjusted well to the start of school year. She seems to really enjoy learning and is doing well about going to bed early again. So far no 1st grade homework. I know why am I worried about that! Well, I am primarily in charge of the educational aspects of our children's lives. Therefore, if there's homework to be done -- Mom needs to make sure it's done and with our busy schedule that can sometimes be a challenge. Katelyn has also started soccer this year and so far seems to really enjoy it. Here first game is later this week and it will be interesting to see how that goes!! We have decided to forego gymnastics for a while so that she's only in one physical activity at a time. She also has started girl scouts again and will be in religious ed class soon so she'll be busy enough for a 6 year old.
Elizabeth is a preschooler! Yes, this week we started 3 year old preschool and she was so excited. She gets to ride the bus to school for class on Tuesday and Thursday. She had a little misunderstanding on the first day and Dennis had to come on the bus and carry her off crying but otherwise she seems to be adjusting. She does want to go daily which is hard to explain on the days she doesn't have school but I'm sure she will get into the routine. She also just started gymnastics -- or nastics as she calls it. Her first night was entertaining but she does need to work on waiting her turn and listening to her teachers! Let's just say she is full of energy!!
Well, I know this is a school update but I can't finish without giving Luke a bit of my time. He is now 15 months old and is full of energy. He took to walking this summer and I think now all he does is run!! He has a radar for when the girls room is open because he beelines for their stuff. He is totally into cars and tractors and all that boy stuff as well as little people and the play kitchen. He does enjoy time at the girls playhouse and has taken a liking to the girls' dolls -- he seems to think there is a baby younger than him around. He is not talking much with the exception of Mama and some car and cow -- yes, he's good with "M"-- sounds. We will continue to monitor this to see if he needs to see a speech therapist or not. At this point, I figure with two older sisters that do all the talking for him, why would need to talk. He has taken to pointing to things when he wants them and we just keep repeating the word hoping he'll say it. He is Autumn's buddy. He is our first child that Autumn really seems to want to hang out.
Overall, things are crazy in the Hamer household but I wouldn't have it any other way!
Okay, so I haven't updated by blog in a while so I thought maybe starting with an update to my 40 things before I'm 40 might be a good place to start. It looks like I need to be more motivated or I'll have about 30 things to do in February!! Anyway, here's the update:
Start Date - June 1, 2012
End Date - March 12, 2013
1. Lose 40 pounds (3/40).
2. Complete Katelyn's kindergarten scrapbook pages.
3. Finish our will FINALLY!!
4. Reduce Debt Snowball by 25% (1.2/25).
5. Pay off Mom and Dad (0/1,600).
6. Paint our master bedroom.
7. Tackle our paper clutter.
8. Fully embrace the Flylady process.
9. Take a trip to the apple orchard.
10. Go to Chicago for Christmas time.
11. Spend one dedicated day with each of my children.
12. Take Luke to his first movie.
13. Go on a romantic getaway with Dennis.
14. Go camping for the first time.
15. Bake cookies with the girls.
16. Mend relationship with a family member.
17. Send a hand-written letter to a long lost friend.
18. Go on a girls' weekend get-away
(Just got back from spending the weekend visiting my friends, Janna and Julia in Virginia.
Thanks Becky for letting me tag along!)
19. Read 5 new books (2/5 - I'm actually impressed I've been able to get almost half of this one done. I'm
actually enjoying reading again.)
Where are you now? Mary Higgins Clark-8/3/12
Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone-9/2/12
20. Take Luke on his first real zoo trip.
21. Spend a day with my mom.
22. Organize our basement into a spare bedroom and play room for the kids. (Actually have a start on the play room area this past weekend!)
23. Go on a spontaneous, unplanned weekend with my family.
24. Play in the snow with the girls.
25. Save money for a new car.
26. Complete our first Relay for Life.
27. Make at least 5 of our Christmas gifts this year.
28. Set-up family fun night.
29. Help my Girl Scouts earn all their petal badges.
30. Clean my office at work. (I took a new job and my new department is moving the end of October so I
should be able to get this one done and then just need to keep it clean!!)
31. Add a $1,000 to our emergency savings.
32. De-clutter our house by selling stuff on eBay, garage sale, Half Price books, etc.
(We have sold books and movies at Half Price books and have a section of the basement for a garage
sale next spring).
33. Host a dinner party.
34. Teach Katelyn how to crochet.
35. Set-up monthly date night with Dennis. (8/19-The Bourne Legacy & dinner, 9/2-Total Recall)
36. Get Elizabeth to go to bed right away at night. (We are making progress on this one!)
37. Go to church every weekend (12/41-I have missed a couple weeks due to being on vacation).
38. Start a scrapbook for Luke.
39. Do my income taxes by Feb 28th.
40. Send out Christmas cards at Christmas time!!
Now an update on the kids. Katelyn is a 1st grader this year and has adjusted well to the start of school year. She seems to really enjoy learning and is doing well about going to bed early again. So far no 1st grade homework. I know why am I worried about that! Well, I am primarily in charge of the educational aspects of our children's lives. Therefore, if there's homework to be done -- Mom needs to make sure it's done and with our busy schedule that can sometimes be a challenge. Katelyn has also started soccer this year and so far seems to really enjoy it. Here first game is later this week and it will be interesting to see how that goes!! We have decided to forego gymnastics for a while so that she's only in one physical activity at a time. She also has started girl scouts again and will be in religious ed class soon so she'll be busy enough for a 6 year old.
Elizabeth is a preschooler! Yes, this week we started 3 year old preschool and she was so excited. She gets to ride the bus to school for class on Tuesday and Thursday. She had a little misunderstanding on the first day and Dennis had to come on the bus and carry her off crying but otherwise she seems to be adjusting. She does want to go daily which is hard to explain on the days she doesn't have school but I'm sure she will get into the routine. She also just started gymnastics -- or nastics as she calls it. Her first night was entertaining but she does need to work on waiting her turn and listening to her teachers! Let's just say she is full of energy!! 
