School Girl Days!

My two sweet girls, Sarah (6) and Rebekah (just recently 5), are just growing up SO fast! Sarah started 1st grade and Rebekah began Kindergarten exactly one month ago (August 10th) at Barker's Mill Elementary. Although I miss them, it is AMAZING having only two kids at home during the day (Emily, 2- almost 3-years and Abigail nearly 6 months old). It's SO much easier to get things done and to go places with them, especially grocery shopping. The older girls seem to really be enjoying school. We're lucky that it's such a GREAT school with a wonderful atmosphere, which comforts me knowing that they're in good hands. Both girls are still adjusting to an earlier bedtime and getting up and ready for school, but I'm hoping that we'll shift into a nice, fairly smooth, routine soon.

We're within walking distance of the school, so carting all four girls to and from can be a little interesting sometimes, but we like to change it up to keep it exciting (e.g. take the wagon one day, stroller the next, bike the third, then walk with umbrellas in the rain--like we did today, etc). I've noticed that we get a fair amount of attention en route to school because we have SO MANY girls SO close in age. Sarah and Bekah often comment that the other moms and dads look at and smile at us, or laugh to themselves, as we pass. I just tell them that it's because they're so beautiful or because they're having so much fun. The funnest traveling days are when I take just Sarah and Bekah (when Blaine's home a little later and can stay at home with the younger two). in the wagon and I RUN down the big hill on our way to the school. They think that it's pretty fabulous, and excitedly call it the "roller coaster". They even put their arms up and shout "who hoo or weeee". I have to admit, it's pretty funny and seeing them have so much fun on a 7 minute walk to school, even makes me smile.

Well, that's all I have time to say for now. I'd LOVE to post some pictures, but that involves finding and unpacking the box where the camera cord is. Hopefully, that'll happen sooner than later. Other than school, our days mostly consist of every day routine mixed with box unpacking and re-settling to do's--like ordering a trash can, transferring medical coverage zones, finding doctors and dentists, and re-involving ourselves in the neighborhood and at Church. I have to admit, it's wonderful coming back to a place that we've already been, because it fabulously eliminates the need for so many "new-s", such as finding a place to live (we're back in OUR house, which is SO comforting), figuring out how to get anywhere without getting lost, finding friends--one can always find more, but it's really nice to have some already that you can call if you need anything, and to go places, like Church, where people know your name (doesn't that makes you think of the old "Cheers" TV show theme song?). Anyway, all in all, life is good and we're settling in quite nicely. Now . . . if I could just get these last 10 boxes or so unpacked and find places for everything, life would be GREAT! So, I'd better get back to it. It's good to be back online and blogging again. I've really missed it! : )

'Till next time, when you can expect pictures . . .