Pull the Switch

Two weeks later….

Things are going great here! I’ve eased into a comfortable routine, both personal and with the nanny-fam. Callie is a little over a month into first grade, and is thoroughly enjoying her time in school. She has a posse with a couple girls from her class, and loves to tell me “boys vs. girls” stories from recess. It’s like a flashback to AES everyday (in case you weren’t able to figure it out, AES = Athens Elementary School, home of the fighting bluejays and infamous bluejay stackers, ha!). As for Carter, he was sick off and on for about a week, and he is finally in recovering mode; and thankfully is back to his normal self (i.e. energetic, very active and quite the comic). He has been learning new words daily, and loves his gymnastics and swim classes.

Side-note: I still need to put up pictures and blog about my NYC weekend, and they are coming…I uploaded all the pics onto my computer, and just finished editing and organizing them, so it is just getting the time/motivation to put them up and write about the wonderful trip….stay tuned for that one.

September Highlights:
*Larry and I have begun the test-driving/car shopping phase in my journey to a new car. I am 90% sure I am getting a Dodge Caliber (http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/caliber/). Not sure on the color yet, I am favoring black or silver, but I also like reddish-maroon and dark-blue. The only thing I know for sure is that it is not going to be BURNT ORANGE. Ha ha ha…reference to my current nanny-mobile.
*Igor! (the title to this post is from the movie) Nancy and Larry both had a very busy September, and were out of town for work/weddings several times; which made me the mom, dad and nanny. Although I missed a few hours of sleep when the parents were gone, it was a wonderful time to really get to know the kids. Last Saturday I took the kids to see the movie Igor. I had pretty low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable the movie actually was. PS: I am aware that liking the movie may really be the effect of spending so much time with kids, and not because the movie was actually that good.
*RAIN! It’s finally been rainy and cloudy here. I know that sounds slightly-crazy. But I like rainy and cloudy days, sometimes even more than sunny days; and for the first two weeks I was here it didn’t rain at all. Five days sunny, and two days rainy/cloudy would be the perfect week for me.
*Oktoberfest DE Style: It was a lot of fun. Took pleasure in a few German beers, rode on a couple kiddie-rides, danced a little polka with Callie, ate a tasty hot dog and some potato salad. Although it was not the same sort of mess that La Crosse Oktoberfest is, it was a really good time.
*New TV shows. I love season premiere time!

October Highlights:
*With it being October 1st, I only have one major highlight to report on (but it’s a biggie). Brewers are in the PLAYOFFS, and they are playing the Phillies. With Philadelphia only a hop and a skip away, Delaware is swarming with Phillies fans; it is great fun wearing Brew Crew gear and hackling with the Phillies-fans anywhere and everywhere --- employees at the HAC, parents at Callie’s bus stop, people at the gas station…let’s just hope for W’s!

A Few Things I Am Without:
*The leaves have yet to change color here, and I’ve heard through the grapevine that the “fall colors” are in full bloom in Wisconsin.
*SPOTTED COW! I was told that there is a small brewery here in Delaware that makes something similar to the glorious Spotted Cow but I have yet to try it.
*Packer and Badger Games……I’ve seen the few that were televised here but for the most part Delaware television could give two-shits about Wisconsin teams, so I am left to watch the play-by-play on the internet.

Best Perks of the Job (thus far, and I am hoping there will be many more to follow):
*HAC Membership! The HAC (Hockessin Atheletic Club: http://www.hachealthclub.com/) is an amazing fitness facility. There are some days I spend five or more hours there; a couple hours with the kids and then a few more by myself. Lovely, lovely place!
*Gum, Gum, Gum! Larry discovered my delight in chewing gum all day long. It may seem like a small thing but when you have a consistent supply of gum it’s an actual joy. (Mom, it reminds me of the days when you would hook us up with packs of Trident from the good ol’ Athens IGA)
*1:00pm NAP TIME!
*Getting back to the classic books from my childhood. I have yet to catch up with sister and brother (from the Berenstain Bears), but I am planning to look for it at our next visit to the library.
*Rockin' Out to all my favorite kids music! Disney Classics (Beauty and the Beast tunes are our current favorite), Broadway tunes......tomorrow, tomorrow....it's only a day away, or how about the hills are alive with the sound of music :)

I think that about sums up my life since my last post.

Until next time….

...........I miss you all!

One more thing……a date for your calendar: I plan to be back in Wisconsin on December 20th. Robin is planning on flying out here, and helping me drive back. I have many-many things back at home, that I would like to bring back with me. I am going to be in Wisconsin for about two weeks, the tentative plan is to drive back to Delaware on January 2nd. SEE YOU THEN!