Decorating Girls

I knew that as soon as I started decorating cookies for Anna to take to school, that I wouldn't be able to keep the girls out of my way. So, I set up their own cookie decorating stations. I provided them with cookies, Frosting in a bag for them to squeeze out and sprinkles.

Anna is definitely very interested in the whole process and more patient with it than Celie was. Celie just wanted to eat the frosting.

My Duty as a Mom

I have to admit that a small party of me couldn't wait for the girls to start school so that I could volunteer my time in the class room, make snacks, etc. Anna was the first to be so lucky to have the first "event" of the season - her birthday. However, since she was sick on her birthday, we postponed her special snack at school until she was feeling better.

Unfortunately, I caught a second wind of a cold. So, my grand ideas of making these beautifully decorated sugar cookies went out the window. I opted for a little bit of frosting and some sprinkles. They turned out o.k. And I think that everyone liked them. So, here is my first duty as a Mom with a child in pre-school. A cookies - A is for Anna.

Two Tooth Wonder

Bob & Jake were supervising while the girls and I decorated sugar cookies.

Jake now has two bottom teeth and we think - do to his recent behavior - that the top ones are on their way.

Fall Festival/ Clam Bake

Yesterday, our neighborhood had a fall festival/Clam Bake at our little park. The party is for members and their families and friends of the neighborhood. We had a hayride, a cupcake walk, and everyone pitched in and brought a dish to pass and then either purchased a clam bake meal or was provided with burgers and hotdogs that are provided by Home Owners Association/Club.

The girls had a great time playing with all of the kids that were running around like crazy. Since I am on the Board, I helped with this event and had been at the park since 10am setting up. Bob took the kids on the hayride. The first time, the girls didn't know what to expect - after that time they wanted to go again. I think they ended up going on 3 more times.

The event was a success. I didn't get home until about 7pm. Bob had brought the kids home around 5pm. I had a nice surprise when I came home. There was a note saying that a florist had delivered flowers and they were left at the front door. Sure enough, there was a box covered in tissue and inside was a bouquet in a ceramic pumpkin. Well wishes on my new job!! From Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom. Wasn't that sweet? I love 'em.

Conversation w/ Celie

"Celie, Did you have a good day at school today?" I asked.
"Yes, Mama," said Celie.
"What did you learn today?" I asked.
"Mama, we had cheese crackers and water for snack today," Celie replied.

She is her father's daughter.
:)

Good News!

Yes, the tides of luck are changing for the Ostroski Household.

I received a job offer last night and I accepted. I actually had another on the horizon, but I chose the first one because of the entire benefit package they had to offer.

I will be working as an Executive Assistant for the Sr. Vice President of KeyBank Real Estate Capital. I am very excited about the opportunity. I am looking forward to working for Dan and his team.

The interview I had with Dan went very well. I was happy to hear that he thought that same.

I will begin working on October 13th (Bank holiday on Monday, so I will start on Tuesday). I am very excited - I am just not so excited about the commute. I am not sure if I will actually drive and park downtown, or if I will take the bus. I will have to wait and see.

Now, I do not feel guilty about planning a vacation for us to my favorite place in January.

Celie's Sunflower

When I got home from work yesterday, there was a flurry of activity. The girls were very excited to tell me about going back to school after being sick for over a week. Celie was very excited to show me the sunflower that she made in class. I have to admit that it made me cry. It was so beautiful and she is doing so many things that I have been trying to work on with her - but everything is clicking for her - I guess that is the proud parent. :)

Getting bigger

It is amazing how big Jakers is getting. Not only can he look over the side of the pack 'n play, but he can also grab things from the basket. He is tricky and definitely keeps us on our toes.

B-day Girl

We had big plans for our birthday girl. It isn't every day that you turn 3, so we were going to celebrate the whole day.

We were going to take cookies and and juice to school for snack time. We were going to go out to dinner at Eddie's and then come home and open presents.

But we didn't do any of that because of her being sick. So, we decided that we would have an Anna party day. We made her favorite foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had her open her various presents from Celie & Jake, & Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom, and from us, throughout the day.

She is a very thoughtful present opener - very precise. She takes her time opening a gift, inspects it and then if it is warranted, she will ask to have it opened so she can play with it right away. She will then leave all her other presents until she is ready to open the next one. So, our process of letting her open her gifts throughout the day was perfect.

She opened 2 presents from Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom. A set of 4 different princess slippers in a keepsake box (these are "pretent" heels, plastic, with the various princesses on them and colored appropriately for the princess). She first had to try on the Cinderella slippers. She wore those for quite some time. Then she realized, she could try on the others as well. So, she would put the Cinderella slippers back on their shelf and then take out the Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) slippers, do a lap around the house, and then try Snow White - do a lap and then try Ariel. She continued this until opening her next present. A Fancy Nancy tutu and leotard. Immediately she started taking off her dress and wanted to put on her new outfit. She refused to take it off at bedtime. I am not sure if we will ever get it off of her. :)

After dinner, we had cake and she blew out her 3 candles. She opened her cards and presents from us and Celie & Jake. She just couldn't stand it, she had to have just about everything she opened either on or holding it.

I think despite coming off a terrible cold, she had a great birthday. We plan on rescheduling all of the events we had planned for when we all are in tip top shape.

Down

Wouldn't you know it, the girls go to preschool for their first week and then we all get sick - well, almost all of us. Celie started first, then Anna, then me. We O Girls are recovering and are on the upswing of things, but now little Jakers has a cough and now has it. I think the fact that Bob is 6'4" and doesn't circulate in the same air levels (read - us short people), he hasn't gotten sick at all. So, poor Bob has had to take care of us for the last week & a 1/2. I was literally in bed for 4 days. It was some kind of funk/cold thing, but it just knocked me down. I still have it lingering, but I am definitely much better than I was. We are hoping that the girls can go back to school tomorrow. They need to. Bob needs a break.

Preschool Day 2

I survived. Bob survived and the girls survived.

No tears were shed in the hand off of the girls at Preschool this morning. This was a big deal as we were very concerned about Anna's reaction in being left alone today. Mrs. Munson - one of her teachers said that she did just fine today. No tears. She even engaged in the songs they did today. She colored a racoon and brought home a magnet.

I LOVE seeing the projects that they are doing. I love that stuff. It was the highlight of my day.

Next week they will be going FULL TIME. Hip Hip HOORAY!! I am sure that Bob will be enjoying the break.

Now, if he can get Jake to actually nap. . . . .

Do you think they are related?

1st day Picture

Here are the girls ready to go to their first day of Preschool. They both did really well. We will see how tomorrow goes when there are no parents around.

After school, we celebrated by going out to lunch. The piece of paper that Celie is holding is a picture that she drew for her teacher.

It was a good start to the school year. We will see how tomorrow goes.

My goal is to take their picture at the beginning of the school year in front of that tree. That is my goal anyway. It is easy in the beginning when it is the first time. :)

25 minutes until the Beginning

Of College Football Season.

I know, I know - for most dedicated fans the season actually started this past Thursday/Saturday.

However, the true test of a REAL beginning game is being played in 25 minutes.

Florida State University vs. University of Miami (FL).

I am making some spinach artichoke dip and sitting my butt in front of the TV for the rest of the evening.

I am hoping that my boys will do me proud. They have a lot of potential on their team.

Gotta play with the kids for 22 minutes before I shun them. (just kidding)

Go Noles!!!

What was he Thinking?

After work yesterday, Bob came downstairs as I was cleaning up dinner. He had a shirt over his face and I just thought he was being weird. When he got in front of me, he dropped his shirt.

I burst out laughing. I don't particularly think that it is a good look for him. Too many descriptives come to mind - mostly having to do with adjectives like cheesy, 70's, etc.

Sorry to break it to you ladies, but it is coming off and not too soon.

Anna Drawing

On the same day that Celie was drawing and writing, Anna did too - here is here drawing. I think she has a great concept of color.

Celie Drawing

Celie has definitely taken an interest in creating pictures rather than just scribbles on a page. She also will write words - letters - on a page just because. Here is a picture of a horse, I believe and she wrote the word apple.

A Sign of Thanks

For those that know me well, know that if you ask me my opinion on something, I will tell you. However, you also know that I am not the type to "preach" about one thing or another.

Today, I am not preaching, but feel the need to say a few things.

As I type this, I am sitting at work at the funeral home. It is the visitation of Master Sgt. Adam F. Benjamin of the United States Marine Corp. A soldier that was serving his 4th duty in the Middle East and killed during hostile fire in Afghanistan. He was 34, never married but has a large and loving family.

I have cried everyday since his body has come to the funeral home. So many thoughts and emotions have hit me that it is hard to start from the beginning.

But the one thing that I want to say and make perfectly clear is that I am thankful beyond words can even begin to state for the country that we live in the men and women that give their ultimate for us to have the freedoms that we take for granted on a daily basis.

No matter how you feel about politics or the military - I ask that today, you put it aside. I ask that you show whatever sign of thanks you deem appropriate to pay respect for the freedoms and liberties that you enjoy.

Today, I am wearing a ribbon to honor Adam - I do not know him or his family other than to serve them with during this funeral. I do not know any of the Marines that are paying their respects to a fallen brother or are serving as the honor guard (which is an extremely moving transition to witness).

Hug your loved ones and feel blessed they are near and pay Thanks for all of those that keep us safe.

Jake 1sts

Jake has been a VERY active little boy this last week.

He crawled for the first time - now we can't keep him one place.

And tonight, I witnessed him crawl over the loveseat, pull himself up, stand, take two small steps to the right, fall on his butt and do it all over again.

It won't be long before we might have to get some more gates for other parts of the house.

Jake's Baptism

This past Sunday we had Jake baptized at St. Basil the Great church. Deacon Dave officiated the ceremony. It was a rather private ceremony with just us and a few family members and friends that could come into town.

Jake slept through most of the ceremony. He was like a load of lead bricks in my arms. He didn't even flinch when the water was poured over his head. He was a great little boy.

The ceremony lasted about 25 minutes and Deacon Dave did a fabulous job incorporating and being genuinely gracious to both Celie and Anna. It was a very memorable moment for me.

Here is a picture of us after the ceremony. From left to right - Reagan, Tammy & Deon Lehman (Jake's Godparents) Bob & Jake and me.

We appreciate everyone that joined in our celebration. Thanks for being a part of Jake's special day.