Thursday, August 27, 2009

First Day of School!

I know that I say this every year, but it's so true....I love the fall. Now I know it's not exactly fall yet, but it's approaching! Although the air is still heavy with heat and the leaves won't change color for a while, the NFL preseason has begun, and the kids have returned to school!

This year all 4 kids will attend the same school and it is a big change for the older two. Chris was hesitant to switch schools, but I think he will prosper and feel much more comfortable at his new school, even with his "uncool" little sisters hanging around. Arianna was a bit disappointed to find out that she will have different teachers this year (as of last week, she was supposed to have the same ones as last year), but she is highly adaptable so it will be fine. Alina is excited to be in the same classroom with the same teacher again, though she wishes there were new girls in her class, as she is now the only one. Anastasia is back amongst her friends and making new ones fast and she seemed thrilled to be back.

I dropped them off this morning and I have to say it was quite bittersweet and a bit sad. Last year, the school was teeming with other Moms introducing themselves, reconnecting after the holidays, and chatting, but this year is was significantly quieter. Last year a large group of us meandered to the tennis club next door for coffee and conversation, this year no one did, though I did have the chance to catch up with a couple of friends in the playground and parking areas. It was a stark reminder that a large turnover has occurred. This summer, we lost some very dear people in our little school community, a rather huge chunk of PTO volunteers, who lunched together regularly and enjoyed each other's company.

I was so busy with work and traveling this summer that it didn't really sink in until this morning how different life would be without them! Of course there will be new parents to connect with and life will go on, but these ladies were special and they are already sorely missed. So, if you are reading this, and you all know who you are....please know that you are in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers and that we miss you! Now is the time to heed the advice I give the kids so frequently, yes, it's sad when a friend leaves us, but we can always keep in touch and making new friends can be very exciting, so chin up, be strong, and hang in there! Fall is the season of change, and I guess now is the time to embrace right? Cheers.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Glad to be back



Well, after two months of craziness, I'm back!! It has been a very interesting couple of months. May was disastrous....computers crashing, husband out of town, multiple cases of strep throat, pancake breakfast planning, ear infections...shall I continue??? Those of you who know me well, know what I am referring to and I thank you all for keeping me sane during that difficult time...lol.
June was somewhat better, just monumentally busy with the end of the school year, assuming the role of IWA Co-Chair, newsletter deadlines, working temporarily at the CLO office, etc. It was a whirlwind of a month and I am so glad it is over! It reminded me how much I love the CLO position, but also of how much I really don't need to work right now. I do enjoy being home with the kids and doing both is extremely challenging.
July started out hectic with the awesome responsibility of pulling off our annual Independence Day Picnic in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce. It was a ton of exhausting work, but by all accounts, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day! I am quite proud of our event and want to thank everyone who contributed to the spectacular success! A little over 24 hours later, (at 3am..ugh..)we were on our way for some much needed R&R in the States. We had a very relaxing and enjoyable month full of family and friends, zoo visits(photo above is from the Pittsburgh Zoo), amusement parks, and outrageous amounts of shopping. It was just what the doctor ordered. Now, if only we could figure out how to teleport ourselves back and forth and avoid the nearly 24 hour trip, it would have been perfect. Have I mentioned lately how much I DETEST airlines and their so called "customer service agents"??? I will spare you the details now, as I am trying to get past that unpleasantness and move on to happier thoughts!

I am hoping to be much more active on this blog in the coming weeks, as the kids are heading back to school soon (doing goofy dance now, thank goodness you can't see...lol) and life will return to normal. So...check back soon! Cheers!