Kinast Connection: Rivers Ripple

9.16.2014

Rivers Ripple

Ahh, fall. And a blog post a few days late. It's been on my radar, but those of you who are parents will forgive me if you can remember what back to school, small children, and the usual household tasks entail. ;0) If not, I can loan you mine for a few days.
Seriously, though life is going well. The move to our new house has been a great blessing. We love it, the neighborhood, our backyard, and it's good. If you have yet to visit, drop on by! The newest edition is a new-to-us table and chairs.
Sarah continues to enjoy staying home. Dan reminds her to stay sane by shooing her out of the house at least once a week (for Bible study, a trip to Target-alone!, or some other reason). She also has been enjoying extra work. Since the spring, Sarah has been working 2 Saturdays a month and various days this summer (thank you Grammy!). While Sarah was working last Saturday, the girls got new hats with Daddy. Sarah has been working with a friend on starting a MOPS group at church and we've now had 2 meetings. Attendance has been low, but the moms we've had have enjoyed themselves. We continue to try new recipes and I attempt to read books. I enjoy reading and REALLY want to be better about taking that time. Working out at the Y twice a week is my other "me" thing and my workout buddy has returned so that's been nice.
Dan has been busy at KWCH. His promotion to manager in May has led to more responsibilities. He spent time before the fair creating a mobile website/app that showed people where food and events were. It was well-received and downloaded/viewed! Dan has been playing regular gigs with a band called The 33. This gets him out of the house. He is preparing to run a 10K at the end of September.
Olivia started preschool August 26! She loves it. When asked, she usually has a "doing great" comment with further details if you prompt her a bit. I'm amazed at what she recalls. She's at Little Lambs and it has been a great fit for her. Her teacher is the mom of one of my social work friends at Rainbows (small world!). She's also taken gymnastics and swim lessons over the summer. Right now she is taking swim lessons and actually took some swim strokes last week! Looks like she'll take swimming next month and then probably do some gymnastics, but we'll see. In her "down" time, she enjoys playing with her figurines (princesses, Elsa, Anna, Prince Wednesday, ponies, Doc McStuffins, and the like). She's able to write letters from her name (sometimes in order). She loves to sing and is active! She can pump herself on the swing.
Kinley is now 20 months. She (and mommy) has been enjoying her time without big sister. She was a little upset that we had MOPS this morning and I didn't stay to play. We've been trying out some fall activities together (including painting with apples like marbles). She's been quite the hostess for her friends as I've watched several friend's children over the past few weeks. Kinley's favorite things are balls, babies, and her pacifiers. She enjoys songs and books. She is saying more and more! Good news from the gastroenterologist 2 weeks ago--we shouldn't have a need to see her as long as she continues to gain weight (she's somewhere between 22-25lbs). Also her food allergies/sensitivities appear to be mostly outgrown. She's not had a hives incident for a month or more now. The allergist did not want to see her for follow up. Sometimes her tummy still bothers her, but we've been using lemon essential oil on her before bed most nights and it seems to be helping if it's bothering her.
Brisco has had a rough bout with allergies, post a stint of the best we'd seen him in years! He likes to play chase with the girls, sleep on Sarah's head/pillow, and eat any crumbs that anyone offers.
That's us, the short version. Life is full and we are blessed.