Summer post

Well, the back to school pics will come tomorrow when the girls return to school.  Olivia will be in 8th grade and Abigail will be in 3rd grade.  Crazy. That's the best way to describe life right now.  Olivia's scoliosis curve went to 27⁰ within 6 months and she now wears a night brace and goes to physical therapy once a week.  She also has ortho appts every 2 weeks to pull a stubborn tooth down from her gums. Plus piano lessons weekly.  

Abigail has had difficulty swallowing and eating certain foods ever since she choked on a pretzel almost 4 years ago.  So she sees a therapist at a speech, voice and swallowing center twice per week plus a therapist for her anxiety every other week.  And I'm not sure how I'm going to get them to all of these appointments when school starts back up. 

 I went back to my job (after having the summer off) in July.  I'm starting my 3rd year working in the office at Kidslink Preschool. I still absolutely love it. Of course, I have my share of appointments as well. 

So with all three of us and our appointments, school starting back up for all of us and Olivia's birthday next week, it has been a super busy month.  I'm just praying we make it to September. :-)  

The girls and their cousin, Ivy, and swim instructor, Caysi.  They loved swimming lessons this summer.

Olivia relaxin

Abigail and her friend, Skye

Our family on the 4th

Celebrating Grandma Sailing's birthday

  

So Long Summer!  Until we meet again!

Malagueña

 https://youtu.be/bKh625AmW-k

Olivia has been in piano lessons since 1st grade. She is very very good and just a natural when it comes to music.  Here is Olivia practicing one of her songs for her upcoming spring recital. Enjoy!

A Much Delayed Update

 Wow. . .it's been so long since I've updated, it would be impossible to catch up now.  I will try to summarize very briefly in 10 points. 

1.  Olivia is in 7th grade!  Middle School! 

2.  She has scoliosis.  Right now she has a 16 degree curve and her orthopedic surgeon is taking a wait and see approach, which is hard.  I understand that there isn't much that they can do.  But, once it gets over 20 degrees, you have to wear a brace.  :-(  We are trying things to hopefully prevent it from worsening. 

3.  She still has her hamster, Luke.  He is about 1 1/2 years old.  

4.  This past summer, both girls got pet rats also.  Olivia's rat is named Levi. He is very sweet.  Rats actually make really good pets.  

5.  Olivia is the sweetest, kindest person you will ever ever meet.

6.  Abigail is in the 2nd grade! I don't know why her school picture isn't saved on my phone. What an amazing person she is.  So cuddly and sweet.

7.  She lost her hamster, Lollipop, over the summer.  It was devastating to her as she was very close to that hamster.  That is one reason that we got the rats.  Her rat is named Remy and is the more social of the two.  Remy and Levi are brothers.

8.  Abigail is extremely smart.  Of course, we already knew that, but she is currently going through the process of qualifying for gifted.  So, I wasn't crazy when I thought she was outsmarting me at 3 years old.  Ha.

9. Our cat, Kelsey, got cancer. . .basal squamos cell carcinoma.  She had surgery last month and that was considered curable.  So hopefully we do not have to deal with any reoccurrence. Kelsey is not even 10 years old and is very much Olivia's cat. 

10.  We have all remained healthy and free from Covid.  I was laid off for a brief time between April and July, but other than that we have been able to work.  The girls have gone to school 5 days per week in person since September.  We are blessed. 

Stay healthy and happy everyone! 

Much Love!

Jodi