So much has happened since I last posted.
Sean is now his own boss. His last day at Rockwell was Friday and, starting Monday, he begins a new adventure as 50% owner of a company that has been in business for over 30 years. He is excited and looking forward to the change... being able to make a difference within a company - his company. We are so grateful for this opportunity and really hope that it will bring great things for both the company and our family.
Dillen lost ANOTHER tooth! It was her 7th - top, left of her big one. Patinka, her personal tooth fairy, made another visit and left an adorable sparkly "D" charm to add to her fairy bracelet. She is enjoying school (money and fractions are her favorite right now) and gymnastics. She has been expressing an interest in being on stage so I will start her in a musical theatre class at the end of March. When I look at her, she seems so much older to me at times. I think going from age 6 to 7 is a big jump. She is still amazingly respectful and intelligent, but there is a bit of sass now and then that I chalk up to her age and hormones. She can be a bit dramatic and ride an emotional roller coaster depending on the situation, but she is fairly predictable and I never fear her making wrong choices. She is incredibly loving and always concerned about others.
Roxy has been prescribed an inhaler for wheezing and nighttime allergic reactions that cause asthmatic symptoms. Yesterday, Sean and I made some major changes to the house that we hope will minimize her breathing difficulties (we bought all new allergy-free bedding and pillows, bagged the mattresses and box springs, ridded the home of all carpet, dropped all beds to the ground so dust cannot collect underneath, etc.) The girls had to choose 5 of their favorite stuffed animals and we bagged the rest for donations. I will have to freeze and wash the stuffed animals they are keeping once per week. I am hoping all of this will help Roxy and my biggest hope is she will outgrow it. She is so incredibly spunky. Her natural, physical talents truly make me envision her joining a ballet company or Cirque someday. She has a knack for comedy but needs to work on her timing. ;) I see her as my most misunderstood child. I think she sometimes means to be joking around but we take her actions or words seriously and she gets in trouble for something she was truly just trying to be funny about. She is unbelievably loud. When she talks, it is as if she wants the whole world to hear. I believe her personality will suit her very well when she is older and she will get whatever she wants out of life... for now, it is Sean and my responsibility to enjoy, nurture, discipline and survive it. ;)
Piper is now 16 months and really "talking." She has so much to say even if we don't fully understand her. She tries to run, loves climbing on everything and do whatever her big sisters can do. She loves dolls, puzzle-type toys, dressing up in princess costumes and twirling/dancing when music comes on. She can make animal sounds for a snake, elephant, dog, cat and monkey. Her words are mama, dada, uh-oh, gamma (grandma), papa, tanktoo (thank you), puh (up), ooosh (shoes), dah!! (ta dah - throwing her arms up in the air), ee-boo (peek a boo) and baba (bottle). My favorite is the way she says uh-oh... it's very over-pronounced. We still call her Smiley because she really is always smiling - such a happy, easy going girl. She is also very loving with all animals - very gentle.
I have been going through a bit of a rough patch. I really want what is best for the girls and wonder if homeschooling will be right for us in the fall. Dillen and I have thoroughly enjoyed the homeschool experience this year. She has grown leaps and bounds academically (now performing at the 2nd grade level) and having her with us during the day has been such a treat. We have been taking advantage of the many classes, workshops and field trips our homeschool program has to offer and they have all been great. My biggest concern has been the lack of
consistent interaction with peers. Dillen is a social girl - very outgoing - and always does well in any public setting. However, the events and classes we have participated in have been sporadic in the turn out of other children. The lack of "same child" participation has made it impossible for Dillen to build friendships and it has become apparent that she is missing this. And, knowing how "spirited" Roxy is and how much she likes to push my buttons and test me on a daily basis, I doubt she will be the ideal student for ME when she starts Kindergarten in the fall. I think she would do great in a classroom situation with other peers. She, too, is a very social girl who loves saying "my friend" and then talking about that friend. And, honestly, I don't know if I will have the patience or energy to homeschool two children while having a 2 year old toddling around at my feet. So, as a family, we are all going to open tours of public schools in the area this week to decide what the best situation for us will be. Private would be awesome but is not financially feasible or realistic. An elementary education for 3 kids would run us nearly (or over) $300K. That's insane. Our fingers are crossed we find the right place for us before the fall. If not, then I will do my best and attempt to continue homeschooling. (Insert skip of a heart beat here.)