Late July

I am incredulous that I haven't posted since early April. Time seriously flies!

Alex still loves his job. I love that he gets off work when he is supposed to, 99% of the time. And I love that he cooks dinner for us, most of the time. He got a promotion just before we closed on our house, and that has sure helped with all the "extras" that come with being a homeowner again.

Our sandwich bread is pretty much a staple in our house now, as well as white-whole-wheat flour tortillas, and pitas. I think the mini-pitas turn out better than the bigger ones, but changing to a different recipe helped with the pitas as well as the tortillas. I continue to make yogurt 1-2 times per week, and even Jeremy has started eating it again. I tried "fig" newtons (with a blueberry/strawberry mixture) - they were a pretty good hit. I can't find dried figs around here yet, but hope to make closer to real fig newtons when I do. I tried making sour cream a few weeks ago - that was very successful. I also have started making bagels - they sure don't look as pretty as store-bought, but Alex says after they are toasted/dressed up, that he can't tell a difference in mine vs Einstein Bagels. Not half bad! I also tried hot dog buns - they turned out more like bread-sticks and won't stay together with a hot dog in them. So I will continue to buy those. I have thoughts of trying the same recipe with a hamburger bun shape though, we'll see.

We are all moved into our new house - settled? Ask after the first of the year. Still boxes to go through, but I'd say we're 90% done. Having a bigger kitchen has been a nice change.

Jeremy enjoyed swimming, did fairly well for being in the younger end of the 11-12 age group this year. He has been attending football camp this week, as well as started practicing with the cross-country team this week. I've been told the season is pretty short, but I don't know what it is yet. I think it'll conflict some with football, but actual conflicts remain to be seen after getting a schedule.

Joanna is still anxious for preschool to start. I did ride bikes with Jeremy to the pool for several weeks, with the trailer pulling the girls. It was quite a physical challenge, but I managed. I do plan to do that with the girls when Joanna starts preschool - it IS faster than walking with the stroller for 1.25 miles each way. I do think Jessica will be a bit lost without Joanna in the beginning, while she's gone to preschool. Joanna is probably 50/50 with nap-time potty training, and even went 2 nights in a row dry. So MAYBE she is starting to get it when she's asleep.

Since my last post, Jessica started potty training all on her own. Good days & bad. Her communication is still a challenge - she gets her hearing tested on Tuesday.

Vacation is coming soon. Looking forward to that. More details after we return.

Sorry for such a long gap between posts. I'll TRY to do better.

Moo

I was just reading an animal book to Jessica. I got to the sheep, and she said MOO! Very loudly. And vehemently. It was so cute, made me laugh.