The next week was more of the same, with our last swim lesson of the season, a kindergarten playdate at the school playground, and new family orientation at school on Friday. Also notable was Daddy starting his new job at Red Hat on the 10th! So far, he seems to be enjoying the job and is meeting some nice people and learning his way around. Hopefully it will work out well for him. We got to scope out his new office on the 15th, and the ladies approved of the free snack and drinks, as well as the game tables in the cafeteria, "smart" elevators, and views from the top of the building. His commute takes about the same time as to his previous job in Morrisville - a shorter distance, but has more traffic.
On the 16th, we went to the Back to School Mass, picnic, and Meet the Teacher. Both girls approved, though both were still pretty nervous until their actual first days later in the week. I think Anna especially felt a lot better about going to kindergarten after meeting her teachers and seeing her classroom. We had our final two days of freedom on the 17th and 18th, during which Anna had her 6-month cardiology check-up. Everything looked good and I had thought we were going to be discharged from cardiology, but apparently the device manufacturer and the FDA require that she be checked again in one year and then every three years from there. All I can say is thank goodness for insurance! Each echocardiogram costs over $500, not including the physician's charges!
Erin had her first day of first grade on Wednesday the 19th. She was a little nervous to be going to a new school, despite all of our preparing, tours, etc. However, she had a great day and really seems to be enjoying school. She also likes having Anna at the same school for the first time ever. First grade is no joke, but so far she is hanging right in there and is learning so much already! She is in a great mood every day and loves going to school, which makes me so happy. I am so, so happy with St. Mary Magdalene school so far. The teachers are outstanding, experienced, and are so caring. It is obvious that they want to be teaching there and they are just wonderful. I especially like Erin's teacher, who is very funny and spunky. Erin comes home saying things like "lips and hips in the hallway, people" (one finger on your lips and one hand on your hips). That class must be quite a sight when they walk down the hall! Anna's teacher is also very, very sweet. She is older, but she has lots of energy and her assistant helps do a lot of the physical work to free the teacher up for teaching. They are all awesome, and it is going to be a great year!
Anna had her staggered entry day on Thursday the 20th (and no Sawyer that day, so I was FREE!), and she did have to cry when I left her. However, she reported that she recovered quickly and had a fun day. She didn't cry any other day, except for yesterday when I was helping in the cafeteria and she had to go back to class. It's so hard to be as sensitive as she is.
Last week, we just got acclimated to being back in school x 2 (including homework), had a kindergarten parent meeting, and Bob went to Boston for a couple of days. We also hit the pool after school one day, went back to OT after a week off (much to Erin's dismay), and Sawyer and I met Aunt Pam and Danny at a playground on Friday. I will say that just watching him alone now that the girls are in school is much easier than having all 3! Finally, to finish up the month, I redeemed my Mothers Day gift and had a little weekend trip to Myrtle Beach all by myself. It was so nice to just be quiet and not have to worry about anybody! I stayed at the oceanfront Hampton Inn (for free, thanks to Bob's hotel points), which was really nice and has several pools (covered and outdoor) and hot tubs, 3 lazy rivers, and also a kids' splash pad and playground! I will definitely have to keep it in mind for the future.
So, it was a busy and fun month as usual, and I am relieved that we have all gotten through the first few days of school. Now, bring on fall!
