life

well, I feel like I don't have much to blog about today and I haven't been carrying the camera around like I should.

Life has settled into a new routine with Calvin at school all day and Clare at the same school 1/2 day. I take the kids to school around 8:30 (bell rings at 8:50) and then Alexey and I have a few hours together. Almost always we go straight from school to walk the dog. One day a week we walk with a friend and the rest of the time we walk by ourselves. I listen to books on my MP3 player while I walk or just listen to Alexey talking. We have a few loops around the neighborhood where the school is that are a good length -- 2-3 miles. Saturday mornings I meet a friend at 6:30am and we do a killer 4 mile loop up and down hills. It is a great way to start the weekend. Dave is trying to steal away my Saturday mornings so he can ride his bike. I need to find a way to keep my walk in place!

on weekday mornings after walking the dog we have time for a shower and/or a couple of errands, or cleaning house. we pick up Clare at 12:15 and then have lunch. Clare has been pretty wasted with going to school every day so she needs some down time when she gets home. Alexey is in need of down time too so I usually let them watch a movie. Then we enjoy quiet and sweet girl playtime until the return of Calvin.

After school every day is a downhill slope with dinner and bedtime. I have not yet successfully worked homework into our after school time.

Thursday nights I play soccer. This is my last season for a little while. I need a break from having to go out so many nights a week and especially in the winter it is not as fun to get out at night when it is cold! Dave wants me to keep playing b/c he doesn't want me to get out of shape. (that is the politically correct way of saying he doesn't want me to get fat. And no, he doesn't say it in the politically correct way).

Wed. night is mutual night. I have been the laurel advisor for about 2 years. I love it. It is very busy...almost like a part time job sometimes! Right now we're planning a big sister, little sister party. It is where the young women bring all the primary girls to a party. This year is a princess party. Should be fun!

Other once a week things:

institute class at the church-- just started this week. Should be fabulous. Babysitting provided by the home school teenagers is $1 for the hour long class!! Awesome. I have wanted to go for the last 3 years since I moved here but I have always had a little baby that would be hard to leave in a nursery. This is my year!

Chorus at the elementary school - 8am Thursday morning. It is going to be amazing. We will have about 50 kids in the chorus. My friend Jenny is incredible. She is doing the music side for the first month while I do the behind the scenes paperwork and administrative stuff. Some days I think it is going to kill me....but I'm sure I'll get it all figured out and we will coast through next semester.

Music class for alexey- a mommy and me class for kids up to 3 years old.

Playgroup - after school one day /week. my kids LOVE this. It is the highlight of their week.

basketball class for calvin starts this week. 1 hour on Friday after school. Hopefully he participates fully and enjoys it.