Firetruck!

My son has decided that he would really, REALLY like a firetruck for Christmas. Actually, he would prefer it before Christmas, thank you very much. But, alas, his mean old mom said no, he would have to wait like all the other good little girls and boys.
This morning, however, my inventive son collected some spare change off the floor and gave it to me saying, "Here mom. Now you can go buy my firetruck!" If only it was that easy!

Hunting??

Chad was very excited this morning to finally get an opportunity to go hunting. He left as early as he could and spent a rather uneventful morning in the woods, but was thrilled to be there.
Rachel expressed an interest in going with him when he got home. Really? Hunting? My anxious girl? OK. Well, lets see.....there is no minimum age for hunting in NH. So they did a field trip to the hunting store for a vest, hat and mittens in hunter orange, went to the shop for some practice shots so the sound of the gun wouldn't startle her, then into the woods they went! Oh my, oh my. I really hope they don't get one!!

The Fells

John Hay's estate on Lake Sunapee was open to the public today all decked out in it's Christmas finery. How beautiful! I actually managed to take all three kids through the mansion (Don't touch! no, no-no! Careful! Over here, please! Dont touch!) and then enjoyed time in their children's corner making crafts. What a gorgeous day it was! Short sleeve shirts, pictures of the kids on the lawns....and within a day or two I will even forget that Ben threw a fit and didn't want to get out of the car....that Rachel really wanted to stay and see everything because she didn't want to have to clean her room.... and Becca refusing to walk every 5 minutes or so and plopping down on the driveway with her scowl. But none of that mattered. I was with my kids, I saw Christmas decorations in a beautiful house that had no drawing on the walls, and when it was all said and done they all said that they had a good time.

When I Grow Up

I brought Rachel up to CHaD in Hanover for her follow-up appt with the ENT and audiologist. She STILL has fluid in the right ear and a mild conductive hearing loss. I was talking to the audiologist and looking at the audiogram and happened to mention that I was a teacher of the Deaf. Or at least I had been. She said, " A T-O-D? Thats great! They are really in need of T-O-D's in NH. I has always thought of myself as a teacher, not a T, but OK! It was then that I realized that maybe I could have my cake AND eat it too! How about being a T-O-D on MWF and a historian/curator on TTH? Hmmmmmm! That just might work!!
I have been typing up a storm ever since trying to find places where I can polish up my rusty ASL and find workshops to get my 35 ceu's to get my certification back. I am really excited!! Wish me luck!

Just a little update

Hello, my blog.
I have really missed you! The incident that happened in late August with the Hillsboro fiddler scared me off from posting for a while but I really need to let go and this is the place to do it! So here goes-
Chad is ALMOST finished working on "the new house" and I can't wait until he has time to keep himself insanely busy at the house where the rest of us live. The kids have even taken to calling the houses Daddy's house and mommy's house. Out of the mouthes of babes!
Rachel is doing well with Dr. Lisa and I am starting to see her employ some of the tactics she has been learning to get through the day easier. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
We had a crappy summer and early autumn for the Lawn Service (drought is a horrible thing) but it is finally picking up and all my bills are paid, the trucks are registered and I have even made an installment payment on my taxes! Gotta love the wood furnace, though. I LOVE that we dont' have to worry about buying oil!
Ben is my handsome boy, everyone says so, and he is doing well in school (once we get him into it!) His speech is coming along VERY slowly, and although he is much clearer on the day to day stuff, I worry deeply about him and pray that his frustration level stays low. I feel like he must have so much more to say and stories to tell, but it is just too hard at this point. Makes me cry sometimes.
.....and my Rebecca. What a blessing she is! She is talking up a storm, has a great attitude and is truly an individual. Thanks to her, Ben and she potty trained together this summer and there are no more diapers in the house! Hahaha! LOVE THAT!
She says yeah as two syllables (yee-ah) and just has the cutest little voice. Reminds me of Rachel at that age.
Well, lunch is cooking and my duties call. Been nice having you back. Hope to talk again soon! Love, Christina

Jack-o-lantern carving

Auntie Jody came up to visit and helped us carve our pumpkins. Everybody got right down to business and there were guts everywhere! I think Halloween is getting to be as big (if not bigger) than Christmas as far as the commercial part of the holiday goes. We do it up big! No pic of Rebecca with her pumpkin as she was napping during the festivities. We'll get you next year, my love!

Decorations by Rachel and company......

I just love the fall.......:)

Halloween 2010

Are they cute or what??
Poor Ben has spent the last 4 weeks asking everyday if it is Halloween Day yet....Rachel has been wearing her costume since 9:00 this morning, and Becca really enjoyed being on the float and did her darndest to keep up with everybody. It was coooooooold but a great day/evening was had by all! Happy Halloween!!