Go, Go, Goers!

I am so impressed by what Ava has learned in her first few weeks of Kindergarten...she is constantly sounding out words, singing and dancing around the house, and practicing her addition - on her fingers AND toes! Tonight we picked up some popcorn to watch during a movie, and on the drive back to the house, Ava was sounding out all of the words on the box.  It just amazes me how they much she wants to learn...and it makes me very thankful for people who choose to be teachers (cause I sure couldn't do it!) Every day she comes home and tells us about her adventures in art, music class, PE, the computer labs, the library, and even lunch!  I'm so pleased that each day she looks forward to going to school...and each night, she enjoys doing her homework.  Except practicing tying her shoes...that's not working out so great.  But, we'll get there - I'm sure of it! We're also trying to get to the public library every few weeks...plus it gives us a chance to hang ou...

YES!!  We were able to lock in our interest rates this week, as we are estimated to be within 60 days of closing on our house!  We're cutting it really close, so we're still checking to see if the builder can do anything to cut off some time (without compromising quality.)  The bank initially told us a November 10 close date, and I just snorted...because, of course, my due date is November 9.  So...we'll see how it all plays out! We stopped by the house this morning, and as we were walking around the front, the next door neighbor to the west came out and introduced herself.  She and her husband both work for the U, and they have a cute little 6-month boy named Paul.  She (Amanda) was telling us about the neighborhood, and was just so easy and fun to talk to.  They've lived there for a few years now and really like the neighborhood.  It reaffirms that we made a good decision in choosing that neighborhood! We've been trying to buy new items...

And when I say "rock on" I'm totally referring to sheet rock...something that we've been waiting to see for a loooong time in our house.  Now that the sheet rock is up, I'm pretty sure we can schedule our closing, and get a better idea for when we'll be able to take ownership of our new house!  We've also started discussing a plan for moving, so we need to get working on that, as well.  Thank God that the end is near for our time at this rental (fingers crossed that I didn't just jinx us!)  Scott and I were discussing last night that our housing situation this summer truly has been less than ideal...I think we've both been trying not to let it bother us, but the way the foreclosure/sale has gone down has left us with a bad impression.  We will be VERY happy to get into our own place again! We have a front porch - yay!   The garage...huge.  And, now, with a service door!   View inside from the front door (study on right...

School has now started, so things are getting back into a somewhat normal routine.  Kind of.  Actually, I don't even know what can be defined as normal anymore.  Everything has felt suspended over the last several months...like we're constantly waiting for things to start/finish.  Waiting for the new house, waiting for Baby Boy to arrive, waiting, waiting, waiting... In the meantime, at least we're having fun while we're waiting! Lucky Scott :)   Ava getting her first pedi - she loved the fairy chair!   Pretty toes for a pretty girl   We had a visitor the other night...   Ava started Kindergarten (at Kaposia in So St Paul) this past week - yahoooo!  She and I met with her teacher (Ms. Meister) the day before school started, so they could get to know each other, and so Ava would feel comfortable in the classroom.  Since we were the last conference of the day, we took our time, and had a chance to chat...