One Month and One Day

We've been here one month and one day.

The last two weeks have been a lot of settling in and trying to establish a routine.  

In some ways I'd say the honeymoon is over with all of the fun of the newness over, but this is just a step in getting used to something different.

Two weeks ago Obi and Athan both had an orthodontist appointment in Salisbury.  Obi currently has braces, and Athan's teeth need some spacing.  Athan was put on return check for 6 months, but does need to have 5 teeth pulled soon.  Obi went back last week to get his brackets off from the Ames orthodontist to have the brackets put on that this orthodontist uses.  Our Ames orthodontist advised us that this may happen; each office has their preference of equipment.  

Last Saturday we purchased another mini van.  Now we have three vehicles, so Cora has a vehicle to drive.  This will be great for her after school practices.  

Gavin has been busy with his swim team practices, and the rest of us are getting used to that schedule as well.  We purchased a family pass to the YMCA where his practices are held.  Phil and the other two boys have been working out, playing in the gym, or using the pool during that hour 4 times a week.

I figured out how to do the school lunch ordering thing.  I chose to make Monday's the day the kids would get the catered lunch option.  Mondays are Chick-fil-A days.  The other days they will continue to bring a lunch from home.

Ballard was able to transfer Cora's National Honor Society membership to Salisbury Christian, so she is now involved with those meetings.  

Athan was so happy to find that a boy in his class lives in our neighborhood, and they have been playing together very well.  

Gavin has been having trouble seeing the board in school, so he goes to see an eye doctor later today. 

This week is homecoming week at SCS.  The week is filled with school spirit activities, and the kids are enjoying being out of uniform.  Friday night there is a block party at the school with several activities for all current and past students.  Saturday night there is a homecoming dance for the high school students.  Cora has the cutest dress for the event!  This weekend is a three day weekend, for there isn't school on Monday.  

Aside from all of the business of daily life we have enjoyed more ocean visits, more crabbing, and more exploring of the area.  

Photos of crabbing in Crisfield, MD

Photos from Cape Henlopen State Park at Lewes, DE

Nanticoke, MD

This place looks to be vacant now, but at one time must have process oysters.

Thanks for reading! 

Jessica

They survived the first week.

The kids had a good first week at their new school.  Tuesday night we had more arts & crafts time covering more textbooks.  All of the kids' books need to be covered.  Since I hadn't done this since at least junior high, I had to watch you tube to relearn the skill.

Wednesday night Cora had her first soccer game of the year.  They lost, but she had a good game and enjoyed herself.

Saturday morning Cora had a fundraising car wash for the girls and boys soccer teams.  That afternoon we went to Assateague State Park.

At the end of our water time we were able to view some wild horses in their natural habitat.

  

Really they were just wandering the parking lot.  They kind of own the place.

Sunday Phil, Athan, and I headed into town to pick up some crabbing supplies.  We returned home, ate lunch, then we all went down to Crisfield to try out a new skill.  My goal for the day was 2.  We ended up with 10.  Everyone really enjoyed the experience.  When we got home Phil cleaned them up so that we'd only cook the legs.  We cooked them, chilled them, and put them in the fridge for this week. 

These were the first two crabs we caught.  We had to throw them back though.  For they were too small, and they were female.  

The first keeper!

Even the kids that don't like crab found it very fun.  I'm going to get some more hand lines and another net.  Next time Phil and I will just sit back and measure for the keepers.  

Thanks for reading!

Jessica

Tuesday, September 6th

Friday night Gavin had his swim assessment and he was offered a spot on the team.  Those practices will start next Sunday.

Early Saturday morning the winds started and it rained off and on until the afternoon.  Nothing severe here.  It reminded me of a winter storm.  I'm not sure how to explain it, other than the winds were random and so was the rain.

Sunday we went to Wellington Beach in Crisfield, MD about 45 minutes away.  We enjoyed the quiet bay and watching people hand line crabbing.  Athan decided to run net for one man.  

About 3:00 an older gentleman came along and explained the incoming high tides to us and other beach visitors.  The storms bring in extra high tides, and with this means all of the inlets flood the road.  Had we not left when we did, we would have been on an island until the tide receded.  There was even about 6" of water covering the park entrance when we left.  The sun was still shining, so we decided to see the effects of the storm on the Atlantic.  We drove just under an hour to Chincoteague, VA.

We passed NASA's Wallops Facility.  We will be returning here for sure.  For there is a scheduled rocket launch the second half of September.  

As we drove through the park, I spotted two wild horses in the distance.  When we got out of the car, the wind was intense.  Every step closer to the water was a noticeable drop in temperature.  The kids were told they could only go in ankle deep.......they mostly listened.  The threat of rip currents was strong and people had been rescued that day.  

Monday morning we prepared school supplies.  Later Phil and the boys went to Ocean City.  They couldn't use their body boards, because they didn't have fins.  The current was strong, the other wise it was very pleasant.  Also they learned that skim boarding is not allowed in Ocean City.  Oops, I guess we'll save that for another beach.  There was still much threat of rip currents, so the kids were only allowed in the water up to their knees. 




Last night Phil and I went on a date to Brew River in Salisbury.  It sit right along the Wicomico River.  The food was great and the atmosphere was nice an relaxing.  There was an exception of one idiot trying to make the most spectacle out of parking a boat.  I'm sure this will become a regular date spot.

Today all four kids are off to school.  They must wear uniforms at this school.  The tops must be purchased from a uniform supply company.  The color options for the tops are maroon, green, or white.  Bottoms must be uniform style, but can be purchased from anywhere.  The color options for bottoms are khaki, black, or navy.    

Also today the much awaited Comcast man comes.  Cora has a sports physical so the she can play in tomorrow's first soccer game.  Other than that, I'm going to enjoy the peace and quiet this whole new situation brings.  

First day at Salisbury Christian School

Athan - 3rd grade, Cora - 11th grade, Obi - 8th grade, Gavin - 7th grade

Thanks for reading! 

Jessica

A Quick Update

Last night we attending back to school night.  It went ok, but it was quite overwhelming.

  

First we found Athan's room and teacher and put things away, then we moved on to find the other three kids' rooms.  The building isn't that big, so Obi and Gavin were able to find them fairly easily.  Cora's schedule needs to be changed quite a bit, so she didn't get to find really anything but her locker.  This afternoon we have our family meeting at the school, and then we should be technically enrolled.  Cora hasn't been able to practice during soccer practice until she is enrolled.  She did watch Wednesday night, and the first game is next Wednesday.  Hopefully she is able to fit right in with the team.  They were glad to have another defender!

Obi's bed arrived today, for he needed an upgrade to a longer bed.  We just decided to worry about that until we got out here.  

Tuesday Comcast comes to get us set up with all of that.  There are Xfinity hotspots out here, but the connection isn't that great.  We're finding our cell phones go through power quick.  Not sure if it's a tower thing, or just the amount of trees.

Tonight Gavin is trying out for the Salisbury Swim Team, hopefully they will have a spot for him!

I am now able to drive to Walmart and where the other major stores are without using Google Maps.  I can almost make it to the school without it as well.  This is an accomplishment for sure!  Athan needs brown paper sacks to cover his books, so I must venture out to find a real grocery store.  I keep my phone well charged for such challenges.

Just incase you were wondering about the storm, we are in a Tropical Storm Warning.  

THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER HAS ISSUED A TROPICAL STORM WARNING FOR THE SOUTHERN DELMARVA UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN DELMARVA UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. CONDITIONS WILL DETERIORATE STARTING FRIDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUING FOR MUCH OF THE WEEKEND. EXPECT TO SEE WIND GUSTS UP TO AND OVER 45 MPH, FLOODING RAIN WITH AMOUNTS OVER THREE INCHES POSSIBLE, STORM SURGE THAT CAUSES SOME FLOODING AND BEACH EROSION. STAY WITH WBOC-TV, WBOC.COM AND WBOC 16 WEATHER FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST.  Sunday looks to be a bit better, and Monday's forecast looks very nice.   We will likely visit the beach again on Monday. Thanks for reading! Jessica

We made it to Maryland!

We made it to Maryland!

Last Wednesday morning we left Huxley, and headed toward Dayton, Ohio.  I drove the Durango, and Phil drove the moving truck towing the Honda.  We got in a bit later than preferred to the hotel in Dayton, but all went pretty well.  

Thursday we visited the National Air Force Museum and then also made a quick tour of the Malt Products plant nearby.  This was a project of Blackstone’s that was completed last year.  It’s actually where Phil lived the first quarter of 2015.  

Friday we finished our drive to Eden.  The Appalachian Mountains made the drive a bit like a mario cart race.  After checking in with the rental agent and unloading the truck we were moved in in just about an hour.  Saturday we took the moving truck to a furniture consignment store and furnished the house.  Saturday night Phil and I returned the uhaul equipment, and Sunday we hit the beach along Ocean City, MD.  We still had our 3 bodyboards and 1 skimboard from California.  No body suits needed in the water right now.

Monday was more shopping and trying to get settled in.  Phil went to his first day at work.  Even though he's been there many times before, this was his first day with this new role on the project.   

I was most excited about my Sam's Club trip when I discovered steamed blue crab ready to heat and eat.  Guess what we had for dinner that night.  With the exception of Gavin and Cora, and Obi gave up after 1.   Someday they'll come around, until then more for Phil, Athan, and I.  We still have some left in the fridge!

Yesterday, Tuesday, the kids had their testing at the school, and we ate all 3 meals at home!  Testing outcomes were as expected.  Unfortunately the soccer roster for Obi & Gavin is already full, so I am working on alternate activities for them as well as something for Athan.  Cora is able to join the Girl's team as soon as she is enrolled.  Our family must go to a family interview with the principal before we can officially be enrolled.  That meeting will hopefully take place yet today or tomorrow.

The kids are settling in well, a bit restless, but I'm sure after a few days of school everyone will relax and settle in even more.  The house is nice, and will suit our family well during our stay.  The neighborhood is very quiet, and our neighbors wave to us.  There is cul-de-sac at the end of our road and to the road beside us.  That is giving the boys a nice space to bike, roller blade, and play roller blade frisbee.  

We plan to go to the ocean again this weekend, for it's only a 45 minute drive.  

Then Tuesday all four kids will start school at Salisbury Christian.  It's 11 miles away, and a 25 minute drive.  Eventually Cora will be able to drive them to school.  The school here does lunch a bit differently; they cater in everything, and you must order a month in advance.  We missed the first ordering time, so for the month of September for sure I will have a lot of lunches to pack.  We will probably stick to that for most of the time, for the catered options are kind of pricey.  I told then that maybe two times a month, I'd do the catered option.  I'm still wondering what my days will look like with no kids at home.  But for now, I still have plenty to do with unpacking and finding the right spot for everything.

Thank you to all who helped us get on our way!!

Jessica

I've uploaded May's photos to Shutterfly.

 

Enjoy!

 

www.jessicasoash.shutterfly.com