Thursday, August 31, 2006

What's New - Mom & Dad

Well, it's official! I start back to work on Tuesday! I'll be an IT Specialist in the Computer Support Group in the Electronic Engineering and Computer Sciences Department at the Academy. I look forward to getting back to what I do! We hired a nanny/housekeeper - a first for us. There are lots of families with nannies in this area. I think it's going to work out very nicely. It'll be great to have the extra help that a nanny can provide that you just don't get with other day care options. We couldn't find the young Swedish babe for Ryan or the tall, dark Italian guy I was hoping for, but our choice will do just fine. ~:-)

Ryan is loving that we finally got our cable hooked up! He's not much of a TV watcher, but is in 2 Fantasy Football leagues, so the internet access and ESPN (in High-Def, of course) is key.

What's New - Kids


Jake started Pre-K and is LOVING that he's going to the same school as big sister! His backpack is almost as big as he is - my little man! Ryan and I have enjoyed walking him to/from school this week.

Haley and I went to High Tea at American Girl Place in the Big Apple on Sunday! We went with 2 other mommy/daughter pairs and had a ball! Our first visit to the city. We did some shopping first and managed to visit all four floors before tea time. I, of course, caved in and bought her a doll. She wasn't interested in one of the character dolls, or one that necessarily looked like her. She picked a blonde, blue-eyed one and named her "Crystal." We also picked up Crystal's dog, Coconut. High Tea was just precious! The girls had their dolls with them - they have little doll chairs there that attach to the table. There was a harpist playing music, mostly songs from musicals, and a wait staff bringing out the treats and drinks. The girls went home with the napkin rings/hair scrunchies and the flower from the pot holding the chocolate mousse that was dessert. AGP does lunch, brunch and dinner and I've heard there are great goody bags for birthday guests. Hmmmm.....

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Alive & Kickin'!

The Keating Krew is back online!! We have internet hooked up to our house - finally!!

Soooo...quick update....

We are almost completely settled in our new house. We got New Brick quarters on post. It's smaller than where we lived in Germany, but they are completely renovated and really nice. We worked our tails off painting over the weekend before our household goods arrived. We got 6 rooms done and love how it turned out. We were first-timers at painting, so it was quite the feat. I opened the last box the other day and now we are moving piles around, getting organized, hanging curtains and other last details (oh yea - like cleaning)!

Incredibly enough - we STILL have not been into the city!!! But Haley and I are headed in for High Tea and shopping at American Girl tomorrow. I believe it's near Times Square and FAO Schwartz, etc., so we're hoping to look around some.

Haley has started 2nd grade at West Point Elementary. Her teacher is really nice and seems very with-it. Haley is walking herself to and from school! Big girl! She also started soccer and will be doing Gymnastics as well. She did Horse Camp and swimming lessons this summer. I'm going to start teaching her piano soon.

Jake will be starting the Pre-K program at the Elementary School at the end of the month. It's just 2 1/2 hours Mon-Thur, but I've heard great things about it. He is enrolled in Ice Skating and Smart Start Baseball. He was too young for the swimming lessons, but has enjoyed many a day in the shallow part of Delafield Pond.

We broke Moody out of the kennel after her 80-day sentence at Morgan Farm. She is enjoying the back yard and loves to bark at all the hikers going up the trail behind our fence (and our neighbors love that, I'm sure)! Haley put her bed in her room and hates to go to bed without her.

Ryan has been working hard on his Master's. He has just finished off the summer term with a 25-page paper on top of a big test (of course all due right in the thick of unpacking). Now that I have most rooms in order, he has a week off before the fall semester begins. So, we'll spend a couple of days knocking out the rest of the move-in stuff and RELAX for a few. It has been quite the busy, exhausting couple of weeks for both of us. But we're all enjoying our new home. Love the Hudson Valley, love the neighborhood, love the people, love the house, love the family time....love it all!

I am probably starting back to work soon - waiting for the official job offer. I found a great position. More on that later.

I'll be uploading pictures to Ofoto and putting some in future blogs soon. Shoot an email if you want to be on the distro list for the pics. More soon......really!