I am so disappointed that I have been absent from blogging this long….. My sincere apologies to anyone who still is willingly checking in on us!  Honestly, I have found my to-do list all too long to ever reach the bottom and desire to blog.  But with a long weekend in full swing, I’m making time.  Ahh, where have we been and what have we been up to?

Truth be told, it’s been studying, studying and more studying.  I am still chipping away at learning the world of real estate and am hoping to sit for the state and general exam in the coming weeks.  Please keep those prayers coming as this has been a huge self imposed stresser for me!  My study skills are still being refined with each attempt to learn and I’m finding myself frustrated along the way.  Somewhere along the way I’ve long my “balance” of work and play and am anxiously looking forward to putting this behind us all.  On a whim, I signed up to take the course the day before Thanksgiving so for any phone calls and emails that when unreturned for a few days, I apologize.  I went into hardcore study mode and all for good practice as the exam was CANCELLED due to the snow storm.  This being a blessing and a curse.  I would have loved to be done but yet found that the more I studied and tried to cram, the less confidence I had in myself.  I truly am out of tune when it comes to school and effective study habits.  Perhaps I am more accurate to say that my ability to retain anything these days seems non-existent partially because my heart isn’t in it anymore.  As Christmas creeps closer, I have so many things I would rather be doing.  Heck, don’t we all?!?  So in light of the fact that the test still looms over my head and couldn’t be rescheduled for several weeks (ahh!)  I continue to plug along reminding myself that I will someday look back, thankful that I made it through and oh so grateful for everyone’s support. 

Okay, enough about me.  The kids have been great.  Healthy and high energy as always! 
Aiden and Chris had Thanksgiving celebrations in school and brought home some adorable handmade crafts that I just love.  They are loving the fresh icy snow that fell on Wednesday and seem totally unaffected by the cold weather (still trying to sneak out in summer weather wear!)  They get so excited each morning as they wake up to find out that it’s another day off of school (being on Thanksgiving break currently).  They take after Mike and are loving legos, playing pretend, board games and video games.  They are always asking for Mike or I to play something with them and while they have one another, they know just how to press each others “buttons” lately.  Time outs are at a maximum and with many hours spent inside, they are already going stir crazy and it’s not even December!  They cherish time spent with family and one on one time that they receive. 

Jake’s first reaction to the snow as he stepped outside on Wednesday surprised me as he crunched down and said “ewww!” For a boy who loves and continues to succeed at making messes, I thought he would be wild about a ground covered in a white mess.  Last week we went to his 18 month check up and from the time we stepped into the office, he broke down in tears and was full of fear.  The poor little tike cried the entire time saying “all done Momma.”  They say it’s normal at this age but I say that it seems unfair and perhaps they should do away with 18 month check ups?!  Outside of his major meltdown, he did great.  He is in the 58% for height at 33 inches,  16% for weight at 22 pd, 1/2 oz and of course his massive brain takes up a lot of space putting him in the 90% for head circumference.  He’s meeting all checks and measures for his age and continues to grow up way too quickly, keeping up a five year old pace.  Jake has a new found love for Elmo and continues to love reading, eating and animals (specifically ducks).  He is adding to his vocabulary daily and surprises us with the words that he attempts to repeat.  He is stubborn through and through and we joke that he never received the memo that he was supposed to be the “easy going” third child.  He is a lover and a snuggler and loves nothing more than being as close as possible to Mike or I.  His ultimate pleasure outside of food is being teased by Daddy.  There is simply no substitute for the genuine nature of those laughs that Daddy is given.

Mike has been stellar.  He has truly been incredible supportive as I spend many all nights after the kids go to bed studying or cleaning my two current obsessions.  He’s been a trooper watching the kids so I can study and taking time off from work to allow me to study and interview {speaking of which, I’ve had two interviews with local realty companies in the past few days and am trying to figure out the best match for our family… exciting stuff I tell ya!}  He is such a keeper.

And outside of feeling selfish for the time I spend studying, I am excited about getting a good balance back.  I get so mad at myself so feeling like I am missing out on all of the “fun times” with the kids in trying to take advantage of opportunities to study,  Yes, I am obsessive, ask Mike, or the boys or my family and friends.  I can not wait to decorate, bake and enjoy the spirit of the season.

And in quickly recapping, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Hopkins side of the family and a belated Thanksgiving, Mom’s birthday and anniversary celebration with the Ptaszynski’s today.  It’s safe to say we’ve had our fair share of delicious food!

Other highlights of our past month:

We also enjoyed celebrating my Babci two weeks ago as she turned 90. We celebrated in Bristol with the entire extended Ptaszynski family and indulged in a traditional polish meal in her honor.

Our first experience on the Polar Express in Essex, CT with Mamie, Grandpa, Great Grammie Tag, Auntie Stephie, Auntie Sarah, Rose, Ivy and our family.  Despite a late night, the kids had a blast and it certainly put all us in the holiday spirit!

My amazingly talented friend Heather “wowed” us once again with some great pictures.  Stay turned for your preview on your holiday card coming soon!

Great Grandma Tess turned 90!

Uncle Jerry turned 40!

We had the first snowfall of the year the day before Thanksgiving which amounted to a few inches and was a fun preview of winter.

Aiden learned to read his first book all by himself.

Christopher learned to whistle and “snap” his fingers and continues to practice daily.

I finally gave up after 12 attempted layers at re-doing out kitchen countertops.  Feeling defeated, we caved and ordered granite which will be installed just before Christmas.  Our cabinets and lighting are taking shape and the backsplash has been purchased and will be installed once the counters are ready to rock and roll. We also have a new sink waiting to be put in and appliances have been ordered but are back ordered.  I can not wait to have my kitchen back in working order!