Kerstin's LAST FIRST day of LHS 9-1-09

It's official- she is a senior at LHS! Today was the last time I would see her off on the bus for her first day of school. Yesterday was the last time she would shop for first day of school clothes...it all seems to have slipped by without me knowing it. I want all of the time back. I am enjoying spending this extra time with her, but I know that it's just a beginning to the end before she leaves. She really wants to go away to college. I want her to have that expereience, but I am selfish at the same time! This is so hard.

Anyway, swim has started and she is going into it with a really great attitude. I told her to enjoy every moment of this year because it will go by so fast!

Time's ticking by...

Today is senior portraits. She had her hair cut and blown out straight just the way she likes it. We came home and picked out three or four outfits, just in case. In the middle of all of this, she had a MAJOR meltdown. We are in the middle of a heatwave and first, her hair started to frizz. Then she realized she had gained a little weight and a few outfits were snug. Then she cried for about two hours after that....ahhh the joys of a teenager. We worked it out-she realizes that she will lose the weight and then some when swimming starts. She also realizes that it's not about what she weighs, but what type of person she is. That was harder trying to get her to understand. Anyway, school starts on September 1st and I think she is really looking forward to it. I have applied for full financial aid and am hoping to go back to school full time in September as well. I'll find out sometime next week. Keep your fingers crossed! I have attached my favorite picture of her from her trip to Seattle. Looks like she is in some sort of magical fairy land!

KERSTIN'S HOME!!

She's finally home! Kerstin spent a month in Seattle with my sister and brother in law. Her and Buddy had a fabulous time! They spent time kayaking, eating, hiking, eating, swimming, eating...and...she is EXHAUSTED!! AND, my sister is PREGNANT! I'm so excited!! I'm going to be an aunt again! Lot's to tell, as it's been so long since I've blogged, but no time now. Back soon...

Still waiting...

Kerstin has been visiting my sister in Seattle since June 27th- it seems like a lifetime! She finally comes home on the 11th of August- never again this long! It's too much for me :(

Newport Kite Festival

Kerstin, AB, UT and I went to Newport to the Kite Festival on Sunday-everyone had a fabulous time and the weather was incredible! Perfect day with little to no money spent! :)

We had a great time climbing on the rocks until we spotted a very LARGE posted sign stating DONT CLIMB ON ROCKS! whoops!

Junior Prom

LHS held their Junior Prom on Saturday, May 2nd at the Port & Starboard at Ocean Beach. Kerstin went with Alex Lawrence and met a group of friends there. She looked amazing and had a fabulous time! Poppie drove them in the Jag and then picked her up at midnight and her and a few friends went to O'Boy in Groton for a midnight snack. She had so much fun!

Baby, Think it over...

Kerstin is taking Child Development this semester and they (as in the girls, which is an entirely different story in itself) have to wear the pregnancy belly and take "Baby think it over" home. We had a girl, which was first named Ella, then Graycin, then IT, for this past weekend. When the doll cries, you must run a sensor over it and then you have less than two minutes to determine what it needs. It also has a hinge in it's neck, so if you dont hold it carefully, the neck snaps and you lose points. She had fun, but it imposed greatly on her social life and she got sick of lugging everything around. She also was exhausted by Monday morning. Mission accomplished :)

She has a boyfriend :(

Kerstin has met a very nice boy and they are now "going out". She has informed me that she has held his hand and "pecked" kissed him. He's a very nice boy who wrestles and plays football for Ledyard. Alex Lawrence is his name and he's also a junior at Ledyard. I met his parent's who have similar values. This is SO HARD! :(

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots; the other, wings.

BRACES OFF-RETAINER ON

Kerstin finally got her braces off! (Aug 05 until Jan of 09). She was so excited but nervous that the orthodontist would find some reason NOT to remove them. Their off and now she has a top and bottom retainer that she must wear day and night for six weeks. Then she goes back to the orthodontist to see how her teeth look. She can't talk very well with the retainers, but her teeth look fabulous!

Sledding

I feel like I have been missing so much by not blogging, so I am trying to get some in...

Kerstin and her friend Alex went sledding at the Norwich Golf Course on Sunday. They had a great time. Alex brought skateboards without wheels to use as sleds, so I had to go out and get atleast one new one. I tried a couple of times too! It was alot of fun- some of the kids where doing these amazing jumps. Kerstin was too chicken to try!

Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas! Kerstin and I stayed at our friend Kelly's as we were watching the animals. Kerstin wouldnt get up, so I, like a 5 yr old had to wake her up! We did our normal traditions and then went to my mom's for more gifts. Every year we say we are going to cut back and instead, it seems as though we spend more! Kerstin got her laptop, which she is over the moon about, as well as her DS Lite! A great time was had by all :)

Swim Banquet- Varsity Letter!

Kerstin had her swim banquet last night. She was so excited- she received her Varsity letter! She couldnt wait to tell everyone! It was a great night and I was glad Poppie could share it with her!

She's 16!!!

I can't believe my baby is 16 yrs old! She only has 1.5 years left until college. Where did the time go??? She is studying for her permit- which she thinks will allow her to drive EVERYWHERE. For me, it only means she can know practice with her Poppie (and not me :))

She is anxious to get a job, but I am trying to get her to wait as long as possible...I want my little girl back!!

Homecoming

I can't believe I forgot to post a pic of Kerstin's homecoming! It was on October 18th and she had a fabulous time. She went with her friend Devyn and Alex and Devyn's friend. She looked beautiful. Kathy Craddock did a super job on her hair.

ECC's and States!

Kerstin qualified for ECC's this year. Her breaststroke time was 1:28.37 and that was enough for her to race. So we sat through 4.5 hours of swimming until finally she swam at the end. She was so nervous and didnt do very well, but I am so proud of her just the same! Then on Monday, we found out her times qualified her for States! Unbelievable. She ended up not swimming because there were entries from other schools with better times and that knocks her place in the race down, but she made it just the same! I am so proud of her!!

First Place!

She did it! Kerstin came in first place in the 100 Breast and the 100 Free Medley relay! She's a star :) (the meet was against Windham on Friday, October 17th)

Apple Picking!

We had a great time on Saturday, picking apples at Holmberg Orchard's. It was packed! We had a good time taking a (SHORT) hayride and walking around. It took us longer to pay for the apples then to pick them. But everyone had a great time and the weather was beautiful!
Here is the talented Kerstin, attempting to improve her juggling skills!

Finally getting into a routine!

Things finally seem to be getting easier. Kerstin knows what has to get done on a daily basis and seems to be managing well. Swim is slow going- she doesnt seem to be enjoying it as much this year, but she's still plugging away!

In the thick of it!

We are only 3 weeks into the school year and already I feel out of control! Kerstin get's up at 5:30, eats, showers and goes off to school for 6:30. She's home at 3:00, does homework until 4:15, gets picked up for swim. She swims until 7:00, home by 7:45, eats, finishes homework and goes to bed. This is my life. I am up at 4:30 each morning, just to start something for dinner that night. It's crazy! She seems to love school this year, but swimming not so much. Two of her friends have moved into a faster lane and I think that's bothering her. I am not the easiest on her as well, so I have to remember to back off. She'll get there soon enough!

Kerstin is doing great in her classes so far, so let's hope it keeps up! Today is her first swim meet, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I'll report back how many first place spots she took :)

She works hard for the money!

Kerstin is still working! She hasnt stopped in the past few weeks. A family friend, Charles, works for 107.7, a local radio station. He has given Kerstin the job of the mascot, Miss Peanuts the Elephant. (Which is fitting because she LOVES elepants!) She goes with him to dealerships or station events and dances around and hands out prizes in her elephant costume. She is working this week at Charles Toyota in Norwich. This pic is from a July 4th parade in Groton, but atleast you can see her "uniform"! She loves it! Who could ask for any better job??

Make a Smilebox slideshow

She's a JUNIOR!

Only one more week until school starts! I can't believe she's a junior! Where has the time gone? Swimming starts on Saturday-she's looking foward to it! I enjoy it because it keeps us busy. She is hoping to make varsity this year. I am hoping as well, but I have to remember to stop nagging her about it. It doesnt matter if she get's varsity or not, as long as she is enjoying herself, right? I have to keep telling myself that :)
Her schedule will be tough this year-Spanish 3 and 4, one right after the other as well as biology, earth science, history and english. She is also taking a creative writing class somewhere in there! I hope she can do it-I have faith in her!

Kerstin has finished working at Preston Parks and Rec. She had a great time-it was the perfect first job for her. She had fun and earned a little cash at the same time. Here she is playing on the beach with one of the campers. Tough work if you can get it!!

Summer's here!

I cant belive it's the second week of July already! My sister got married last week-it was beautiful! Kerstin looked amazing, very grown-up. She looks more like 18 than 15. She started her first "real" job on the 7th. She is a camp counseler at a summer rec program. (in charge of 5-6 year olds, her favorite). She loves it, but is exhausted by the day's end. She cant wait to get her first check-little does she know, the goverment cant wait for her to get her first check as well!

I cried

Last night I cried for my little girl.

She is 15 now and getting ready to choose a college. She is beautiful smart and outgoing. She is ready to go and I’m just in the way.

I cried for the 3 year old who looked up at me like I was the most beautiful Mommy in the world.

I cried for the 7 year old who trusted me to do her hair.

I cried for all the hugs and kisses and adoration that you can only get from a child.

I cried for the Jr. High student who trusted me with all of her secrets.

I am crying for the child who is no longer a child.

I am crying because I long for the chance to do it all over again and hold on tighter this time.

But I am proud of the person she has become and happy for her as well.

But, still I cry. It hurts to let go.