Busy Day

Today was quite busy. Along with our usual errands of taking the trash to the dump (refuse transfer site as there is no trash pickup where we live), going to the post office and grocery shopping for the week, we also stopped by the photo shop and got passport pictures for Quin. We went to the DMV and got a State ID card for Quin and then we went to the library and submitted Quin's passport application. We had to wait a half an hour at the library because there was only one librarian there at the time and she said she didn't like to do passport applications with no one else there to cover the front desk. Normally we eat lunch around 12:30 and Quin naps from 1-3. Today we didn't get home until about 2 and Quin slept until 4:30 when I went in and got her up. I was worried she wouldn't be able to fall asleep again at the normal time (we usually read books at 7:00 and then off to bed), but she drifted right off.

With the time change tonight I am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning, but I know Quin will still wake up at the normal time, so no such luck. It is going to be hard to set her sleeping schedule back an hour. Time change in Alaska is so dramatic; suddenly it gets dark so early and it is especially noticeable when there is no snow on the ground and the night becomes very inky.

Happy Halloween

It is cold out! Right now, at 8:55 as the sun is just starting to think about coming up, it is 23 degrees. Add in the wind and it feels even colder. Still, it is a crystal clear morning and the sun is just now hitting the snowy white mountain peaks in the distance. I love this morning light. It is magical.

Chance of snow tomorrow...

Being Brave

Finally I was able to get Quin in today to get the H1N1 vaccination. Every time I call they say they only have a few doses and it is first come first serve in the morning. I've never been able to get there, so even though Quin is in that age range to get them first, shehasn't had one yet.

This afternoon when I called they said there was one dose left. So we headed over (no lines, no one else even there) and she got both the H1N1 (nasal, live virus) and her seasonal flu booster. Since Phil is an ER nurse he got his H1N1 shot a few weeks ago. Our students are getting the vaccine in mid November, but even though as teachers we are also on the front line for getting sick, we don't get to get vaccinated until they open the vaccine up to everyone. I am hoping that having both Phil and Quin vaccinated will help me from getting it. On the other hand, a lot of parents are choosing not to get their kids vaccinated, so if those kids get sick they'll spread it to me. Ugh. Schools are such germ factories I have a huge bottle of Purel on my front desk and a small bottle in the back and I am constantly using it--there has been a one-day stomach flu going around and so far I have avoided it.

Quin usually cries with shots. She was very brave and the public health nurse (first time we went there) was very good and very fast and Quin didn't really have time to be scared. She cried for about 5 seconds from the pain, but recovered very quickly. We'll be going there for all our vaccinations from now on. Plus, the vaccinations are public health are free up to age 18. I didn't know that and our insurance doesn't cover them, so I have been paying out of pocket for the Hep series and Chicken Pox and other vaccines.

It feel very cold here as it is quite windy in town and the temperature is right around freezing. The lagoon is freezing over and in the morning everything has been frosty. Anchorage got some snow yesterday and there were whiteout conditions along the road about 60 miles north of here, but so far Seward is just clear and dry. Fall is usually the darkest time of year because there is no snow on the ground to reflect light. Yesterday morning Quin and I went out in the dark to look at the stars and we couldn't see a thing other than the starry sky. It was quite beautiful.

Quin's Social Security card came today. Monday I plan to get her state id card and then applying for a U.S. passport shortly after that. Next Wednesday is our 6 month anniversary. I can't believe how fast time has gone.

Happy Girls

Today was the first day of conferences, so I was at school for an extra two hours. I am tired, but they all went well, which is good. Quin was happy to stay at daycare longer. I am glad she likes it there, and equally glad that she yells "mama" and runs to me when I come to pick her up.

No snow yet, but there was ice in the puddles when I came home from school. It is windy, gusts to 35mph, which makes it feel quite cold. I am really enjoying the sunshine, especially as the days get shorter and shorter. This morning it was so clear and Quin and I saw tons of stars on our way to school.

A recap of today

Pink Poodle

Quin had a Halloween party at school today. She went as a pink poodle (yeah $1 Homer Thrift store find!)

Their first pumpkin

I thought today was a special day because it was Quin's first time carving a pumpkin. As it turns out, according to Phil's memory, this is also his first time carving a pumpkin! Quin did not like the guts! She wanted nothing to do with them, which is not like her, as she usually likes getting her hands into things. Phil did the carving and I was on gut removal--it was a very stringy pumpkin. We had fun!

Row, row, row your boat...

We're just learning this song.

ABCs

Hungry Quin

The Family

coldwhiteguy & arcticgirl

Nana visits!

Nana was over for a visit (to watch Quin on Friday since preschool was closed). We snapped this pic using the web cam after we got done Skyping with Yeye (dad).

The Quin Tree

At Quin's school they have been learning about the seasons. Here she is with a tree crown from when they were talking about fall. Our fall is almost over--the leaves have turned and most have fallen. The other day suddenly Quin said to me, "January is fun in the snow." I am so looking forward to her seeing her first snow and playing with her in it.
Yesterday when Phil was reading to her, out of nowhere Quin said, "one nation, under God." Phil was so surprised--we didn't even know they are saying the pledge at school every morning (we do at my school, but I didn't think they would at pre-school). It is funny how things just come out of from the thoughts that must be running around our little girl's head.

There's a lion on the loose!

I'm back, baby!

I have a new laptop. It is a DELL Studio XPS 13"". Phil got a new computer for his birthday (Saturday). he also got a Studio XPS, but his is 15", has a blue ray drive and has a cool red textured cover. I am so glad to have a computer again. Now I have to go through setting everything up again, etc...

Cool features: Back lit keys, facial recognition sign on, & a low profile catch-less lid. Plus there is a 500 gig drive space. I am happy.

The bear pictures

The pictures are a little blurry, but you can see that it is definitely a black bear!