A Little Passed Halfway

I cannot believe I have already been here five months and that my time here is half over. There are some weeks when I feel like time is flying by, and there are others when I feel like I'm at a standstill. Regardless, I'm excited for what the next five months have in store, warmer weather being one. However, so far the winter has been pretty mild compared to what I'm used to. There has been a lot less snow and I feel like it hasn't been as cold either, but we'll see what the next few weeks bring. It happens to be Groundhog Day today too- I wonder if Punxsutawney Phil's forecast is good for more than the good 'ol US of A...?  Right. Enough about the weather.

We've been dealing with a bit of sickness in the house recently, which isn't quite over yet. It's better, but   now it's making its way around the next victim(s). Since Kristina was one of the recent sickies, I was mainly taking after Elena this week. Usually when I only have one of the girls, it's Kristina, so this was a bit of a change. Sisters are funny. The relationship between two is beautiful, but when I get to interact with only one of them, I see and learn so much about the one without the other getting in the way. Elena likes to talk and she likes to listen, and so we did a good bit of that this week. And went we weren't talking, it was comfortable just being with her. One day she did a good bit of knitting on the scarf she's making herself while I read The Secret Garden to her; I even continued reading for a bit while she was in the bathtub, it's that enchanting.
On another day, we went shopping for a bit to pick out her dad a birthday present, which was so so sweet. We stopped at a little cafe to have a snack, and she looked so grown up and mature sitting there across from me. There was no one in the cafe when we got there, but as soon as we sat down with our pastries, a few other people came in.Eventually the place was half full. That reminded me of what commonly happens to my family and I when we go out to dinner back home: Usually there's hardly anyone in the place, but as soon as we get there, all the people come. We always joke that we bring the restaurants all their business. I told Elena this; she smiled and laughed and said that we need to start going there everyday so that the cafe will have lots of business. Oh, how I wish we could go there everyday! When we came home, we both got out our books and went into the living room and got cozy on the couch. We informed each other every time we reached a new chapter. Starting a new book, she said, "Chapter 1!" and I replied with, "Chapter 31!" She's always really interested in the books I'm reading. At that time, I was almost finished with  The Help, and so I explained the story to her a bit. I think she'll enjoy the story one day when she's a bit older. Ahh...It was such a lovely day together.
Then on Thursday, I attended one of her piano concerts for the first time. I've heard her play the songs over and over again at home, but actually seeing her really perform was really special. She and her partner performed two duet pieces beautifully. They are both so extremely talented! The songs she's playing are quite challenging and she plays them so well!

It's been a good busy few weeks, and so I am very grateful for the break that lies ahead this coming week. The end of the first semester was Friday, so the girls have a week of school off, and I'm free too. Yehoo!

I do not even remember the last time I have flown through a book as fast as this. It was probably the 7th Harry Potter book. My word, this book was great. The character reel you in hook, line, and sinker. The good, the bad, and the ugly are part of what make this novel such a hit. The topic is still such a heated one in many parts of the US and even though I've never had a maid or a nanny before, I'm glad for the glimpse I now have of what it was like to be in their shoes. You go, Miss Skeeter, and Abileen and Minny, y'all are gems! :)

Until next time,

~Sarah