good grief...

i am looking at the date of our last post and it's been over a month! my sincerest apologies (especially to grandparents). we have been very, very busy with lots of fun. i'll do my best to include all the highlights...
jess-doing great in school, busy writing plays, doing great at soccer (hanging in there with all the boys), growing up more and more every day, reading 5 books at a time
hailey-creating artwork like there is no tomorrow, giggling like mad, loving soccer (especially goalie), doing great in school, making lots of friends, getting very tall
maddy-was promoted to 2nd grade at the beginning of the month (she wasn't surprised because "this is where i was supposed to be in the first place"), loving dance and getting those combination steps down quickly, knows the entire subway system for all 5 burrows and is very proud of it (honestly...i ask her for directions all the time)
clay-traveling like mad, making record breaking deals all over the place, kickin' butt at ultimate frisbee, getting better and better looking every day
ang-start my teaching job on monday, love my class (spent 2 days observing and getting to know them this week), falling more and more in love with our new home town, been very busy writing, reading and keeping up with the kids.

more news...we got an au pair from south africa this week. her name is lusinda. she is amazing with the girls (who of course adore her). she loves to read, laugh, shop for shoes, and watch girly movies. she has been a life saver and has made me feel completely at ease with returning to work.