Murder Mystery at the English Inn: Pheonix Protocol

For Christmas, Billy gifted me tickets to a murder mystery interactive theater at the English Inn, and I gifted him a night at the English Inn.  = )

Sadly, my mom was out of town, but Sarah stepped up, to sleep at the house with the kids (and was able to slip away first thing in the morning, since it was a Sunday-Monday night stay, but the kids were out of school for the week.)

I was able to reuse the hat that I bought for my murder mystery birthday party and wear my Grandmother's pearls.  I did buy a special dress (that I've since worn again!)

It was so nice!  The food was fantastic, we were each given a pin and pen to commemorate the event. The actors were soooooooo good.  They rotated through the tables and we were able to interrogate them!

I was so excited! We totally guessed the culprit, but got our sheet in too late, so we weren't the 'top team' but we had so much fun.  In fact, we came home and signed up for the next one, in October!

The October theme is a masquerade!  I'd never been invited to a masquerade before, and picked out a mask on the internet that I *loved* but was waiting to buy it.  However, the next Tuesday, while Emily, Grace and I were at the thrift store, we found a fancy mask for Billy (and it was only $4.50!)

I found a dress that would match the mask that I love and since it was only $10, I didn't feel bad about buying the mask in time for Jessica's birthday party (especially since I know I'll have one more occasion to wear it!)

So many murder mystery events lately have me feeling like I am just living my best life! = )

later days

edit: written 6-16-23 backdated for continuity.

Murdoch Mysteries

I'm of split mind whether to put this post at the beginning of this round, or at the end.  Either way, I'm writing it first, because I don't want to forget about "that one time..."

To tell the story properly, I need to go all the way back to February.  I try to take care to watch whatever is available on our streaming services (we have three: Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ (a gift from my sister))  but recently found out that with a library card I could watch a dozen or so movies or episodes a month with their service!

Their selection is small, but I was able to watch an Agatha Christy adaptation Marple.  Once I watched all that they had to offer, I used the remainder of the month on a Ray Bradbury Mystery Theater.  This was an interesting show, but with only a single season offered.  So, the next month, I decided to watch a Canadian show called The Murdoch Mysteries.  The library offered 13 or so seasons of it, so I figured I could watch my 12 episodes a month and have something to look forward to for the foreseeable future. This is where a problem occurred: I fell in love with the show.

So, once I finished my 12 episodes, I wanted more.  We used Billy's Hulu gift card, that he got for Christmas, and set up, yet another, streaming service to our house.  I was a happy camper, spending the bulk of my free time binging Murdoch.  Then, another problem cropped up a month or so in: Hulu was doing away with The Murdoch Mysteries. = (

I was devastated, because there was no way I would finish all the episodes before they were due to remove it (after all, spring is a super busy time for our children!)  So, once they finally took off Murdoch, we cancelled the subscription and picked up an Acorn subscription.  I was still bingeing and spending most of my free time watching Murdoch, so of course things in real life cropped up reminding me of the show. 

On the show, set in Toronto, Canada, they make fun of Americans, mostly, but also Winnipeg, which I find particularly funny, since my Canadaphile sister loves Winnipeg. 

In later seasons, they enjoyed ending the seasons with cliffhangers, so I watched until the action had plateaued and my characters were in relative safety, and stopped watching until the new season comes out.  This made for a happy break (knowing that I can pick it up at my leisure, instead of being 'helpless' until the next season comes out.)  And, now I can spend my free time doing other things that I enjoy, like blogging! = )

So, that is why some of the next ~25 posts might seem a little scarce in detail, because some of these events were over two months ago (but I'll do my best!)

later days

PS. a bonus 'meme' an out of order elevator that reminded me of one of my other favorite shows: Dr Who, "The Eleventh Hour" Episode with Matt Smith as the doctor.

edit: written 6-15-23, but backdated for continuity. 

School Events and Spirit Days

On Emily's birthday, Alice had a concert band competition on the calendar.  School was out for them that day, and when I dropped her off, the roads were not awful.  She would hop on the bus with the band for Charlotte, and we were going to drive down to see her.

Billy took the day off, so that he could see her play.  As the six of us drove down to Charlotte, the roads were getting worse and worse.  Even so, many came out to support their band, and Alice even waved to us! = )

It was nice to hear the entire band play the piece that she works on at home each night!  And they got some really good advice from a visiting judge during the 'sightreading' portion of the event.

They 'shortened' the event to end at 6, even so, the roads were slick and awful.  We slowly made our way back to the school to collect her, then very slowly made our way home without incident.

For the week leading up to St. Patrick's Day, the big girls' school had a spirit week.  Both dressed up every day, but I only managed two pictures of just Emily*! 

Plaid day was early in the week:

"Lucky Charm" day was later in the week.  I think this was her favorite, since she was able to pull off the snacks to share with her friends after they took the participation count for the team 'competition.'

Snow piles are like a beacon to my children (or really all the children.)  "Take our picture Mutti!"

The twins, doing twin things on "dress like a cool kid" day!

William dressed up too, and even got called up to help 'lead' a song in the assembly, but by the time I thought "oh, I should take a picture**" all the students were standing, and I couldn't see him.  He did dress up in Spartan gear and a Scooby Doo baseball cap! (which is why, in my mind, he was selected = ))

I will do my best to take more pictures the next spirit week, maybe it will be warmer and we can do some outside pictures without having to suffer!

later days

*In my defense, Mornings are hectic around here, and Alice is usually one of the last out the door, bringing the brush along to brush her hair in the car because she's out of time!

**I was working, and so my mind was more on my work duties than on my mom duties.

All the Other Fun!

This is where I cobble together a post, with all the pictures that didn't fit into other posts.

I'm not sure what the occasion was, but the twins made themselves quite comfortable in front of Billy's computer one day.  Maybe it was a snow day?

Emily made a birthday cake card for Aunt Rocky.

I'm not sure what Wiliam was doing, other than attempting to steal the spotlight. lol.

A happy story in two pictures: These skirts cost $4 each. I sent a picture to my sister, because sometimes she shops on Sunday, when the tags change. (But not this particular week, which was fine, because I try not to let myself get invested until it's in my bag.)

The following Tuesday, these skirts were $2/each and here they are in my laundry bin.  They are currently hanging in my closet. = )

When the twins get along, they are totally inseparable.  They were just lying on the floor intwined while watching their tablets one morning.

Avia sends back mail when the kids send her mail during her travels.  The twins had a good time coloring their reflection names from her. = )

Grace managed lots of selfies when she was in charge of my phone to take a picture of the igloo.

In between Oklahoma and Florida, my mom stopped over for four days and snuck in a sleepover with my crew one night.  I came down in the morning (at like 830) and the twins already had her slippers out and waiting for her.  I think they miss her a lot when she's not here! <3

During reading month, Grace read ALOT well over 1000 minutes for the month!  She needed timers, of course, and one day decided to use the microwave timer.  Sadly, she didn't know how to use the time and set the microwave for 50 minutes.  That's a long time for a microwave to run (if you didn't know) and it beeped and died about 20 minutes in.

 

It was long enough to melt the plastic cover that we keep to minimize splatters even.

I was hopeful that maybe after it cooled down, it would come back, but that was not the case.  Every now and again when someone would shut the mudroom door or close the trash drawer particularly hard, it would beep back on, but we declared it dead.

Billy ordered another one, of the same brand, from Staples.  The delivery date came and went, and when he contacted them, they indicated that it hadn't shipped, and that they'd send out another one.  So, a second delivery date arrived.  Still no microwave.  When Billy contacted them this time, they offered to send it out again, but he just cancelled the order. We took measurements and ordered a new one from Home Depot, which arrived within a week!  Thus ending our (almost) month without a microwave.  The new one is a slight upgrade in that the door is a pop out, instead of a pull door.  I think Grace learned a lesson too. = )

We are heading into spring break now, and I'm hopeful for a week of fun and maybe a few more pictures of Alice, since she seems to be my child who avoids the camera.

later days

The last of the Snow!!??!!

March is trying it's best to make up for the lack of snow in January!  While it's not been particularly cold, we've had 3-4 snow "storms" blow through, dropping enough snow and ice to fit in a couple of snow days!!

This snow hit on 3-3-23, but the picture was taken the next morning 3-4-23.  It was heavy snow and hard to move!!

The snow on 3-10-23 was much fluffier and easier to move!

It was so easy to move, in fact, that the kids played out in the snow as soon as we finished the chore!

A picture from Emily of a snow mermaid?

After William and Grace came in, Emily and Juliet built a massive 1/2 igloo/shelter.  Sadly, my phone died before I was able to get a better perspective picture (Grace took this one) but sadly, we didn't get out to get a better one.

I'm so glad that my children enjoy the snow.  When I was younger my Grandmother (from Massachusetts) always said that growing up with snow is wonderful for children, but as an adult she didn't miss it. = )

The daily temps have been in the 40s&50s so during spring break we're putting away the winter supplies, and fingers crossed we don't get any more snow that has to be moved! 

later days

Emily Answers Her Birthday Survey: 12 years old

A few weeks late, but Emily's birthday survey at 12 years old!

I am 12 years old. 1️⃣2️⃣

My favorite color is: Purple. 💜
The coolest person on earth is: Mutti 😎

The thing I do best is: Play Alto Saxophone. 🎷
If I could change my name, it would be: Emily. 👱‍♀️
My favorite toy is: My computer💻 (Is that even a toy?)
When I grow up, I want to be: A mother. 🤱
I like to watch: Idk. 🤷‍♀️
My favorite song is: Idk. 🤷‍♀️
My favorite book is: Hatchet 🪓
3 words to describe me are: Optimistic, Happy, Smiley😁
When I was little, I used to: Idk. 🤷‍♀️
My favorite season is: Summer. 🌞
The food I like most is: Baked potatoes with a bunch of toppings. 🥔  
One food I really don't like is: Olives. ⚫🟢
My best friend is: Abby. 👩

For my birthday I want to: Be old enough to sit in the front seat of the car. 🚘
My best memory is: Bowling on the school field trip. 🎳

She specifically included an emoji with each answer, I'm not sure if they will show up in future versions of this post, or even in the printed book, but they all match her answers. = )

later days

you can see her answers from last year here.

and her birthday post from this year here.

Emily's Optimist Award Night

A few weeks ago, Emily brought home a letter that she had been nominated for the Optimist Award through her school.  After congratulations and reading the letter, I of course went out to see what exactly the Optimist Creed said.

Okay, so yes, she definitely embodies many aspects of this creed. lol. 

The next week I shopped for a new dress, for her to wear at the ceremony. The first store I scoured was the 'discount' Goodwill, where clothes are sold by the pound, and nothing is sorted and there are just tables and tables of clothing mounds. The clothes are nice, but it's difficult to find something specific*.

My next stop was at a tiny thrift shop at the other end of town, and there on the children's rack, pulled away from the other clothing, hung a size 12 dress, shiny, beautiful, and only $2.  It was just meant to be for my Emily. = )

Fast forward to this week, and after a wildly busy day of substituting for the twins' teacher, then a virtual doctor visit for Juliet, it was time for Emily and I to head down to Charlotte to get her checked in.  Billy couldn't get away from work early enough to ride with us, so he joined me in the audience later.

The programs they passed out were very informative, giving a history of the optimists as well as a local chapter history.  They listed out all 154 nominees, their home school, and who put forth their nomination. 

After a short introduction by some local dignitaries, they started announcing each student and what their nominator had to say about their optimism. = )

Emily was nominated by Mr. Smith, her band director, and came across the stage in the second row of students.  The audience was packed for her crossing. = )  

It turns out, that it's somewhere around "M" that people in the audience start to excuse themselves.  By the time we got to the "W"s the audience was restless** and diminished, and when the final student crossed the stage, the applause was enthusiastic. 

They gave us an opportunity to photograph the collection of award winners!  Emily is 3-4 students from the left, hidden mostly behind the little girl in a long white dress.

She received 3 papers: one was from the city of Charlotte, one was from the state of Michigan (Angela Whitwer's office), and the final was a copy of the nomination that Mr. Smith submitted to the optimists, and one medallion from the optimist club. 

There was a reception afterwards where they served cake, ice cream, cookies and lemonade to the students and their guests^. Emily was full smiles the entire time, and even got to say hi to Mr. Smith before he left.

Quite a stash for the 'awards binder' that I keep.

We sure our proud of our optimistic Emily!!

later days

*it is for sure a store where you are told what you want, versus trying to track down something you want. lol.

** I pointed out to Billy where my maiden name would have fallen on the program. It's something he will get to "enjoy" the rest of our children's school years. ; )

^they capped the guests for each student at 4, so Alice stayed home with WGJ, and Emily got to enjoy Billy and my undivided attention.

16th Anniversary - Nico's

Our Anniversaries have been a mixed bag of celebrations (just like our life together!) and this year was simple and perfect.

My mom is tending to her parents during this season of life, and so no overnight trips were in the cards, though she sweetly sent us money for a dinner out. = )

Our gifts for each other were perfectly representative of how we love one another.  My gifts for Billy were bought well in advance and wrapped in repurposed packing paper.  Billy's gift for me was purchased the day before and wrapped by the storekeeper in bright, new paper (which has since been gently removed and added to the reuse pile.)

His gifts (from big to small): A Halloween village addition, "manly" body wash, and a variety pack of bandages.  For me: a pound of dark chocolate coconut 'pile' candies from my favorite chocolate shop! = )

We walked down the road to Nico's for a date night, leaving Alice and Emily in charge for a few hours.

It was another wonderful anniversary!

later days

Previous Anniversary celebrations:

15th Anniversary- Etran Adventure

14th Anniversary- Ann Arbor
13th Anniversary- The trip that wasn't

12th Anniversary - Toledo
11th Anniversary - St. Louis
10th Anniversary - Fish Grille, Waxahachie

9th Anniversary - Ft. Worth

8th Anniversary - Arby's

7th Anniversary - Hookah bar

6th Anniversary - Thai Chili

5th Anniversary - Carino's - Waxahachie

4th Anniversary - Flemming's Steakhouse @ City Centre

3rd Anniversary - Dinner Movie Theater

2nd Anniversary - Le Mistral

1st Anniversary - Paris

Recap of 1st-5th

3-24-23: backdated for continuity.

Emily's 12th Birthday

We started Emily's birthday celebrations Wednesday night, by baking a round of cupcakes for her to bring to school on Thursday.  She ended up sharing them with her teachers, since she didn't have enough for all of her classmates, and she didn't have anywhere to store them until lunch to share with just her friends.  

That night we took one final picture of Emily as an 11-year-old. = )

Friday morning, we woke up and celebrated our newly minted 12-year-old with cake and gifts!  The three little ones had school that day, though the big girls were off, so I got to spend the day with the birthday girl!

Friday night we were hit with a snowstorm, and Saturday morning we woke to a heavy, wet snow, that needed to be shovelled.  Luckily, we'd made the (third) birthday cake for the party the night before, and cut the vegetables, so we shovelled while Billy went to get the chick-fil-a! = )

Grace helped hang the packing balloon butterflies, that Aunt Rocky made, on the porch. = )

Emily got to invite friends, new and vintage, and I think they had a fun time playing games, visiting and snacking. = )

I must admit, I am liking this 'middle school' style party: I put out food, and they entertain themselves! 

I think our Emily had a lovely day visiting with her friends and playing with her siblings.

Happiest of Birthdays to my favorite 12-year-old!!

later days

you can see her party crafts post here.

and her 12-year-old survey here.

3-24-23: backdated for continuity.