March 10th, 13th Anniversary

Today the highest my car recorded was a sunny and warmish 44F.

Today:

• Emily had student council
• I subbed in William's class
• I also ran to Sam's for a Hamsterkaufing trip 
• The twins worked on their homework in the hallway while the big kids went to Maker's Club
• For dinner we had tortellini (and grapes)
• I went to an evening meeting about Alice's upcoming field trip
• Emily and I ran to the store to buy a gift for her friend's birthday party this weekend

It was a busy day, and I am super tired.

later days

Edited 3/14/20:

We did not celebrate our 13th anniversary in anticipation of a trip at the end of the month.  We have now completely dissolved our plans* for that trip thanks to the Coronavirus.  Here's a list of things we've done for anniversaries past:

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

*We had a two night hotel booked in downtown Detroit.  We had Redwings tickets and concert tickets to see the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies.  We'd also booked an escape room, researched restaurants and planned a lunch outing "south" to Canada.  So, it will now go down as a trip that wasn't.

February 11th

Today the expected high was 32F.  We didn't get any new precipitation, but there was a bit of a breeze, making it feel much colder.

Ms. Charlie came today, so I headed to the thrift shop to stay out of her way.  I found a few things like some thing 1 & thing 2 shirts for the twins, a recorder for Alice and a new sweater for me.  = )

At noon I headed up to the school to sub a half day for Emily's class.  Whew.  My children love to watch the videos in the classrooms afterschool while I finish up my notes.

For dinner we had tortellini alfredo.

Billy's company suffered a round of layoffs (for the first time in forever,) thankfully not in his department.  But this has me all kinds of worked up. = (

After a busy & stressful day, it is time for bed*!

later days

*okay, so this is the point in time that I start putting my children to bed, my bedtime is not for a while yet. = (

February 7th

Today the highest temperature that my car registered was 33F.  We had a ton of snow last night, and when the plows came through (and we hadn't received the welcomed "school is cancelled" phone call) I woke up.  I had about 45 minutes before my alarm, so I shoveled the sidewalk and both driveways.

The sun did eventually come out and melted all the residual snow that I had left on the cement. = )  Then, after school we had would I would have called a "summer storm" but it was snow.  It was fast and hard, but blew over quickly.  Look at that dark sky!

I subbed for a third grade class this morning, but not Emily's.

I was almost finished with my half day job when the office called that they had Grace running a 101F fever. = (  This afternoon she partied and acted completely normal, but she crashed right before dinner and hasn't moved. = /

While Grace and I were home for the afternoon, I sorted through some games and books to part with and pulled out William's costume from 3 Halloweens ago that doesn't really fit anymore, but of course once it is seen in the pile, it is the most desired and beloved object in the world.

He looks pretty convincing if you ask me. = )  So, we're keeping it for 6 months, but if it doesn't see some use, it's gone.

For dinner I heated up leftovers from the week, and peeled some tart oranges as a side.

Grace still has 2 days left on her antibiotic, I hope she gets to feeling better.

later days

February 5th

Today did not break freezing (according to my car anyhow.)  It was a partially sunny 31F. = (

My crew before the day started.

I was in Emily's class this morning, so I said goodbye to her for just a tiny bit.  Her class is not the lovely time that Alice's class was yesterday.  I only had time for a half day today, but I think it went well.  I am tired now though.

I ran up to Sam's after checking the mail, for cookies and tortillas.  So I had a hot dog and soda for lunch. 

As I was weaving my way back home, I stopped into the thrift store.  I bought a few books, including another Scooby Doo title, an insulated, folding picnic basket for all of our summer outings, a couple of Hawaiian CDS for our murder luau next summer and a bowl for Coyt. = )

And Grace and Juliet's teacher sent me pictures from their 100th day of school celebration.

Willow spent the afternoon with us.  And we had pizza for dinner.

Juliet is complaining of a tummy ache and sore throat, just like Grace did last week.  Hopefully they will have an available morning appointment for her. Now, it is bedtime for my little ones, hopefully I can quickly follow.

later days

February 4th

Today the expected high was a chilly and windy 35F.  There was no precipitation, but also no sun.

I subbed for Alice's class, and they were lovely.  really.  The worst part of my day was having to help supervise 2nd recess.  Standing out in the cold and wind and cold for 20 minutes is not really my thing.  I did get to see both Alice and Emily during that time though, which was kind of nice.

After school I signed Emily up with her friend Abby for the talent show (they are going to dance.)  And got recruited for Emily's class tomorrow morning, since her teacher was out sick today (and probably again tomorrow.)

For dinner we had lasagna (meat sauce for me, no meat sauce for Billy, and the kids split the rest of each.)  Considering Alice and Emily both said 'ew' before it went in the oven, they ate really well.  William had a BBQ sandwich as a snack when we arrived home, so he didn't eat much at all.  The twins also ate well, but they weren't openly biased against it from the start. = )

Billy was only a few minutes later than usual for dinner, despite the fact that he had a day work trip to a plant in Georgia today.

It was a good day, but I'm still tuckered out, and already tired from Emily's excessively energetic class that I have agreed to sub for tomorrow morning.

later days

January 28th

Today the expected high was 33F.  It was a little breezy and non-accumulating snow was falling after we left the school.

The kids were up e-a-r-l-y, but the 3 big kids knocked out their homework and piano, so the afternoon was nice and light!

I subbed for the 4-5y.o. class today and they were brutal.

For dinner we had premade tacos & taquitos.

later days

January 24th

Today's expected high was 38F and it rained all day this meant that it melted some of the snow, but not all of it.  Also, it is now really slick on the roads.

I worked in William's classroom today with one of his classmates.  I'm pretty worn out.  Also, I'm tired because I stayed up late finishing the book I bought on Tuesday.  It was totally worth it.  And a friend sent a bag of clothes & shoes to pick through for my kids, so we did that before we headed out.

My children do not like to leave the school.  Here's a picture of some of them "rolling" down the hall slowly when it was time to leave.

Emily has decided that she wants to learn Fuer Elise, and she has spent at least 2 hours in the past day practicing the new music!

Billy is helping her too, since he sight read it in no time (and totally acts like it's nothing.)  But she's making great strides!

I listened to and cried while listening to Songs About Texas, by Pat Green, because sometimes I just miss home so incredibly much.  And, him being a Tech alum, he totally gets it.

Now it's time for bed.

later days

January 9th

Today was cold and brutally windy. Supposedly we hit a high of 45F, but the wind was so biting I'm inclined to disbelief. The sun came out a few times, and there was also a few drops of precipitation.

Before heading to MOPS this morning, I went through the carwash (even though Wednesdays are their $5 day, and today was $7) because my car was very dirty from the salt and snow on Wednesday. = (

MOPS was lovely.  Our table brought food, so I made a crock-pot taco soup, that I cooked overnight. My kitchen smelled so when I woke up!

We were invited to dress up and we watched videos, heard inspirational New Year ideas.  I broke out my "2020 dress" that I bought for this summer.

One of our mentor moms brought bags and bags of clothes for us to peruse.  I grabbed several pair of pants for Emily, a Unicorn nightgown, a skirt for me, and one pair of pants for William.

Our activity was to write cards that would challenge us to "have more fun!"  This is the one I wrote up.

The one that I received said "pretend our house is a restaurant and be the waitress and serve my kids."  I feel like I do this on a regular basis, but I think I can still make it fun.  My idea right now is to have a cereal and ice cream theme, but I'm still working on it.

We toasted the new year with sparkling grape juice in very fancy cups.  = )  Also, I managed to get a trivia question correct and then won the raffle for an amazon gift card!  I felt so special.  <3

We were also on clean-up, so I rushed to help as much as I could.  But I had to dash out the door at 11:30, because I was subbing for Emily's class.  Between absent students and some students being assigned to "help" other teachers, I was only responsible for about 15 students!

When we came home I was carrying the twins' backpacks, as usual, but I also had all my things from the morning, since I didn't have a chance to run home.  Billy's game had a sound byte that made me laugh when I hear it, so I have since adopted it: "My hands are full, your items are on the ground!"  I said this to my children in jest.  Then, when I went to dig out my keys, I dropped my cup on the ground.  Apparently I had hurt Juliet's feelings, because her response was: "now your item is on the ground."  I laughed so hard, then messaged Billy.

During William's piano practice, I was sitting on the sofa, while Grace was playing with one of my German dictionaries.  She opened it to the very back paged, and asked me what it said.  When I was looking at the weights & measurements, I was surprised to see that an American pint and a British pint are different volumes?!  I confirmed with google, then sent it to Billy, and apparently this was also news to him.  hmmmm.*

For dinner we had tortellini alfredo (well, my family did, I couldn't' help but have another portion of my taco soup.)

later days

*my first ever meme creation.