Somewhere in the Middle America

Apparently, if I need to get away from it all there is not better place than the middle of nowhere.  And if you want to go to the middle of nowhere, the Counting Crows sang it best when they suggested Nebraska.  I extended my 3 day weekend by a day, took Eileen as my companion, and flew to Omaha this weekend.  Then Eileen and I rented a car and drove 2.5 hours to the small farming community of Central City, Nebraska (which is not centrally located despite its name).

Eileen and I took the light rail to the airport and had an easy flight into Omaha.  We got a nice free upgrade.  They asked, "Chevy Impala or Toyota Camry?"  Like that's a hard choice. I then proceeded to take the world's longest, most boring drive past corn fields to Central City in a sweet 2017 Toyota Camry.

My friend, Heather, and her family live there.  Being a good friend, I try to make it out there occasionally.  It's been a ridiculously busy school year.  I figured the best way to slow down was to spend my weekend in a place that had no wi-fi and I couldn't do any grading or lesson planning.  Heather has two little girls, ideal playmates for Eileen.  

I had the most chill weekend that I've experienced in a long time.  We swam at the local fitness center (had the place to ourselves due to the Huskers game).  The girls swam.  Heather and I lounged in the hot tub.

We attended the town Veteran's Day assembly.  Lots of tractor viewing.  The candy haul was impressive.  I think it had something to do with being shortly after Halloween.  Heather located a nice spot and it was not crowded at all.  I "may" have been heard yelling, "Get mama the good stuff! The Reeses!"

We spent a lot of time lounging/sleeping.  The girls played upstairs while the adults watched Law and Order SVU and reruns of Friends.  We baked brownies.  In preparation of our visit, Heather scoured stores across several towns to find gluten free, dairy free food for Eileen.

The girls quickly became best friends.  Even with the whole couch to themselves, all three would opt to sit squeezed together.

We attended a healthy kids fair one afternoon.  

Heather's girls, Brooklyn and Teagan, have insanely long, luscious locks.  Teagan has more hair than anyone I have ever met.  I was in heaven playing with their hair.  It was the ultimate girls weekend.  Being in the middle of nowhere means that getting anywhere takes a long time.  During one car trip the girls were bugging one another so I offered them each a dollar to fall asleep.  I stand by my decision.

I made sure to sample the local cuisine.  As luck would have it, a Runza just opened in Central City this week.  It is a uniquely Nebraskan food chain.

It reminds me of food made by grandmas everywhere -- ground hamburger, onion, and lots of pepper.  The Runza also has cabbage in it.  It's a little like a Piroshky if the good old Betty Crocker red plaid cookbook tried its hand at one. Still, it's satisfying.

On my final night, Heather and I went and saw Bad Mom's Christmas and finished our evening with slices of pie at a Perkins diner.  While I was gone, TJ (Heather's husband) assembled a bed for me (I had been sleeping on a futon).  Not only did he put it together and make it up really nice, he put out breakfast in bed for me--a Twix since he saw me grab one that morning while I drank my coffee--and turned on the TV to a liberal news channel.  It was incredibly thoughtful and I slept awesome.

I slept frequently and with abandon on my trip.  With no responsibility, no place to be, I truly was able to let go.  It was awesome.  I even read two books.  I had to fly all the way to Nebraska to manage to fully relax, but it was well worth it, especially since I got to spend time with Heather.  Eileen and I both miss everyone so much already.  Robin wants to know when it is his turn to go to Nebraska.  

Heather and I don't talk enough.  We are both incredibly busy people and separated by two time zones.  Grown up friendships are awesome.  Just because you don't ever talk to someone doesn't mean the love isn't still there.  And when you do see them, it's like no time has passed at all.  Thanks Heather for a wonderful weekend.  I hope we don't have to go so long again before seeing each other.  Tell TJ I plan to learn how to make a Runza just for him.

The Requisite but Belated Halloween Post

For shame, I'm two days late posting about Halloween.  I love Halloween.  I do.  I like spooky, but not horror.  Disney from the 1960s/1970s is totally my cup of tea.  "Child of Glass" anyone? 

Working full time seems to cut into my celebratory tendencies.  I did decorate the house.  This weekend I made allergy friendly Halloween cookies.  I think having 3 birthdays in the month kind of does a number on me, on the tails of back to school September crazy, sort of wipes me out.

Luckily, it takes a village and village helped make the month festive. 

1.  Early in the month I needed childcare while it was teacher in-service.  In addition to my mother, my brother came and took Linus out for the day.  The went to the pumpkin patch and corn maze and came home with 3 pumpkins.  Eileen's first grade class went to the pumpkin patch and she came home with a pumpkin.  I went to Thriftway to buy groceries, and the cashier gave me a free pumpkin. 

2.  Dave and I needed a date night.  My sister and her boyfriend offered to babysit.  Even more, they were super interested in the idea of carving pumpkins with the kids.  My friend, Natalie, gifted us with tickets and parking to go see "Ragtime" at the 5th Ave!  My sister did not realize what she was getting herself into.  Obviously, Dave and I did and cackled vigorously when she originally agreed.  We came home to some very nicely carved pumpkins and roasted seeds.

3.  Eileen went to a Halloween craft party and had an amazing time.  Messy Halloween crafts got checked off the list.

4.  The primary school had parties and Robin participated in the trick or treat parade through the school.  In middle school, we did Halloween math. 


Halloween as a teacher is always a little crazy making.  Kids are beyond excited and pumped up on sugar.  This year the staff also got to get flu shots during lunch! Fun times.  The shot gave me a headache and made me a little nauseated (which wasn't helped by the copious amounts of sugar I consumed).  I was feeling pretty exhausted and not awesome by the time trick or treating rolled around.  Dave took one for the team and took the kids out while I graded math test corrections and answered the door.

We only got about 10 trick or treaters this year.  Kind of sad since it's not like our house is hidden or anything.  It's also a little sad since it didn't rain for the first time in 11 years.

These guys were still happy with their haul.  I would like to congratulate our neighbors on the candy selection -- mostly Twix, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kats, and assorted gummies.  There was not a single mint or Brachs butterscotch or even a Dum Dum.

This year we had quite the variation in costume.  Meet Pikachu, Snow Leopard, and the Grim Reaper (or the Ghost of Christmas Future for you literary folk).

Happy Belated Halloween!  I swear.  Next year I'm going to rally.

Fantastic Number 9

"Nine nine nine
Fantastic number nine
It’s perfectly consistent
It works out every time
Nine nine nine
That crazy number nine
Times any number you can find
It all comes back to nine." --Square One Television  (And yes this math trick works, I use it all the time in long division.  Thank you Public Television.)

My boy is nine! Nine!  Every time I say it, I start singing the above song.  Today was Linus' chillest birthday ever.  He didn't have a lot of requests.  In fact, even just a week before he didn't really know what he wanted other than breakfast in bed, Kraft mac n cheese for dinner, and dirt for dessert.

Despite his lack of enthusiasm, Linus woke up in the best of moods.  He had a great day at school.   Back home there was free screen time.  Free screen time? Best.Day.Ever.  

While waiting for the noodles to cook we opened presents.  Linus was shocked/elated that I picked out the just right deck builder set for Magic the Gathering.  Somehow Robin went shopping by himself and bought Linus a LEGO set...  My favorite gift I got him was a Feisty Pet.  The moment I knew these I existed, I felt Linus needed one.  I'm happy to say he feels the same way.  Do you see the pure joy?

We ate Kraft mac cheese, I graded some papers, Eileen did her homework.  My mom came over and brought Linus a card and gift--a gift card for books for his Kindle.  We dined on Linus' favorite seasonal treat--dirt.  Linus did the "RIP" on the gravestones himself.  I'm pleased to announce that vanilla almond milk is a pretty good substitute for regular milk in pudding.

We finished the night ordered books on Amazon.  There was the perfect amount to buy all 3 Dogman books as well as pre-order the newest Dogman book and Diary of a Wimpy Kid book.  Linus rushed off to bed to read.

At nine years old, Linus is full of drive, feelings, and stubbornness.  He loves school, except when he hates it.  He loves his family, except when he hates it.  He loves pretty much any activity, except when he hates it.  

No matter what Linus loves babies and small children (he is so good with them), drawing, swimming (but not so much swim team), boy scouts, Magic the Gathering, and soccer.  He has a good crew of friends.  He likes being able to just hang out, relax, and get cozy.  Linus understands why blustery, rainy days are awesome and is a great partner for movie watching.   He has an incredible sense of adventure.

Linus is star student this week.  One of the days is read a letter from your parents about why you are a star.  Normally, I'm the one who gets to do this sort of thing, but I decided it was finally Dave's turn.   He whined at first, but then wrote the best Star Student letter in the history of 3rd Grade.  

Happy Birthday to our sometimes smelly Star.

From the Mouths of Babes in October (and a few pics)

Eileen is at the table.  She realizes she forgot something she needs.  Eileen gets up, goes, and gets it herself.
Eileen:  Look! I'm being my own problem solver!

Robin: (whispers) I'm going to tell you something.
Me:  Okay. What?
Robin:  I'm going to poop.

Robin: How we gonna do this?  (getting out of the car and it's pelting rain)

Eileen:  Everyone knows vampires grow fangs when they're five.

Eileen:  I love you Mama.  I encourage you to give me hugs and kisses.  (a constant phrase said by me is "Don't encourage him!)

The Official School Pics 2017-2018

Pre-3

1st grade

3rd Grade

6th Grade

Other Random October Pics

Robin learned to play board games.  He destroyed them in Monopoly.

3rd grade soccer

New couch snuggles

30-older

It's my birthday today.  I always feel kind of weird announcing it.  I mean, all I did was get born.  And it seems a little immature to expect special treatment because of it.  That said,  it's still nice to be acknowledged.  I also have 3 kids and with the advent of Facebook, secrets are not easily kept. 

This morning my principal visited my classroom in the morning to greet the kids (as he often does) and Eileen informed him that it was my birthday. He asked what the kids gave me and I responded, "They got dressed."  When you're a parent things like not dragging three kids out of bed and out the door are precious gifts.

Eileen's birthday revelation seemed to set off a cascading effect.  I went about my morning teaching like normal and then took my students down for lunch.  I had lunch duty.  I didn't beg off because it was my birthday.  As I watched the clock slowly creep towards lunch clean up, the principal appeared downstairs.  I noticed him chatting with a few different kids, but assumed it was just student council.  Next thing I know my principal is leading the entire middle school in a round of "Happy Birthday."  Normally, I loathe being sung to, but I made an except today.  My principal offered to finished my lunch duty (right before the worst part).  I gladly accepted and ran away.  Thanks Rick!

Later in the afternoon as I was working away during recess my partner teacher asked if I needed anything.  I said I'd love coffee.  Not only did he bring me back a latte, but some Milk Duds as well.  This guy gets me.

Soccer practice was cancelled so I only had to get the kids to swim lessons.  I came home and found a present from my parents (a wine sectional grocery tote, stocked with wine) along with a very pretty vase that had belonged to my grandmother filled with flowers.  Good job parents.

I came home from swim lessons to find Dave making dinner (it wasn't quite what I had in mind, but still delicious), a gorgeous bouquet, and milk chocolate toffee candies.  Dave handled the bulk of child rearing for the evening while I withdrew to my mom cave, aka my bedroom.  I watched shows on Hulu with the fireplace on and my favorite candle burning.

I came down for dessert (warm brownies and vanilla ice cream).  I admit that after the kids went to bed I had a second bowl.  I am weak.

I suppose my present this year is a brand new couch that arrived the day before yesterday.  We've been down a couch since Robin used the old one as a potty training receptacle.  I also bought plane tickets so that Eileen and I can visit friends in Nebraska next month.

A student asked me how old I was.  I told her, "30-older."  I'm no longer early thirties or mid-thirties.  So 30-older it is.

30-older.  You can't tell but I'm rocking a nice messy bun. My friend, Kate, showed me the trick last week of how to do it.  I'm surprisingly okay with my aging.  After attempting to let myself age gracefully, I dyed my hair upon Eileen's request.  I'm so glad I did.  I didn't expect it to make me feel more vibrant but it did!

Eileen was full of so much love and hugs today.  While I was taking her brother to preschool, Eileen made me a heart that said happy b-day and signed it from her and her brothers.  Eileen got to go to the pumpkin patch today.  She was so excited. Her enthusiasm was contagious and I think it set the stage for a good day.  It wasn't fancy, but it might have been one of my best birthdays in a while.

Nunsense

Our house has many great costumes that we have accumulated over the years.  The key is to choose costumes that are unique and yet timeless, and most especially well crafted.  I have found Ebay to be an excellent resource.  It's also helpful to have friends who gift you their stash of costumes when they pack up and move across the country (thanks Heather!).  And sometimes the opportunity presents itself to add to your costume collection and you just have to seize it.

Every year the school staff offers a large themed party as an auction item.  This year the theme was a sock hop.  I regret giving away my poodle skirt from middle school, but I didn't really feel like getting a new one.  Multiple staff members got Pink Ladies jackets off of Amazon (and looked awesome).  I opted to not do my best Fonzi despite having a switch blade comb.  I thought to myself: Catholic school, school cafeteria, dance.  It was a no brainer.  I needed a nun costume.  I figure if I'm going to be in the Catholic school system for a while, I will get some serious mileage out of a nun costume.

I think I can safely say that Sister Perpetua Agony was a big hit.  As a math teacher, I had easy access to a wooden ruler.

I enjoyed myself.  Thanks to my own experience if Catholic school dances and weddings, I was able to provide instruction on how to dance "The Stroll."

I almost didn't make it to the dance.  After being in Teacher In-service all day, Dave called to tell me Robin was sick with an ear infection.  Robin had not slept the night before (and neither had we) due to his ears.  I came home to find Robin's left ear (the one with an unusually small canal) leaking copious amounts of yuckiness and his jammies strewn with nastiness from his ear.  With my nun costume in the car, I took Robin to the Urgent Care.  While there were hardly any people there, it was a loooooooooooong wait.  

Robin was such a good sport despite there being no books to read and my phone having next to no charge.  He charmed the pants off everyone there.

3 hours later we had the official diagnosis of an ear infection and a prescription for antibiotics.  Dave and the big kids met me in the Walgreens parking lot to swap cars and pass off a child.

I love his little squinty smile.

I made it back to school and to the sock hop.  Being late allowed me to have slight grand entrance.

A good time was had by all.  Robin slept last night and is on his way to recovery.

There is a middle school dance next week.  Sister Perpetua Agony may have to make an appearance.

This Boy is 4

My baby turned 4 today!  At four you are no longer a toddler.  I am no longer the mom of a toddler.  I am not usually a sentimental person, but I am having ALL the feels right now.  This goofy kid came into the world bringing so much joy to our family.

Excuse the painful, hard toothy smile.

Robin has been waiting to be four for months.  He was getting impatient.  Robin would tell anybody who asked (or didn't) that he was going to be four on his birthday.   After so much build up to the big day, it started out a little rocky.

Robin crawled into our bed before 6 am as he tends to do.  We said happy birthday to him.  Robin kindly informed us that he wasn't four yet.  He wouldn't be four until he had had cake with a candle and presents.  I guess all the pressure got to him.

Today was pretty much like any other day.  We all headed out the door, me screaming we needed to leave 5 minutes ago.  Linus baked him muffins the night before.  He had a great day at school and was very excited to work on coloring his bat when we got home.

Dinner was simple, spaghetti and meatballs.  Robin loves meatballs with marinara.  We let him open his presents after dinner so he would have a chance to play with them before bed.  Robin got a city road map rug with cars,  some more small Pokemon action figures, another Pokeball, some Pokemon cards, and a Pikachu lunchbox (complete with floppy ears and a shoulder strap) to carry around all his Pokemon toys.  He was so excited for everything.

Robin likes cake, but what he really likes is vanilla (ba-nilla) ice cream.  Instead of cake, we had ice cream sundaes with gummi bears, mini M & Ms, whipped cream, strawberry sauce, and chocolate sauce.  My parents joined us for dessert.

I love this little boy so much.  I love his little golden curls, the way he squeaks when he says, "Mm hmm."  I love how he has so many snuggles to share, and the way he still grabs my face between both his hands to talk to me or nuzzle my nose.  I love his sense of humor and marvel at the way he processes the world.

The first years of his life were marked by illness and the unknown.  Would he walk?  How significant was the damage to his brain?  These days Robin doesn't walk he runs (and then falls over).  But he always gets right back up.  He loves books and thanks to an app on the Ipad, can read fairly well.  He loves numbers and doing math.  We had to do a lot more direct instruction when it came to pretend play, but now he dresses in costume and lives in the land of make believe with the best of them.  Caspar Babypants is still his favorite musical artist.

I am trying to savor every moment, especially the times where he pretends to be a baby bird hatching or very quietly and sweetly says he's a baby Kindle puggle (he means Echidna puggle) and burrows into us.

I miss my baby Robin bird, but I wouldn't trade this one for anything.
Happy Birthday Robin Hoodie.  May age 4 be as wonderful as you imagined.

Robin and I at the Seattle Children's Theater production of "Go Dog Go" this weekend.