Life as we know it

Makenna packed for her sister every day this week, anxious to reclaim her room. Sister was a little brutal about the process but given Erin's insane schedule, the jump start was required.

Ty and I took Kate's bible study time for a needed haircut Monday. The boy is only making it three weeks between cuts because his hair is so heavy and thick. He is picture day ready for next week. We had enough time to play in a park afterward and perform the floss for the surveillance video at Walgreens too. Smile.

Tuesday Erin woke to both a flat tire and a dead car battery. On Thursday, night she broke down on the way home. Adulting is fun. And expensive.

Unrelated photo of our adorable grandson saying "cheese". This baby is pure joy.

Ty decided to drop cross country this year after only a few weeks of practice due to ongoing breathing issues, dizziness and nausea. We had an appointment scheduled to discuss testing his lung capacity with his pediatrician on Wednesday and we are glad that appointment was in place when he spiked a fever and the all too familiar strep blisters arrived Tuesday night. So on my second week at work, I had a sick kid I couldn't send to a friend's house. This time Greg was able to work from home and then Makenna's  boyfriend, Noah covered the second day but if my kids could stay healthy, that would be great. This episode of strep marks the fourth in eighteen months but he doesn't snore and his tonsils aren't large so we aren't visiting an ear nose and throat specialist yet.

I recall and wish I'd photographed it in the moment but Makenna loved the manatee exhibit in the Columbus Zoo when she was a preschooler. She used to sit forward in her stroller with her hands under her chin as she quietly observed the gentle giants in the tank before her. After several quiet minutes, she would comment, "they like salad, just like me." This memory returned Wednesday evening after my son looked the doctor in the eye and declared he wasn't eating vegetables even if they helped keep him from getting strep throat. I silently willed the doctor to look away so I could play whack-a-mole on his head.

Friday on my way to lunch, Ty's teacher locked eyes with me and started laughing. I hesitated and then asked about the morning. She assured me Ty was doing well and had filled her in on all his adventures from his sick days. I commented we'd had a tough morning because he was pretty sure he wasn't going to school and I was certain he was. She laughed, "oh I know, I have heard all about it". At that moment, I put  my hand up and declared it was not necessary for her to share what he had to say because I just didn't want to know. After school I received an email from his other teacher that simply stated she loves him and his stories amuse her. Again, I don't want to know. Ignorance is bliss.

Saturday morning the girls and I slipped away to our favorite consignment shop and I scored some vintage Eastland penny loafers in perfect condition for twelve dollars. I haven't decided if they need pennies in the toe box like they did when I was a kid. But the purchase was a fun trip down memory lane and I will be wearing them soon. Fall was in the air today.

After a church picnic Saturday afternoon, Greg smoked the pork belly he's been curing for a week and then we ended the gorgeous day with s'mores as a family.

It should be noted as I completed my second full week of work, I adore my Kindergarten class. Those little stinkers amuse me, exhaust me and have stolen my heart.