Counting Gifts

Ty started e-learning Monday, as decided by his district. My school followed suit today. I spent the week scrambling to assess kindergarteners and prepare lengthy packets of educational materials for the remainder of the semester. It was heartbreaking work. 

Ty is once again thriving as a virtual learner; his teacher and I in regular communication to confirm. Kate is delighted to once again have company throughout her day. They have resumed the friendship gained in quarantine last spring. I am grateful. 

Earlier than usual, I recognized a strong desire to cancel the holidays. I lack the emotional reserves to fake joy this year. Due to motherhood obligations and overall well-being, I resumed documenting gratitude. My mental health necessitates this and more. 

• golden bridge at sunset 
• caramel babies with squishy cheeks
• adult daughters checking in
• hot tea delivered bedside before the alarm sounds
• evening walk
• laughter among co-workers
• toothless grin
• early crescent moon on clear night
• Spiderman on a Google meet
• knitting lesson with Anna
• Austin's countdown to visit Mimi
• A tiny friend exclaiming she was "feeling giggled"
• Unexpected gifts from my smallest students as they said goodbye for a season
• Pink sky
• Virtual shenanigans with kindergarteners who simply do not care about reading lessons. They have far more interesting stories to share. I adore them.
• Kate's obvious amusement at the animated Grinch movie
• Five year old recommendation to use the bathroom as an office location for google meets. As amused as I was, I declined.
  

  

  Remember when she was sweet?(see message board)

  
  
  
  
  

  

  Even Pip, the hedgehog is ready for Christmas 

  
  
  
  
  

The kids drug their tabletop trees out of the attic together. Ready or not, Christmas is coming. 

Friday the 13th

Last weekend was amazing with clear skies, temperatures in the seventies, dinners with friends and so much fresh air. I walked a 5K with a few co-workers, had two photoshoots, taught pre-k at church and enjoyed grilled steaks with three of our girls. Austin called frequently as he is counting down the days until he gets to go to Mimi's house. Mimi is counting too. We participated in a date night scavenger hunt with two other couples from my Bible study group to wrap our weekend. It was a lot more fun than Home Depot. 

The week was full of 4:30 am wake ups; why is standard time so difficult? Teachers in tears was the theme and our daughters are struggling with virtual learning as well. The air is thick with conflicts and my heart is heavy. 

Friday we learned Ty's school system has adopted an e-learning schedule through Thanksgiving. What that looks like for our family specifically, remains to be seen. But for tonight, the boy is sleeping in his box and Kate attempted a new club at school. We are counting it all good.

Launching November

Our grandson voted with his mom last week. When Aunt Erin questioned who she may have voted for, Austin enthusiastically announced "Captain America!'. We think he is brilliant. 

Three soup nights and new flannel sheets made appearances this week. Cozy was the working theme even though it was sunny and warm.

When we first lost Ryan, I planted a tiny  Christmas tree in his honor. We did this annually and every summer, the newest tree died. After a few years, I couldn't handle the death of the trees anymore and transitioned to releasing balloons. Saturday, Greg and I ran back to Home Depot for more stadium lights. This is my nickname for them. Either way, he is thrilled with his brighter garage. But when we arrived, the store front was laden with tiny Christmas trees. I felt completely unprepared for the scene. I froze momentarily and had to will myself into the store. We need a new date location for the next couple of months. 

Halloween was celebrated with costume changes and a friend for each Kate and Ty.  Something called Omega was purchased this year but he quickly changed his mind and trick-or-treated as a worn-out Spiderman and half way through the neighborhood, changed again into something else I cannot identify. 

Kendra's dad created a socially distant trick-or-treat bucket. We appreciated his ingenuity far more than his daughter. We have entered the embarrassing parenting years and are loving it.

Kate and a friend created their own costumes and ran around shooting friends with marshmallow guns. They too had a great time. 

Kate volunteered to serve candy at our elementary school's trunk-or-treat. She had a great time and enjoyed so many of my co-workers who were shocked to learn I was in bed while they handed out treats. 

Greg assisted in candy duty until the Buckeyes started playing. He requires supervision because he thinks giving handfuls expedites our responsibility and allows us to turn off our light early. He is a bit of a Halloween scrooge. On the other hand, I loved seeing the kids and enjoyed holding down my porch swing with hot tea while visiting with neighbors. 

Tuesday Kate and I visited our chiropractor where a dance-off ensued. Both Dr. Ollis and Kate showed off their "dad dance" moves. I wish I had a camera ready for the unexpected scene.

That afternoon, Ty and his buddy initiated a new challenge. The "don't leave the air track" challenge took place despite Kate questioning the timeline given dinner and bedtime were quickly approaching. These boys will never allow logic to interfere with their plans. And that snack selection for endurance? It was not cleared by management. I owed a mom an apology for ruining dinner while holding down my porch swing. 

The Target dollar spot spoke to me

Election day was an e-learning day for Ty. Kate had homework as well. They both prefer being virtual but our conference with Ty's teacher this week further confirmed he needs to be in school. His confidence has skyrocketed. Having a teacher refer to him as her right hand man was beyond unusual. Our typically reserved student is now troubleshooting technology and assisting other kids. We are thrilled with his progress and the teacher who has so warmly embraced him, quirks and all.

I don't want to brag but some second graders gave me super power today. I am now able to freeze people. I vowed to not abuse this power. It was challenging in kindergarten to refrain. 

Spirit Week

Ty and I both had spirit week at school including crazy hair days and costumes. I went as Scary Ms. Sherri and looked like I always do. The kids were not impressed. That being said, I failed to properly identify most of my little friend's costumes; I am a little out of touch. Ty, on the other hand was so excited about his school party, he hopped up and out of bed without complaint and checked in regularly, "is it time to go yet?" His energy opened my eyes as to what the day would hold for me in kindergarten. Holy candy, Batman. The kids were crazy. My personal favorite was the kindergartener sitting at his table, naked from the waist up, eating breakfast. He didn't want to get his costume dirty.

During team spirit day, the kids learned about labeling in non-fiction writing. They were delighted to label me.

We started last weekend at the polling center so Greg could knock out his right to vote when it wouldn't require missing work to do so. I had already voted but rode along anyway. This is the extent of our dating life at the moment. And then we ran by Home Depot for an electric box to finish a small project in the kitchen. I have been unhappy with the position of the light over the table for years. It wasn't centered. In order to remedy the situation, I either needed a very long light fixture or two small ones. Some birthday cash from my mom supported this project and I am happy with my choice.

Before

Greg almost lost his salvation over this but the result is what I hoped it would be......

He also lit the garage up like a stadium with new lights. My car broke down last week and repairing it with a flashlight sent him over the edge. I'm afraid we now need sunglasses out there. He is happy though.

While I was at a photoshoot, a friend brought her husband over to assist with the light installation and somehow got sweet talked into walking Layla. This dog has quite the fan club among our friends.

Since Greg was yelling at the wiring and also screaming at the first OSU game of the season, I took the kids to the trampoline park where they jumped until they dropped. It was a smart decision. 

Where is her helmet? 

Kate got to attend a nighttime flashlight corn maze with a friend. They had a blast.

I heard this line in a song this week and couldn't believe the relevance. "Even though I love this crazy life, sometimes I wish it was a smoother ride." Amen.

Sunday night, we made hot cocoa in travel cups to drive around looking at Halloween lights. 

 

Timehop produced some classic Ty gems......

And the reminder it has been one year since Kate sustained her second concussion. The road has been long. She still struggles with some memory loss and anxiety. She is easily overwhelmed by noise and stress, although not as significantly as she was in the early months. I never suspected we would still be on this journey one year later. 

I had appointments at the hospital for routine testing and decided to take a day off to accomplish them and spend time with Kate. She spends all her days tied to a computer screen for virtual learning and our schoolwide virtual days highlight for me the intensity of bell-to-bell online classes. I leave every one of them shouldering a significant amount of mom guilt. We ran some errands and wrapped up with a bowl of soup at Panera; her request. We both needed it. 

I surprised Ty with a consultation with the orthodontist Wednesday afternoon. He was a nervous wreck, literally shaking as we walked in. But the doctor was wonderful and spent a great deal of time reassuring Ty it was all going to be okay. In the end, it appears Ty will not require orthodontic treatment but as Dr. Mischler shook his hand and said it was a delight to meet him, my son looked that sweet man in the eye and stated, "I only agreed to this because I get to dye my hair blue for crazy hair day afterward." He is a real life Prince Charming. 

Thursday night, we finally carved pumpkins. Bucky and Captain America were represented. 

I have a new co-worker, Hal. He is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Another co-worker lost her mother very suddenly two weeks ago and returned to work this week. As a group, we collected some money to provide some meals for her family. We chose one nice restaurant and DQ for the kids. When another co-worker picked up the Dairy Queen gift card, it said Congrats. She called our friend to explain the situation because that was absolutely the wrong message. However, as we discussed the irony during lunch, the recipient shared about how that silly gift card made her laugh in a low moment. I can't help but think it perfectly illustrated our group. We are a hot mess but we mean well. 

And tonight, Kate volunteered to pass out candy at the school's trunk-or-treat with a friend and Greg challenged Ty to a bowling game on the wii. We needed a quiet evening at home to recover from one very long week. Greg pulled his first 24 hour shift since his old UPS days. We are grateful those days are now rare.