Made it to Friday

There is just something about this time of year. The weeks seem so long. My wonderful husband has only two more full weeks until his spring break, and then the kids have the week after that off. I don't necessarily find either week relaxing. I really feel more like we are out of our routine for two weeks instead of actually having time off. We got more snow last night, although not enough to make any school issues. Enough though, that it makes spring feel far, far away. I know the fact that I'm fighting some severe sinus issues isn't helping the week move along any better. Fortunately, the kids have stayed relatively healthy (knock on wood), and I don't really feel lousy, I just have absolutely no energy. We have a fairly unscheduled weekend ahead. Tonight is a fish fry at our church, and although I've been invited to hang out with some girl friends afterward, I think I'm going to come home and go to bed. Tomorrow JR has a scout function bright and early, then JC has one in the afternoon, but both are "drop and go" activities. Sunday will be church, and while JR is at his baseball clinic, I'll take the others to go visit my cousin and her kids. I just wish we didn't lose that hour on Sunday...this time of year I feel like there aren't enough hours as it is!

Absolutely too much

A year ago tomorrow, I wrote about a humorous dinner conversation that had taken place. It is utterly uncanny that tonight's dinner conversation was so similar, and yet so much funnier. SO MANY times I had flashbacks to the conversation last year...

HT: Today at school we learned about Benjamin Franklin.

me: What did you learn?

HT: We learned that Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity.

JR: (flashbacks begin) Benjamin Franklin invented the light bulb.

me: No, Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.

JC: (flashing back again!) Benjamin Franklin is dead.

me: What is it with you and famous dead people? (JC just shrugs)

JR: Dad, did you know that there was a president who was elected twice but not in a row?

Husband (from the next room): Garfield.

me: No, it was Grover Cleveland who was elected twice but not consecutively.

HT: Abraham Lincoln was elected twice.

me: Yes, but that was twice in a row.

JC: Abraham Lincoln died when someone shot him.

me: Oh good grief.

JC: How did George Washington die?

me: Again, what is your fascination with famous people dying?

Husband: I think George Washington died from the flu.

JR (deciding to change the subject AGAIN and move on to his new hairstyle, which, by the way, I think looks ridiculous): A lot of people at school think I look like Elvis with my hair.

me: I think you look like Eddie Munster.

husband: I think you look like Pat Riley.

HT: He looks like Elvis.

JR: You don't even know who Elvis is.

HT: Yes I do. (dramatic pause) Elvis is one of the chipmunks. (Needless to say, my husband and I burst out laughing at this point).

me: No, the chipmunk is Alvin.

husband: Elvis is a rock star from the 50's & 60's.

JC: Elvis is dead.

Ah, and so the conversation basically comes full circle. I'm telling you, you can't pay for entertainment like this!

So much for that

My plans for the day didn't quite work out. Shortly after Noon, I received a call from the school that the teacher I always sub for had a sick child and I was needed. I was happy to help, except I had been cleaning toilets and hadn't showered, and (I remembered after getting to school) that I hadn't eaten lunch either. However, this is my favorite class, so I made myself as presentable as possible as quickly as possible and was out the door. I enjoyed the opportunity, and while I was there I was also scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and another day next week. All of this work is especially appreciated as it appears there is a new washing machine in our future!

Truly a day off

I'm off today. I was off Monday, but had to get to the grocery, and also I didn't feel well. Anytime I've been off in the last six weeks, it's either been a weekend, a snow day, I've been babysitting, or I've been working on the project for Dad's office. I officially finished that on Sunday, so today I'm officially not working and there are no children here. Why is this important? I might actually get something done (if I'd get off the computer). I can't wait to really get into cleaning this house. I'm also gearing up my "to do maintenance/improvement" list as we head into spring, and I'm a little concerned by how long (and expensive) it appears to be. But really, I'm looking forward to making our house a place where we can all relax and enjoy life!

Signs of Spring

There are a few signs of spring around here...not the least of which is the fact that my flower bulbs are starting to spring to life out front. They look absolutely beautiful each April, but I can't take credit for it. The former owners (who now live two doors down) planted the front flower bed and for my part I've just managed not to kill them in the eight years we've lived here. The days are certainly much warmer than February, and of course much sunnier. There is exhibition baseball on the radio, and our kids are all signed up to begin their seasons next month. Having a little trouble getting excited about that craziness, but the kids are looking forward to it. Hard to believe we've already had a full week of March!

Really nothing new

There has truly been nothing new going on. The last two weeks have been some of the craziest ever. Just yesterday afternoon, I finally finished the project I had been working on for my dad's office. I loved having the opportunity to work on it, and I actually enjoyed it. It was just a little crazy the last couple of weeks as I was working on both that and subbing. The kids have learned about life in a "double income" home, and I'm not sure they've enjoyed the additional responsibilities that have come along with it. Otherwise, all is well all around!

Blue and Gold

Our boys' cub scout troop held their annual blue & gold banquet this past weekend. This particular year it was supposed to be a big deal for our family. First, my youngest is in scouts this year, but his den has gotten off to a very, very slow start. Before they can earn their tiger badge and advance, they must first earn their bobcat badge. Out of all of the boys in the den, HT is the only one to earn that so far. He also earned a belt loop and a patch for his red vest, and he was very proud to show it off to anyone and everyone! And at the other end of the cub scout spectrum, JR had completed all of his cub scout requirements and was crossing over to boy scouts. The pack made a really big deal about it, and JR had been so excited about it for weeks. He was one of six (out of nine) boys who completed all 20 areas at the Webelo level, and all nine boys completed the requirements for Arrow of Light. The pack made these wonderful plaques where the boys can display their achievements from cub scouts. It was truly a wonderful evening, and I'm proud of all the boys!