It's all about the perspective

Tonight I had HT and JC with me in the van and as we drove into town, there was a lady walking three dogs. I noticed it specifically because it was starting to sprinkle, and frankly, even if she'd had an umbrella, with trying to hold onto three dogs it would've been useless. I had to laugh at HT though. When he saw them, he exclaimed, "Look Mom. There are three dogs walking one person!" I love his perspective!

Early bedtime

Today was not the most fun day in our house. JC definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. She was incredibly unpleasant before she left for school. I keep telling my husband that 8:30 is just too late for her and the last two nights that's what time she went to bed. Fortunately, she behaved in school and that is very important. She and HT have been fighting non-stop for the last month. This evening they came in for dinner tattling on each other and I let them know it all needed to stop. Then about 7 this evening, HT and JR had a physical altercation, which is inexcusable on both sides! I decided 8:00 was a necessary bedtime for all. This Saturday I'm taking them all to my parents' house to pick up walnuts. If you've never lived with a walnut tree before, consider yourself lucky. Every several years the walnuts literally fall by the hundreds (and possibly even thousands) and this seems to be my parents' lucky year! I told Mom & Dad it will do the kids good to be helping them and it will keep them from fighting over what to watch on TV. Of course, goodness knows what kind of fighting walnuts can lead to!

It's so true

One of the things I've always heard about Ohio weather is that if you don't like it, stick around until tomorrow...it's bound to change and be different. This is certainly very true in the spring and fall transitional months, but it's almost getting a little ridiculous here. Last evening as I was putting the kids to bed they were astonished it was raining...it had been a fairly pleasant evening. This morning when I got up it was a little cloudy, but nothing alarming. It then literally rained for three straight hours in the middle of the day. Not a little rain either, but a good, solid, steady rain. By the time I left work today at 3:00, it was an absolutely gorgeous and beautiful day. The sun was out and I was even wishing I hadn't left my sunglasses at home for the drive. Now I sit here at 3:30, and it's clearly only a matter of time before the rain starts again. Even with this crazy uncertain weather, I love Ohio in the fall!

Still a tie

Forty eight hours later, and JR's game still ended in a tie. They went ahead a practiced afterward, and it helped to seal the decision that the younger two and I weren't going to go. Overall their record for the year is 3-0-1 with four regular season games remaining.

Wish they were home

Today is an absolutely yucky day. Last night I was awakened several times by the sound of pouring rain. It seemed as though it lasted all night, and based on rain totals (over 3" of rain between Midnight and 8AM) it might have lasted that long! As my husband was leaving for work this morning, it sounded as though the rain was picking up steam again, but he texted that he had made it to work just fine. The kids left about 10 minutes ago to walk themselves to school. I really, truly wish, that today was a day where we could all just stay home and hang out. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way today, but it would be so nice if none of us had to go anywhere today!

It's not over yet

JR's team played their fourth football game of the season last night. It was scheduled to start at 4:00, as it is every week, but didn't actually start until after 6. While this is the latest we've started all season, the earliest they've ever started is 5:20 so it's not like 6 was a big shock. They start with the third grade at 1:00, and we have no idea why they insist on scheduling the games an hour apart when it's simply not possible. Anyway, I was concerned about getting the game in...after all it doesn't stay light as late as it used to! This game was taking forever with penalties and injuries and I don't know what all. The last five minutes of the game we honestly couldn't even see who was in the game, and my husband told me that their quarterback hollered at them that he couldn't see the signals coming in from the sideline. It was DARK by 7:45, but the game lasted until 8...it was getting a little ridiculous. At the end of the game it was a 16-16 tie. We could live with that and were packed up and ready to go. Not so fast! The league requires OT unless both coaches agree they don't want to play it. The other team refused to take the tie, so on Monday we have to go back (of course it was an away game...they don't have to do the driving!) so that we can finish the game. The ironic part is that each team gets one possession and if no one scores than the game is officially a tie. So the result might not even change. Gotta love the sixth grade pee wee games that take 48 hours to complete!

TGIF!!!!

It's been a pretty crazy week around here, but I'm sure it's no crazier than any week in any house with children! On Monday and Tuesday, my husband attended what he described as the "worst conference EVER" and is not particularly looking forward to the other five trips that are required. In fact, his principal has already been in contact with the state Dept of Ed (as had other principals who had sent attendees) to discuss the displeasure. I guess we'll see what happens! I was very grateful that football practice was canceled on Monday. My parents had come down for dinner and it just made the evening much more laid back. JC and HT have laid off the fighting somewhat, and that certainly makes life more pleasant as well. I really enjoyed my two days of subbing this week. Today I'll spend a few hours at the jr. high, and that ought to be very interesting. I'm definitely a little nervous, but feel confident enough to know that it's just a few hours and I should be fine. Tonight and tomorrow morning my husband has volunteer responsibilities, and of course there is another of JR's football games tomorrow afternoon. He's been moved to receiver so I'm somewhat hoping that he'll get a little more playing time...of course he's also going to have a target on his back if he gets the ball and he isn't going to like that. It's still amazing to me how quickly the weeks go by!