Hi Grandma.

My grandma wants to know why I haven't been updating her.

Hmm...

Because nothing all that exciting is happening.

Just normal stuff.

Talking about the 9 Core Technologies at school. I spent yesterday and today on (fluid technologies) pneumatics and hydraulics only to discover they have no idea what I'm talking about despite the lab and today's activity (and a Youtube video out of frustration).

Made a semi-distorted (here) pattern in about 30 seconds for a project I find myself suddenly doing. I have no idea what I did with it though. Good thing I can make another in 30 seconds, right?

The dog decided she is going to be a "trash dog" recently. Which is really annoying. Today, I let her spend a little time with it. Because I was annoyed. Again. It seems to me it would be possible to go through the trash without dragging it all over the house...evidently not.

Unpacked that (tall as me) stack of boxes to get the cardboard out of here. I told you all the contents would have fit in one box. For reference, the nativity figures are only 4-5" tall. Amazon should invest in smaller boxes, don't you think?

I wish I could show you some food or something. I received this text from my daughter three nights ago: "Hi Mom. Are you going to cook dinner tonight or are we just going to look around and find something like we have been doing for the past 3-4 weeks?" Umm...yeah. Need I say more?

Paper

Sometimes I make them do math...even though they insist it isn't math class.

I bet my UPS guy had some choice words for me today. For real, I'm sure I could unpack all those Amazon boxes and fit all of the contents into one box.

The first card. Which reminds me...I have cards to get out. I sort of forgot.

Closing in on the End of an Era

Ten years ago, I sent the first one off to kindergarten. In a few months, the last one will be done with elementary. The school is not in our neighborhood (or even our town...it's 30-45 minutes away). Once he's done, we will not have any affiliation there. The thought of that is so weird. And sort of sad.

Tonight was the last winter concert we'll ever go to there. Granted, it's the same concert every year, but this one was the last. I made fun of someone (don't worry...all in good fun...t'was a friend) shedding tears at this juncture last year. But, I guess I get it now.

The things I don't want to forget...(The music doesn't make the list...it's always a trainwreck. A gazillion kids and one lone teacher...organized-ish chaos.) It's the little boy who won't be for that much longer. Chapped lips, dirty fingernails (hopefully, we'll make progress in this area soon), sneaking in with sneakers and white socks instead of the shoes and black socks I bought, the semi-disheveled look of someone who insists he doesn't need a haircut outfitted in the performance, gold collar (the kind that never hangs straight on anyone), it's these I must remember.

It's unfortunate the lighting is always so funky in there I can never get the pictures I want; hopefully these will be enough.

Happy St. Nick's Day

The feet in this house are getting huge. Mine have been the smallest for awhile now. We used to put the shoes on the floor under the big tree. But, Cujo likes chocolate. Unwrapped...or not.

A side of Cujo and the glint in her eye...chocolate???? (The flash at night always makes her look a little possessed.)

Party #1

Because I'm fairly certain there is a long line of parties in my near future.

Today...Alicia's Girl Scout party. All the food was kid made (or bought in a box and kid heated up, lol.). I think this is the first time I've gone to a party planned and executed by my child and her friends. Who knew having a party could be so relaxing?

Let it snow!

Not sure what possessed me... Oh yeah, we were learning about "materials" and the material I have available for projects is printer paper. And they used measuring skills. And whatever the official name of the skill is for paying attention long enough to make something. (If I cobble enough words together, I can make this sound like a legit project. It's really just a matter of perspective. wink.) If I mention (and I'm about to, so hopefully nobody important actually reads this) they said stuff like "Can we just do this all the time?" or "I'm not into crafts, but this is interesting.", it would be a dead giveaway this could not be a legit project. We did it anyway. And maybe will again next year.

I typically don't decorate my house with craft projects I do in the classroom, but...I did this time. I think they are kind of pretty...for printer paper.

Getting Ready

Just two pictures from the night. No more words. Because I'm tired.