Busy Papa and Nana

The last week has been full of attending activities with the grands.

A week ago Thursday, the Bug had her first school Christmas concert. She played two songs on the piano for the pre-concert piano music. I’m pretty sure she was the youngest performer. Then, she sang with her class. She was so composed and grownup. Makes Nana miss the little girl.

Then last Saturday, E had his final soccer game, so the Mr. and I made the trip to see him play.

We hurried home on Sunday to watch the little girls sing at church.

 

We had a cow and a donkey in the program. (Cow's hat is now sideways. She marches to her own drum.)

They also helped with Advent candle lighting.

And by helping, I mean the littlest tried to blow out the candle before the lighting. She is a stinker.

 

And along with their friend, they served as greeters.

And the Lady Bug played three songs for Special Music.

Then today, we drove back to Big City to see E’s Christmas Program at Preschool. He was adorable, and the “show” life seems to agree with him.

He loves singing. I wish I could download the video.

He was too cute.

And the big news for this Nana and Papa is that E is going to be a big brother this summer. We are all excited to have another little one to love on. 

That might be the nicest present of the season!

Five!

The Bug turns five today. Five!

These pictures pretty much sum up the Bug: a daredevil, a crazy woman, a good friend, a sweet big sister (when she isn't yelling at her for getting into her things!), and Nana and Papa's girl.

We love you sweet girl!

Easter Weekend 2014

My "school" life has dominated my "blog" life: grading, filing, planning, and the end of school events have left me little time for anything but school.  Thankfully, I'm off today. So...a photo catch up of my Easter weekend.

On Thursday night, I went to Big City to see Little E, L, and CB.  E was sitting on Daddy's lap when I got there. He looked at me suspiciously for about ten seconds, then started grinning and reached for me. Yep, he knows how to win Nana's heart!

The next morning, I got to meet Miss Connie, Little E's day care provider. It was nice to put a face with a name. Then, I was a guest teacher in L's Kindergarten room.  I read a book called The Sunflower House and then we made sunflowers. As part of their science and writing, they labelled the parts of the plant. It is always fun to see L in action. (Her students have so much fun. Every morning begins with a dance party to the song "Happy." I think I want to be in Kindergarten, too.) Her kids are adorable and so sweet.

After lunch with L, I headed back home. It was too short of a visit, but hopefully the Mr. and I will head back for a long weekend in a couple of weeks.  Since L had the in-laws in for Easter, I had to snag a few pictures off of Facebook and text messages from her weekend.

It looked like Little E had a great 1st Easter.

Back in Tiny Town, we went to an Easter Egg hunt with the Bug-- and most of the town. Sunday, we went to church and had dinner with Buggie, K, and CT, then dessert with Little Big Bro and family.

It was a great weekend: beautiful weather and time to enjoy both girls and their families.

And today, I am cleaning closets, putting winter clothes away, and....wait for it....

grading papers! (Of course, I am.)

Meantime, I will be thinking of these two little people.

They are too much fun.

(I figure we have about two more years where the Bug thinks Nana and Papa are lots of fun. Then she'll be too cool for grandparents. Thankfully, we'll have a couple more years where Little E thinks we're terrific.)

We have four and a half weeks of school left, and then I am planning on spending my summer reading, playing with little people, and relaxing. And boy, I am ready!

Baptism Day

Baby E's Day

We traveled to Big City for the Baptism at L and CB's church. We had breakfast at their house prior to the service.  The plan was to take pictures after the service at the church.  Church let out, and it had all the looks of a blizzard outside.  Darn it!  Pictures were skipped, and everyone hit the road.  Here are a few that I managed to capture.  Yes, I was THAT person, taking photos with my phone in church.  Yikes!

He wore a baptism gown that was Papa's and also Papa's baby ring.  And he was such a good boy.  (Though there were a few squeaks, and he was quickly handed back to his Mama!)

All of CB's family and our family were able to be at his baptism. He was quite surrounded by love. 

I have to end with this song that their church sings every Sunday as the children gather for their time/sermon.  (I found a video of the song on youtube, even though it is some kindergarten graduation.)  So sweet. And quite fitting today.

I am a promise
I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital "P"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learnin' to hear God's voice
And I am tryin' to make the right choice
I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be.

I can go anywhere that He wants me to go
I can be anything He wants me to be
I can climb the high mountains
I can cross the wide sea
I'm a great big promise you see!

I am a promise
I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital "P"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learnin' to hear God's voice
And I am tryin' to make the right choice
I'm a promise to be anything God wants me to be
Anything God wants me to be! 

Yes, Little E is a promise. 

Play Days

The last week has been full of playing.  Yesterday was no exception.

Since Mr. was off, we took a drive to Big City to see Baby E and family.  We shopped a bit on the way up and back to justify a couple of hours of snuggling that little guy.  (Spent a whopping $19.00.)

Little Man was quite happy to see his Nana and Papa. (Well, that's what I think!)  He endured a lot of kissing and some singing. He is starting to do a lot of "talking" and smiling. So sweet.  (He's changing so fast, I hate to miss a week.) 

The drive home was a bit treacherous with blowing snow and cold temperatures.  We seemed to be driving in a snow globe!  Temperatures are to remain frigid with dangerous wind chill. 

As cold as it is, any playing on this last day of break is going to have to be indoor playing. Might be time to dust off the cribbage board and look up the rules again.  Or I could pop in another season of Downton Abbey. The Mr. would be so thrilled. (Though I think it is growing on him!)

Oh, and I might break down and do a few things to get organized for tomorrow.  About 80 sophomores would be so disappointed if I didn't have some work for them to do! 

Memories of Christmas 2013

Some things I'll remember:

*The pre-Christmas visit with CraZy Cousins in Big City.  I haven't seen a few of them in several years.  Dear Auntie C and Uncle W were there, too.  And they had the chance to meet Baby E and his daddy CB.  So many laughs when that fun family gets together.

Dear Auntie C and Cousin Ess with Baby E

Crazy Cousin Ree, CB & Baby E

*Baby E's new red wagon.  It will be used for toy storage right now and rolled from room to room as needed.

*The Bug's tub of dress up clothes from Nana and Papa:  a leotard and tutu, Princess dress, wings, chef hat, crown, Great Grandma E's purse, ruby red slippers, a fur coat and several other outfits to share when friends come to play.

*The two Big City Girls (step grands) visiting a farm for the first time.
          *"Do they sleep on hay?"
          *Going sledding on a tube behind the 4 wheeler.  (Their first sledding experience had been with the Mr. on Christmas Day.)
          *Throwing rocks in the creek
          *Seeing cows for the first time
          *Oh, and being told there was no Santa Claus.  (I'm not sure what that was all about. Grounding them in reality?)

*Gingerbread house building and frosting sugar cookies.  (I sent most of the cookies home with the two Big City grands--to share with their mom.)

*Giving L, CB, and Baby E new cushions for Grandma E's old glider chair.  (They were supposed to have them before Baby E's arrival.  We were S-L-O-W.)

*Razor push scooters for the Big City Grands, which they were able to try out on a part of the street that had melted after our big snow.  The ten year old was catching on really quickly.  The seven year old was getting there.

*Early mornings (4:30) with L and Baby E.  Lots of time to snuggle that baby and chat with his mama.

*A lot of "Wizard of Oz" time with the obsessed little Buggy.

The Bug dressing up as Glinda the Good Witch.

(Though, from her conversations with her little Oz figures, 

she really likes the Wicked Witch.  Uh oh!)

Yes, we enjoyed our White Christmas: several excited little kids, a baby to snuggle, and time to play and laugh.

L, CB, and Baby E are back in Big City; they had to get the girls back to their mom.  K, CT, and the Bug are out of town, visiting his family.  

I spent today in a quiet house.  I picked up a few things, but mainly I read, slept, and watched some old episodes of Downton Abbey. And that was my gift to myself--no plans and nothing that had to be done. My hope is for a few more days like this in the week ahead.

And a Merry Christmas it was!

Tuesday- Easter Break Is Over

I had such a great break that it is easy to anticipate the summer ahead.

There were pedicures, frosting cookies, dyeing eggs, the fire ring and s'mores, church, and Easter dinner.

 The Lady Bug's First Easter

After church, the Bug had "lunch" in her Great Grandma E's high chair.  

Just the latest in a long line of children to make use of the chair.

The Mr. and I even took a trip out to the farm on Sunday evening.  We got to visit Dad, Grandma B, Little Big Brother, Outlaw A, and the Donald.  (Outlaw A would be the LBB's wife.  The in-laws all call themselves outlaws. The Donald, well, it isn't Trump, just a family favorite!) We even drove home through the Mr.'s hometown.  

I spent yesterday reading, sewing (patching), doing laundry, and cleaning up the after-Easter mess.  I got a few things accomplished, but mainly... I was a bum.  (Also, I was reeling in a bit of shock.  Another former student was killed in a car accident on Easter Sunday. All I could think about was his poor family.)

Oh, and I might have started a reading blog.  I wanted an easy way to track what I'm reading and share the books that have shaped me through the years.  If you're a book lover, feel free to jump over to the Reading Rec Room.

Today, I am back at school:  refreshed and ready to go. (Though going through a bit of Buggy withdrawal!)

Hope my students are ready for the final six week's push!  

Random Monday: On Nooks, Old Toys, and Facebook

I am in Nook heaven!  The Mr. is in Nook hell.  Too bad that it was partly his idea.  He has no one to blame but himself.

Palm Sunday didn't produce "The Holy City," but the special music at church was an absolutely beautiful violin solo.  Good friends have a nephew who was in town for his grandmother's 90th Birthday celebration.  He shared his music for her with our entire congregation.  Amazing.

Speaking of the 90th Birthday Girl... she happens to be one of my favorite people.  My girls grew up calling her Grandma, as if she was their Grandma, too.  I hope I am thought of as fondly as this dear lady is someday.  My life will be complete.

Have I mentioned how much I miss Facebook and Pinterest?  One. more. week.  (One of my students said, "Try giving up food and water for 40 days next year and see if that goes any easier, Mrs. E."  He wasn't feeling my pain.  There's always one!)

I have been washing stuffed animals, little toys, and doll clothes.  K & L's loot is about to be enjoyed by another little girl.  Nana Coco's got to have some toys ready for when the Bug comes to my house to play.

Did you know they make "coloring book" aps for the Nook?  And books for children that are adorable?  I can't wait until the Lady Bug is ready to enjoy those!

Yep, Mr.  You are back in Nook hell.  It's likely to last for a few years!

Such a sweet four days with the Lady Bug.  She is so much fun.

There is something about a six month old baby.  Their personality starts to come through.

She giggles.  She peek-a-boos.  Her lower lip comes out for pouts.  She is just starting to hold on--almost like a hug.

Her hair is light and starting to stand up with a mind of its own.  Oh, and that face is so kissable!

A lot of us on Easy Street thought that face was quite sweet, including Baxter who seems to have quite a crush on the Bug.  (Don't we all?)  The feelings were quite mutual.  She'd let him lick her face, and he'd let her pull his hair.  It was a nice arrangement.

Things are strangely quiet on Easy Street today. We are missing this little bundle.

Her mommy and daddy were pretty happy to see her.  She was pretty happy to see them, too. 

Gone...Hope Not Forgotten

I am still here.  Easy Street is still in one piece. 

This is what I've been up to:

Play Practices from 6:00-8:30 at least two to three nights a week.  We also had a small Saturday morning practice. (A lot of lines were memorized!)

Ball games and some wrestling events.  It is the end of winter sports. Our new mascot design is being announced at this Friday's game. 

Running.  Or in my case, wogging. (Walk +jog)  I also walk Baxter almost every night. 

Grading research papers.  I kind of want to shoot myself.  I have always given the students a chance to revise, but I don't think I will this year.  I'm not sure why I should give extra points for going back and capitalizing the first word of a sentence (like they haven't heard this since they started school), or for going back and actually using the spell checker, or for putting in the citations that they were supposed to do in the first place. I am frustrated.  It takes almost 30 minutes per paper, which means I need 40 hours of total grading time. That isn't easy to find. I've made a small dent.

I am spending a lot of time trying to get the same students ready for the State Reading Assessment.  The quality of these papers has me freaking out a bit!  I keep looking for new ways to teach the concepts, plus figuring out how to incorporate some of the Core Standards our state is switching to.

Add in the fact that I am still having computer problems, and well....!

On the upside...

The Bug gets a little time once in awhile.  She's coming to stay with Nana Coco& her Papa this weekend.
Think I'll get much grading done?  Yeah.  Neither do I.

No Posts

Easy Street is still having computer problems.  Our wireless is on the blink--literally.  We're on.  We're off. We're on.  We're off.  Hopefully, we will get the darn thing figured out early next week. 

Let's see.  The Mr. is at an RV show out of town this weekend.  (He has been since Wednesday.)  He is home to sleep and that is about it. 

Oh, and I burned my cheek with my curling iron.  It isn't bad, but looks quite lovely.  (I haven't used a curling iron in years--and now I may never again.) 

The Mr.'s cousin is in the hospital.  She is quite sick with a bacterial infection that isn't responding to the  antibiotics that they have tried so far.  They've brought in specialists.  Poor thing.  She is 60 or so and this is her first time in the hospital since she was born.  I usually go visit them during RV show weekend.  We take in a movie at one of my favorite theaters.  (They deliver wine to your seat!)  The poor cousin is so sick that she doesn't even want company in the hospital.  We'll have to plan a trip for another weekend. I'm hoping the cousin bounces quickly.  

On a good note, I did babysit the Bug for a couple of hours last night.  It is so much fun when she giggles with joy when she sees me!  Love that little girl!

I wouldn't count on regular blogging any time soon.  It doesn't seem to be in the cards.  On the upside, I should get a lot of work done on the next show.  Auditions are Tuesday and Wednesday.  There is plenty to do.

I could use some luck about right now, but you know theater people.  And if you tell me to break a leg, I probably would.  Send good thoughts, OK? 

Dr. Thunder, Colby Jack, and a Healthy Bug

Some Favorite Foods and Beverages this week:

*Constant Comment Hot Tea
*Fresh Pineapple  (Only $2.98 at the store this week, and they are wonderful!)
*Colby Jack Cheese Cubes
*Dried Cranberries and nuts mixed together. (Almonds are best, but peanuts will do.)
*Diet Dr. Thunder.  Yes, that cheap brand (84 cents a 2 liter) at Walmart. It's better than Diet Dr. Pepper--which is darn good!
*Celery and Peanut Butter (Why don't I make this more often??)

It's a wonderful Wednesday: 

*My internet is finally on for longer that five minutes at a time. (Another call to the internet provider.)
*I am completing Day 2 of Week 2 on the Couch Potato to 5K. (How is it possible to lose this much ground in just a few months?)
*The Mr. is headed to the RV show, but at least I have a meeting to attend tonight.
*The little Lady Bug is finally feeling better.  She had an ear infection, but the antibiotics seem to be helping.  No fever.  Still coughing, but a much happier, chipper baby. Her parents seemed to have recovered, too.

I'm trying to concentrate on the good.  Research papers are driving me crazy, and spring play auditions are looming next week.  I have a lot to do, and a million interruptions a day. 

I'll let you know when I dig my way out!  
 

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Not a great photo, but I had to show you the Lady Bug's biggest fan.  He's babysitting.

It seems to be a mutual admiration.

Incredibly Random Tuesday

Random Thoughts-

*Pinterest has become my new obsession.  What a great website!  So many creative ideas that I won't accomplish half, but it is fun to look. 

*Only one Christmas gift left to purchase.  The Lady Bug is the final person on my list.  What am I buying?  Something she'll keep and enjoy for years. (A rocking chair, wooden sled, or a little red wagon?)  Something that won't take up much room in a small house. (A tea set?)  Something to organize the haul she is going to get.  (A toy box that could convert to a small bench?)  NO IDEA.  Time will tell...

*I'm reading scripts trying to find a play to direct 2nd semester.  Wish me luck.

*The Mr. is sick. Pneumonia or the yearly miserable chest cold? 

*Love my new iPhone.  My favorite ap is Flipboard, followed closely by Words With Friends.  Yes. Alec Baldwin and I actually have something in common.  Scary.

*I need to finish my final.  One student is leaving on Friday and won't be back 2nd semester.  He needs to take his final before he goes. *sigh*

*This is one of my quirks, but if I'm up-- the Christmas tree better be aglow.  An unlit tree is depressing to me.

*Finally, one of the perks of the new phone is the camera.  I love it for taking pictures or short videos.  Too much fun.  I'll leave you with this one of Auntie L and "her" little Bug cheerleading.  I'm not sure who enjoyed it more.

Yes, I think these two put the Merry in Christmas!

Confession Time

So...
While I was babysitting the Bug on Saturday night, I might have been asleep on the job.  And if I had known the Mr. actually knew how to take a picture with my camera, I'd have hidden the @*%^ camera.

I swear.  He never take pictures.  Ever.  I have to beg him to use the camera so that there is photographic evidence I even existed.  We have albums of the Mr., K, and L.  I am in probably less 50 pictures taken by the Mr. in the last 30 years.  Yeah, and so now this is how they will remember me. Lovely.

And after seeing the picture,  I'm rethinking this.  Maybe I don't want photographic evidence that I existed!

The Bug Meets Santa

Looked like old friends to me!

Time Changes

This time change means an extra hour of sleep.  (And spending the next few days setting every clock in the house.)

Other time changes aren't so user friendly:
*wrinkles, gray hair, aches and pains getting out of bed in the morning, arthritis, sleep disturbances, creaky knees, belly fat, hot flashes, reading glasses, and foggy brain. 

I'm thinking all of those are cancelled out by one thing:  Grandchildren!  

Auntie L and Lady Bug

(Oh, and eye cream and hair dye don't hurt either!)

Black Paint, I-phones, and the Bug's Relatives

I've spent too much time in paint stores lately.  Let me just say what everyone standing in line at the paint counter is thinking: "Just shoot me now!"  Even the people who work there act like they absolutely hate their job.  Can't say as I blame them.

Last night, I was buying paint for the play:  black paint for the platforms and red paint for the "brick" walls.  As if buying the paint wasn't torture enough, now I actually have to use it.  I hate it all:  the painting, the mess, and the cleaning up.  *sigh*

On a sweeter note, the Lady Bug got to meet some of her relatives on Saturday.

The G-Man liked his little second cousin.  They seemed to have a "little" people kind of connection. Look at her checking out that handsome guy!

 G-Man's little brother was a bit unsure whether he wanted anything to do with the Bug or any of these strange people either.  He got reassurance from his mama, my niece, but he still wasn't too sure about any of us.

Little Bro finally let CT play with him, as long as CT didn't get too close. 

But while the Little Big Brother and his wife were holding the Lady Bug...

I was holding their new I-phones.  And now...I really think I need (OK, want!) one.  Am I getting one any time soon?  No, but the phone is going on my wish list.  The wish list is small, but expensive:  I-phone, I-pad, and a house at that lake.  The Mr. says I have champagne taste on a beer budget--and cheap beer at that. 

It didn't help any when L called me from her new I-phone yesterday. *sniff, sniff*

The whole world is going I-phone crazy, and I completely understand it. 

However, I probably have enough craziness in my life right now.  After all, I am buying black paint, faking brick buildings, creating a 1920's car that can fit through the backstage doors, and figuring out how to play a football game on stage. I know. You're wishing you were me about right now, aren't you?!

My life used to be so normal....

Sweet Cousins, Sweet Bug

 

Yes, the Lady Bug will be wearing this onesie every day.  Every.  Day.  (Are you listening, K??)  Cousin H gave it to me at the family reunion on Sunday.  And the Lady Bug quilt beneath it was made by Cousin J. Proof once again that my cousins are the BEST!

In the meantime, the little Bugsie has quite the wardrobe.  And don't get me started on the hair bows and burp cloths.  Have you seen the adorable things they make for babies these days?  

You're going to hear this here first:  CT bought a camo diaper bag for Lady Bug.  (Yes, they sell camo diaper bags at Cabelas.)  He is having her name embroidered in pink on it.  When I mentioned that another child might get to use the diaper bag some day, I was informed that he will have to buy another bag.  This one is to be her hunting bag when she's older.  All of her hunting clothes are to be stored in it.  Yes, CT is a planner.  

Any thoughts on what the Bug will be doing when she is older?  I'm pretty sure that she is going to be a hunting, fishing girl for Dad, and a dancing, singing, cheerleading girl for Mom.  (Oh, and a sport's fan for Papa and a reader for Coco!)  Let's just say the Lady Bug has a good chance of being well rounded!

Little Legs

 

The Lady Bug was rockin' the leg warmers yesterday.  Her parents said that the following photo was more reflective of her mood.

Mom wasn't feeling the love. I think maybe the Bug was saying, "I need my Coco and Papa!"  Or perhaps, "I want to go the reunion!"  

Let's hope that photo isn't reflective of how the week will go.