Happy Birthday, Momma L

L is 31 today.  It is hard to believe.

In the last year, her life has done a 180.  She has married and had a baby.

This new world seems to suit her.  Little Man E is adorable and such a good baby. And she is such a good Momma!

In spite of all the big changes, some things never change.  L is still quite the entertainer.  She was always good at making tense situations evaporate with her crazy sense of humor.  I could be so mad, and yet she would have me dissolving into laughter.  She still can.

Last night's call was about a squirrel that had made its way into L and CB's house.  I'm still chuckling.  There was a time in her life where L might have been quite upset by their adventure, but last night--she was still laughing about the squirrel that sent them all over the edge.

Happy 31st, L! Hope the year ahead is full of more giggles and no more wildlife in the house.  May your days be filled with hubby and Baby E and kindergartners who love their teacher.

We love you, dear girl.  Now celebrate your day by putting your feet up and snuggling that baby!

Home Again

We flew to Vegas to see L and CB get married in the Little White Wedding Chapel.  It was a really nice ceremony.  Pretty sweet actually.  I don't know what I was expecting for a Vegas wedding, but it was quite traditional. Well, except for the bride in a favorite dress and flip flops and the groom in shorts and polo shirt.  At the end of the ceremony, a couple came in who had been married there 35 years before.  A nice omen.  I think L and CB now have plans to go back someday, too.

The Newlyweds

Vegas is something else. 

What I hated about Las Vegas: how crowded and dirty it is, no coffee pot in my room, blasting cold air conditioning, how expensive everything is, so few places to sit and people watch, and how noisy it is. 

What I loved about Las Vegas:  the pools at the Flamingo, free margaritas when I played the slots in Margaritaville, walking a lot, the Venetian casino and hotel, The Wicked Spoon buffet at the Cosmopolitan, the flamingos and hummingbirds in the Flamingo garden area, dueling pianos and karaoke at Harrahs, the Bellagio fountains, and making money on the penny slots.

What I especially loved about Las Vegas:  the sun coming up over the desert and mountains in the morning.  We left our hotel curtains open so we wouldn't miss it.  From the top floor of the Flamingo, it was beautiful.  Oh, and that I only gained a pound after all that eating and drinking.

Another thing to check off my Bucket List. 

Birthday Girl

We're celebrating L's birthday on Easy Street.  There will be early morning phone calls and a meeting for dinner out on the town.   Her favorite part of the day will be that the Lady Bug is going to be in on the dinner plans.  Auntie L is fairly smitten.  I have a hunch she will be one of the Bug's favorite people for years to come.

It was love at first sight for those two.  Kind of like it was for me 29 years ago.  And L is still one of my favorite people.  I have a hunch she always will be.

Happy Birthday, L!  We're pretty proud of you--and we're wishing you a wonderful day and year! 

Love, love, love you!
Mom & Dad

Birthday Girl

Somebody is having a birthday on Easy Street.  Thirty-one years ago, I became a mother on this day--and things have never been the same.  And now, for the first time, that baby knows exactly what I mean!

Here was K just a few months before her 30th birthday last year.

And  now one short year later, she's been a mom for just a little over 3 months.

She's running on little sleep, worrying herself sick over every little sniffle, and familiar with every diaper on the market.  She has to hunt for time to shower.  Makeup?  Maybe, if the Bug decides to sleep in.  She can't leave the house without packing a bag fit for a European vacation--and none of it is for her.

On the other hand, every smile and every coo melts her heart into a little puddle.  K's had 3 months of this; I've had 31 years of it.  I know.  And now she does, too! 

"To have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside of your body."  Elizabeth Stone

Hard to imagine that you could love such a small person so much, isn't it?  I couldn't believe it was possible either, K. (And just wait until you've had 31 years with her!)

Happy Birthday to my little girl... and many more!

Parenting 101

When K and L were in high school, we used to walk at the track almost every evening.  Most of the time we wouldn't get down there until it was dark.  And that's when I figured out an important part of parenting tweens and teens.

Kids are most likely to talk to their parents when they can't see the parent's reaction to what they are saying. If they can't see shock, horror, or judgement on your face; they will tell all.  (Often, more than you want to hear.) If you can bite your tongue and just listen, it is amazing what they will tell you.  Of course, you might be tempted to lock them in their rooms until they are 30, so use this technique with caution.

Looking back, I realize that I had learned this trick years before.  I had seen it work when they were younger.  Turning off the light in their rooms at bedtime had the same effect.  I'd sit on the edge of the bed and just listen in the dark. They confessed or shared  problems, worries, and pranks.  

Another place kids talk is in the car.  They can only see the side of your face.  Fix your eyes on the road, and the kid will spill.

Of course, in all three of these scenarios, the challenge is not talking or gasping.  Eye rolling is about all you can do, though I'm sure my eyebrows shot up a time or two. 

And now you know everything that I know about raising children.  Sorry, it isn't much.  The girls had a good Dad and the rest was luck!

Terrific Thursday

My week has been exhausting:  classes and the play are driving me a bit crazy.  But just seeing this can make my day or week:

 

What a sweetie!  She's got the wild hair happening, which I love. And that onesie makes me happy, too!  

Lady Bug's mama is headed back to work today.  She is finally starting her new job as a principal.  K is dreading leaving the little Bug at the sitter's house.  I remember feeling that way, too.   I hope they both adjust quickly!  

Let's hope it is a terrific Thursday for all of us! 

L's World

There has been a shift in the world for L.  She moved to the Big City, leaving U town behind.  She switched from teaching 1st Graders to teaching 5th graders.  She took a part-time job, to insure that the teaching salary would be enough to survive. AND...she became an aunt.

L loves Big City.  She thinks 5th graders are a lot of fun and thinks her new school is pretty terrific.  She likes the part-time job and enjoys the extra cash. BUT... she absolutely hates missing out on the Lady Bug.

She came home Saturday night after work.  It has been a month since she has been back to Tiny Town.  Getting caught in construction traffic at 9:30 at night when all she really wanted to do was get home was a bit frustrating.  Bet you can guess who the Lady Bug is looking at in this picture.  L swooped in and didn't want to let her go. 

Yep, Auntie L crammed in as much holding time as she could. Those two even napped together.

Auntie L did diaper duty, and then they did tummy time--on Auntie L's lap, of course!

I think it is safe to assume that Aunt L is pretty crazy about the Bug.

And I think the Lady Bug thinks her Auntie L is pretty great, too.  That's the face of pure contentment on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Almost thirty-one years ago, K was baptized.  Here she is with her Grandma and Grandpa on her baptism day.  In some ways it doesn't seem that long ago, and in other ways it seems like a lifetime ago.  This is only one of two photos I can find of the day. I'm so glad I have it. I forget how young Mom and Dad were.  They are younger than I am now.  (And if you could see my real hair color--it would be very obvious!  How did I miss the "hair not going gray before 60" gene?!)

In this picture, the Lady Bug looks a lot like K.  Papa E would say that's because almost all babies look alike. Or maybe, it's because she looks a bit like her mama! (That's Coco's theory!)

Today is the Bug's Baptism Day.  She's wearing the same dress her mama wore 31 years ago.  She also has Papa E's baby ring to wear.   

Oh, and I plan to take a lot of pictures, just in case the Bug's parents are too busy to get any photos. So I can guarantee you--photos to come!

One Year Ago

And today...

What a difference a year makes!  Happy Anniversary K & CT!  

Lady Bug, you sure are a lucky little girl to have such great parents.  (And your mama finally has some idea of just how loved she and her sister are!)

What do I wish for you three?  Happy Home.  Happy Family.  Happy Life.

Friday Favorite

The best of this week:

*The Lady Bug, of course.  Have I mentioned how happy I am that she and her parents live in Tiny Town?  She is changing so fast, and I can see her almost every day.  (I've missed a few.  I don't want to wear out my welcome!)

She has gained 20 ounces since she has been home, which is a 13 ounce gain since her birth.  I'd say that Mama and the nursing are doing fine.

Speaking of Mama K, she thinks they packed her incision for the last time yesterday.  They wanted to make sure she didn't have trouble over the long weekend.  She will be thrilled when that is finally healed. 

L is making her way from Big City to Tiny Town this afternoon.  She told me that she isn't even coming to our house; she's headed straight for K and CT's.  I'm guessing I won't be holding the Lady Bug much this weekend.  I have to share.  I'm not sure that is a request. 

It will be good to have L home for at least part of the weekend, even if she isn't planning to spend much time with us.  I'm looking forward to stories of 5th grade!

Girls Weekend!!  I haven't told the Mr. yet, but I'm sure he suspects!  I'm so glad to have everyone around for at least part of the weekend.

Happy Friday!

Just Shaking

We had a bit of a scare on Easy Street.  K called the Mr. at work yesterday and told him her incision from the C-section was bleeding.  CT had gone to work to attend a meeting, and it was K's first afternoon with the Lady Bug by herself.  (Of course it was.  Isn't that always when things like this happen?)

I was planning to head over to her house after school so she wouldn't be alone all evening.  Instead, I got a phone call from the Mr. saying he was picking me up.  The principal covered my class, and I bolted.  The Mr. took K to the hospital, and I watched the little Lady until CT got home to pick up the two of us.  It didn't take long.  I'm pretty sure speed limits were ignored.

They ended up packing K's incision and sending her home again.  I spent the evening with them.  CT went to bed early to get some sleep, and  I took care of checking on K's incision and holding Lady Bug.  CT was waking up to take over, as I was leaving.

Everything appears to be OK.  It set K back a bit.  She is on house arrest and isn't supposed to do anything but feed the little Bug.  And I have to hand it to CT:  considering his inability to deal with human blood (his or anyone else's), he has really stepped up to the plate.  By the time Lady Bug is skinning her knees or getting a bloody nose, he will be an old pro. (Whether he wants to be or not!)

The Lady Bug and I had some serious bonding time while Mr. Papa and her mommy took off for the hospital.  It was feeding time, and I wasn't very useful.  After hunting unsuccessfully for a pacifier, I finally took off her little mitten and let her suck on her fingers and fist.  Success!!  By the time CT and I reached the hospital, her mommy was able to feed her and life was good again.

All's well that ends well.  OK.  Except for the poor church member bringing the new little family supper.  The Mr. and I were on the way, K's incision was bleeding, Lady Bug was screaming, and their dog was barking.  K said she sent Church Lady on her way quickly, not wanting her to witness the carnage.  "And so how are the new mommy and baby?"  Yeah.  Not a good time to ask. That poor lady.

So Glad I Teach High School

And once more, I am quite happy to teach high school students.

I just spent a day and a half helping L with her 5th grade classroom.  It is exhausting to be an elementary teacher, and it takes every bit of creativity that this poor old brain contains. 

Since L is making the switch from 1st grade to 5th grade, none of her "little kid" things would work.  We had to think like 5th graders. 

Actually, we borrowed my "English Rocks" poster idea.  (Yeah, the sophs don't buy that either.)  Now, there is a 5th grade classroom in Big City that Rocks or rather "Miss E's 5th Grade Class Rocks." 

Miss E's students are Rock Stars.  She has a "This Work Rocks" bulletin board to display student work.  Star "books" Cafe is one bulletin board from her old classroom that still works at this level.  The general theme of the room is music, sports, and books. 

L's room even has a display window that is visible from both the hallway and from inside her room.  It is ceiling level and is about 15 feet long.  It will house sports memorabilia (cheer outfits, running shoes, footballs, and baseball gloves), old albums and 45's (Mom's and Dad's), an electronic keyboard, and books.  There's even room for an inflatable guitar or two.  (All but the air guitars are being pulled from my basement.)

I left her with a lot to do, but her bookcases are full and her supplies are hauled in and put away.  We made a start on all of her bulletin boards, but she was finishing them up on her own this afternoon. I will make her take pictures of her room for a future post.

Elementary teachers exhaust me.  Consequently, L makes me feel like a lightweight in the school preparation department.  She will spend the first four days of next week still working on her classroom.  New teacher meetings begin for her next Friday.  They will have gotten their money's worth even before her first contract day.

L really does "rock," and I'm sure her classroom will, too.  Those lucky 5th graders who have Miss E should be in for a great year. 

Never Underestimate My Ability To Look On The Bright Side

The temperature is 82 degrees at 5:00 a.m.  We're moving L today.  Hot, sweaty work.

The only upside I can think of?  Well, it is a weight-loss plan that is sure to work.  (At least, until I try to consume my weight in water...)

All Things Potter

I am a fan of the Harry Potter series.  I was a slow convert, but once I was 60 pages into the first book--I was hooked.

My conversion began when West Point nephew was about a 4th grader and called me a "muggle."  It dawned on me that a whole generation of students were going to making allusions to literature about which I knew nothing!  I went home and jumped into the first book. There was no turning back.

L was the only other Easy Streeter to read the books, and I think she only got through the first four.  The Mr. might not have been into the books, but he bought me a boxed set of the first four for Christmas one year.  (The books have the most beautiful covers.)  When the movies came out, I went to most of the movies by myself.  I think the Mr. sat through one with me, and then looked at me after it was over like "What the heck was that all about?"  *sigh*

I went to the bookstore at midnight on two different occasions to purchase the latest release.  Yep, I was with the little kids dressed as wizards or Harry Potter, standing in line for the book.  (Although, there were plenty of college kids, high school kids, and adults enjoying these books, too.)

After years of teaching kids who hated to read and faked every book report they ever gave, it was amazing to see such a huge group of kids who were reading again!  JK Rowling can almost single-handedly take credit for making reading "cool" again.  And since then you can add in the Twilight, Percy Jackson, Eragon, and Hunger Game series. And a generation of Language Arts teachers are incredibly grateful!

Thanks to Harry Potter, "He Who Shall Not Be Named" became a way to refer to some person whose very name made us too angry or repulsed to say aloud.  Rowling also gave me several of my favorite quotes:

*"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

*"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

*"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."  (My favorite!)

I was so sad to finish the last book.  This was one series that I didn't want to end.  And yet, it was a most satisfying conclusion.  And the message throughout was always the same-- love is always the answer.  Period.

Last fall, I went to see the "beginning of the end" of the movies with an adorable, freckled 3rd grader and his mother.  And yesterday and today, he and his mother (a former student) have been enjoying a marathon of all the movies leading up to the end.  Two of my favorite people are at one of my favorite theaters.  (What a combination!)  This theater delivers food and drink, including wine, to your seats.  Heaven!!  Tonight at midnight, they will watch the final movie.  I would love to see this now 4th grader's reaction to the final installment.  I'm sure we'll be talking!

And me? I'm moving L.  She is really pushing it!  It is supposed to be 100+ degrees.  She is moving from the 2nd floor of one apartment in U town to a 3rd floor apartment in the Big City two hours away.  Yikes!  L, it is a good thing that I love you more than Harry Potter!  And that is saying something.  And I'm pretty sure that I will still be using this sacrifice in the future.  You sooooo owe me!  I'll be reminding you!

Harry is going to have to wait until next week.  I guess I'll live.  And maybe the theater won't be so crowded by then!  (That's the only upside that I can think of!)

A Prayer From Childhood

Father in heaven, hear my prayer

Keep me in Thy loving care

Be my guide in all I do

Bless all those who love me, too.

When K and L were little girls, this was their prayer at bedtime.  It led into a whole lot of God blesses: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, babysitters, kids at the babysitters, neighbors, and family pets.  When they really wanted to prolong bedtime, even the goldfish were mentioned by name.  I have a hunch the little Lady Bug will be learning this prayer someday, too.

Favorite Five of the Week

So many good moments to choose from, but here goes:

1.  Today at VBS a little one asked me if I was Pastor Ken's Mom.  Now, Pastor Ken is at least 10-15 years older than I am.  His mother?????  It's a good thing that Pre-Kindergartner is a cute little guy!

2.  The girls and I made a trip to an exhibit a couple of hours away.  It was my Mother's Day gift.  So yesterday was a girl's day.

3.  On our trip to the exhibit, K wore a long sundress which got caught in the escalator and brought the thing to an abrupt halt.  She pulled it out quickly, but 20 minutes later that escalator was still stopped.  We got a good laugh out of that one. 

4. L came home and sorted through some of her belongings.  She threw away several bags of papers she had saved and didn't need now.  She also put together a pretty good sized box of things for Goodwill.  She is gradually sorting through things for her move in a month.

5.  I finally got all of my pots filled with flowers.  I usually have that done by Mother's Day.  I'm operating on the better late than never theory.  Whatever works...!

It has been a good week on Easy Street.  It feels like vacation has finally begun.

Bumping Along On Easy Street

What a week!  I still have no time to post, but I'll add a couple of photos.

The Mr. spent part of this week in the hospital. Twelve hours were in ICU.  (He was finally feeling well enough to sit up and read the paper in this picture.  I didn't take pictures when he was feeling so bad that he didn't even want the TV on.)   K and the baby bump came to visit him.

Today, L and I are taking a class.  We enrolled and paid, before all the craziness of the past week began.  Who takes a class on the Saturday before Easter?  What WERE we thinking??

Gone

There have been so many things that I couldn't write about this week-- that I haven't written at all.  I think it is finally safe to spill the beans.

K and L have both interviewed and were selected for new jobs.

K is going to be an assistant principal of one of the academies in the J town 10-12 building.  This is a nice promotion for her.  She has quite an August ahead of her:  a new baby and a new job!

And L is going to be moving to a new city about two hours away.  She is going to be a 5th grade teacher in a smaller building in a larger town.  She is excited for the move, and while I'm happy for her--I am going to miss her being so close.  She has a lot of changes in store for this summer:  a move, a different grade level, and a new niece or nephew.

At Tiny Town, this week was the beginning of the end for Trailer High.  They began the task of moving some of the trailers out.  My trailer classroom is gone.  The empty spot actually caught me by surprise.  Who knew that I would think it was a bit sad to see the hole?

They have cleared out the old decks now and are ready to begin building the new art building where our trailers once stood.

Add in the English teachers missing two days from school this week to grade district writing assessments, leaving plans for subs, and catching up when I returned each day--and this week has been a bit of a mess.

The Mr. is looking at a 10 day sale at the RV park.  Today is Day 2. Needless to say, he isn't going to be around much. 

Today, I've enjoyed a morning of shopping for the baby registry with K. We met L for lunch.  It is good to have time to catch up.  I hope that there are quite a few more mornings like today's before L gets away from us.

The spring rush is on at Tiny Town High:  prom, spring sports, senior honor's banquets and recitals, and-- graduation isn't far behind.  I know I'll have time to catch up this summer, but right now I wish for an empty calendar and a few more nights at home.

See.  There are a lot of things 'gone' around here, including this blogger.  I'll drop in when I can!

Beautiful Saturday

Began the day with a 3 mile run just as the sun was coming up.  It was a good run, and it wasn't even very difficult. 

L is here for the weekend.  (Escaping Fake Patty's Day in U town.) When I got home from my run, the Mr. took all of his girls to breakfast at the local cafe.  (CT is on a trapping trip with friends.) 

When the Mr. went off to work, the girls headed shopping for maternity clothes for K.  The baby bump is making getting dressed a little more challenging for her these days. 

Tonight, we are headed to pick out fabric for Mom E.'s old glider.  It is going to be part of the baby nursery, but it needs a bit of reupholstering.  I think we are meeting the Mr.'s little brother and his wife for dinner.  It will be good to catch up with them, too. 

Meanwhile, L is doing laundry, we're watching movies, and the plan is to walk the dogs. 

Some Saturdays are darn near perfect!

L's 28th

Happy Birthday to our beautiful L.  Happy and sad moments are all tangled up this year.  You, dear girl, have always made our world a little brighter, prettier, and funnier.  (OK.  Maybe a little sassier, too!)  We wouldn't have it any other way!  Happy 28th!

Christmas 2010:  L with her "dimple" twin.

We are so proud of you.  I'm not sure anyone could be more loved than you and your sister!  Happy day and happy year to you!

L and her Grandma