Jessalyn came to visit today. We miss her so.
We keep trying to think of ways to convince her that being our live-in nanny would be way better than getting her PhD, but so far we haven’t come up with any persuasive arguments.
If Ellery can let go of her, she might be able to go back to school. Otherwise, she’ll have to learn how to teach while holding a three-year-old.
In the morning, as I attempt to get a little work done, these things often parade into my room.
Skating night is always a bit if a frenzy. No matter how on time we are, it’s a flurry of getting the right size skates, lacing, and scooting kids off to the right classes.
And then unlacing, and turning in skates, and somehow convincing kids to walk in a straight-ish line to the car so we can all get to bed at a sort-of reasonable hour.
In the wee hours, long before most of you get up, this household is already in full swing. This morning Neko decided to teach Shep and Ellery about dinosuars.
Ellery and I had to take Otto to the Big City for a vet appointment. I try to leave a bit early, as something always seems to hold us up. And, weirdly, we breezed right through, finding ourselves 30 minutes early for the appointment.
Normally, we would hang out in the waiting room, but there was some meeting going on, and the building was locked until our appointment time.
After we discovered this, Otto flatly refused to get back in the car. (New, expensive knee on an 80 pound dog = Me not forcing the issue.) And then it started raining. So Ellery and I hung out for 30 minutes in a questionable neighborhood with the car door wide open, Ellery and I in the back, and our dog on the concrete, next to the car, in the rain.
Ellery passed the time by strapping herself into Neko’s booster and demanding I take (not-so-great) pictures of her.
At least the car was clean, eh?
Election Day is upon us. And, yes, I voted. And, no, I haven’t bothered to check on the election results. I’m not sure if I want to know.
With Election Day comes a day off school. I mulled over what to do with this wide open day. I contemplated play dates or laundry. But then I decided that I wanted my kidlets all to myself, as it happens so infrequently these days. I scooped them up in the car, leaving the laundry and the mess behind us.
Off to the museum we went. And we stayed all day. ALL DAY. I’ve never done that with my children…anywhere.
As I drove home, I marveled over several things.
1. We took with us no stroller, diapers, wipes, extra clothes, or special food. We walked in with nothing but our coats, chucked them in a locker, and went off to explore.
2. I’m at a museum with readers. Okay, early readers who make a lot of mistakes, but readers. They stop to look at plaques, finding the name of an animal or to see who this bone belongs to. We’re no longer whizzing through exhibits at light speed, but we’re stopping to look and actually learn. And when someone is getting too crazy on the antique street car, I can point to the sign that says, “No running or jumping on the street car.” See? I’m not the bad guy. Talk to the people that make the sign.
3. We made it through an entire IMAX documentary. The whole thing, people. Ellery was a little wiggly, but Neko and Shep were completely entranced. Everyone was so focused that I can actually tell you what the movie was about. Go ahead! Quiz me!
4. I took off my mom cap for most of the day. I was telling Neko tonight that it was kind of like hanging out with my friends. In the past, a trip to the museum is accompanied with much sighing, corralling, and ultimately an exit that involves tears. But today we talked and laughed and pointed at things. I think the kids were actually skipping as we left the building. It was downright fun.
I feel like one of those “it gets better” videos, but to all the mamas stuck in the trenches of diapers and time outs—it gets better. Suddenly they’re walking and talking and laughing and responsible for their own things, and you get to relax a bit and marvel at these amazing kids who sailed into your life.
Ellery likes to do errands. This is so different from our other children at that age.
Today when I annouced we were going to the car wash, she actually squealed with delight. She helped me gather trash from the car, vacuum out the tough spots, and then sat on the brick wall while I put things back together.
As we were wrapping up, she declared, “This is the best day ever!” I love this kid.
This is the third child I’ve attended this field trip with. Really, at this point I could give the tour.
The weather was looking a bit dicey, and shortly after we got home we were hit with a tornado warning. This is so much less painful now that we’ve finished the basement. Ellery hung out watching old DVDs and Tom, Joel, and I obsessed over the radar.
Neko and Shep were at school, hunkered down in the Art room, playing card games and making art projects. If they can’t be by my side during times like these, I can’t think of a better place for them to be.
On a side note, did you know both “tornados” and “tornadoes” are considered correct? Weird.
Neko was home sick today. She and Ellery couldn’t decide if they wanted to play together or play seperately. I tried to convince Neko to plant herself on the couch under a blanket, which is nearly impossible when she never…
stops…
moving.
About mid-day, the mail truck arrived. With it was brought Ellery’s halloween costume! Hooray! A happy diversion!
Ellery squealed with delight. She pranced. She donned a crown. All was right with the world.
And then a chicken pooped ALL OVER the front of her dress.
Keep in mind, the chickens rarely poop on people, and when they do, it’s pretty minor. I’ve never seen such a chicken poop incident in all our chicken owning days.
I think things around here are keeping me more than on my toes. I think I might be levitating.
