Category: Shep
-
Vacation: Day 3
Wait, did you come here for pictures of children frolicking in the ocean?
I’m so sorry to disappoint you.
You know how when you go on vacation you have this vision of how it’s going to go? Today we sent Neko off on one of those “It Will Probably Change Her Life” experiences, only to have her leave part-way through because she felt awful and come back to the room to take a three hour nap. (She’s fighting a cold.)
Shep threw up at the hostess station of a restaurant this morning, but he said it was because he hadn’t eaten that morning. Then he took a two hour nap. Right at the end of dinner he threw up again, all over the table and floor. Bobby Flay, please accept my apologies.
Glass half full? The door to the washer and dryer in our room, which was supposed to be locked (for the owners of the condo only), was mysteriously open upon our arrival. This means we can clean up pukey clothes without schlepping them down ten floors.
But the view? It sure is pretty.
-
Spring break
Spring break has been glorious. I didn’t realize how tired I was until my body collapsed into a heap of exhaustion for days on end while the kids enjoyed way too much time playing on iPads. I think Shep and Neko have built an entire new civilization on Minecraft by now.
Then I cleaned my car. I worked a few days on getting ahead at school. Instead of an all-house spring break purge, I tackled the zones that were really bothering me. (Did you know our children’s bedrooms have doors, and when you close them, the mess magically goes away?)
Today we took a road trip. Took in the science museum and then a delicious meal at a restaurant with amazing light. I managed to sneak everyone’s photo. It appears we are in that phase where everyone sticks their tongue out for the camera. Super.
-
Sledding
My parents’ house is built on a small hill. It’s the perfect size for beginning sledders. My children and nephews all took their first sled rides down this hill.
This year Neko was looking for an extra challenge, and started building ramps out of snow to launch sleds for some air time.
There’s nothing quite like rosy-cheeked children, exhausted from play in the snow, coming in to parents who have been snoozing on the couch.
This, my friends, is a solid winter.
-
Christmas
We made it!
There were presents and excitement and squeals of delight. The obligatory assembly of toys and a sea of wrapping paper.
We even put lights on the tree.
Even though we got it out, we forgot to hit record on the time lapse camera. Although it would have been fun, we’ll be fine without it.
Perfectly imperfectly perfect.
-
Tree
This year has been busy. Oh, so busy.
This summer was a frenzy of remodeling my classroom and that of another teacher’s. We started the school year in the weeds, and barely made our way through.
The first day of winter break was three days before Christmas. I was not prepared. There was no tree. There was not an ounce of ho-ho-ho in this house.
But two days before Christmas, just in the nick of time, we got our tree. We scoured the rather empty field for a solid choice. Neko was determined to carry my parents’ tree. Our tree was a bit, ahem, bigger than it looked outside.
Who knows if there will be lights or ornaments. But according to the Whos down in Whoville, Christmas will come without those.
Ho. Ho. Ho.
