Done!

Okay, I won't tell you what happened, but I'm done. It was good...better than good. Although the word is escaping me as I'm tired from being up later than usual to finish it. Not bad to finish an 800+ book in less than 2 days! I think I might need to go back and read it again - there was a lot there...first I'll do an update post though.

I won't be back until I'm done...

It arrived yesterday. It was beautiful. Must get back to reading. More later.

I'm so funny

You all out there may not know this about me: I am super funny. Maybe one of the funniest people I know. Every year, I tell my students this on the first day of school. I tell them how lucky they are to have me as a teacher because I am the funniest person ever. Ever. Every year at least one of my students challenges this statement within a week of making it. "You know, you really aren't that funny. At all."

Several others softly chime "Yeah, you aren't really". I don't care because I know they are just jealous. It isn't possible that I'm not funny. It never has mattered what they thought. I think I am funny. Therefore I am. And I do crack myself up with my atmosphere and outer space jokes (have you heard the one about Uranus? No? Well, let me tell you...)
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Earlier this week I was at the Y when I ran into a few students of mine from last year. I was hot and sweaty and holding William. William threw his body at one of the girls. With a squeal that could only be made by a 14 year old girl, she opened her arms and took him. I silently said a prayer and tried to look relaxed while interrogating my other former students about their summer reading lists, high school class registrations (did you get the Advanced courses? Good. What about taking two foreign languages? No? Why not?), and other enrichment activities. I also like to get the dish about the other kids in my classes, although I try to look disinterested in this - like I would rather be at home wearing my lab coat and goggles. During this time, William was occupying himself by trying to pull the hair of my other student and pat her overly made up eyes. There came a lull in the conversation and William looked down at his hand pulling her hair and giggled with glee. One of the students laughed at him and said "He thinks he is pretty funny."

The other student replied "He must take after his mother..."

Everyone laughs, the girls elbow each other at their joke at my expense. I can't help but think William is the luckiest kid ever. Do you want to know why? I'm the funniest person ever - and my students remembered that almost a year later (Please God, let them have remembered something else also...)

I'm going to miss having all my kids next year. I already miss them.
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The big news of the day (excluding the termite inspection finding no termites) is that I think we may have found a peas solution (HAH! Peace solution). Whirled peas (say it out loud people) with sweet potatoes. This kid loves sweet potatoes. He ate ALL of his peas tonight without any crying. I didn't have to sing about Old McDonald planting his corn or soy beans. I am amazed and happy. He might be able to eat vegetables like his daddy after all.

And I let it get to me!

Tonight we watched a movie called Freed0m Writers. I was kind of excited because I am all about movies that show teachers making a difference. I was all ready to sit back on the couch and shout my support for the fellow teacher at the TV. I am shocked by my reaction. Besides the to work/not to work conflict surrounding teaching, I totally disagreed with this teacher. Very little positive shouting was heard. The "bad guy" in the movie was totally right in my opinion. The "hero" had it ALL wrong. Wrong and wronger I tell you. I'm not to liking the bad guy and strongly disliking the hero. But, she was SO wrong! And I'm letting it get to me. I'm hoping I can get it down here and then move on to sleeping tonight. I've already tried spouting off at John (he took it well) and it doesn't seem to have been enough...

Sweet Potato Pie

I think we have established that I hate peas. Although it is on the early side to add another vegetable, I am tired of the swively head and trying to sneak the peas in there one way or another with crying in between. So, today we started a vegetable I KNEW he would probably like (P.S. I was right. Not that you doubted me). Sweet potatoes were a hit. He probably would have ate the entire container if I would have kept feeding him. I am relieved because I was beginning to wonder if we were pushing the solids to early. If he had turned down the sweet potatoes this afternoon or squash tomorrow, we would have had to slow down or stop entirely. I am completely okay with blaming the peas entirely. Have I mentioned I hate peas? I do. No worries though, he gobbled them up with a smile on his face.

Sweet Potatoes

The scooting on William's belly is getting quicker all the time we're noticing. He's also doing this thing when he sits up. He kind of gets going bouncing up and down until it looks like he might launch himself forward onto his face. The face plant has only happened once that I know of...I think this is all going towards that funny little butt scoot thing some kids do. We'll have to wait and see.


The other highlight of the day was our trip to the vet. I know, our first kitties are often neglected in the blog. But, their day is nowhere near as exciting as William's. Napping, eating, napping, napping in different spot, sniffing the carpet, drinking water, staring out the window, visiting the cat box, and napping don't add up to a whole lot of excitement. Even with the occasional hair ball, it doesn't add up to much. Just to reassure you, they are still our first kitties and we still love them lots. Even if they don't get much time up on the blog. The cats both had their physicals and shots - we're good for another year. both cats were very well behaved without any attitude (hissing, growling, scratching, etc.) The fatty spots on Mudd appear to have gone away or shrunk and both cats have lost weight. The vet was very pleased and my only complaint is that she didn't compliment us on how pretty their eyes are. This is the first year in history the vet has not gushed over the beautifulness of our cats' eyes. The only saving fact is she thought William was cute. We probably won't be switching vets after all. Although if another visit goes by without the eyes being noticed, I may reconsider.

Mmmmm...sweet potatoes. I think he may like the sweet potatoes more than the cereal or squash.


Opps! I don't think we quite have the hang of it yet.


The end: Mess

The end Mess Part II

Old McDonald should have had corn

Why all the animals Old McDonald? I just don't get it. Is that something like having a diverse portfolio for your retirement? Because I'm getting tired of singing about your animals...ALL your animals to William while I am trying to feed him stinky peas. May I make a suggestion? Keep the cows OR the sheep. The mooing and baaaaaing here and there and EVERYwhere usually makes him smile. But, get rid of everything else. Plant some corn. Or wheat. Do something different.

Swirled Peas, Again

I hate peas. I hate peas. I was quite ready to move on to other, yummier smelling vegetables when John asked me what I was going to do with the 1/2 full container still left in the fridge. Unable to throw it out, we will soldier on with the darn peas. Although he doesn't appear to actually like them (that's my boy!), he will now tolerate them if they are swirled into his rice cereal and I sing 'Old McDonald' the entire time I am feeding him. The Entire Time I am Feeding Him.

We have had a busy weekend despite the poopy peas problem (not an actual poop problem at this point for those of you who care). In prepareation for the drywall delivery, John cleaned out the garage on Saturday. I confess to coming out for short periods of time and moving things around without actually helping. Then, I would suddenly remember something I needed to do or hear the baby, etc. If you talk to my dad, he will clearly remember such tactics from when I was thirteen and supposed to be helping him with yard work. Anyhow, John worked and worked all day and found all kinds of interesting treasures. Our garage sale/donate pile has grown to be quite monstrous again.

One of the treasures we found were the torches we bought for our deck 100 years ago (or 3 years ago) as the "finishing touch" for the deck. Although we walk by them every day, they seem to just sit there, unfinishing our garage. As a result, Sunday we spent part of the day installing our lovely torches. And the deck is now "finished". We also spent some time in the basement hammering things around and moving ladders while William played in his "office". We are getting closer and closer to being ready to install drywall.

Tired baby boy on Saturday. Yes, we still have the bumpers in...I keep meaning to take them out. But then he does silly things like trying to crawl into the railings of the crib, bonking his precious little head every time.


Our newly cleaned out garage. No, this is not the before shot. This is the after and I think it looks GREAT! Lots of space to hold the drywall...just not cars right now. Just not the car I guess I should say since the most we've ever got in there is my car.


Biter buscuit test drive on Saturday. Verdict:too soon for William/ mom is a paranoid freak. He definitely enjoyed it. I did not enjoy the gagging/coughing noises he made. We'll try again in awhile.


What a good helper! Rule #17: NEVER leave the ladder up where a cat could climb it into your ceiling.


William conducting business in his "office" on Sunday


The finished deck with torches