The kids’ lessons are progressing nicely…but today we just get a video of Katie going down the slide during play time. It’s funny—last week was the first week she was even somewhat interested, and one of the instructors made sure to help her climb up and wanted to wait for her at the bottom of the slide. I had to tell them she’s an old hat at big slides and they didn’t need to worry! She showed them today!
Owen helping her up the first time:
Today’s “new” dress (hand-me-down from Lisa Len-Beson). She loves it, of course! (And this is typically what her hair looks like on a daily basis.)
I was making Tom two different kinds of rice pudding and Katie wanted to help. She tired of actually helping stir after about six seconds, so she did her own cooking instead.
Ha! Just kidding! I’m not sleeping!
They had paint kits at the dollar store so Katie picked Frozen (and we got Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Owen).
After she finished the two designs in the kit, she did her own free form piece (which I like the best). 🙂
I made her change out of her dress and tights, but she still had to wear a tutu. We could only find those two Crocs. And she had to take her purse. I love it!
We went to Outback for lunch since daddy was home and we were out running errands. We were waiting outside since it was taking forever for the check and Katie was restless.
And cropped to better see the hair:
And then, of course, crazy faces. 🙂
(And still not a good hair picture since we didn’t wash it this morning.)
Owen’s teacher emailed me last night to see if I could help with a class project today for the Veteran’s Day assembly on Wednesday. It was last minute but she thought maybe I could do it since I was already going to be in the classroom (for a makeup P/T conference). I quickly agreed because I like helping out—and I could bring Katie. 🙂 She said she’d let me know what the project was when I got there.
Hoo boy, LOL.
It wasn’t just a CLASS project, but a GRADE project. An ART project. Where I had to paint everyone’s hands to make the stripes on a flag. And stick their name stickers on as well. So, around 100 kids 2-10 at a time in a hallway…ON MY KNEES the whole time.
I gave up control of hand placement on about the fourth red hand, LOL.
I had on the wrong clothes—a tank with a swingy top which kept flapping about getting close to the paint (washable, of course, but still…I’d have worn something different if I knew I’d be painting).
I had the wrong hair—I wore it down, but with all the moving around and kids and close quarters and paint…I would have worn it up.
And my knees. My poor, old, broken knees. I can barely deal with kneeling for five minutes, let alone an hour. I wouldn’t have said no even if I knew, so it doesn’t really matter…I’m just lamenting my old knees and how I took some strong drugs and am currently writing this entry sitting with my feet up because it hurts to walk. 🙂
It was fun overall (though a bit messy and chaotic), some kids recognized me as Owen’s mom, the teachers really appreciated me being there, it turned out cute, and I was too busy to worry about Katie but Mrs. Talley said she was just fine…and I walked in after to see Katie just sitting with the kids (not even with Owee!) watching the math lesson. 🙂
Though I’d recently been thinking about getting Katie’s hair trimmed, I hadn’t yet gone through with it. But, when we ended up across the way from a kids’ cut place (Cartoon Cuts) at the mall, we asked if she wanted to get her hair cut and she said yes!
And she did amazing! It helped, I’m sure, that she got to watch cartoons the whole time! 🙂
He blow-dried it which made it look completely unlike her normal self, and of course, we couldn’t get her to pose for a decent pic.
The neat thing about an actual kids’ place? I got this automatically. 🙂
Then it was off to the bouncy place—her treat for being a good girl during the haircut.
This was the photo attempt at home:
So I’ll have to get a better one tomorrow. 🙂
So we’re watching Inside Out and some scene comes on where the characters are crying.
Katie: What’s he doing?
Tom: He’s crying. It’s good to cry. It’s how we deal with things.
Owen: Like when Grandma Marsha died.
Tom and I look at each other and get teary.
Me: Exactly.
Owen: And we won’t forget her…
Katie: Because she’s always in our heart.
Tom and I look at each other again and just about lose it. The kids weren’t phased at all and just went back to watching the movie.
I’m glad the things I’ve said to them have sunk in, even if Katie doesn’t specifically understand yet.
Tom was home today so we decided to surprise Owen during his lunch!
Don’t you love Katie’s lunch? Sometimes I just make life easy. 🙂
Owen seeing us!
Or at least some of her guests. 🙂
Because I like to plan and shop ahead, I’ve had this 18m Halloween costume for probably 2-3 years…but unfortunately she never got to wear it and now it’s too small. (Last year would have been perfect but so was the MSU Cheerleader.) Surprisingly it still kinda fit so I had to get a picture! She was SO excited to be a monkey!!
After two kinda long days in the car—and a week of no real exercise—we pulled in, unloaded the car, then headed directly to the park for our favorite hike!
We like the turnpike rest areas because they have a family bathroom. Katie has discovered the little flip-down seat…and always had to sit there once she was done.
We were heading home with just a bit more stuff than we arrived with…and the kids were completely packed in.
After the events of the past few days, we wanted to let the kids have some fun!
And a compilation of slides…
The kids were super excited about treak-or-treating at Gramma’s house…and we were, too…until the Michigan weather happened. Yeah, it was 38° and rainy. Egads. If you look closely enough you can see Katie’s polka-dot long johns under her white tights (and she also had on pink tights!).
On the front porch where my Halloween picture was taken every year…
Everyone (including Uncle Rob) ready to head out!
There weren’t many houses lit up but the ones that were were handing out TONS of candy! You see how full their bags look? We had only hit maybe six houses at this point!
After about 15 minutes they gave up on the umbrellas and just ran from house to house while we waited at the road. Soon enough we were back at Gramma’s door!!
Home after an hour of being out in the rain—they were soaked but happy!!
Tom gave the kids a hot shower and put them in PJs while I made them hot cocoa!
Eating Mallow cups from daddy and Uncle Rob—they were Grandma Marsha’s favorite treat and someone brought a bag of them for the boys.
LOOKS AT THEIR HAUL!! The weather sure stunk but it was great for quick candy accumulation. They got 9# of candy from less than 20 houses!
They’ve been waiting desperately to see Uncle Rob!
Owen: Mom, my tongue hurts.
Me: Why does your tongue hurt?
Owen: Because I really want to eat.
Me: Yeah it doesn’t work like that.
Owen: Burger King is delicious.
Me: Yes it is.
Owen: But the breakfast meals are deliciouser.
As we are driving in the car:
Tom, to Katie: Kisses!
Katie: I can’t reach! I’m in my seat!
At Costco after Katie said she had to go potty and was successful:
Me: Katie, you did such a great job! I’m so proud of you!
Katie: I know. Thank you.
Driving to Kalkaska:
Owen: Mom! You missed it! The white tree with black spots. Like in my game!
Me: Those are birch trees and we’ll see more!
It wasn’t actually used as a time-out seat, but that’s what she called it.
Yes, it’s a rock. Yes, Katie already has three real phones to play with. She LOVES it. Kids are funny.
She actually slept with it last night and found it under her pillow this morning!
