I told Katie that I thought she was going to get a few comments today because she’s dressed up for school pics (vs her usual sweats and ponytail). Her response?
“I think I’m going to attract boys.”
And an outtake:
I think I’m going to attract boys.
Category Archives: Kids
Michigan Egg Hunt
Katie was ready at 5am—she’s ALL about the egg hunt. And I think Owen is about over it.
And then the ever important opening and sorting process.
Also, can someone please stop time?
When she actually washes her hair (and doesn’t put it in a ponytail) and wears real clothes (not sweats and wrinkled clothes), she looks like a real girl (as opposed to a grungy kid).
Art is happening!
Yes, Candyland.
Katie still loves Candyland. Makes me crazy but gramma still plays along!
I’m with the band!
The band boosters got these shirts for the kids! Can you see Owen?
I feel seen.
Yes I picked Owen up like this.
This is what might happen if I’m in the middle of doing my hair when I get a phone call from the school nurse to come get Owen because he got hit in the face in gym. (He’s fine overall but just felt a bit “wonky” and wanted to come home.)
At least my makeup was done?
Both kids were sleeping in the basement…
So OBVIOUSLY both of their bedroom lights were still on when I went to bed.
SeneVersary 5 gift prep!
The office is a nightmare and I’ve lost track of gift/prize organization so decided today was time. And I convinced Katie to help me.
I found this stuff in the guest room.
Oh HELL no, dear Katie. Keep your crap contained to your own room!
Catsitting!
We stopped in to check on the cats while Anna and David were camping…and we snagged Ash for a proof of life photo!
Stuck!
Bookmobile in our neighborhood!
Imagine my surprise when I was out on my walk and saw this!
The three musketeers.
Just the girls!
The story of my life.
Tell me you have kids without telling me you have kids.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
This is what my kids considered “picked up” before the housekeepers got here.
Throwback St. Patrick’s Day
I never know where I’m going to find these.
Sleeping cuddled with all three pet pillows.
I got this puzzle from Amazon Vine and it was a big fail.
We thought we were missing pieces after our first edge-piece sort so sorted again. And then again when we only found one additional piece. And a third time just because we couldn’t believe it. We talked about not even doing it, but it really was a fun and somewhat easy puzzle so we continued.
And this is what we ended up with. I didn’t even count the missing pieces because it was so crazy. Not just a piece. Not just an edge. But a ton of random pieces!! Sooo disappointing!
Needless to say it got a 1-star review.
Middle school band competition!
Typically this would be in person but Zoom is still the way of life for a lot of events. So we were all on the stage in the Cafe watching while the kids played in front of the judges on a huge screen!
Grandma and grandpa and the Chang-Yens were able to be there so Owen was excited about that!
Owen’s home again.
Thankfully I was feeling a lot better because I got a call from the nurse’s office saying Owen had a bad stomachache.
UGHHHHH.
He has no other symptoms (thankfully no vomit or diarrhea) so I’m honestly curious if he’s sick or not. Kids are hard—they haven’t had enough experience to know what they can suck it up and work through or if they’re really sick. I did try to suss out if there was anything going on at school that he might be trying to avoid and he assumed me there wasn’t. So… He’s home. And I’m back in bed resting.
First Jazz band concert!
Tonight was the first time the middle school jazz band has been in person since before the Covid lockdown! They performed at the high school with their jazz bands (well, not WITH, but at the same event).
To be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect—especially when the band director said they’d only had 14 practices together. But they were actually quite good!
Maggie is back home.
The turnaround time from Lap of Love was astounding. Maggie’s ashes were hand delivered to us this morning. Katie put her with the other pets (and the sign she made).
Cue tears. (And more random tears when I’m writing and posting this on 3/6.)
Cue random tears.
Katie was emptying the dishwasher and putting away pet spoons and bowls. We discussed what to do with them. (We are keeping some pet stuff JUST IN CASE but also getting rid of some things.)
I was fine.
She asked about some of Maggie’s toys. I said we still had to sort through them but would likely give most away.
I was fine.
She asked about the collars. I said we’d probably get rid of them. And then she handed them to me.
I was not fine.
Well, tonight sucked for sure.
We had Anna and Dave and kids over for dinner to help our house not feel so empty and quiet and to try and take our minds off things. And it helped for sure.
But when it was bedtime, and the activity of the day calmed down and their minds were free to wander, all the emotions came screaming back to the surface.
Poor Katie was sobbing and wanted to sleep with us. I felt a little cold (and guilty) saying no, but honestly I desperately needed my own sleep and wouldn’t have been able to at all with her in the bed. So we let her cuddle for a bit and then sleep on the floor next to us which she was happy with.
I did take Tylenol PM so I’d hopefully get a decent night’s sleep…and I know it will get easier…but for now it seems impossible she’s really gone.
Owen braces, round 2.
Yes, round 2. Thankfully our new insurance covers braces again so we’re only out another $2500 (this round is about $3k more than the last one but the coverage is better).
I did ask if he wanted to reschedule (since we obviously had no idea two months ago what we’d be doing this morning) and he said no.
I wasn’t going to take any pictures but then during the process Owen asked if I would…so of course I did!
Goodbye sweet girl, we love you.
We’re never ready. And it is unbelievable. The day we bring them home the first time… THIS day feels forever away. Until one day, it’s a day away. It seems impossible. —from my dear friend Kelly
Cuddling with the boys…
I’m so glad we opted to do this at home with Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice. Maggie deserved to be in her own home surrounded by her favorite people being showered with all our love and kisses. It was the kids’ first in-person experience with pet death and it was so very hard but, we thought, necessary.
The vet, Dr. Kylie, was amazing. She was loving and gentle and patient and kind. She gave us privacy to say our goodbyes and made a paw print for us.
Goodbye, sweet girl. We love you more than you could ever know.
We wrapped her and sent her off in one of her blankets.
Tom chose to carry her to the vet’s car.
And then we all cried some more and tried to parse that Maggie was really gone…the house just seemed so quiet and empty.
It’s honestly a blur (writing this 9 days after the fact). I don’t remember what we all did. But I do know that Owen had to get ready to get braces later in the day — I had asked if he wanted to reschedule and he said no.
Maggie’s final night.
In one of her (and my) favorite spots.
And Tom saying a final goodnight to his girl. I cannot look at these pics without crying.
Katie and I decided to sleep downstairs so we could be with Maggie and take care of her. I didn’t want her to try and jump off our bed during the night and I knew I’d have to help her go outside.
We were up every hour because she wanted to drink. Every other hour she needed/wanted to go outside so I walked her down the steps.
This is where she slept — on me — most of the night. Completely unusual. It’s like she knew something was different.
