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Category Archives: Kids

Katie’s Curriculum Night

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Only one parent was allowed (thanks, Covid) so that means me. Which I’m fine with because then I get to check everything out! I sat at her desk and got to look inside to see if it was a mess (it wasn’t, but her teacher said she makes them all clean their desks because ALL PARENTS LOOK). They all got to design their own name for their desk.

I really love Katie’s teachers and I think she’s gonna have a great year. I especially liked being able to see all the artwork and projects they’ve been working on (hanging in the hallway).

Owen’s homeroom!

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We had Curriculum Night tonight. And really it was just me because they were limiting the number of people in person…but barely anyone even showed up! I pulled in early to make sure I got a parking spot (because these nights are generally a hot mess) and the lot was practically empty! I didn’t see one person in the halls the entire walk to his classroom! The good thing is that his Homeroom teacher arrived a few minutes later so I got to have a good 10 minutes with her!

Anyway, he seems to have some great teachers! And here’s some pics of his hallway and classroom!

Owen needs braces again.

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The orthodontist has an even fancier system for tooth models now! It’s a tiny little camera she just moves around his mouth and it turns it into a 3D model!

https://youtube.com/shorts/SYxHvNj7IDM

His last adult tooth (red X) is trying to come in on top of another tooth. So they have to move the tooth that’s currently there to the empty spot (green arrow). This means six months of full braces on the top and then likely two years of Invisalign after.

Why Invisalign? Owen asked for it and since he did really well keeping track of his retainer the past two years, we said we’d think about it. Unfortunately it’s more expensive, to the tune of about $6k. We’re still waiting on the price for regular braces because we are out of insurance benefits (we were out from Day 1—benefits max out at like $1750 and we have already paid that much ourselves).

Back-to-school Katie cut!

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Katie’s getting a back to school cut…and I get to sit with her purse because she doesn’t need me standing next to her anymore. Cue motherly crying.

Her hair is FINALLY getting longer! It seriously didn’t grow forever—it was so strange! This is only her fourth cut in her life and every time was just a tiny trim. Needless to say she’s excited!

She gave the hearts back.

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We were having a dramatic issue with Katie (OMG she can be such a drama queen) and I found this pile outside our bedroom.

These were the hearts we wrote for her and put on her door leading up to Valentine’s Day this year.

She loves these hearts.

I asked why she did it… “I DONT NEED LOVE.” I told her to throw them away and she refused, saying she still likes them.

Kids. Sigh.

We’re down to the final hours.

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Or picking up the kids from two weeks of grandparent camp. Which happens today. In a few hours.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my children dearly. But I absolutely do not miss them while they’re gone for these two weeks. Aside from the fact I know they’re having a great time with their grandparents and making awesome memories…our house is soooo quiet and there’s no whining or arguing or drama or asking for snacks and I don’t have to do any parenting, which we all know is mentally exhausting.

FYI Tom says he misses them the whole time. I say it’s because he wasn’t the only one home with them for their entire lives (minus this past Covid timeline).

I’d enjoy this mini overnight getaway a little more if…

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  1. We weren’t picking up our kids from Grandparent Camp tomorrow.
  2. This was an ocean view on a cruise ship. These windows are awesome but the view is…meh.

What’s the story? We were meeting my dad and Linda in Wausau to make the exchange…and Tom decided he would rather drive up the night before and stay overnight instead of having to get up and on the road super early. I was fine with that.

Hiking with Papa and Grannie

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From Linda:

North point outer shore on the Big Lake (Lake Superior). The day before Owen and Grannie kayaked from south shore, around middle point, through the channel between outer point and the island. On to two more islands and between those on the Big Lake. A little fish was jumping out of the water around the bow of Owen’s kayak. Also saw two loons. Great ride. Owen is stronger than Grannie.

Katie’s Room: Done

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We pulled out two bags of garbage (sooooo much paper and candy wrappers and broken crayons), did about four loads of laundry, and removed two garbage bags of outgrown clothes. I cleaned the carpet TWICE (but alas it will never be clean because Katie loves to play with makeup and dye and markers and God knows what else and it has permanent stains).

She got a new ceiling fan, curtains, and princess netting, plus we finally hung her initials. Tom will eventually build a window seat with bookshelves IF she can keep it picked up. If not, the new rule is “If you don’t keep it picked up, I will remove the things so you don’t have to worry about it.”