Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Reason #462: Why Grandmas are Great!

I had the opportunity to attend a field trip with Miss M’s class yesterday. She was thrilled that I was able to come along. I am ecstatic that she still wants her mom around.

We rode on a bus to the Sheldon Concert Hall where we watched a performance about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. The show was informative as well as entertaining. What really struck me was the good behavior of Miss M’s class. There were about 6 other bus loads of students at the concert hall, none of which maintained a sense of calm and decorum the way our kids did.

Which isn’t to say that the bus ride back to school was a peaceful one. Besides the various hand clapping “Bo Bo See Otten Totten” type games going on around me, a group of girls started a rousing round of “The Song that Never Ends” for 19 minutes and 33 seconds straight. I’m still trying to get that one out of my head!

Obviously my younger children required adult supervision while I was on my fourth grade field trip. Both my mother and my mother-in-law were kind enough to tag-team babysit for C.B. and the Banana. The kids were so excited that both of their grandmas were coming over to play. It was awesome that they were staying with the kids, but what I found when I got home was even more wonderful. My mom had helped the kids pick up the toys in the front room - which is no small task – and my mother-in-law did the dishes. The house looked better than when I had left!!

I felt like a woman who had it all yesterday. I was able to go on a field trip with Miss M, all the while knowing that my younger kids were with people who loved them. And as a bonus I got a cleaner house than I started out with. Seriously…who could ask for anything more?

Thanks, Grandmas!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

The Belly

After much deliberation, I decided to post a couple of pictures of “The Belly” (as my husband calls it) for my out of town friends and family.




I wore a stretchy t-shirt so you could get the full effect. And, yes…I DO have two more months to go.

I also took a short video of some of the action that happens within “The Belly”. This kid really gets into his/her exercise routines. Uncle Dave would be proud.




I got the results of my glucose test today. All levels are normal. I am currently baking cookies.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

The Zoo's Got Talent

Our school held a Talent Show yesterday. Two of my kids and five of my nieces and nephews took part in it. It was so much fun to watch that I went a little overboard taking pictures. Big D’s class won first prize for their performance of "Granny at the Fair".


Miss M’s class did a wonderful job as well. They did a song and dance that the students themselves helped to choreograph.

She thinks the Kindergarteners won out over the Fourth Grade “because they’re cuter.” She may very well be right.

My fourth grade niece took second prize for her piano performance. She didn’t even use music. I was very impressed.

I was also impressed that my first grade nephew had the courage to perform in front of the entire school. He also played the piano. When he messed up a little during his first song, he gave the audience a very sincere look and asked, “Can I start again?” It was darling!


I am very proud of all the kids, and truly enjoyed yesterday’s show. Here’s the whole set if you care to browse.

Monday, February 11, 2008

HERE WE GO AGAIN

OK…so the snow has melted, mud and muck have taken over our yard, and things are progressing at a snail’s pace around here. I entered my third trimester several weeks ago, and it’s just like everyone told me it would be. They said the first and third trimesters were very similar, and it seems to be true. I’m tired again, the occasional bouts of nausea are back, and I’m constantly going to the bathroom. It’s nothing that you want me to go into detail about. Trust me.

I did have my glucose tested a little over a week ago, and the nurse practitioner at the OB’s office said that the results were “slightly higher than we’d like to see.” I went a few days later and went through a three-hour version of the test, and am still waiting to hear about those results. The nice lady at the lab told me that more often than not the second time is within the normal range. The doctors just want to be sure. (This is the same nice who lady stuck me with a needle four times and left me with four lovely bruises for souvenirs.) I am guessing I will get the call tomorrow and will know for sure what the rest of my pregnancy holds. I can’t promise it will be soon, but I will try to keep you posted.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Day Two in the Snow

There was still plenty of snow left to play in today, so Dad took the kids out and they made a fort to play in. Here are the pix:






Friday, February 01, 2008

Let it Snow!


Miss M measured 9 ½ inches on our deck this morning. I made the kids get some breakfast in their bellies before they went out to play, but I was still in my jammies.




We were worried about the Banana’s tiny little hands inside of her tiny little gloves. Those darling gloves don’t offer much warmth or protection, but she refused to come in. When we finally did get her inside it turned out that her hands weren’t cold at all. She must have some sort of supernatural heat flowing through her body – thankfully. And she had a great time with the other kids in the snow.

The pile of snow clothes when the kids come in is amazing. We have been very lucky to have inherited a snowsuit in almost every size there is. Boots, hats and gloves get handed down from Miss M all the way down to the Banana. We have acquired an impressive collection of snow attire over the years. Unfortunately I was not completely prepared for this snow day. We were out of hot chocolate. There goes my shot at “Mother of the Year”!!