Botanical Gardens

This afternoon Korra and I went to the Botanical Gardens with a with friend and her kids. We ended up staying for almost 5 hours- playing, walking, talking, and having dinner. It was so good. It was exactly what I needed. 

College Roommate

I haven't been able to think of much else for the past 24 hours except for my friend who had emergency surgery last night because of COVID complications (blood clot in her brain). She's still in a medically induced coma. I'm so sad and scared and angry. 

Testing

My 14th year of standardized testing has begun.  Knowing I only have to do it twice (once a week)  makes it SO MUCH better.  Not only that, but the kids wrote SO MUCH on the essay portion.  They all said it was easy after the research essay they wrote for me two weeks ago.

Class Photos

Korra's class was invited to a local park for "picture day." The dad of the kids in her class is a photographer and take individual and group photos of whatever kids could come. They had a great time and I can't wait to see the official photos. 

Is it rude?

I have this thing that keeps happening. 

I text a parent.  

"--- is missing class. Is everything ok?"

Or

"--- is missing this assignment. Can you remind him to do it this afternoon?"

The parents responds with something like:

"Good morning to you as well."

A) is that as passive aggressive as it sounds to me?

B) am I being rude by not starting my texts with a greeting?

Camp Meriweather

 Korra's Girl Scout troop had a day trip to camp. They had a picnic, painted clay ornaments, and then spent plenty of time in the barn with the horses. They got to bathe and feed a horse and then do some riding. 

Gifts for the Unhoused

My grandpa sent Korra and me some money to support the care packages we make for the unhoused folks we meet around town. 

We put together a dozen care packages today!

Melodramatic

Korra is currently sobbing in the bathroom that "it's not fair" that we told her it was too late to take a bath.

Break in the Rain

Korra had her friend sleep over last night. This morning I made them waffles with whipped cream and strawberries. It was really rainy this morning with more in the forecast for the late afternoon but we decided to take a chance and drove to Duluth to try this doughnut place and brewery that we'd heard good things about. The weather cleared up and it was gorgeous for a few hours. The doughnuts were yummy and the brewery had a great outdoor space where we were about to play games and relax. We got home right before the severe thunderstorms warning started so I guess it was perfect timing. 

Overlapping Meetings

Today I had 6 different (and at times overlapping) virtual meetings. Nearly all were, surprisingly, worthwhile. I got 2 students to complete assignments and drastically improve their grades. I was part of a gender inclusivity work group and a middle school visioning committee which made me feel heard, valued, and like the school is moving in a positive direction. It was busy and a whole lot of sitting, but overall, a good PD day. 

FULLY VACCINATED

It's been 2 weeks since I got my second vaccine.  It's real!  I'm fully vaccinated!  (or as Nate likes to joke- I'm invincible!) 

Goal Weight Achieved!

Today I met my goal weight.  I've lost 11 pounds.  Now to the really hard part.  Maintaining these healthier habits as my new normal.

Grill Master

Usually Nate does the grilling but it was such a pretty day, I decided to give it a shot on my own. I grilled chicken and veggie kebabs and flatbread. It was delicious, but definitely much better as a two person job. Grilling will have to wait for the weekends. 

The little things that made up my weekend

I sold my old dresser on Nextdoor. 

My phone fell out of my pocket and the screen cracked. 

I sat by the pool for an hour to talk with a new neighbor and got a sunburn. 

We had a porch visit with some friends from church. 

I made banana pancakes (with whipped cream). 

We walked to Publix and bought subs and snacks for dinner. 

I made 2 delicious salads. 

Korra and I played some board games. 

I re-downloaded the Peanut app to make some friends because I'm feeling lonely. 

I went on a long walk and listened to a good audiobook. 

Accomplishment

Of my 46 students, 38 turned in COMPLETED 4 paragraph research essays by the due date.  This might be the biggest accomplishment of my entire teaching career.  They chose the topics, they did the research themselves, and they did almost all of it virtually.  3 more are only missing their conclusion paragraphs.  I am so relieved and proud.  Proud of myself and proud of these kids.  

Dresser

My grandparents gifted me this gorgeous dresser. My parents were kind enough to keep it at their house for 6+ months. My brother was kind enough to bring it from my parents and help me carry it up the stairs. I love it!

"Proud of you" cards

Most of my students have been working really hard on their research opinion essays so I wanted to send them a card to tell them how proud I am. I drew a bunch of these up tonight. 

First Swim of the Season

It's 75 degrees but since the pool is open Korra was insistent that we go. No amount of logic could dissuade her. 

Nachos

How is she ever going to go back to bagged lunches?

This Pollen

I just want to spend time outside in this gloriously beautiful spring weather but the pollen count is insane. Even with double my usual allergy medicine AND some Benadryl, I was sneezing and had itchy eyes every time I went outside for even a few minutes today. 

Korra's Room

Korra says she doesn't need to clean her room because it's not that messy. 

Last minute cabin trip

Even though I wasn't feeling my best on Friday, we decided to do a quick trip up to the cabin because Nate's parents and brother, sister-in-law, and their kids were there for spring break. It was quick but really nice to see them. 

Side effects

First I felt fatigued but at 3am, I felt terrible. Every part of my body ached. Thankfully, Tylenol and sleep seem to have gotten me over the worst of it. 

Anamaniacs

Korra and I have started watching the old Animaniacs on Hulu. We're both enjoying it!

Fully Vaccinated!

Orinthologist

The campground has a bird sanctuary that also has a big poster of the birds of the area. Korra had spent some of each day there. When it was time to check out today, I found her there with 4 senior citizens, holding a very mature, intelligent conversation with them about the birds. Turns out they are all members of their local birding clubs and wanted to know how long she been a birder. "About 3 days," I said. They were so impressed with her knowledge and confidence.  I was, too. I already booked our campsite for next year- right next to the bird sanctuary. 

Beach Baby

Korra could have spent all day at the beach. Nate was done after about an hour and a half (even with sunscreen he started to burn). 

Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt

I put tiny glow sticks into Easter eggs and then hid them around the campsite. Korra loved it!

Putt Putt and Firewood

After lunch, we biked across the street to play a round of mini golf (Nate and I tied) before biking back to the campground.

After some reading/nap time, I went to the camp store to buy firewood only to find that they'd already closed. Thankfully a very sweet family gave us some of theirs (and it was WAY better than the stuff we bought for $11 a bag last night) so we could still enjoy melty Brie and crusty warm French bread for dinner. 

Long bike ride

Today we bikes a little more than 12 miles (about 3/4 of the island). First we went to the historic district. Mostly everything was closed because it's Easter and we learned our favorite shop (the bookstore, of course) had closed permanently. We biked some more, saw an alligator and stopped at Tortuga Jack's for a lunch that included chips and queso and a Virgin Sunset for Korra.

Brrrrrr

Last night it was 45 degrees!  It was a cold night to be camping!

Peeps S'mores

When you camp at Easter... Peep Smores!

I debated replacing the chocolate with a Reese's Egg but it seemed like it might be too much. 

Hotel and Campsite

The I booked for our first night was subpar; for Korra especially because they gave us only a king bed and her cot was AWFUL. After a walk and a birthday lunch for Nate, we set up our campsite and I think it looks pretty good!

I only wish it was a little more secluded. I've already picked out which site I want next year (J7). It's hard to believe it's actually been SIX years since we were last here!  

iPad

We bought an iPad to replace the old Kindle Fire that stopped working. Korra is pretty happy to be able to watch movies on the 5 hour drive. 

Nate and I are pretty happy not to have to listen to whining about how bored she is (since she can't do hardly anything in the car without throwing up). 

New Nibling!

Yesterday two really exciting things happened! 1) I learned a new word: Nibling. It's a word that refers to the child of your sibling without the whole gendered niece/nephew thing. So you can refer to your nieces and nephews in one collective noun: niblings!

2) I have a a new nibling!  Yesterday my brother and sister-in-law welcomed Lily into the world! 

Spring Break!

Nate's home early. The camping supplies are packed. The bikes are strapped to the back of the car. We're ready to head to Jekyll Island!  Tonight we're staying in a hotel and tomorrow we'll check into the campground. I'm so excited!  It's been 5 years since we've been!

Fingerprints

On Monday, I had to go to the school system central office to be fingerprinted to renew my teaching license.  Today, I have to go to the county's DFCS office to get fingerprinted for the adoption process.  That's a lot of fingerprinting in one week.

Also, Nate and I got fingerprinted for DFCS last February but since it's taken over a year to process our application (thanks, COVID), our fingerprinting expired so we have to do it again.  Oh, and it's 25 minutes away and they have super limited hours, just to make it more fun.