Haircut #2

Celebrating Korra's new 'do with her favorite root beer at Red Hare Brewery. 

Haircut #1

Korra has a haircut later today so this morning, I let her give herself a preliminary haircut.

Infrequent Zoom Calls

After several weeks of zero video calls, today I had 3. They were each about an hour (one for a  school thing, one with our new DFCS case manager, and one to catch up with a friend who lives in Indiana) and I found them to all be totally pleasant. Turns out Zoom calls, like many other things, are wonderful in small doses. 

New Glasses

Korra needs new glasses every 6 months because of how much her eyesight is changing. Here's the newest pair that we picked up today. 

Botanical Gardens Playdate

We picked up one of Korra's friends and went to the Botanical Gardens for the afternoon. They were both so excited that the splashpad was open again!

Fernbank Museum

We bought a family membership to the Fernbank Natural History Museum and had our first visit today!

More Fingerprinting

I've had 3 background checks and fingerprints taken in 3 months. Once for DFCS, once for renewing my teaching certificate, and yesterday for TSA pre-check.  Everybody and their mom has my fingerprints now. 

Amazing Mug

A student mailed me a mug that he designed. On one side it says "You taught CRAAP. I learned CRAAP." (That's an acronym I use to teach evaluating websites).

On the other side, it has a chicken with a mask and Easter eggs because when students could write their research opinion papers on anything, this student chose to write about how (and why) the Easter Bunny should be replaced by a bird. 

I love it!!

HP Complete

Korra finished the Harry Potter books!  She's read books 1-6 twice (once I read them with her and the second time she read them by herself) and just read the last one!

Headed Home

Nothing like a 3+ hour flight in front of two toddlers who kick your seat and scream the whole time. 

So ready to 1) see Korra and 2) be in my own bed. 

Still have a 1.5 hour flight to go and then a 5 hour drive tomorrow. 

Escape Room

Nate and I got to try out our first escape room today (and we got out with 10 minutes to spare!)

It was super fun (and alien themed!)

Happy Father's Day, Nate!

Connecticut Day 3

After brunch we drove and walked around Hartford and West Hartford, stopped drinks a few places, and ended with amazing ramen, dumplings, and bao. (I am so full from all the amazing food we've eaten today). It started to pour just as we were finishing dinner and we were a good 5 minute walk from the car. We were totally soaked by the time we got to the car so I'm very happy to be on the couch and in dry sweatpants now. 

Brunch

Today we went to a completely over-the-top brunch place. It was so silly and fun. I couldn't tell at times whether I ironically loved it or really loved it. (that's a bathroom of Mimosa complete with cotton candy and gummies) 

Connecticut Day 2

Today we had lunch in Manchester and walked around the downtown. This evening we ate dinner at home, played board games, and baked a yummy peach gingerbread. The weather continues to be gorgeous!

Albino

I just got a phone call from an unknown number. When I answered this is the conversation:

Caller: "Ms B, can black people be albino?"

Me: "who is this?"

Caller: "It's me (student's name)"

Me: "Hi!  Um, yes, people from all ethnicities and races can be albino."

Student: "but how can they be black if they're all white?"

Me: "They're race has to do with their families and genetics, being albino has to do with not having any melanin"

Student: "so are all white people albino?"

Me: "no, white people have some melanin. Albinos have none."

Student: "ok, thanks Ms B. Bye"

Hilarious and totally out of the blue. 

Connecticut Day 1

Yesterday we got a tour of our friends' house, church, and neighborhood. In the late afternoon we went to Treehouse Brewery which was absolutely gorgeous (Nate liked the beer and it was really busy so I guess that was good too). For dinner we met up with some friends from LaGrange that live nearby in Massachusetts. We had pizza and drinks on their lovely back porch. It was so nice to talk and laugh with people who have a shared background/history. 

Flying

Nate and I are currently in Atlanta for our layover from Pensacola to Connecticut. Thankfully the Pensacola airport is small and wasn't busy (which really helped with my travel nerves). Unfortunately, Atlanta is packed, nearly all the restaurants are closed and the few that are open have lines that are way too long for our 30 minute layover. 

Note to future self: always buy food when you have time even if you're not hungry. 

Playground

Beach Day

Genevieve and I took the kids to beach today. We were there for almost 6 hours and everyone had a great time (with very little burns)!  

Pensacola!

We're in Pensacola for the next few days visiting with Nate's parents and brother (and his family).  Korra is so excited to spend time with her cousins. 

Summer Saturday

We slept in. We made waffles for breakfast. We walked to Krog Street Market. Korra ate a popsicle that melted all over her hand and arm and shirt. We swam at the pool. 

Fro-Yo

Korra tried frozen yogurt for the first time. She was disappointed (as any person who has ever eaten ice cream is when eating frozen yogurt- no matter how many toppings you put on it). 

Errands and a migraine

This morning Korra and I ran errands while Nate filled out paperwork at his new job and took a tour of the school. First we picked up a Girl Scout package, then we picked out Korra's new glasses, then we went to the library, and finally we stopped at the school to drop off some things. By the time we got home at lunch, my morning headache had become a full migraine.  I tried to push through it to get laundry done but it got the best of me.  Glad I got stuff done but hate that the migraine ruined my ability to do or enjoy much else for the rest of the day. 

Eye Insurance

Korra has to go to the eye doctor every 6 months because of how much her eyesight is changing. Even with visits that often, they still don't feel comfortable using her full prescription because the change would be too much and cause her dizziness. On top of this, we discovered our favorite optometrist isn't in network anymore and now we have to find a new provider. Bummer on all accounts. 

Beans

My friend Christy and I sat on her patio today and talked for a couple of hours while Korra and her BF played. We probably spent 20+ minutes talking about our favorite types and ways to cool beans. It's a pretty amazing friendship. 

Clue Town Suwanee

This morning Korra and I visited my best friend from middle and high school. The kids did a Clue Town scavenger hunt all over the town center and had a great time while Lindsay and I caught up. Then we had a pizza picnic lunch followed by some playground. Thankfully it didn't rain the whole 4 hours we were hanging out and I'm so thankful for the time we got to spend together today!

Cancelled Plans

 This morning we woke up early to get fingerprinted for our TSA precheck.  Since we were walk-ins, we made sure to be there when they opened. Unfortunately, the "system was down" and after waiting for about 45 minutes, it was clear they wouldn't be getting to us any time soon.

This afternoon we had planned to go to the Botanical Gardens but the forecast showed 70%+ chance of rain this afternoon.  (though at 1:45, it's sunny, though incredibly muggy).

Anniversary Date

Two wonderful friends volunteered to babysit Korra so we could go out for our anniversary. We had dinner at Campangolo (delicious Italian food). We had planned to walk around Midtown but rain looked likely so after a short walk we drove to get ice cream and then wander through Trader Joe's. We talked and laughed and ate too much and it was lovely. 

Celebration

Tonight we celebrated Nate's last day at this job and 16 years of marriage with some friends at a brewery and then with a to-go order of tacos and queso. 

Music Camp Performance

Music camp ended with a performance for parents. This week the 8 kids in the camp formed a band- they named themselves the Magic Musicians. They performed "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Driver's License." Korra played the piano on both. The "opening band" was Korra and her best friend Kaia- they performed an original song they wrote called Blue Stripes. Personally, I thought it was the best, but I might be biased. 

Ridiculously Happy

I'm so happy. It's my anniversary. It's Nate's last day at his job (summer off together!!) and he has 2 job offers. I have yet another day to myself. The weather is gorgeous. I'm making plans to see friends and family and do fun things. I'm healthy. I've maintained my weight loss for over a month. Things just feel so good today. 

16 Years

 Today is our 16th wedding anniversary.  Damn, we're making this look easy.

Music Camp/Me Time Day 3

This morning I took a bunch of stuff to CHARM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials). Was able to recycle old electronics, glass and drop off Goodwill type donations all in one place!

I had a lunch date with a friend from work (tacos followed by ice cream!) and then I read the hammock before making onigiri for dinner. 

After dinner we met a couple friends at a neighborhood restaurant for drinks to celebrate a birthday. The weather has been really nice- cloudy and in the low 80s- so it was totally pleasant to be outside so much.

Music Camp (aka Alone Time for Me) Day 2

Korra is really enjoying music camp. 

Today I went on a long walk on a new route, picked up the groceries, made granola and a Greek quinoa salad, took my bike for a tune-up,  and read a couple chapters of my book. 

Me Party

Nate was at work and Korra was at music camp so I had the whole day (and the next 3 days) all to myself. I baked muffins, went on a long walk, stopped by the library, did a bit of housework, went out to lunch all by myself, and read in the hammock. It was lovely!

Music Camp

Korra is going to a music camp this week!

Ready to rock and roll with her BFF.