Family Time

On Thursday afternoon we drove up to my parents’ house to spend a long weekend with my parents, my brothers, and their families.  It was lovely and at the same time we missed my sister and her family so much. 

All Done

Yesterday was my final teacher work day of the school year. It’s officially summer break, so of course, I spent the morning doing the things I’ve been putting off for weeks- scrubbing the bathtubs and baseboards and calling the bank and insurance company. 

Rainy Long Weekend

Aside from driving Korra to and from MomoCon (only about 3 miles away), it has been a very quiet weekend for me. It’s rained on and off every day since Wednesday, so we haven’t gone out much. Lots of time listening to audiobooks while walking or building a puzzle, taking several naps and a bubble bath, and watching a few movies.

Momocon Costume

For the last few months, Korra and I have been working on a costume for the anime and gaming conference she’s going to with her friends this weekend. Don’t ask who is supposed to be. Just enjoy that we made this completely from scratch- 3D printed items from my brother, cloak sewn from Goodwill sheets, crown made from foam and hot glue. We’re both pretty proud. 

15 minute dismissal

It’s unbelievable to me that the last-day-of school early dismissal only took 15 minutes today- with only one kid in the entire school not picked up by that time. 

“Graduation”

Korra’s 8th grade graduation was at 11:00 today, so I took the day off work. We had to arrive by 10:30, it was packed, and it was in the auditorium with its uncomfortable wooden bleachers. The ceremony went on for nearly 2 hours. My hips were aching and I was bored to tears. All 3 of us were hungry and tired afterwards (so much so that I completely failed to take even one picture) but milkshakes from Grindhouse perked us back up. These last 3 years have absolutely flown by and even if I did not enjoy the ceremony, I’m proud of Korra’s growth and hard work. 

Cake

To celebrate Korra’s last day of 8th grade, I made (and decorated) this cake:

Flash flood and Hail

Korra decided to make me have a heart attack by biking home in the rain even though I told her to let me get her. Minutes after she got home, it started to hail and our street looked like this:

Since 4:15

Wide awake, way too early. 

Watching Ted Lasso with my coffee. 

8th grade dance

Nate checked Korra out early. I fixed her hair and then dropped her off with friends to get ready together. 

She looked so beautiful and grown up. She had so much fun. 

Smarty Pants

Just signed Korra up to take PE over the summer.  It's an entirely online, virtual class, so that should be interesting.  This kid will enter high school with 4 credits- math, Spanish, physical science, and PE.  How did I end up with such an ambitious kid?

Brace Face

Korra got braces this morning. Predictably, she’s uncomfortable. 

Last Monday Alarm

The weekend went by too fast. Thankfully, this is the last week of school!  I’m ready for my season of early morning walks and pot-lunch naps. 

8th grade activities

Yesterday Korra and all the other 8th graders spent the day at Six Flags. Today is her field day. Grades for 8th graders were due on Wednesday so they’re not even pretending to do anything but kill time and have fun for these last few days of school. 

Nearly Perfect Weather

The last 2 days, it’s been 78 degrees and sunny with a breeze. AND my allergies haven’t bothered me at all while I’ve enjoyed it!

95%

The library’s inventory is 95% complete but unfortunately, that’s 5% shy of where I wanted to be by the end of the school day. Tomorrow is field day and since I’m helping, it’ll probably stay at 95% until Monday. So close!

Strawberries

Today I got to read books about strawberries to a kindergarten class and then we made fresh whipped cream to go with strawberries we picked on the farm.  It was adorable and delicious and a perfect way to spend a beautiful spring hour.

Panic Amazon Purchases

After a group text of 10 moms from Korra's school, I've gone into a little bit of a spiral.  First, the girls are getting together to get ready for the 8th grade dance at 4:00.  School doesn't get out until 4:15.  Turns out everyone is checking their girls out of school early so they can get ready for the dance.  And I learned that everyone is wearing short homecoming-style dresses, which is not at all what I have for Korra.  SO.  I ordered 5 dresses from Amazon so she can try them on and pick one and we'll return the rest.  I really hope Korra likes at least one of them.

Inventory Time

10 more days of school so it's time to start library inventory.  Over the next few days I'll scan over 12,000 books.  All while still trying to get the last 60 or so books back from the kids (I sent 71 individualized emails to parents on Friday).  

Mother’s Day Hike

We went on our traditional hike for Mother’s Day (at Whittier Mill) and enjoyed lunch at Star Provisions (the prosciutto and butter baguette was amazing). Then we spent the afternoon at the neighborhood pool catching up with neighbors we haven’t seen much of since September. 

Looking forward to a video call with my family later tonight to round out this Mother’s Day. 

Savannah Bananas!

Tonight we got to go to the Savannah Bananas game!  It was so much fun!

Pussy Riot

This cat keeps sauntering all over the field while we’re trying to have PE. The kids are so distracted by it- running over to pet it, fighting over who gets to pick it up, crying when it goes back over the fence.  The cat clearly loves the attention as it comes back several times a day. 

11 more days

11 more school days for both me and Korra before summer break. 

I’m both excited for the break and simultaneously dreading it. I can’t believe Korra is about to graduate middle school- the last few years seems to have gone by especially quickly.  Also, I really thought we’d know what next school year will look like for our family before the last day of school. 

Top Quilting

I’ve been making a baby blanket for a pregnant friend. Today I decided to try something I’ve never attempted before: the top stitching of a quilt. I’ve made 2 other quilts and both times, I’ve paid someone with a long-arm quilting machine to do this part. 

I did a bunch of research and decided that for a small quilt like this, I could do it. It took me about 2 hours this evening (that’s after I pinned the layers together yesterday). 

I’m really pleased with the results!

Last step- binding!

Disappointing Emails

In the past 2 days, I’ve gotten 2 “we’re going with another candidate” emails from New Zealand. Feeling discouraged. 

Good Smell

Since our cafeteria cooks our food from scratch, the whole downstairs always smells so good.  Today's lunch is grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Math Genius

Korra made a 98% on the 9th grade end of course Algebra test!

Printer’s Ale

We met Todd and Sarah in Carrollton for lunch today. The weather was absolutely gorgeous- perfect for sitting at a picnic table, eating amazing food, and catching up. 

Mexican and Robotics and United

We went out for Mexican with Meagan and Robert for lunch (highlight- the steak burrito and chocolate peanut butter tres leches cake- both gluten-free). 

After lunch we dropped Korra off at Georgia Tech for a Girl Scout tour of their robotics lab. She’s spending the afternoon and evening with Girl Scout friends. 

The final event of our fun Saturday: Nate and I joined our friend Kyle at the Atlanta United match (where our team won). 

Wolfie

This morning I wore the school mascot costume for about 30 minutes to cheer on the runners in the 5K fundraiser. Thankfully it was nice and cool because that costume is HOT. I aired it out on the balcony last night after spraying it liberally with Lysol and Febreeze, but it still has a rather unpleasant aroma.  Add that to the eye holes that are so small and inconveniently placed and half an hour is my mascot max. It was still fun to have the kids run up and hug me as Wolfie though. 

Six!

Nate and I went to the Fox Theater to see the musical Six last night.  It was so much fun.