Pictures!

A friend who went with us to the hockey game posted these pictures on Facebook, so I thought I'd share them with you.

Blue/Gold banquet

Tonight was T. Willy's scout banquet. The Big Man has been in Alabama for a few days and drove straight through so that he could be there. MK joined us, so it was really fun having a family night.

Where I've been.

A teacher at school offered me the chance to take over our school pageant. It was a good fund-raising opportunity,so the theatre department and I took it on, and it was a great night. However, it required a lot of time, so I wasn't able to keep up with the blog. I think it was pretty fun for the kids involved, though. I can't post a picture of the girls involved, but I do have a picture of the sign one of my students made. The theme of the show was "Diamonds."

The photobomber strikes again.

We had a quick scout meeting tonight to prepare for the banquet that is coming up Saturday. After the meeting, the boys were climbing trees, and T. Willy joined in. MK joined in her own special way too.

Also...this is funny to me. We were at the beach yesterday. T. Willy was even in the water, and I have a slight sunburn. Meanwhile, they had a snow day where I grew up today. Crazy.

This is not how we spent President's Day in Delaware.

MK and friends - Spa day!

MK spent the night with friends, and here is a picture they sent me. Brave girls!!!

If you look really closely....

You'll see a squirrel on the birdfeeder. This is a sure sign of spring....and the fact that our birds may not get any food.

The "don't call it a date" date

The Big Man is working, and MK is at a friend's house, so T. Willy and I are at a movie. Here is a picture of him in his 3-D glasses.

A memory

It's random picture night, because I didn't take any new ones today. I found this picture in my photo album, and it reminded me of a story. (I always have a story.)

I once went on a double date in a red version of this car. On the way home, the electrical system went out, so we had to drive home with no lights. How we didn't get pulled over by the police, I can't really tell you. And though the date was just friendly, I still love the car.

What a man...what a man!

The Big Man came home tonight! He's going to be working away for awhile, so we're glad to have him home. He also brought with him my absolute favorite meal - you've seen it before: Thai lettuce wraps and key lime cheesecake. Oh my!!!! Thank you, Big Man!!!! MK also got a thick slice of chocolate cake.

(He even brought me a picture of the dessert case!)

Spoiled rotten

We bought a rice cooker some time ago, and I've recently discovered that my favorite utensil in the kitchen is the spoon that came with it. It's just the right shape for so many things. I really wanted another and have looked around but haven't been able to find more. Imagine my delight when another package came today...with two packs of rice spoons!!! Thanks again, Big Man! They're perfect!

Maybe I'm sentimental after all.

I tend to be kind of practical and not at all sentimental about Valentine's Day. We do things for the kids, but we are low key about gifts for each other. I think the Big Man just changed that. He's out of town for a few days for work. The date didn't matter; we rarely celebrate Valentine's Day....because of me.

I've long maintained that it's a manufactured holiday. We should tell our loved ones that we love them every day, not just because of a date on the calendar. So the fact that he was out of town today in particular wasn't more upsetting than if it were any other day.

Then I got a text. "Check out front by the glider." So I did. The Big Man gave me a huge and wonderful surprise. Follow my photo journey, and although I didn't post a picture of myself, know that I am smiling...BIG!

Again?

My phone rang at school today. It was T. Willy's school nurse. He had fallen and apparently been kicked on the way down while on the playground, and he has something to show for it. The nurse asked me to pick him up to keep an eye on him, so I did. I checked MK out too, because there was no reason to have to head back in a couple of hours to get her. He seems fine, and I'm glad there was a sub at school to take my classes for just two periods.

If you remember the black eye of two weeks ago, you'll know that if these things had to happen, I'm glad they're happening at school. I can just see child protective services showing up at my door to make me explain his injuries.

Trying a video

If you really knew me...

You'd know that I am not someone who enjoys being on the go. I love to be home. However, I am not going to be home much in the weeks to come, and this weekend was the start of it.

After the Pinewood Derby yesterday, we had another scout activity today. It was Scout night at the Pensacola Civic Center. We watched our local Ice Flyers play the Louisiana Ice Gators.

The adventure started as soon as we arrived. We were pretty early, and an employee of the civic center invited T. Willy to be an honorary "bench warmer." He and two other scouts were able to walk on the ice and sit on the bench while the players warmed up. Several players skated by and fist bumped the boys, and even, to TW's chagrin, spit Powerade on them. I told him that he'd have thought that was pretty cool if he were older. They gave him an official game puck and a cupcake, announced his name to the whole arena, and it was a pretty good deal.

The game was fun even though our team was losing when we left a little early. The Big Man even went with us, but he left from there to go to some meetings in Alabama. We had a fun time and made some good memories. Poor MK was sick, so her memories are more "why did my mom make me go?" but I hope she'll remember some fun there too.

(In the distant picture, T. Willy is the kid on the bench on the far right.)

Second place for Tigers!!!

He won his first ever trophy!

Derby Day

T. Willy came in second, so we're back to the finals in a little while. Here is the track they used.

Start your engines...

Tomorrow is the Pinewood Derby for T. Willy's scout pack. Tonight we had to take his car to be weighed and to get his "license" for tomorrow. He's pretty excited. Here are pictures of him and his cool car.

She's a "Belieber"

MK started out anti-Justin Bieber. She's changing her mind, so she's very excited about the upcoming movie. I was out of pictures tonight, so I played "spin the photos on my phone" and came up with this one. I took the kids to the movies the last time we were in New Orleans, and she wanted me to take this picture.

Good morning!

The Big Man is working out of town for a little while, so T. Willy is staying with our neighbors in the mornings before school. Here he is when I dropped him off one morning.

Sooo cute

Our neighbors have a new puppy. He is tiny and adorable! Anyone want a cat? I'd be oh so happy to trade! We'll just enjoy the neighbors' dog for now. Here is a picture of MK meeting "Slick" for the first time.

How I left T. Willy this morning

T. Willy has been getting up in the middle of the night a lot recently. I'm not sure why, and I'm hoping he grows out of it soon. However, he does look awfully cute...on my side of the bed...where I should be.

Go, Steelers!

More party pics

Darlene posted these pictures on Facebook, so I "borrowed" them to show you.

Party!

MK's friend, CJ, had a birthday party tonight. We were all invited, and T. Willy and I went with her (and even the Big Man for a little while.) We had a great time! Thanks, Darlene, Ray and CJ!!!

I forgot again...and it's only the first week of February!!!

Oh well. It was a resolution, not a law.

Today I took my students into the prop room at school to get ready for plays they're performing in class Monday. I found this box which was a prop in our play, "A Christmas Story." The girl in charge of props was wonderful. She used this wrapping paper for the Christmas morning scene presents. It made me smile to know it was there - even though the audience couldn't tell.

Family game night and a photo bomb

We've been having Family Game nights this week. It's been a lot of fun. Here is T. Willy after we played "Pop the Pig." Even though he didn't win, he still had fun. (MK is my favorite photo bomber - 2nd picture.)