After reading student papers, what is there to say except....

hell!!!!!!!!! :)

We really had an enjoyable day. Mitch let me sleep in until 8:00 a.m. this morning, which provided me the opportunity to get some much needed rest. I have felt exhausted and just plan old "down and out" for about three weeks. We went to church which I always find to be helpful, no matter what. I get some alone time with Mitch and we get to just "be." We went to the carwash, which is great family fun (and I'm not kidding :) )! We went to DQ for lunch which was really fun. Mason tore his grilled cheese up himself and Hunter went to the counter following his main meal and ordered his ice cream sandwich all by himself. I'm really trying to give Hunter opportunities to advocate for himself, as I find this is such an important skill for kids to learn. I graded for three hours at Caribou and then we went to Best Buy where I followed Mason around the store as Mitch and Hunter shopped for Guitar Hero World Tour. I learned a lot about Best Buy by following Mason around. We ate spaghetti for dinner and I learned that Mason absolutely loves green beans and spaghetti. Bath time for the boys and then bed- Mitch read to Mason and I read to Hunter. Sounds like an uneventful day but for me it was balanced, fun, and productive!

All I Can Muster is a List

Things That are Good:
1. My mom traveled to the Twin Cities to take care of Mason. (I wanted to make sure Mason was good and healthy before returning to daycare, so thanks Mom!)
2. I get to drink a glass of wine tonight while watching Grey's Anatomy with my mom. And The Office, 30 Rock, Top Chef (last night), and perhaps Lost (again).....
3. I had a pretty good day with students. They were fairly pleasant even after I made them write for two hours straight during final exams.

Things That could be better:
1. I'm tired.
2. Essays and other things to grade are piling up around me like stacks of bricks. I'm starting to feel claustrophobic!
3. It's only January and I'm so sick of winter I could scream!

It's Snowing, We're Sick---and I'm sick of it!

I try, I really do, to remain positive but as I look out the window and notice the humongous snowflakes falling, I am not thinking "pretty." I'm thinking, "when is this ever going to end"...and it's only January! We've been battling illness for about 2 1/2 weeks now. Started with me and then made its way through our household, finally landing solidly in Mason's lungs. His RSV (Upper respiratory virus) test came back positive on Thursday, so I've been home with both kids since Thursday. Luckily, Mason's case is fairly mild in comparison to what some kids can get. He didn't struggle with breathing or anything like that, but did have a productive cough and a fever. Hunter also came home on Thursday with a fever. Other than that, he's doing well. The doctor I saw on Friday confirmed bronchitis for me, so I'm taking antibiotics now (since I've been sick for over two weeks).

Now as I read what I've written, I have to say, I'm quite the bundle of laughs!

We are looking forward to the Steelers game this afternoon. I'm baking BBQ Chicken drummies for dinner, which hopefully will be eaten willingly by my children.

Pumped for Kindergarten

On Tuesday evening, Mitch and I headed to Sheridan Hills Elementary School with Hunter and Mason for kindergarten orientation. Now, this was an experience because I think we all remember our time in kindergarten, and now here's my son preparing for his school-age years! Very emotional! Hunter was very excited about the idea of a new school and walked in with us quite willingly. He did get nervous once we were in. Because I completely dropped the ball on some of the forms I was supposed to complete (though I was by far not the only one), registration at the door was quite easy. We headed into the cafeteria where Hunter sat at the table and ate animal crackers and cut shapes with the new scissors the school gifted to each new student. Following that, we took Hunter to one of the classrooms where two of the teachers had activities planned for the kids while parents attended a meeting. Mitch had to leave with Mason shortly after because Mason was just not in the mood. I learned about the curriculum and volunteer opportunities, etc. I really felt like a grown up. I'm the mother of a child who will be a senior in high school before you know it. I think I'm going to cry. Anyway.... I digress.... The highlight of the evening was taking a bus ride with Hunter following the program. Words cannot describe his excitement! Now each morning he tells me that he wants to go to kindergarten today, on the bus of course. One of the things I love about being a parent is that my kids remind me that it's the little things, like a bus ride or eating animal crackers, that make life so special.

Untitled

So.... it's been awhile. I was under the weather all last week and am still not 100%. I have a sneaking suspicion I have mono but I am conveniently avoiding the doctor for fear of him confirming my suspicions. I finally made a committment to compete in a full triathlon this summer and have started making working out a priority (after five years of hit-or-miss workouts!). If I have mono, I know I would be out of commission for about six weeks. Not a good thing! Why mono do you ask? My throat is blazing and I feel beyond fatigued. Could just be that my life makes me tired. I'll opt on being dramatic for now :).

This past weekend Mitch and I went out two nights in a row! Yikes! Friday night tired me out completely- dinner and a movie. By the time the babysitter arrived on Saturday night, all I wanted was to change into my pajamas and watch cooking shows on the Food Network. Mitch had a work function in Eden Prairie. I knew no one so it was just perfect when Mitch completely disappeared without word. I had one of those high school moments where I had no one to talk to and felt completely beside myself. Such a great feeling! I finally found two other women to talk to. Turned out that they didn't know anyone either so I felt better after that. Even rocked out on two songs on Guitar Hero.

Yesterday my Steelers won! One more game and we're in the Super Bowl! Go #43!

You might be from Minnesota

I tell ya what (sound Minnesooootan?), I'm damn sick of this cold weather already. I included on this list those descriptors I find significant at this time of year!

Jeff Foxworthy on Minnesota :

If you're proud that your state makes the national news 96 nights
Each year because International Falls is the coldest spot in the nation,
You might live in Minnesota.

If you know how to say...Wayzata...Mahtomedi.....Cloquet . Edina
...and Shakopee,
You might live in Minnesota.


If vacation means going "up north" for the weekend,
You might live in Minnesota.

You measure distance in hours,
You might live in Minnesota.

You know several people, who have hit deer more than once,
You might live in Minnesota.

You often switch from "Heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again,
You might live in Minnesota.

You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow
During a raging blizzard without flinching,
You might live in Minnesota.

You see people wearing hunting clothes at social events,
You might live in Minnesota.

You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked,
You might live in Minnesota.

You carry jumper cables in your car, and your girlfriend knows how to use them,
You might live in Minnesota.

You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit,
You might live in Minnesota.

Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow,
You might live in Minnesota.

You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and of course, road construction,
You might live in Minnesota.

If "Down South" to you means Iowa,
You might live in Minnesota.

You find -10 degrees "a little chilly",
You might live in Minnesota.

You actually understand these jokes, and you forward them to all your Minnesota friends.