Mustard's Medals

The basketball hoop has been one of our best purchases.  It has gotten so much use.  This weekend we've been playing Around the World.  Benson likes to stand at his spot and watch us shoot hoops as well as look down the driveway for any potential dog walkers that may pass by.  When I was playing with the kids one day, I did not get my rebound and my ball bounced down the driveway.  Josiah ran after it and the ball stopped at the curb next to the pond.  A gaggle of Canadian geese was on the other side of the pond (nowhere near the ball) and as Josiah came bounding after it, they all expressed their displeasure and honked. A lot.  It was pretty funny.  

Josiah has been busy this weekend creating medals for Col Mustard for the play.  He's done a good job sculpting, but the student who plays Col Mustard is a stickler for accuracy, so he may or may not accept the medals.  Play rehearsals go to 8:00 p.m. now, so Josiah's days are incredibly long.  I am still enjoying being the adult helper on Mondays.  It's been a lot of fun watching the play come to life.  Caroline will not let me disclose anything, but I'm really looking forward to seeing the final production. 

In Henry driving news....  He wants to go out every evening.  One particular evening, we came to an intersection where we have only ever taken a left turn.  Henry decided to go straight.  And we went straight for what felt like forever.  It turned in to a 50 mph country road and when I pulled up the GPS, it was only going towards more country.  Fortunately, we could always count on a Dollar Store to show up, so we could turn around.  He got 45 minutes of driving in, so he was happy for that.  He's gotten a lot smoother overall.  We still have a little friction with my comments.  We have a lot of hills so I say, Speed up....slow down... a lot.  Sometimes I say, SLOW DOWN!  He's not shy with the gas pedal.  But he's doing really well.  

March Gladness

We had March Gladness week at school.  Part of that meant the students cheered for the teachers as they came to work.  So, our objective was to get to school as early as possible every day.  Avoid, avoid, avoid!  

Mid-week, the kids were tasked to dress up like a New Covenant Professional.  Caroline's class chose their Latin/Bible teacher.  She had his look down.  He recognized himself in her attire.  

Josiah's class dressed like their Humanities teacher.  One mom bought the whole class beards, which completed the look.  Josiah brought a mason jar to drink from all day as well.  Henry dressed as the same teacher as Josiah, but "on a dress down day," which was a roundabout way for Henry to wear jeans and his House t-shirt.  

On Friday, the PTO gave all the teachers basketballs - March Gladness/Madness.  That was a welcome gift for our household.  

Josiah was in Columbia all day Friday.  He competed in the SCACS art competition.  He submitted his autumn tree under Mixed Media.  He also combed his hair because, "they'll never see me again."  He texted a few times throughout the day and said he hadn't won anything.  Then when I heard from him after the award ceremony was over, he had won third place.  Not shabby for a first time entry.  

The driver training continues.  Henry's classmate, who got her permit 2 days after Henry, already has 5 hours under her belt.  Henry had 3 at the start of the week.  I told him it was not a competition.  His reply? Yes, it is.  So now we're driving in 30 minute stints.  I've noticed as we drive the two lane country roads, which are absolutely everywhere here, especially as we're avoiding one main road, I push my arm against the passenger door in hopes that he'll move just a little further from the ditch which is always on our right shoulder.  My right bicep is getting built.  I also lean my whole torso towards the center of the car as if that will guide it more towards the center.  He's doing well, though.  Sometimes he doesn't like all the directions I give him, but then I remind him that he has 4 hours of driving experience and I have 30 years.  I'm going to talk as much as I feel necessary.  

On Friday evening, Henry drove the backroads to our school.  When he got in the parking lot, he tried to park, which he hasn't practiced since his first two days of driving.  He parked like those annoying sports cars who make sure no one hits their car.  

On Saturday morning, Henry and I drove the main roads.  It was early enough that there was not a lot of traffic.  He only got honked at once, which was more a factor of an impatient driver than Henry.  Later that morning, we were going to go to Krispy Kreme.  Henry wanted to drive.  His siblings were not too crazy about it and comments were said in the car.  When we got to the parking lot, Henry wanted to find a spot where he could make it in the lines and it wouldn't be near any other cars.  We needed to get our steps in before eating those sugar bombs anyway.  When we made it home, Josiah & Caroline told him it was better than last time, which in sibling-speak is a big complement.  

We had gone to Krispy Kreme because their third quarter report cards had come out and they wanted their Donut for an A.  We celebrated with a dinner out on Sunday, too.  Henry would like it be said that he had already downed a donut before I took a picture.  He had all As.  

Your Other Right

We had Monday off.  I filled the day with appointments for Josiah.  With his play schedule, his time is extremely limited, so I took advantage.  One appointment was for his 17-year physical.  On the drive there, he asked if he would get any shots.  I thought, and expressed, 17? Nah!  He saw the doctor solo, but later, he called me back because he needed shots.  Oh.  The doctor clearly had not seen his Texas shot record because she had a whole host of shots she told Josiah he needed.  Knowing he had already had most brought some relief.  However, this doctor was new to the area last year and was sort of renting out space in a different office when we saw her last (she's more legit than it sounds).  Because of that, she could offer no vaccines.  Josiah ended up needing three.  He really wanted them in his thighs, but they stopped that business when he was a young thing.  Sore arms it is.

We have had spring weather all week.  It's been very nice out.  The bees and wasps have been incredibly active.  Benson has found it his mission to eat them.  It's the game he plays every time he goes outside.  Jump, snap his mouth shut, miss, jump, snap, miss.  He's yet to catch one, but I think if he ever does, he'll learn to stop playing that game.  Caroline enjoyed the sun and read while Benson bit at the air.  She's been reading the Maze Runner series.  

Pi Day landed on a weekend this year, so our school did not celebrate.  We celebrated at home with a meat pie for dinner and apple pie for dessert.  We keep trying out new recipes.  A lot have been labeled, Not bad, but I wouldn't make it again.  Thus was the meat pie.  Costco baked the apple one, so we knew that was a winner.  

Henry has been driving a lot more.  We've been doing real roads.  Roads with two lanes on each side.  He's only changed lanes once (this evening), so he mostly gets a lot of right turns off our main roads.  He's been doing very well, but he has lost all sense of right or left.  Every time he turns, he tells me he's going to go the opposite direction that he does.  It's been fun.  I'm sure it's a factor of his brain trying to keep track of so many new things, but it adds an element of humor to our drives.  

We have another spirit week at school.  The goal in this house is to not wear a uniform all week.  Henry has sweat pants all ready to go for tomorrow.  

Three Teens

Henry has advanced to street driving.  He's driven around the surrounding neighborhoods a number of times.  I utilized the word Turn! a lot.

Turn, turn, turn!

I am turning!

Turn tighter!

I had to clarify my speech with regards to braking.  Whenever I asked him to brake, he thought I was asking him to stop.  Just slow down!  When he drove back into our driveway and put the car in park, he said his leg was shaking the whole time.  We'll work our way out of the neighborhood soonish.  

For Caroline's birthday at the end of the week, Henry took all five of us on a drive.  A very short drive to show off his skills.  Josiah held on for safety.  Henry was offended because towards the end of the route, after a particularly smooth left turn, Caroline said, That was a good turn.  Henry took that to mean he others weren't.  

On Thursday, I got to my classroom and saw the note I had left myself, signed as I did in school when there was another Erin in my class.  Coincidentally, Henry was at school Wednesday afternoon having a meeting with the set crew for the play.  I just noticed, I love my middle chid.  Chid? Kid? That's phat. 

Friday was Art Day at school.  Josiah dressed as Norman Rockwell.  The four houses represented different artists.  Josiah had to teach the Lower School kids how to draw like Rockwell.  He practiced at home with us to make sure his step-by-step instructions could be followed and were easy enough for the age groups.  He did an incredible job with his instructions.  We were impressed!  He can teach.  He chose the painting where Norman Rockwell is looking in a mirror to paint himself.  I was sad I could not see him in action, but the art teacher snapped a picture.  She emailed Josiah several, but I've been privy to the one.  I'll take it.  Caroline was the Secret Scout among the children.   It was her job to see who was paying attention and drawing well.  They got their picture hung up on display.  Josiah had to do the presentation five times for all the grades.  Caroline said his jokes were funny the first two times...  

Art Day was a half-day of school.  Henry went off with friends to eat at Chick-fil-a.  Josiah went off with a friend to eat at Zaxby's.  That left the little lady and me.  She chose Panera and she finally got to try the potato soup bread bowl.  She was a fan.  

That evening, the seventh grade girls had a movie night to celebrate Caroline's birthday.  They ate, they talked, they watched.  

And then, Saturday morning, she woke up a teenager.  We knew Caroline's goal was to sleep in, so we had a leisurely morning.  She (proudly) gave me zero gift ideas, so it was a full morning of surprises for her.  I hope you like it!??!...  She later told me that she gives me ideas throughout the whole year so I have to pay attention.  Noted.  She thought the clues to her gifts were tough, but she made it through them all.  She got her own phone this year.  The boys were right there trying to give her advice on apps and settings and all the things.  We got notifications all day long about installed apps.  

Pancakes for breakfast, sushi for lunch, and Olive Garden for dinner.  She loves their gnocchi soup and fettucine alfredo.  We made a lemon cake for dessert.  I used four whole lemons - juice and zest - and it still was not as lemony as we'd hoped.  There's always next year.  

She did not want to go to bed that night.  She did not want to finish the day.  So, before bed, we all played Jumanji and Apples to Apples.  

A reminiscing Caroline told a story from her (younger) childhood.  She always thought she had a superpower.  She could talk in her head.  One day she could not contain herself any longer and wanted to tell others about her power.  She doesn't remember if she told her CC friends or me, but the response was, Everyone can do that.  She said she was sad the rest of the day.  

Because it was the end of the third quarter, we've been fortunate to have a long weekend.  With the time change yesterday, it's been a bigger blessing than we realized.  4th quarter here we come. 

Licensed to Drive (with a licensed adult over the age of 21)

Some magic happened on Monday.  Todd was able to get Henry's name and address on an official paper.  Our school wrote a letter stating he was a student and lived at our address.  So, as soon as school was out, we headed to the DMV.  We drove out to a further one because we were told it was less crowded and moved quicker.  It was hopping when we got there, but Henry got to start the test right at 4:00 which was the deadline to begin.  He came out with a smile on his face.  He passed!  He said he was going to tell everyone he got a 94%.  What is true is that he passed.  They took his picture.  He signed the little screen to validate it and then immediately regretted his signature.  I didn't know it would show up on the card?!!  Yep.  You now have 180 days to practice it for the real license.  Then he asked if he could drive home.  Our house was 30 minutes away on country roads.  I don't think so.  

The following day, we did take him to the local Baptist Church parking lot - they're always the biggest ones.  He has done very well so far.  He's parked and made it in the lines really well.  He's hit 15 mph which felt fast.  He is learning how to go around turns smoothly.  He only mixed up the pedals once.  He's been great.  Our next venture is the neighborhood and surrounding streets.  Something that actually has marked lanes.  

Day 1 - Todd's car

Day 2 - my car

Mid-week, the boys headed down to Atlanta with the art students.  They spent the morning at the High Museum.  I asked for pictures and they sent me some.  Not a selfie among them.  I thought they were hitting a second museum for the afternoon, but it was an art store.  Josiah brought home some souvenirs - markers, pens, sketch paper.  Henry found a National Parks poster there, too, so they both made out.  It is nice to still be close-ish to a big city.  

The Lichtenstein house was an optical illusion.  

This weekend, Henry, Caroline, and I headed up to Staunton to celebrate Grandma's birthday.  They, in turn, celebrated mine.  We enjoyed my childhood lasagna and I made sure to take a picture of the recipe before it disintegrates.  Caroline has already requested that we make it soon.  Then we had an ice cream cake which was also a favorite.  It was a great trip.   I did not get a picture of all of us together...

Since we haven't been up since Thanksgiving, we celebrated Christmas, too.  

Grandpa showed us what he has been working on downstairs.  It is incredible.  

Caroline loved his large collection of tiny anvils.  

Maggie took to Caroline like bread and butter.  They shared the chair often.  Maggie curled right up into her.  When Henry tried to get in on the action, Maggie sat as if to say, Excuse me sir, but this is my chair.  

When we got back to SC, Josiah had put together my birthday potato bin.  It was bigger than I expected, but that just means more potatoes.  Nothing wrong with that!  

So begins our final week of the 3rd quarter.  Time is flying!