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.