Life Stays Interesting Here

Carrie decided that bows and arrows go great with horses. The packages were delivered today.

She got a Mirkwood styled recurve in deference to my fondness for LOTR and the fact the price was right.

And yes, from the moment she got home, excitement abounded. "I've been looking forward to this all day!" she said.

Carrie practiced outside until it was dark. Shane and I went in to watch Disney's Robin Hood (a thematic choice!).

Carrie's got more homework and practice to do before she hops up on a horse. She's got to figure out a safe target, too, but don't doubt she hasn't begun researching it already.

The Long Stretch

It's marathon time teaching again. The February-April stretch is always tough. The holidays have ended. Winter sports have ended. Snow has ended (Hopefully). The end is not close enough to inspire urgency, and the students end up restless, in a blah mood. 

We feel it, too. I come home more drained that I should be. I accidentally took a 10 minute power nap Monday. Raheem said he knocked on the door and rang the doorbell, but I didn't hear him. My phone now has an alarm in case I succumb again close to Shane's pick up time. 

I'm not worried about picking him up earlier; He's happy to play at school, as usual.

I sat around for 10 minutes while Shane enjoyed the sandbox today. We weren't in a hurry. Beautiful spring weather is here. Why not enjoy it?

Is It Too Early?

We read the first five pages of The Hobbit to Shane the other night. Maybe the time is right?

Reliability

People want consistency. We want the world around us to be predictable. Even better, we want the world around us to be predictably in our favor. Unexpected gift? Police officer tears up the ticket? Yes, please.

Ironically, we don't want to be held to the same standard. It's hard work to be consistent.

And it's my job. As a teacher, as a husband, as a father. I aim to be reliable.

I believe it's an underrated value.

Not Bad, Kid

Shane's struggled with the first boss in Sonic 2. He likes to watch once he gets frustrated. I decided to let him try a new game without a boss last night: Portal.

It's a good thinking game. Shane's hands are small for the controller, but he did well! We cleared the first several levels before bed time.

Sick Day

Shane coughed himself silly last night. I pulled him out of bed before he gagged. He ate a piece of toast, drank some water, and zonked a little later. He woke up with 100.1 degree fever.

The fever was low grade, but in combination with the weather (wet and cold) we had a recovery day. We missed Dylan's birthday pool party. Shane was bummed. These things happen sometimes.

EDIT:
Sunday, the fever was gone. However, the first thing Shane told his Sunday School Teacher was, "I was sick yesterday!"

Not What I Was Hoping For

"You know, there was a garter belt in the bag your parents left," Carrie said.

"Oh?" I replied.

"Maybe your mom thought it was a headband or something."

"I'd like to see you wear it!"

Carrie wanted Max to wear it instead.

Timelines

Only an insurance company...

I received a letter to tell me a doctor I once saw was no longer part of my health plan's network as of January 8th.

Of course, they wanted to warn me in advance and printed the letter up on February 26th.

Then they decided to deliver it priority mail and require a signature during the workday when no one was home.

The post office gave me 15 days to pick it up in person. I went up today, March 18th. Work took me to the high school. I had a report due. The post office was near by, and I killed two birds with one stone.

Kilt Day 2016

Every year, I wonder "Should I do it?"

And every year, I have.

Happy Kilt and St. Paddy's Day! I worried about more than I should have. I think the kids were more in shock this year than most. That tamed the comments down. I always act like the kilt's perfectly normal. A matter-of-fact tone when asked "WHY!?!" or "IS THAT A SKIRT?!?" helps, too. 

"It's St. Paddy's Day. I do what I want" or "My wife likes it," solves all.

Kids need a shock on occasion.

Carrie decided to have her own St. Patrick's Day fun at work. She used a pen to tattoo her coworkers.

And her self, of course!

Shane caught the kilt spirit around 7:00 PM. Carrie was delighted.

Joy overflowed.

Thanks, cat