Music Man

While Steve was busily at work, Wm and I had an equally busy weekend! By late Saturday afternoon, Wm was BEAT. The highlight was probably getting the chance to play the accordion with Guy's teacher!

Love the face: Rock n' Roll Accordion 

Wm ultimately decided that he wants to stick with his plan of joining the string orchestra at school next year. I think it's probably better for him since he will be surrounded by squeaking friends at the same level. One of Wm's challenges is that he thinks he immediately has to master something. So if someone sits down and plays Mozart on the violin, he gets frustrated that the first time he touches a violin he can't play Mozart. So private lessons are tough where the teacher is, obviously, excellent - and Wm, as a beginner, sucks. If all his peers are at the same level, he won't feel "behind" and should be able to just settle down and practice!

On Sunday, Wm went to a birthday party that was 3 hours long! It was like a carnival. They had all kinds of games, face painting, you name it - and there were 20 kids there! It was intense! It was nice because I had a delightful 3 hours of alone time to take a walk, go grocery shopping, read…But, when I went back to get Wm, the he was exhausted. He also ate nothing. They had all sorts of food (including pizza! and cake!) and Wm ate none of it. So it was 3pm and he hadn't eaten since breakfast. Wm never eats when there are exciting things going on. So he was a wreck. I got him home and stuffed full of grilled cheese and grapes and all was well.

Next weekend is Wm's party! The weather is supposed to be gorgeous on Saturday. Which is excellent - because I plan to herd them all outside and lock the door.

Art Show

Wm has written another poem, of which he is very proud. He is participating in his school's Poetry Breakfast in May. Parents go eat breakfast at the school and the kids read them their poems. I can't wait to hear Wm's! 

Blue

The sun is bright yellow

Green is the trees; 

Blue is the color 

in the warm ocean seas.

A barn is dark red

Orange is the sun;

Blue is the finish line

in a race I just won.

Black's a dog's snout

Purple is a pillow;

Blue is the building

that houses the great willow.

Last night was the Art Show at Wm's school. Wm had a drawing displayed and he was super excited to find it! He drew a farm (#ohiopride) - he even stayed in one recess to finish it!

Wm was supposed to be at his bestie's birthday party today, but it is an outdoor party at the Park of Roses and it is rainy and cold today. So the party has been postponed until tomorrow, when it will be sunnier and a bit warmer. Wm was, at first, a bit sad. But then he realized that that means he doesn't have to miss karate today! He will miss next week for his own birthday party. So far, the forecast is good. Which is excellent - because Wm is planning an epic Minecraft Turf War battle in the backyard, followed by a piñata (piñata theme: Minecraft). I can't believe Wm will be 9!! This is his last single digit birthday! (I am also pretty excited about him turning 10 - because, at 10, we have told him he can be home alone for short times. So if I need to run to the grocery store and he's being a pill about it, I can just go! WHEEEEE!!!!!)

Kung Fu Fighting

Wm had Kung Fu yesterday - which he now says he likes even more than baseball!! He only has 3 classes left (and he has to miss 2 of them for birthday parties!) So I told him that after baseball season - which is rapidly approaching - we will sign him up at a real karate studio instead of through the rec center. He is very excited!!

Before class, he told me that this shirt "makes him look fat."

Fatty

I told him it would be literally impossibly for him to look even slightly chubby. He still claimed the shirt is "puffy." No idea what he's talking about.

Wm says this is called "moble" pose

And here he is counting his punches in Cantonese:

Schroeder has decided anyone that sets foot on our front porch (including the mail man) is coming to kill him. So he puffs all his hair up and growls deep in his feline throat. If you go, "it's fine, Schroeder." He looks at you all panicky and seems to be like, "WHY ARE YOU SO CALM RIGHT NOW?!?" It's hilarious. Then, as soon as the trespasser leaves, he de-fluffs and is all, "I'm glad no one overreacted." And goes and stares out the window...ever-vigilant. 

Panic Puff

After I got dressed yesterday, I walked into Wm's room to hurry him along and he goes, "I see you're wearing Kevin Glickman again."

Kevin Glickman

Steve and Wm are on their own tonight! I have my annual work awards ceremony/student picnic. That means Steve has to leave work early so he can be home to greet Wm after school. My text campaign of "DON'T FORGET WM!" has begun. I think they are going to have a Boys' Night Out and hit up some restaurant I don't like and party down. Then, Wm and I are on our own all weekend while Steve is off bossing around a tourney. He has to be there at 6:30am, so my main concern is DO NOT WAKE ME UP. Wm and I are going to spend the weekend preparing for his birthday party! I need to order the cake and get candy for his piñata as well as little treat bags for the kids. It should be fun!!

I got a new skirt yesterday and I am in love with it. I have talked about it so much, Steve asked if I had named it. So I did. Meet Kevin Glickman, the amazing green skirt:

Me and Kevin posin' before work (and devil cat)

Kevin is hand sewn by people earning a living wage and made from sustainably sourced from hemp and organic cotton. He is also the most comfortable and flattering skirt you could ever possibly imagine (and has a hidden pocket!) My only concern is how often I can wear Kevin Glickman without people starting to think I'm weird. 

Lastly, I liked this article. Steve and I had discussions about this before we decided to have a baby and made the conscious decision to always prioritize our marriage. Not only has it not hurt Wm one bit, but I think it provides a stable and secure home for him. That's why those days when we can dump Wm at school or elsewhere and go hang out alone as a couple are so precious!! Although…I may be tempted to leave Steve for Kevin Glickman. 

Favorite Thing

Steve is nearly 100% better and Wm remains well, so I think we're through this thing! Steve works all weekend, so he and I had yesterday off to party. Wm sighed and goes, "Well, I guess I did just have spring break…it's your turn for a day off." And then, this morning, Wm was super awesome…

Wm: Did you see how fast I got up and got dressed and came downstairs today!?
Me: Yes, you did great!
Wm: It was under 10 minutes!
Me: I know, buddy - you are awesome!
Wm: Oh, I forgot the iPad on my desk though.
Me: Uh oh…your favorite thing!
Wm: No, Mommy, YOU are my favorite thing.

SWEETIE!

Flesh-Colored

In my fevered hysteria, I forgot about a great Wm car conversation from Easter!!

Me: That's a weird flesh-colored VW Beetle.
Wm: Flesh isn't just one color, Mommy. People have all different skin colors.
Me: You are exactly right, Wm. I apologize for my wording. Do you know that Crayola used to have a crayon called "flesh" and they changed it for that very reason.
Wm: What do they call it now?
Me: I actually have no idea. Maybe they should call it "William Flesh Color."
Wm: They could never have a William Flesh Color crayon.
Me: Why not?
Wm: It would be too majestic. It would cost $1,000.

A Pox!

So...yesterday was exciting. Wm stayed home with my sick butt for his last day of spring break. At about 9:30, the cleaning lady walked into the house. Didn't even knock. I was not expecting that. So, the house was destroyed (since I was sick I had not done my usual pre-clean clean), I hadn't showered in days, was wearing no undergarments of any kind, smelled INTENSELY bad, and was wearing Steve's sweatpants and tshirt as pajamas. After apologizing profusely for not remembering - and mostly for looking and smelling like I did - I just ran away (in hindsight, I should have also been all, "can you KNOCK if there's a car in the driveway and a light on in the house, man?" and less, "I AM SO SORRY.") So in my sick delirium, I just grabbed Wm and my purse and fled from the house. Soon after exiting, I realized I was both hungry and thirsty. So I had to go in to Kroger. And then Steve texted and reminded me that Wm had a book in the library. So I had to go into the library. All while looking like this:

Not at my best.

Steve found the whole thing HIGH-larious. Wm and I spent the remainder of the time sitting in my parked car at the Park of Roses eating peanuts. Wm, however, was pleased as punch because he remembered to grab his iPad and then got a book at the library:

Little gentleman

After we returned home, and one hot shower later, the fog cleared, and I realized I probably could have handled the whole situation better. And may not have decided hand sanitizer from my purse would made a decent deodorant in a pinch. Live and learn...live and learn.

Sadly, Steve woke up this morning and said he doesn't feel good. His head hurts and his chest is tight, apparently. But he doesn't have a fever! So I'm not calling it yet. Before he falls head first into this thing, he demanded a hair cut, so I gave him a fancy new 'do. I was very impressed with my own handiwork and took a picture. Then I decided that Steve is the second cutest human ever (obvs Wm is #1). Also, he looks like Eric Bana. And I am willing to engage in fisticuffs with anyone who denies it.  I will admit that Eric Bana has better abs. But Steve has much better ears. Look at those things!!! So...they're even.

Fancy new haircut

EARS!

Sweetie

I should have waited to post today because Wm came home with the SWEETEST card he made for me today at Clubhouse!!! He is so awesome. I couldn't resist 2 posts in one day to share Wm's sweetness.

I cut a little off in the pic, so I will write it out!

Dear Mom,

I am sad that you are sick. I drew 

this picture to help you get better. I also

should say that I hope you will get better soon.

Love always,

William

P.S. I love you infinity!

I also loved that he drew an angel kitten. He usually draws strange, dark things and I am always asking for cute/sweet pictures and he is always like, "I drew you this zombie being blown up by a giant electronic spider bomb." Apparently when I'm sick, he decides to humor me.

Doctor

I have been home from work this whole week with the flu. Steve and Wm have, so far, avoided The Plague - so I'm hoping they continue to do so!! My fever was pushing 102 and I was looking/feeling pretty rough. Wm came over and put his hand on my forehead and said, "Mommy...you need to go to the doctor. Call the doctor. You need to go to the doctor! You are very hot!!!" He has been at Clubhouse the last 3 days, but said he wanted to stay home to take care of me because I shouldn't be left alone "in case I die." I told him I am not dying, I'm just sick. He was like, "Well, what if you need help?" I told him he can stay and take care of me and make me tea and bring me juice - and call 911 if death seems imminent. But Wm said he doesn't know how to make tea, so he'll just go to Clubhouse. Ha! He was supposed to go to work with Steve tomorrow, but he can just stay home with me now (the people at work have ordered me to stay home until Monday so I don't go in and sprinkle my germs all over them). Steve is THRILLED and said I am "the best sick person ever." My temp is down to 99.4 today, so I think I'm on the mend! But I still feel pretty gross. I'm hoping I feel better by this weekend!! And that I'm the only one who gets this!

Easter

We drove up to NE Ohio to celebrate Easter yesterday. Grandma and Grandpa gave Wm a big book all about the solar system. He spent the entire car ride back reading it and going, "this book is AWESOME!" Steve and I were inundated with interesting facts about the solar system for hours. Here is what the drive looked like from my seat:

Professor Wm begins his lecture

I should have started in remedial astronomy

Really getting into his lecture now

Pointing out things to the "class" - i.e., me

Little Neil deGrasse Tyson

It was cute for about an hour, but then I just wanted to go to sleep but I kept having to feign interest in Wm's lecture. It was like being back in college. Finally, it got too dark for him to see the book and I could close my eyes and it was blessedly quiet.

Steve and I found a bargain on a really nice antique secretary, so we gave Wm our old desk. Everyone wins! 

Thank you, elderly couple who didn't seem to know what your desk was worth!

Wm kicking it executive style!

Wm and I are off together today so he is maximizing time at his New Desk. I am running around doing all my usual Sunday chores so Wm is enjoying the extra screen time that comes with me being busy around the house! Then he's off to Clubhouse for the next 3 days!

Exhausted

This has been quite a day. I feel like we haven't sat still for a minute! First, since we won't be home tomorrow, Wm did his Easter Egg Hunt today. He found all his eggs and had a great time! It was actually gorgeous today, but it was in the 30's first thing this morning for the hunt...so it was a bit chilly.

Found an egg!

Hunting.

All found!

Then, while Wm and Steve went to Kung Fu this morning, I stayed home while the carpet/furniture cleaners came and did their biz. They were really  nice and made our carpets and couch/chair look like brand new! Once The Boyz got home, everything was pretty damp, so we headed out. We went out to a nice lunch and then took Wm on a tour of Ohio State. We walked around campus, and checked out the new student union and library - which Steve hadn't even seen!

Wm and bronze Brutus at the Union

Wm's favorite thing was the Whisper Steps at the Wexner Center. You can stand on opposite sides and whisper into the steps and it sounds like the person is standing right next to you! We had to drag him away. He was amazed.

The Boys on the Whisper Steps

Showing off

Then we stopped at a consignment furniture store in Grandview and got Wm a desk chair for his room. He is very pleased. After that, we headed out to go bowling. Of course, Wm also wanted to hit up the arcade! 

Wm bowling a whopping 76!

The bowling alley was insanely nice, but was all the way out at Polaris. We don't head out there without hitting up Costco, so, of course, we had to go there too! Finally, on the way home, we stopped at one last consignment store to see if we could find Wm a desk to go with his desk chair. No luck. Finally, at 7pm, we arrived home and got to sit down to dinner. Our house is still all torn apart, but is fairly dry. So we should be able to put everything back together before we collapse into bed! Wm is running on fumes!!

Super Fun Day!

Wm and I have had the super funnest fun day of all time! First, friends came over and we did this crazy awesome egg coloring thing that involved cool whip. We soaked the eggs in vinegar, then swirled food coloring in cool whip and rolled the eggs around in it. Then they sat in pans while the color took and we rinsed them and patted them and they turned out really cool and tie dyed lookin'. Wm LOVED it! 

Putting the color in the cool whip

Swirled!

Olivia coloring!

The finished eggs

After we finished eggs, Mimi took Wm and I to an amazing place for a very fancy High Tea. It was seriously the most fun (and delicious) ever! They were really cool with Wm and he had cocoa instead of tea and his own little High Tea with PB&J tiny sandwiches and kid-friendly treats. Wm ate himself sick and said it was the best restaurant he's ever been to. They even had little tiaras - and even some gender-nuetral hats too!! Mimi and I both got 3 little sandwiches, 2 mini-desserts, a scone, and a pot of tea. It was all AMAZING!!!!!!

Wm and I being fancy

Wm and his Tower of Delights...and cocoa

Fun hat!

Mimi and Wm heading out!

PE Student of the Week

Wm was "PE Student of the Week." I asked him how he got selected for such an honor and he said it was because he was "respectful" and a "good sport." But, the weirdest thing is that his "reward" was a huge belt buckle with an Indian on it. I have NO IDEA why. The buckle is half the size of Wm's body and he doesn't even own a belt. I told Steve he should wear it to work tomorrow. I find the belt buckle award to be the funniest thing ever. So random! Wm seems more baffled. But pleased that he won something!

Major Award

Wm also got to go on a field trip today to see a stop on the Underground Railroad. He had a grand time and said it was "epic." It poured rain while he was there, lending the entire thing an air of adventure. He is now officially on spring break! He is off tomorrow and all next week. I'm off and hanging out with him tomorrow. Wm has quite a fun day lined up!! He is having a friend over to do some weird tie dye thing with easter eggs. I'm sure they will destroy my house - I'm hoping for no permanent damage. Then, in the afternoon, we are going to High Tea with Mimi. Wm doesn't really know it's "High Tea," I just told him there are lots of treats and he can wear a tiara if he wants to. He declined the tiara, but is pretty excited for the treats!

On Saturday we are having all our carpets and furniture professionally cleaned so our whole house will be damp. Steve and I are trying to think of exciting things we can do away from home for the rest of the day. Then, on Sunday, we are heading North to see Grandma and Grandpa for easter. I'm off again with Wm on Monday and then he heads to Clubhouse for the duration of Spring Break - besides next Friday when he goes to work with Daddy. Wm is pretty much at Excitement Level Magenta. 

Meanwhile, Steve hurt his ankle badly playing soccer...AGAIN. I told him my sympathy has run out for soccer-related injuries. Even Wm goes, "AGAIN, Daddy????" And Steve has been limping around the house with sad cow eyes all evening. I told him I'm signing him up for yoga and he grumped around and sullenly watched sports on his phone.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯