Nerds

Now that Wm is a Giant 10 Year Old Tween of Hormones and Doom and Grumps, we decided to get him a phone for his birthday. Mostly because we don't have a landline and he needs to be able to make calls if he's home alone, even if I am just running to the store. And we told him, at 10, he will be old enough to stay home alone for short trips like that. After much research, we found a cool provider that will work well for Wm's needs and won't break the bank. Since we ordered the phone and started paying for it, it seemed stupid to leave it in a drawer for another week, so we gave it to Wm early. He's thrilled. THRILLED. It's like we gave him the greatest treasure of all time. So, it was a big hit. However, there is a consequence....

I looked over at The Two Nerds and this is what I saw:

 

Now BOTH of them are constantly on their phone. What have I DONE?!?  

Wm's sleep over is this Saturday. And Steve got my germs. He actually left work early yesterday - which NEVER happens. He did say this morning, after his nap yesterday and a good night's sleep, that he's feeling better. So he should be back in action for The Big Sleepover this weekend. THANK GOD, because he is on Kid Duty. I am on Chatting with Parents duty at drop off and pick up. It works out well since I do not care for children and Steve does not care for adults. Everybody wins!

Redeeming Myself

Wm was supposed to turn in a check to his school this week. But he kept forgetting and left this money floating around in his backpack for days. When it came home for the 3rd time, I told him I was disappointed in him. That's like a nuclear bomb for Wm. He can't handle it. So shortly thereafter, an email arrived from upstairs:

Subject: Redeeming Myself. 
Ten things that make you the best mom:

1. You cook good meals

2. You are very nice

3. You are always there for me when I'm hurt in any way

4. You always come to my soccer games

5. You never yell at me

6. You make good jokes

7. You let me make my own decisions about my life

8. You guide me in hard times

9. You can always make me laugh, even when I'm mad

10. You are the best mom in the whole world! 

XOXO

ヽ༼◕ل͜◕༽ﾉ        hugs & kisses from a distance!

Love,

William

 

You can't stay mad at him. He makes it impossible. And he turned that GD check in finally!! 

Plague

I am back at work today. And it's not going well. I am leaving soon. This bug has knocked me down!! Wm laid in my bed yesterday and goes, "this blanket smells like sick Mum." (Which is basically unwashed body and fever sweat.)  But, both Steve and Wm remain totally healthy! I have managed to quarantine my germs. Which is good because Steve works next weekend and can't afford to get sick. And now Wm is in the home stretch of 4th grade! He has assignments and projects coming fast and furious.Only 4 more weeks to go! Then he is officially a 5th grader on the top of the elementary school heap!!

Schroeder has been my napping buddy the last few days. I bet he misses me today....

 

 

Don't go back to work!

Soccer and Sickness

This was the most gorgeous weekend of all time. And Steve had to work the entire time and I got sick. Awesome. 

Yesterday, I was OK and managed to get Wm to his first soccer game of the season (even though I pulled in, realized I forgot his cleats, and had to drive home and was a bit late because there was no more parking). Suzanne came with me (thank GOD) and then we all went out to lunch afterwards. It was super fun!! 

Action shot!

non-action shot

Wm excited about Happy Hour specials at lunch

Sadly, yesterday evening, I started feeling sketchy and was up all night with a sore throat and achy body. I have some kind of virus and I'm not pleased about it. It's 80 degrees out and I have the chills. Steve and Wm are fine, so far. But, I am SUPER bummed, because I had just passed the 1 year mark of any illness at all! I think I got cocky. I was all, "I AM THE HEALTHIEST MAN ALIVE!" I mocked Wm and Steve for their various ailments. So the gods have cursed me. They waited until it was the perfect weekend of all time to strike me down. Lesson learned. 

But, because I am a goddamn warrior, I got a ton of stuff accomplished anyway. Wm was very helpful!! We went to Whole Foods and he was a super helper. Then I baked banana bread and put a really good dinner in the crock pot. We took a potted plant over and met our new neighbors. I packed up all my winter clothes and put out all the spring/summer clothes. And, with help from Wm and his muscles, I flipped the mattresses and put on our warm weather sheets. HADUUUUKEN!

Steve has also been strangely productive for a tournament weekend. Usually, he's dead on his feet. But he even preemptively put out ant traps (we will conquer you this year, ants!!) He did say he's waiting until later this week to mow. So we are those neighbors.  BUT - he brought me a funnel cake from the tournament and so he can pretty much do whatever he wants. 

I am staying home from work tomorrow, so Wm is thrilled with life because he gets to sleep in and just walk up to school. Steve and I are off together on Wednesday for a Party Day because of all his weekend work (and I'm a state worker, so I never really work). I hope I am all better!! And Steve remains healthy.

Friends

Wm has the cutest little nerd friends. I love them. So, yesterday, his curmudgeonly Music teacher (who is often snappish with the kids), yelled unnecessarily and rudely at Wm. As soon as she walked away, Wm's friend leaned over and whispered to him, "that says more about her than it does about you." LOVED IT.

P.S. But I am still planning to start a new life rather than deal with them all in my house for Wm's sleepover. 

Returned

We are all officially back at work and school. Sadly. Wm returned yesterday to a full day of state testing. Thanks, Standardized Tests! Poor Wm. He was very happy to regale all his classmates and teachers with tales of his international travels, though. And to use his "Canada" light up moose pen. Wm also came home with a GREAT report card. He is excelling academically and socially. Yay Wm! We are super proud of him. He's also fun - he had this to say at breakfast this morning...

Steve: [painstakingly cutting a small piece off his apple]
Wm: What are you doing?
Steve: There is a gross spot on here.
Wm: It looks fine.
Steve: I don't want to eat it.
Wm: I would eat that. So if you won't....that doesn't speak well of you.

'Murica

We are back home in the good 'ole US of A! It was a loooong drive back! We stopped at Niagara Falls on the way, which was VERY COLD, but pretty cool! We also ran into all kinds of snow and craziness around Mansfield (after driving through Toronto, Buffalo, and Cleveland, the only place we saw snow was an hour out from home!) 

Wm said he had a GREAT trip and loved Toronto. He turned nearly Canadian while we were there. When we hit up the pool, Wm came up sputtering and said, "I just swallowed a liter of water!" He said Toronto has been his favorite trip. He is now up in his room, on his computer. Ahhhh, to be home.

And, without further ado, here is picture roundup:

The tunnels of Casa Loma

The fam in the atrium

The fam at Casa Loma

Wm at Niagara Falls

The fam, cold,  at Niagara Falls