Spring Vibes

I'm trying not to be so sad about the end of Spring Break.

😢

I don't think I even realized HOW much I needed it.

I love Spring, 

and although we spent part of our time in quarantine (everyone is healthy & good), 

we were able to enjoy it it fully. 

The theme of our Spring-

COLORS! 

We moved Easter up a bit with a special brunch with family.

I love a table setting.  

I think after retirement I want to work for Below Deck and make table settings.

You have to get it in when you can!

We love when sissy and Gigi can celebrate.

We had so much fun opening these most beautiful and creative baskets made by my mom.  You all think I'm creative!?! 

I could not hold a candle to these baskets.

Of course we had get in the mood 

and color easter eggggggssss.

We even did our own tie dye shirts and socks for the first time.

   

What a CoLoRfUL & FuN MeSs

My fingers are still blue!

How about this totally tie dye awesomeness!?!

We also did a bit of tennis and dance.

I love my little athletes! 

I don't know where my kids get it but they love being physical.

We also found plenty of time for art and 

living room campouts! 

There was Car Karaoke 

(with lots of COLORS) and

ice cream (with lots of colors).

We did a bit of Spring Cleaning 

and color coding of our spring outfits.

I took some major bets on how long these outfits stay "color coded". 

One night out 

(with rainbow salsa).

I had my colorful PuRpLe glasses adjusted, 

so now I can wear them with my face mask.

I also found time for the SVU marathon 

(Mariska Hargitay gives me short hair cut vibes- I heart Benson), 

and I am ALMOST finished with the very colorful Sci Fi Trilogy by Sarah J. Maas.

**********************************************************************

I finally downloaded Goodnotes ...

and fourrrrr hours later 

I had a planner, a bible download, a reading chart, and 100 other things.

It appealed to my SUPER techie and pretend organization side. 

**********************************************************************

We finished our week with a very COLORFUL 

kite flying afternoon.

What a beautiful day! 

I'm soooo sad my Spring Break is over but we sure did enjoy it, 

and all of it's colorful goodness!

Happy Dog Day- #9

Look who is already 9 years old today!!

Yesterday I was admiring your eyes (a fetching hazel) and I said, "Carlee you are just more beautiful every day."

Then you said, "and I am getting stronger each day." 

Then I said "and smarter." 

and we both agreed being stronger and smarter is better!

This has by far been a challenging year.   

It is not easy navigating third grade, reading EOG, a teacher mom, friends, and a teenage brother in the middle of a pandemic. 

You have developed both strength and resilience!

We love your quiet and observant nature that holds a secret wicked humor.

I love how physical you are with a natural athletic ability.

You are an artist, a creator, 

and have had your own fashion sense (since age 2)!

You are an empath in this world. 

You prefer animals.

You have a deeper spiritual side and value daily prayer over gatherings.

You are stubborn,  

(and while that doesn't work well for me) 

it may equip you in a world that tends to tell girls how they should act.

You are loved as the forever Baby Sechrist and we are very proud of you.

In celebration of the big 09-

we had a Dog Rescue Lunch.

The dog ears were my idea 

(too much?)

The star of the day had to be this Maggie Cake.

Is that not amazing!?! 

Best Cake Ever (and delicious too).

Remember to Adopt

There are a lot of sweet pets out there that need YOU.

We had enough pups to donate to the prize box at her school, because we agree you can really never have too many pups!!

Shots and Grooming 

are important before you take your doggie home. 

Every new adoption needs a birth certificate.

Lunch Time- 

do you love our dog bowl dishes?

We even used them for a quick fast food dinner!

🤣

As part of the lunch, we talked about a local rescue organization, 

and we made treats for the foster dogs they house.

Peanut Butter, Pumpkin, Whole Wheat, Egg, 

and a Dash of Cinnamon

Maybe we all had a little bite before the dogs tried it. 

These bone cookie cutters are a must (6.00).

Maggie certainly approved.

We mixed our homemade bone snacks with some others to make these...

delicious Doggie Goodie Bowls to give out.

Crafting Time:

DIY Wooden Bones

. 

Later that evening we invited our CUZ over for some late evening BINGO (with prizes)!

I didn't realize how many dog breeds I could not pronounce.

Maggie helped us out.

We continued our DOG Day with a DOG morning.

Look at that casserole (it has salad croutons in it). 

YUMMO.

         

The Grande Finale:

Carlee wanted a burrito blanket for her birthday.

Thats my Girl!

Happy Birthday Carlee Anne

Flour in Her Hair

It’s been a day.

A creative 11 year old gent 

told me he couldn’t work 

because his legs were cold,

and then proceeded to fashion 

two hard, brown paper towel scarves 

around his knees, 

while I taught him 

to exceed all expectations.

The daughter came in at the end of the day. 

I’m hot.

I’m tired.

I hate school.

I can’t do this 'stuff'.

I threaten “I WILL add 20 more HW problems IF

you don’t get serious…

and quit gripping!!”

The son texts he forgot practice 

and his tennis racquet.

I’m getting really frustrated.

Before I walk out of the building, 

I learn that I will be making yet ANOTHER

transition to my schedule.

I’m spread so thin that I’m transparent. 

We get home.

“Pick up YOUR STUFF!”

“Charge your computers.” 

“Put your mask in the laundry.”

“Unpack lunchboxes.”

I check my school email.

I need to contact a parent.

I could ignore it but I'm that parent.

I know too well

the feelings involved 

with concerns.

I have dinner, grading, and a meeting to prepare.

Then the daughter asks… 

“Can I Help?”

I’ve worked, 

directed, 

assisted, 

and navigated ALLLL day.

“NO!”  

“I’m in a hurry!!!”

“I want to get this done!!”

“GO!”

She says, 

“I thought it would help me with my day” 

with a pitiful look 

that was given to her 

from a direct bloodline 

of my ancestors.

Ok.   

“You can help.”

I try not to tense as she

moves flour for the chicken 

to every crook 

and cranny 

of the space.

It's like watching Iron Chef

the blindfolded version.

The dog settles directly under our feet.

I learn that today was her worst exploratory. 
It’s hard and she is nervous.  

She lives with the fear of knowing 

she will not have the answer.

Anxiety is as much a part of the day as

the click of the keyboard.

Two teachers noticed her new hair cut, 

but not her best friend.

She told me about the whimsical boys,

and the girl who gifted her a 

small pink bottle of bubbles

nestled in her bag, 

for safe keeping.

PE is the favorite.

Art is good too.

Why can’t the world teach all art (and all PE)?

She really hopes it snows 

and NO remote learning

and NO school ever.

Did you know her favorite wrestler 

The Fiend 

has never lost a match 

in the history of WWE?

I start some music.

Tootsie Roll because of the lines 

Now dip, baby, dip

Come on let's dip, baby, dip

Baby, dip, baby, dip (just dip baby)

Because we are “dipping” the chicken, 

of course.

That leads into Bell Biv DeVoe and Salt N Pepa 

and I talk about ‘the day’

that I imagined 

myself as

2 legit 2 quit.  

I dance.  

I can’t help myself.

You know what??

I'm still 2 legit 2 quit.

She asks me about buttermilk.

"You’ve never drank buttermilk?”

Nope

“Take a taste.”

Yuck Face.

“Trust me it’s better with butter 

and flour 

wrapped around a chicken.”

She warms the water for the mashed potatoes.

I say, 

“you can play while the chicken bakes.”

Before she steps down from her stool

she yells

“LOOOK!  

It’s a RED BIRD!!!”

The splash of color stands out against the winter.

“Some say a cardinal is always delivering a message from heaven.”

She takes a few minutes to study, 

and then

she walks away 

with a smile on her face 

and

flour in her hair.