sick leave

On Monday morning, Amaya told me she wanted hair like CC. That meant a bread on each side of her head like CC had worn the day before. She’s got bit love for CC. Hopefully we’ll see her again over the holiday break.

Early afternoon on Monday, Gabby let me know that she wasn’t feeling well and likely had strep. Jason and I couldn’t get home by 4pm but we agreed I’d get home as soon as possible and, in the meantime, she’d avoid preparing any food for the kids. Gabby was extra awesome and even wore a mask. It turns out that was a good thing because Gabby didn’t just have strep, she also had the flu and was down for the count all week. Poor Gabby!

I’m so fortunate to work close to home and have the flexibility to get the kids off the bus at 4pm when something like this comes up.

This came home with Amaya on Monday. She did have sushi over the weekend! I love the drawing of rolls and chopsticks.

SSA’s bus driver has an annual “Christmas picture” drawing contest. The kids were conflicted about whether or not they were even allowed to participate and, if so, if they should draw Christmas or Hanukkah. (“We can’t win because we don’t know how to draw Christmas pictures.” “We can’t win because no one will know what Hanukkah is.”) We had lots of good conversations about different traditions and that they’re certainly included so they decided to participate.

Steven wanted to draw a Christmas picture and, frankly, I’m impressed with what he came up with. He definitely knows how to draw Christmas pictures!

Amaya drew a menorah and, after seeing Steven’s drawing, supplemented with a “Christmas house”.

Sammy stuck with his menorah. He wasn’t feeling very confident in the quality of his drawing and doesn’t think he’ll win but we had a good talk about trying our best and how you know you won’t win if you don’t even try. I was proud of him for handing it in to Mr. Ed despite his nerves.

(I’m also hoping that next year, with the knowledge that not all of the kids on the bus celebrate Christmas but do have holiday traditions, Mr. Ed might choose slightly more inclusive language on the nature of the contest.)

I know I share a lot of pictures of the kids sleeping but it just totally cracks me up that they have these beds and choose to sleep on the floor every night. Though, for the past two nights, Sammy did choose his bed over his next for the first time in a while. Also, I’ll never tire of Amaya’s sleep mask from Charlie.

Whoo boy – Wednesday! First of all, we’ve decided to pick the kids up from school on Wednesdays to make it easier to get to dance class on time. It worked well, but it meant I had to be at the school in time to find a parking spot and wait at the kindergarten entrance for dismissal. There’s no pick-up line until 1st grade. I learned that the early bird gets the spot and showing up too late means parking in a nearby sub. Fortunately I got the last available spot.

We had quite the afternoon/evening. The kids had their dance classes which ended an hour before my tap class. To bridge the gap, we had dinner delivered to the dance studio. Then the kids hung out while I had my tap class. We were home by 7:45pm which isn’t terrible but made for a very long day for everyone. It was a fun adventure, though, and I loved seeing their little faces peeking in the window while I danced.

Sammy’s enthusiasm at the end of this short video is everything.

Sammy was having a tough time with something on Wednesday night before bed and Jason snapped this picture of me working through it with him. I’m so grateful to have photos of moments like this.

I was so excited to find this kid-nado shirt for Steven. Perfection!

Part interest in writing and part interest in not going to bed, Amaya has been writing us love notes at bedtime. She’s got my number with these. < 3

Just before Thanksgiving break, Sammy earned this Hero buck for holding the door for other students. (And he was recognized because Steven told a teacher that Sammy had done this good deed.) Sammy let us know that once/week all of the kids with Hero Bucks had their names called over the loud speaker and got to go to the library to meet Mr. Jewitt, the principal, to pick out a prize. This Thursday was Sammy’s turn and he was so excited to tell me about it.

Yes, more sleeping photos. 🙂 Next weekend Amaya and I are going back to NY for a Hanukkah party with our Goldstein cousins and she wanted a chance to sleep with Jason before we go. Once that happens, of course the boys want int, too. So Steven got to sleep with me on Friday night and Sammy will have his turn tonight.

Sammy decided he wanted a lightening bolt in his hair so, Saturday morning, we headed out to the barber. He was a little nervous but also determined and, ultimately, so pleased with the results.

Barber Steven hard at work.

Sammy’s barber did his cut and then passed him off to someone else who specializes in designs.

I’ve taken a lot of pictures of the side of his head this weekend since it’s the best way for him to see what it looks like. He was very happy this morning when he realized it still looks the same as yesterday.

Steven’s turn! Last time he was so scared that he had to sit on my lap but this time he was ready to go (provided no clippers were used). “Why would I be scared the second time?”

At Subway, Steven was signing a melody that he made up while we were waiting for our subs. An older gentleman asked what song it was and he said, “It’s just a song I made up!” Then this guy starts singing the same song and tries to convince Steven that he made it up himself when he was a kid. It was really sweet.

Like Steven last week, Sammy is getting lots of opportunities to pet sweet Sally. We just need to get Amaya to a point where she doesn’t run from Sally in terror.

My first best girl.

Last night Jason was cuddling sweetly with all 3 kids which devolved into this when I tried to get a photo.

Grandma Sunshine will be in DC for the week of Hanukkah so she and Aunt Annette came over today to celebrate the holidays. <3 <3 <3

Sammy: When can we open the presents? When can we open the presents? When can we open the presents? When can we open the presents? When can we open the presents? When can we open the presents? When can we open the presents? When can we open the presents? When can we open the presents? When can we open the presents?