how many feet does a fish have?

I had more work travel this week. This time for a quick in and out to DC for some meetings. Jason sent me this picture of Steven, who is wrapped up in my blankie while I was away. It’s so special to think about my history with this 40 year old Sesame Street sheet and then see it wrapped around one of my children.

“Gabby, can you send me a picture of the kids?”

It turns out there were more 100th Day of School shenanigans. The boys needed to fill these bags with 100 units of an item. While I was out on a weeknight date night with Jason, Penni worked with the boys on their bags. Any guesses on the contents?

(Jason and I were on a date night because I took an earlier flight back from DC to beat the snow heading for Detroit. We already had Penni lined up so decided to make the most of it and get some us time.)

On Thursday I picked Steven up from school at 11:15am for a dermatologist appointment. Midday weekday time with the kids is such a treat, even if it’s for a doctor appointment.

While I was at Thornton Creek, Steven and I wandered the halls to find their HERO pictures. A couple of months ago the kids had to write about their heroes and those statements were turned into photos (~16″x24″) that are hanging through the school. I really love these. It’s the simple things that make an impact for kindergartners.

I couldn’t find Sammy’s, but here is Steven’s MLK Jr. portrait. When we go to NY in April for spring break, the kids and I are taking the train to DC for an overnight visit with Aunt Ouize and Uncle Todd. SSA are really excited to get to see the place where MLK gave his “big speech”. I think I’m going to print out some pictures of the speech to bring with me to help tie it together for them. (Cute story – Jason said that when cousin Abe was little, he called the memorial “Me Lincoln”.) More broadly, I’m super excited to bring the kids to DC and share the city with them. I don’t think we’ll have time to get to GW on this visit but I’m hoping to at least hit up the Lincoln and the Air & Space Museum where they’ll also be able to get great views of the Washington Monument and the Capitol.

On Thursday Steven was his class Super Pal! Ms. M said that he had a slow morning but then jumped right into his work when he was supposed to. He got to wear this cape all day! Ms. M was really sweet about making sure I got to see the cape and get some pictures of him wearing it. (She also told me that he said to her, “I get distracted very easily and I need some ideas to not be so distracted.” She seemed very tickled by the way he said it.)

Before bed on Thursday, and before Jason got home, I asked Sammy if he wanted to go outside and shovel to help Daddy. I wasn’t entirely serious but he said yes so there was no backtracking! Steven saw what Sammy was up to and wanted in, as well. Sammy: “We can work together, Steven.” When Jason got home the boys were so proud to show him their work.

Amaya, girl after my heart, stayed inside in the warm, toasty house. At her request, we played Sight Word Swat. When they play alone I mix up the rules a bit and have them read the words rather than find the words. I was honestly shocked at how many she knows. She was a machine! “Little” “Big” “Play” “Yellow” “Three”.

Amaya’s class has been working on “greater than” and “less than” so I made some number sheets for her to fill out. I love her crocodile eating 10,000.

This was also a great example of how same-age siblings help them all learn. The boys haven’t done this in their class yet but Sammy wanted to try , too, so I made him his own number sheet. I’d never have done that with him if he didn’t generate an interest from Amaya’s practice.

Steven concepted and then created this computer.

Steven and Sammy brought home their books for their academic conversations and they are so true to the boys.

Steven’s story – “Once upon a time I was at my friend penguin. He asked if we could go to space and I said yes. And we went to space and the problem is that we were heading for the sun.” [Can’t read the rest and Steven can’t decode it but in there is “that my friend penguin”.]

Sammy’s story – “Once upon a time I was at my house but. My head fell off! I found glue. I stuck it back on.”

Sammy was so cute reading the story. His 2nd page didn’t originally have an exclamation point but, as he was reading it, he realized he needed it to tie to the emphasis in his voice.

Steven is going to start piano lessons! We offered the option to all of the kids but only Steven is (currently) interested. I was able to find someone local who does in-home lessons and I expect we’ll get started by the 17th. This morning he said, “So soon I’ll be able to play songs with Daddy.” <3

Sloane, in the boys’ class, was sick for their birthday part so she and he mom dropped off belated birthday gifts. (Sloane’s mom is also the kids’ dentist!) Sammy got a dinosaur egg kit and Steven got a spiralgraph. They were extremely thoughtful and even brought a small gift for Amaya.

Steven needed a clean-up so the boys and I headed to the barber on Saturday afternoon.

Sammy’s before…

And after! He’s very clear about wanting short hair and, this time, he wanted more than one lightening bolt. I really love seeing the kids express themselves.

Steven’s before…

Steven’s after. I promise he was happy here. He’s looking forward to his next shower so his curls come back after being brushed out for his cut.

Sammy and I worked together on another Raddish Kids recipe – Lasagna Soup. We’re still working on cutting skills – figuring out what he’s ready for and what’s a challenge. I found a highly reviewed set of kid’s cooking knives for $8 and also ordered kid’s cutting gloves so, as he (and the Steven and Sammy) start cutting and chopping more regularly they can be just a touch safer and more comfortable with the utensils.

I never anticipated how much I’d enjoy cooking with the kids.

Does it get any better than hammering noodles?

A highlight of the weekend was Amaya’s long anticipated Daddy/Daughter dance. She had a new dress, new shoes and excitement that filled our house all day long.

Our girl. <3

Amaya thought it was so cool that the sleeves on her dress have “holes”.

My heart goes BOOM.

Living her best life.

A huge bonus was that Amaya’s friend Abby (famous Abby B) was also at the dance. (Seated beside her, below.) When Amaya heard she was going she started running around the house singing, “Best day of my liiiiii-ife! Best day of my liiiiii-ife!”

About the dance Jason said, “She’s amazing. She was the ring leader, but it didn’t bother her if Abby B didn’t follow…. she was happy if there was anything that was nice on her after losing Abby B. Treats, drawing on the wall, checking on our picture, more treats, dancing with Daddy, dancing on her own, balloons, more treats, most especially “doot doots” with Daddy on the dance floor where everyone could see…”

So special!

The kids had religious school in the morning and it still seems to be going well. They go willingly and it sounds like they’re having fun. After lunch, my Michigan babes spent a very long time playing outside in the snow. It makes me so happy that they’re finally at an age where they can play outside on their own and I love that they get outside even in the dead of MI winter.

Sally is increasingly comfortable with the kids. I guess it’s age. And time. I love it, whatever the reason. She’s so special to me and I love seeing SSA with her.

Amaya still seems to have some fear of Sally but she was willing to pet her again as long as it was from behind so her hand is away from Sally’s mouth. Bit by bit we’ll get there.

This big kid and I made the 3rd of the recipes from February’s Raddish Kids kit. It was an Italian salad with mozzarella, tomatoes, zucchini and homemade croutons. A hit with everyone!

Our family dinned was especially fun tonight. We went around the table telling “fiction” stories. One of Amaya’s went something like this: “Once upon a time there were three kids who didn’t have any parents. Their names were Steven, Sammy and Amaya. They didn’t have parents because their parents, named Joanna and Jason, didn’t like how Steven was wrestling with Sammy and Amaya. So they lived alone. And then Amaya and Sammy lived with their parents again and Steven got new parents.”