Spring Break Run-Down

Sunday: Shawn and I braved the zoo with the kids and Cousin David. Tempted to leave children with animals. Or even trade. At least a monkey wouldn't have to be bathed as often.

Monday: Sent kids with G'Pa and Uncle Phil to "check the cows"* and lunch at McDonald's. Shawn's aunt and uncle were in town visiting their daughter and her family. Everyone came over for dinner. A grand time was had by all. And they cleaned the kitchen.

Tuesday: Sent kids with G'Pa and Uncle Phil to "check the cows" and lunch at Chick-fil-a.

Wednesday: G'Pa boycotted taking all three kids to check the cows and lunch. Wuss. But, they did take the kids for a slumber party at their house. Cutting some slack. Especially since G'Pa made me laugh out loud when he returned the kids while announcing that he "has become [his] mother."

Thursday: G'Ma and I took the kids to the Discovery Center to see mechanical dinosaurs and a myriad of all things wonderful for children to climb on and explore. Discussed with G'Ma that the reason these children are so loud when placed in the same vicinity must be because they are Johnsons. (Note: She and I just married Johnsons; that's why we're so sweet and demure.) Now the slumber party is at our house. Fed them pizza, took them on a walk around the block, bathed them and bedded them by 7:30.

My work here is done.

On tap:

Friday: Museum visit and farewell dinner for David.

Saturday: Celebrate my birthday with the kids and in-laws because a) Duh. Why wouldn't I celebrate my birthday as many times as possible? And b) the kids would be mad if a birthday passed and they didn't get to partake in cake.

Sunday: Church. Sing praises to God that school will resume the next day.**

*That's not a euphemism; there really are cows. But, it sounds like a euphemism, doesn't it?

**It really hasn't been that bad. It just makes a better story if I complain. Don't you think?

Add'l note: We "won" the drawing to bring home the 1st grade class hamster over Spring Break. We haven't killed him yet! Holla!

Happy Birthday to Me...

...Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Birthday dear Meeeee-eeee! Happy Birthday to Me!

My family is treating me like a queen... Well, unless the kids are acting like Spring Break-addled savages.

But, Lulu did dress like a "Birthday Sister" for me today:

This is what Sisters wear when there is a birthday. Didn't you know?

There's not much to report around here except that two semesters of college Spanish will, evidently, get you through Lesson 4 of Disk 1 (out of three!) on Rosetta Stone. Awesome. And, I'm pretty sure the Spanish-speaking housekeeper is getting nervous listening to me yell, "Las bicicletas son amarillas!" at the computer.

Also, Cousin David is visiting from Kansas. He's staying with Shawn's parents. But, I've somehow managed the coup of sending both of my children with G'Pa, as well, the past couple of mornings! And, tonight all three kids are going to have a slumber party at G'Pa and G'Ma's house so Shawn can take me out for a Birthday Dinner. Have I mentioned how much I love my in-laws?

I should probably appreciate them now, though. I'm pretty sure they'll be dead by the morning. These three kids are a lot to handle all at once. Their rowdiness grows exponentially when placed in the same room together.

And, there is a better than average chance that I signed up to host that slumber party tomorrow night. I'm getting dumb in my old age.

Anyway. Happy Birthday to Meeeee!

Sí, Yo Estoy Aprendiendo Español

Yes, I'm learning Spanish because, well, duh. Why wouldn't I be learning Spanish?

Actually, I'm learning Spanish for Lent. I don't usually like to talk about what I'm doing for Lent*, but I realized it was a little odd to announce that I was learning Spanish without a bit of an explanation.

Anyway, I stole my mom's Rosetta Stone. And... I'm off.

I've finished Lesson 1. So, pretty much, if you need me say "hello," "goodbye," or tell you that he/she/they are eating/drinking/running/reading/or cooking... I might be able. If you gave me some time to think about it.

And, that Spanish title for this post?

I had to use Google Translator.

*(DISCLAIMER: The following expressed views, opinions, positions or strategies are Ali's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of any other religious and/or reasonable person in this universe.) I think Lent is our time to think about the sacrifice and gift God gave to each of us, personally, on Easter. Therefore, whatever we sacrifice or dedicate as a penitence to God should probably be kept between us and God, don't you think? I mean, I know someone might ask, or you might have to explain why you're passing on that glass of wine (so people don't accuse you of being pregnant and then you're all mad and that's not what God intended for his children...) - I mean, I don't hold it as closely a guarded secret as I would, say, my cherry pie recipe. But I don't know. For me, it's personal.

But, don't even get me started on the people who use Lent as their own personal kick-start to a diet every year... But, I'm not judging. Nope. I gave that up for Lent, too. Oh. Wait. Damn...