The snows of March

It snowed . . .

I got to take Holly up to DC for an interview. Super fun--super cold day! Super fun because she knows all of the Metro stops, and all I have to do is go along for the ride. I LOVE that! No more planning on my part! I sought refuge in a Starbucks because it was a very brisk 36 degrees! I miss our trips up here.

Another puzzle.

And we had this conversation:

Trevor, baking a cake:

Trevor: It says, "Mix by hand"??!! :O
Me, distracted: Yes.
silence
Holly: It means to use a spoon.
Trevor: Oh, thank God!

We had more snow. (To be honest, spring snows are my favorite!)

Pumpkin definitely had the right idea.

Another dusting of snow a few days later. How pretty was this?!

Heading down our street, looking at Tinker Mountain.

 All was brightened up by this adorable gift box of candy that Lori sent for Easter, complete with pictures!

The Wonder of Book Buddies

Back in the fall, I volunteered through the Bar Association to be a reader to a city school elementary class. I was randomly matched up with a fourth grade class at Fallon Park Elementary. This was particularly exciting because we'd gone to this school frequently for Trevor's chess tournaments when he was in chess club many years ago.

The teacher had already begun reading Wonder to the class and asked if I would continue. Although I remember the book from the library, I wasn't familiar with it. I read to the class 30 minutes each Thursday afternoon. The class itself is amazing, so sweet, attentive, enthusiastic. This beautifully written book shows the perspectives of several different people in the storyline and details the life of a boy born with serious craniofacial deformities with the basic lesson of "Don't judge a book by its cover."

As we neared the end of the book, the class presented me with cards of thanks and an invitation to join them on a field trip to a local theater to watch the movie version.

 

Is that amazing that they spent so much time writing these beautiful cards and thoughts for ME? I am so very, very touched. It truly has been the best volunteer gig I've ever done.

So we went to the movie theater, the fancy one in Grandin Village that opened just for us. Imagine me in a theater with 300 kids. (It was like half the school, not just my little class of 25 or so kids.)

I survived.

And then it was ME time!

 

A burst of February

We returned to Chaos Mountain Brewery with friends and REALLY LOUD music.

* * * * *

Too puzzling for me. Everything else was sky! While I enjoy a challenge, it should be fun, and this was too much. I stopped here, returned it to the library, and refused to feel bad about it!

* * * * *

Valentine's Day. At lunch, I ran out and bought the kids candy from the fancy chocolate store downtown and then went across the street to buy Robert tickets to the symphony. I knew I was taking my chances that he would see the charge come through on the credit card. Sure enough, when I texted him that afternoon that I'd bought candy, he replied that he knew, he'd seen the email notification of the charge. I figured my surprise was gone. I tucked the tickets into a small gift bag and dropped the receipt into my work bag.

Meanwhile, my attorneys had gifted us with several little things, a basket with candy, etc.

When I got home, I pulled the assortment of work goodies out of my bag to show Robert. Of couse, the receipt was RIGHT THERE on top. I didn't see it (of course), but he did (of course!).  He was TOTALLY surprised--even if he didn't get to open the gift bag.

He'd not checked email again and hadn't seen the second charge come through.

So in addition to tickets to something he's long wanted to do, he also has a great story that he'll never (let me) forget!

His gift to me was two boxes of chocolate orange sticks, a favorite treat which we can no longer find locally. He ordered them online, and I found it amusing that he held his breath, hoping I wouldn't see the amazon order (I didn't). He pegged it perfectly--I ate the entire first box that first night. And on the second night, well, I ate the second box then. It was worth it!

 * * * * * 

Saw this on the internet and loveloveloved it! Couldn't get it out of my mind. What a beautiful day that will be, passing from this world and into the arms of Jesus for eternity.

* * * * *

My boy and his dog.

 * * * * *

We watched bits of the Olympics, something we've not done in more than a decade. The networks have spoiled it with too many commercials, but we found it by chance on NBC Sports Network, with virtually no ads. What a treat! To me, the Winter Olympics bring back sweet memories of our first months of homeschooling--I was as sick as a dog one morning, but I'd determined to let the kids watch the Olympic torch be carried down Littleton Blvd. I was likely in my pajamas, but we piled into the car, drove a few blocks away, and parked while we waited to see the runner pass by. Our science experiments during those few weeks were Olympic themed--freezing a sheet of ice on a pan, among other things. Precious times!

* * * * *

A different kind of picture, harder than it looked!

* * * * *

 Another Saturday night, another brewery, this time at Flying Mouse, just down the street.

Me, Westleyan, Judy    

And the reason why there are never pictures of me and Robert:

Ew, there's a giant shadow snaking across my nose. 

 Looks like Robert is falling asleep.

What are you saying??? And hate my face.

 He is DONE, NO MORE PICTURES! Maybe he'll let me try again next year.

* * * * *

And that was February!