Paula's 5th Birthday

Hello from a Spring Break like we have never experienced before. We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the governor has ordered schools to be closed for at least another month past our scheduled break. Besides schools, almost everything else has been shut down except grocery stores. I am suddenly finding myself with a completely cleared calendar, all four children home with no where to take them, and a tenser-than-usual husband trying to work from home. Every hour I am battling against boredom on behalf of the kids, at the same time I try to keep distraction at bay for Forest so he can focus on work. I miss seeing my cello students and sometimes wish I could escape to an orchestra rehearsal (all of which have been indefinitely canceled).

But despite these challenges, there are some benefits to being housebound. We are getting some serious family time--not all of it is the highest quality, but there is still something to be said for quantity. Also, I have dusted off a bunch of solo repertoire for my cello, and actually found some moments to practice it. In addition, I am finally sitting in front of this neglected blog with the hopes of completing a post from more than a year ago.

So here it is . . . back to December 2018.

On the morning of her fifth birthday, Paula woke up to a surprise: A giant horse she later named Hazel.

Later in the morning she got to play at Jumpin' . . .

. . . and then we all went to Coopersmith's in Old Town Fort Collins for lunch.

Wylie enjoyed a cup of root beer milk (which tasted a lot like a melted root beer float)

Then we went for a short stroll around Old Town.

Back at home . . .

 Presents . . .

Cake, candles, and doughnuts . . .

To my Darling Paula Doll,
     One of the things that amazes me about you is your love of learning and your hard-working attitude. Sometimes when you encounter a challenge--when something puts your mind or your skills to the test--rather than moan or groan, I actually hear you audibly giggle, like you are enjoying yourself.
     Perhaps because of this disposition, you are one of the smartest kids I have ever met at your age. After your first week of preschool, your teacher was blown away by both your reading skills and your number sense. I guess it's not every day you meet a four-year-old who buries her nose in a chapter book. The best part of your teacher's report, though, was the part about what a kind friend you are to classmates. You are fun and compassionate, and people like to be around you.

I love you so much. Thank you for being you.
Love,
Mama

Real Time Post--An Almost Perfect Relatively Uneventful Thursday

I keep slipping with this blogging business. Eventually I will write an entry about my 6-year old's 5th birthday, but I'd like to pause with one real-time post to say that today has been an almost perfect Thursday.

Wylie is such a big boy now--potty trained and proudly wearing his PJ Masks or Paw Patrol underwear during the day. But small enough that I still get to keep him with me while his sisters are at school.

This morning we exercised together, then went to a yoga studio to redeem $75 worth of free merchandise with a gift certificate we won at a library event last summer (I know, it only took me a few months to get over there. So happy I didn't lose it before it expired!) After we grabbed some groceries (I got an amazing deal on applesauce and Teddy Grahams), we went to the library for Story Explorers story time where Miss Andrea read us a book about a polar bear. Then Wylie got to play with some fake snow and tiny arctic animals . . .

. . . and squirt warm water on a blue ice cube to simulate a melting iceberg.

We came home for lunch, then cuddled on the couch to read a couple of Curious George books. I love that Wylie will still sit on my lap and let me nuzzle his head.

Next, I sat at the piano to work on this, with Wylie's help (he loves the piano these days):

He also played his own little songs with me before I let him turn on his favorite show--Boss Baby.
While he's watching, I might even have time to practice this:

Beethoven 5. I can't wait for rehearsal tonight!

Stay tuned for documentation on Paula's 5th Birthday . . . it's coming . . .

Holiday Parties 2018

All three girls had their holiday parties on the last Thursday before winter break. Paca came over the night before, and we read him "Whose Boat Is This Boat" by Donald Trump.

Matchy-matchy Thursday

4th Grade Party in Mrs. Drage's Room

2nd Grade Party in Mrs. Haselby's Room

Summer and Mika trying to shake ping pong balls out of tissue boxes strapped to their hips

Wylie and Paca leaving Bethke and headed to Paula's preschool party

In addition to the party, Paula got to celebrate her birthday that day in class, as well. The kids traced her on a giant sheet of paper and decorated it.

I was in charge of the winter party. We started with the craft.

It was supposed to go something like this:

We paused for a snowman snack made out of donuts, chocolate chips, baby carrots, and pretzels

Powdered Sugar Princess

For games, we played "Pin the Nose on Rudolph." Paula was way off and missed the poster completely! A lot of the kids got pretty turned around, making the game even more adorable.

We also played a game where we passed the jingle bells around

At the end of class, Miss Stacie read the kids a book (while Wylie played with the tools)

After school, we did this:

Whew. If that wasn't enough for one day, there was more. In the afternoon, Paula and I went together to get our hair chopped off and donated. Here is the "before" picture:

12 inches of Paula hair and 12 inches of Ivy hair:

After:

Finally, in the evening there was some time to relax . . .

. . . and eat a plate of cookies from Teresa