An unexpected blessing

Last year, I needed another job that would be part time and merge  into our crazy schedules.   Nothing I was finding fit into what we were doing as a family, or would allow me to be around for the kids.  Or would not interfere with my current job.   I was whining to my mom about it and she said "you can always drive a school bus."   I believe my first reaction was to laugh.  A few days later, I found myself at the DMV and was a card carrying member of the bus drivers club.  

This morning, I was driving around my route thinking about what an unexpected blessing this job is.   I love my route kids, I love the early mornings where I have 15 solid minutes of driving by myself to my first pick up.  I see so many amazing moments.  Kansas sunrises, awesome families of wild creatures, a bald eagle, new baby calves, farmers up before dawn feeding animals and tending the land.  I also get to drive my own kids to and from school every day.  It makes me feel blessed.  

But the best part of this job is when I get to drive my own kids to their activities. Preston had his league quiz bowl meet this evening.  I will be honest and say had I not been getting paid, I probably would not have attended.  It was my first experience with quiz bowl.  It was so much fun to watch!   Preston's team won the league meet tonight.  I am so happy I was there to watch!  

Preston's team scored around 400 points tonight.  Preston scored 200 of them.  He was amazing!   I was very proud of him and his team! 

Some first-y excitement

Harper's poster got 1st place in the conservation district contest.  She was pretty excited.  

Preston tried out for quiz bowl and made the team.  Tonight they had their first competition and his team took 1st place!  He was extremely happy!   The other 7th grade team took 2nd. Seems like they have a whole lot of smart kids!  

More stuff from the weekend

Grandma's friend Jenny lives in Arizona during the winter.  She did a little drop in and see Madison at Rise Up bakery!  We sure do miss that girl!  

As we were leaving for mass last evening, I noticed Saige's new look.   She was extremely displeased when I told her she most definitely  could not wear glasses without lenses to church.  We compromised and I took pictures instead.  Ornery little drama momma!  

Today our Godson became an Eagle Scout!  We are so very proud of him!  His mom and dad are doing a fine job of raising him to be a good man.  I can't wait to see what he accomplishes in his life!  I was so happy that I got to be at his ceremony!  It was my first Scout ceremony!  

It was nice to visit with them for a little while afterward as well!  Great way to spend a Sunday!  

Club day

Preston, Quincy and Harper participated in their club's model meeting at county club day today.  When we took this project on, I had the idea that it would be an easy way to get a whole lot of kids to participate in club day.  I was right that a bunch of kids did participate...but was wrong in thinking it would be easy.  It was a good experience.  

These kids practiced a lot.  The practices were not pretty.  I was legitimately worried about today.  The kids who showed up today knew their parts, knew parliamentary procedure, had practiced enough that they covered for each other, and basically looked like professionals, and did a wonderful job.  I was very pleased with them!  Perhaps I should have offered up my ice cream bribe earlier!  

My own kids like going to Pomona for a different reason.  They always want to stop at Aunt Amy's dead body bridge!   I sent Amy the above photo and she immediately texted back "what are you guys doing at the dead body bridge?"   It makes me laugh that these kids and their aunt are all so strange!  

Senior night

It was senior night at SFT tonight.   We were not sure it would happen since there was no school today due to the condition of the back roads.  We were happy this night was not cancelled. We are so proud of all the activities that Cameron is involved in.  He has had a lot of fun this winter being the women's basketball manager.   

Two of my favorite guys!  I had to giggle when we were waiting for Cameron and he walked around the corner and yelled "Jim!? What are you doing at senior night?"   I'm very glad that Jim was able to attend this time!   

Cameron has also had a fun time with pep band this winter!  They play a lot of fun stuff and are great to listen to!   It was a good night to be a Charger!  

Second verse....

For the second time this week, there was a minor ice storm.  For the second time this week, the kids had a day off school!  For the second time this week I felt immense relief at not having to drive the yellow screamer.  This time, the governor called for state offices to be closed.  Although I don't like to think of the Wakarusa Watershed as being a state office on a normal day, today I happily obliged and took the day off!  

Unlike Tuesday, where I was productive and worked hard all day, this time I read a book, watched tv with the kids, and basically enjoyed a day of relaxation!  It. Was. Delightful!  

Quincy has not been to school for 8 days.  She had an ear infection, a weekend, a holiday, a snow day, then the stomach flu, and now a second snow day.  She was unhappy that I emailed her teacher and requested homework be sent home with Preston.  School work was not exactly how she intended to spend her snow day!  She will thank me when she goes back and is not behind!  

This evening, the roads are clear (enough) and Preston and Jim are playing trivia on the city's trivia team.  Cameron formed his own team.  I just hope that they leave the trash talking, excessive hostility, and poor sportsmanship at the library!!   

Ice day

I went out to start Gus the bus at 5:45 like I do every single morning, but this day gave me a little bit of anxiety.   I guess I fell asleep watching the olympics last night and missed the weather forecast as a result!  When I stepped off the step onto a sheet of ice, driving a bus was not high on my list of fun activities.  I always worry about safety, but today was going to take every prayer I know!  Luckily, while I was fixing the girl's hair, I got a text from my bus boss saying no school today!   The weather people on the morning news were warning that this was a day to stay home if at all possible.  I was happy to oblige!  Unfortunately, both Jim and Mallory had to go in today.  Mallory was not pleased in the least and has now decided she would rather teach in one of the smaller school districts! 

I did sort of giggle.  I got two texts at 8:00 am.  One was from Mallory telling me she made it, and that the roads were horrible and awful.  The other one was from Jim telling me he made it, and the roads were not all that bad!  Honestly, aside from going back out to shut the bus off, I have been happily holed up with the kids all day!  

In order to seem sympathetic to Mallory and daddy, I told the kids I needed sad face photos!    All of them tried, but nobody was actually sad about a day off!  

I did find the cleaning fairy!  She wasn't  all that helpful with actual cleaning though!  

Saige had a great time running the vacuum cleaner and sliding around on the ice!  She is pretty easy to entertain! 

Quincy might not like cleaning, but she does a great job making sure critters have warm beds, and bellies full of food!  

She even made sure the wild birds got a little snack! She said she fed Harriet, and the guineas and then the wild birds were begging so she threw them a little too!  

I assume that we will be back to normal tomorrow, but I sure do love an unexpected day at home!