Birthdays and Braces

 Happenings:

Abe came home from school Friday clearly upset that he was ousted in the first round from the class spelling bee. He was given the word "Scandinavian" and he spelled it with a "k". Not bad, but he was so disappointed. I had no idea he had an interest in vocabulary/spelling, but maybe it's more of a competitive streak than I knew he had. He's a brilliant kid and proud of the ease in which he understands principles.

I visited both my grandmother and a friend this week. Both don't get out much or ever under the current circumstances. Both would benefit from talking to friends or family more... I can only imagine how lonely this time is for them. Sometimes I'm dying to get a few minutes to myself, it means getting up hours before my children do, but it's worth it. I did get 3 days away with Dan while we checked out some projects at the Ranch. It was so fun to be there but without normal bedtime routines and children to get up with, I was in bed by 6:30 and slept for a blessed 13 hours. 

The children and I skied on Friday afternoon, we are all progressing. Some are getting faster than they should while others are slow and steady with many wide turns. Moses has such a hard time going slow, not that he can't, but he loves speed. I could not keep up with the little man and on our last run to the bottom a service road crossed the slope... with only light snow cover.  As soon as Lamond's skis hit the rocks he completely bowled over. Unfortunately, I was still halfway up the mountain when another, more apt, skier approached Lamond. I could see the skier looking around for the supposedly responsible adult who should have been accompanying their child. That combined with the previous entanglement with Moses as we alighted the lift and the emotional breakdown that ensued after yet another run meant that we didn't ski today. 

Maser has a complete set of new braces, a lisp and an eternal headache. Every night for the next 3 weeks we turn the crank to expand his bridge. Such a tough kid.

Dan had an uneventful birthday, celebrating 42 is a bigger deal for the children than for the adults. I count myself lucky to have had his influence in my life for 20 years. It's more than luck, it's the greatest blessing in my life.

I'm feeling very thankful for our current circumstances. For the opportunities we can pursue. For the comforts in our home and the support of our family.