The Accidental Boilermaker

 Evelyn and Jameson had their 8 year and 6 year physicals yesterday. The doctor thought they both looked great. He didn’t have any concerns and neither did we. Evelyn was 51.5 inches tall (69th percentile) and weighed 58 lbs (54th percentile). Jameson was 46.75 inches tall (71st percentile) and weighed 47 lbs (56th percentile).  Jameson’s growth made sense; it really seems like he has shot up and thinned out. They managed to shoot a basket or two before school, but it was too wet and rainy once we got home in the afternoon to play outside.  But I did pick up Encanto from the library, so they watched that. 

 No work for Nate, but school for the kids. Nate and I went for lunch at a brewery downtown. I thought a beer might be nice, but I didn’t want to drink a lot so I ordered just a 4 oz and Nate thought my tiny beer was so funny.  Before and after lunch and after picking up Evelyn and Jameson from the bus stop, we assembled their new basketball hoop. They were so excited to shoot hoops. We had to drag them away to eat dinner and then they convinced Nate to let them play after dinner right until Evelyn had to leave for her piano lesson. 

Upward basketball is over. It was a fun time and they both learned a lot and improved their basketball skills. Evelyn’s last game ended in a tie, so technically her team was undefeated for the season.  Evelyn’s coach gave every girl a personalized cookie.  Then tonight we had an end of season celebration. There was a magician that the kids thought was hilarious and everyone got a new basketball.  Evelyn also went to her first sleepover. Bella celebrated her 8th birthday with a few friends spending the night. It sounded like they had lots of fun. Back at home, we did a double feature with Jameson. We watched the first Space Jam with Michael Jordan and then the new Space Jam with LeBron James. Jameson said he liked the first one best, but he laughed more at the second one. 

 Another morning of basketball and Evelyn and Jameson had good games. Evelyn’s team remains undefeated, but you can tell everyone is improving.  In the afternoon, Jameson finished his alligator Valentines box. Jameson did most of the painting and he cut out the egg carton pieces. The tail is a little extra, but it actually seems very study, so hopefully the gator will make it to the classroom in one piece.  Then they both finished their blue bird nesting boxes. We do have blue birds that visit the bird feeder so hopefully they will find the boxes and lay a few eggs. 

 Evelyn and Jameson had their first eye appointments today. Both got good reports. Jameson is slightly far sighted but the doctor said that was normal and would probably correct itself over time. Evelyn has normal 20/20 vision. So no glasses needed at this time; no one seemed upset about that.  The eye doctor is close to the sledding hill and they had brought all their snow gear to school, so I thought it’d be fun to go sledding.  It had been warm all day so the snow was slushy which meant you didn’t sled as far and it was sometimes hard to climb back up but it wasn’t busy. The sledding hill is close to Mama Mia’s pizza and since it was national pizza day, we surprised Nate and picked up a pizza for dinner. Unfortunately all that after school activity and fun made everyone grumpy once it was time to practice piano and go to bed. Or it could have been the ring pop the eye doctor gave them and I let them have while we waited to pick up the pizza. Either they did calm down a...

 Wednesday last week was the first snow day/ e learning day. E learning always takes so long because they each like to do or listen to what the other one is doing.  For example Wednesday’s special is gym for Evelyn and art for Jameson but they do both together.  But we did finally make it outside. My parents arrived Friday to celebrate birthdays and watch basketball. Both games went well on Saturday. Jameson’s team had missed two practices in a row, so they seemed a little less focused.  Saturday was cold, but they played outside for a little bit.  Sunday was much nicer. Jameson and I played snow soccer for good long time. 

 Evelyn turned 8! And it was day 2 of e learning. It was a lot harder to focus on school today with everyone home and so much snow.  Evelyn wanted donuts for her birthday breakfast and thankfully I thought ahead at the last minute to make sure I could make donuts if the weather was bad.  Evelyn opened a few presents and played for a while before it was finally time to start school. (E learning days run on a two hour delay.)   Evelyn got her work done before lunch but Jameson was struggling a little and since they have 3 days to complete their work, we decided to push a few assignments off till tomorrow and go play in the snow.  Evelyn also asked to have burgers for dinner and a chocolate cake with chocolate icing for dessert. While the cake took time, it did taste pretty good.