Mother's Day

Everett was gone from Monday to Thursday for the MOSS (McCall Outdoor Science School) program up in McCall. He was chosen to participate due to his good grades and interest in science. He was in a small group lead by a college student learning about science-y stuff like pine trees and experiments. His group leaders were Stu (Sidney Stuart) and Michael, their group name was the purple stu. He learned that Ponderosa Pine smells like vanilla. Everett said the food was really good. He did not sleep well because the exit signs were super bright. He loved to be outdoors in the Ponderosa State Park and especially the canoeing. There were 20 students just from EVMS, he said it was nice to get to know other students better. He said the sunsets by the lake were epic. Noice. 

Consequently, Phillip had a really hard time getting up for school. He was still in bed at 6:45 (when their ride leaves), he made it because Carson was late. Phillip stayed home the next two days with a sore throat and cough. Justin and I challenged him to get his health IDLA class caught up. He was stuck on a stupid written essay he had to write about what a friend would say to another friend who was suffering from depression. It was dumb. I helped him through that assignment. Justin had Phillip make a spreadsheet showing how many assignments he needed to get done each day to finish by the deadline. He made some progress with the class and is now 75% done. I also helped him apply for the field rouging job, we just need to drop off the application. 

I had another entire school day spent outside…on the blacktop…on the hottest day of the year so far. The school hosted the yearly Touch-a-truck event during each grades specials time. This year we had Officer C with a SUV flat-top vehicle, a police boat, ambulance, military vehicle, and a SWAT truck. Mrs Villa had a hard time finding folks to come on a Thursday, apparently, more city vehicles and workers are available on Fridays. One 4th grader made me laugh when he saw the dry erase license plate on the military truck, he asked if “it was a license plate from TEMU?” Crack me up. The heat ate away my energy, it was another early to bed night. Justin made dinner for us all, let me crash on the couch with a box over my head to block out the light. Amelia stayed up quite late on Wednesday for a pool party at Jenny’s home. Some of the senior class camped out on school grounds. I hear the senior pranking was out of hand. Several of the students on the SEMINARY council were drunk and participating in destroying school property. Students stole the washer and dryer from the special ed and filled them with cement, threw tables off the balcony, destroyed teacher’s property, put a table on the vending machine, covered the stairs in baby oil and vaseline, they wrecked the student couches, and drew obscene pictures on the front lawn. Amelia said that many students are not participating in graduation. The school did not press charges!? Seriously? A smack on the hand is not enough. 

I worked Friday morning at school. I needed to get several grant funded projects justified with reviews, videos, photos, and receipts. I used the CapEd grant money to make STEM bins with new toys, challenge cards, and guided activities. Next was grocery pick up, then Evelyn to see Nina. Amelia came with to get her free Chik-fil-a sandwich and hang out. We went to Hobby Lobby for yarn and shrink paper. I also wanted to go get some soap at Bath and Body during their sale. Fun! Girls trip! Amelia sang with Con Brio choir at the Music in the Square event on Friday night. I love to see all my cute HS choir friends! They did a great job. Little Karsyn, one of my kinder students, sat with me during the performance. She calls me Call-ie, I call her Kar-kar. I think we’re buds. 

I spent all my free time Friday night and most of Saturday working on editing all the personal photos I’ve avoided since March. I am finally caught up. That is until I take more photos this week for Amelia’s graduation and more amazing snowball photos. Josie begged to get her hair cut, the brushing and tangles are her daily nemesis. So all the girls got hair cuts or trims from the amazing Kymra. Much better. The puppies are growing and getting bigger each day. Fergus is teaching them how to rip out grass in his doofus way. Amelia and Everett went to a fun Renaissance Fair with the Hansen family. Everett came home with a cool staff for his birthday that Kyran helped him get. Amelia was laughing when Sister Hansen commented on the amazing cat costumes (aka furries) some attendants were wearing. Yep, it’s a thing. Phyllis finally gave up life, she was barely holding on for a couple of weeks. I knew death was knocking on her door when I took her outside to mosey around, instead she curled up and stayed put for 2 hours. Justin said we couldn’t bury her in the yard because the dogs would dig her up, she is resting now in a chips box wrapped in her favorite fleece blanket. Farewell to Miz Phyllis. 

Today is Mother’s Day. Amelia and Everett made me pumpkin pancakes with an egg AND chocky milk in a wine glass. Evelyn made the best poem using ChatGPT during her visit with Nina. Justin gave me a cool stained glass paper flower arrangement plus a pop-up cardinal card. He knows I love them for the time being because they remind me of Grandma Jean. The best was waking up after my nap to a clean house. Dusty and Justy are making Sara and I dinner, Dusty at the grill and Justin (and Amelia) making sides. Amelia made TWO of Aunt Jana’s famous strawberry jello lasagna. Wheeee! Sara made the entire RS cry with a story about her Montana “mom.” This world is filled with epic women.