December BUSYness

Just the thought of the holidays is, well, UGH.

But I will admit that I did accomplish more than I EVER thought I would EVER again.  I think maybe because I am home and I could choose to sit and reminisce (and cry) all day, every day, or I could keep busy...I chose the latter this year.

Photos for me tell the story (did for Fort too)...

Met some "old" friends from Moraine Meadows...Judy (in the green) was in from Florida.  She retired two years after I started at MM.  Cole only worked there my first two years too.  Debbie is STILL teaching.

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I volunteer on Wednesdays at Beavertown, where Melissa & Nick went to elementary school.  My good friend from MM, Rodney, teaches there now.  His class was making ornaments, and he invited Andrew & Max to come in.  He had two of his students working with them.  They had a great time and it was something to keep them busy for awhile!~)

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My dad built this "crib" right after he and mom were married. It's a Nativity.  I remember laying in front of it when I was a kid.  Now my grandkids are enjoying it.  Thanks Dad!

                                                       
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 Pop Pop teaching Andrew and Max to play "war".    They both picked up on the game very quickly.  Max soon understood that the King was a good card to have.  When he and Andrew had a "war", instead of turning over the top card, he looked through his pile and said "I think I'll use this one". (fortunately Andrew wasn't looking)...he knew what it would take to get the cards.  Will have to keep him away from the casinos...

Andrew and Max had Dentist appointments...so I dropped in to help Mere out.  It's amazing how they handle toddlers now.  They have a tv above the chair showing a kids movie...worked wonders to keep them still!  (sunglasses were for the light the dentist uses) Two happy campers!

Had another Moraine Meadows get together yesterday, the first day of break for the teachers.

In this photo, I am with Todd (our custodian at MM) and Roxy, who was our counselor for one year. Her daughter Carrie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer about a year after Melissa was diagnosed.  She was pregnant too, had her baby, Jacob, who is 6 or 7 now.  Carrie died three days before HER birthday, six months before Melissa.  Roxy and I get together at least one a month, usually at Delco park to walk and talk.  She has been a lifesaver for me, and I hope I for her.  

Me, Carrie, our kindergarten teacher (who was my "neighbor" at MM for probably 15 yrs), and Marge, our secretary for several years.

 Missy, fifth grade teacher now at Oakview, Marie, first grade teacher now at Oakview and Debbie, third grade teacher at Southdale.  BEST staff EVER.

After meeting with my friends from Moraine Meadows last night, I picked up my good friend from high school, Marla.  Her daughter Mikala got us tickets (great tickets by the way!) to the Nutcracker at the Schuster.  It was awesome.  Thanks Mikala and Marla! 

Melissa always wanted to go to the Nutcracker...I don't know why we didn't do it.  One of those things that I regret this time of year...

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This is a group of seniors from Dennison University football team at the Breast Cancer Awareness football game. They are all wearing FORT Bracelets.  Player behind #13 is Ted Kuntz.  His dad, George Kuntz had this picture made for us.  He said the officials in the game actually let them wear the bracelets during the game!  Ted was the defensive player of the game!  He also said that all of the players in the picture were All Conference players...pretty impressive.  Thanks George, for remembering and honoring Melissa!

Now I will close with a funny story about Max.  Actually an embarrassing story about me.  A story about me and Max. (Melissa would have posted this the DAY it happened.  I can hear her laughing now...)

He was being really cute on Monday morning.  Good.  Which is kind of unusual for Max.  Really.  I decide to take a couple of pictures while he's being so cute.  Then I put the camera on the landing (going upstairs).

I wasn't feeling well, and although I wouldn't normally talk about the bathroom, but that's the story... I was sitting on the toilet, bent over in pain, and I hear "Pamma."  I look up, and  'FLASH'.  Max took a picture...of me, sitting on the toilet.  Needless to say, the picture was deleted immediately.  So, sorry, no picture to go with THAT story.  (reminds of ANOTHER bathroom story... when Nick was little, maybe 3 or 4) He was at the neighbors house and they asked "how is your mommy"... Nick said "She has CWAMPS.  WEAL bad"....they never forgot that.  Neither did Donny.  We STILL laugh about that)...
Oh, and as for the picture? Donny said it was EVIDENCE that I DO get a break when I have the kids. I just deleted the evidence.  (He heard MANY times how elementary teachers some days never even get a bathroom break. Which is true.)  Ok. I DO get bathroom breaks, but they are always in the bathroom with me.  Just like Bandit.  But that's ANOTHER story.

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OH!  and one more thing...we are still following the Fairmont girl's basketball team.  They are having an incredible season.  It's early in the season, but as of today, they are 7~0, ranked 11th in the COUNTRY.  Haven't seen the state rankings yet.

Hope I made you smile today.   I made ME smile remembering those stories.  I need that, especially this time of year...

I'll be back on Christmas day.

Enjoy your families, and take LOTS of pictures.

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Love you and miss you EVERY day Melissa!