Stuffy stuff from the last 2 weeks…
We took a quick jaunt to Corpus Christi for Easter and had a nice time with Jose’s family. The girls had off school on Good Friday but the weather was super rainy and gross — not great for the 4-hour drive. So yet again we found ourselves driving down Saturday morning and coming back Sunday night (since Easter Monday was not a school holiday). It’s not ideal, but I’m grateful we’re close enough to make it work.
The week after Easter, the girls did a 4-day swim clinic at the high school. It was their first time in the pool since last September, and while they were unenthusiastic on the first day, they ended up enjoying it. A few of their swim team friends were there too, and the clinic was run by the high school swim team kids who were great.
Last Friday, Jose and I took a long lunch break/”day date” that was quite nice. We had lunch at Niko Niko’s in Montrose, then went to a grill shop recommended by our neighbor and ordered a super fancy grill. (We haven’t had a grill since we moved 7 years ago!) Unfortunately it was sold out, so we are waiting on them to get a few more in. Supposedly it’ll be delivered next week. Jose is anxiously awaiting its arrival.
Both girls came with me to Houston MQG’s April meeting. Charlotte had come with me back in February, and was inspired by the raffles she saw happening — she has quite the little entrepreneurial streak. For the last two months she’s been talking about the “store” she wanted to have at the next meeting, so after getting the ok from the guild leadership, I helped her create products — paper postcards, stickers, rainbow pencils, and a limited amount of quilted postcards that she art directed and I made. She enlisted Emma as her “assistant” and her store was a huge success! She sold items during the break, and made ~$65 which she donated to the guild. Love it, and love her.
We came home from the guild meeting and immediately headed over to a crawfish boil to kick off swim team season. I was conscripted volunteered to be one of two volunteer coordinators for the team this year, so it was nice to meet up with the other families who help lead the team. We had a great time getting to know some of them better and eating crawfish.
Unfortunately, later that night both Charlotte and I came down with what I assume was food poisoning. Jose took care of her while I took care of myself, so 3/4 of us were up most of the night — yuck. Fortunately it passed quickly, though we laid pretty low on Sunday to recover.
A few days ago we were able to meet up for dinner with my quilty friend Jen and her family, who were in town from Ohio for a high school robotics competition. Jen and I met years ago via the internet, and reminisced about the NASA tour I gave them in 2014 when she came to Houston for Quilt Festival. Her son Daniel was — and still is — obsessed with space and I look forward to seeing where he ends up after college. No doubt he’ll find a great home in the aerospace world.
I joined Charlotte on her first grade field trip this week — they went to Crocodile Encounter in Angleton and saw crocodiles, alligators, turtles, lizards, snakes, goats, kangaroos… (Yeah, it’s kind of an odd place. Very Texas. Heh.) I had been to this place once before on a pre-school field trip with Emma. That time, we went in July and it was just miserably hot. It was much nicer to be there in April!
I also took Emma to middle school (!!) orientation this week. They had the kids go off in groups for tours and activities, and did short sessions for the parents on grading and technology use and “how to thrive” in this particular magnet program. We’ve been to a few different middle school info sessions now and I’m honestly not sure if we are overprepared or underprepared! (Or just appropriately prepared?) They spend a lot of time emphasizing how much of an adjustment it can be for the kids to start having to deal with homework and time management and letter grades and deadlines…and then wrap up with “it’s all going to be fine!” Ha.
And whew! All that is just the last two weeks.
We don’t have firm plans for this weekend yet but are thinking of checking out the new Galapagos exhibit that just opened at the Houston Zoo. And maybe some actual relaxation and/or sewing time?? A girl can hope!
I can’t believe you’ve both been in your house for 7 years already and also you are going to have a middle schooler!
I know!! 7 years in August! And middle school eeeeek.
next thing you know you’ll be looking at colleges…. busy times at your house!
How did you choose which middle school Emma is attending, and what kind of school is it? Do you have bus service? Hard to believe the girls are starting middle school. It won’t be log before they’re moving out for college.