Ninja Stars and Celebrity Teachers

The kids were late to school the other day.  Would you like me to tell you why?

Let me tell you why.

Even though I had informed LD that he was starting basketball season three days prior and he should get his basketball shoes and bag ready, he did not listen.

And then he told me his shoes were too small, and I was like, oh well, just wear your everyday shoes.

Which look exactly like basketball shoes.

So.  We are trying to run out the door and LD has shut himself up in the bathroom.

Finally, HD and I open the door to see what on earth he was doing.

Reader.

He was using one of my butter knives to clean dried mud/poo out of the too-small-basketball shoes and sprinkling mud/poo mixture all over the sink.

Me:  WHY?  Why if they are too small?  Why now?  Why in the bathroom?  Why with a knife?

I just can’t.

So, I drop the kids off.  Late.  And they tell me I must email the school secretary.  And I am like, why?  I am not getting you out of this nonsense.

So, I emailed her and I said, and I quote:

“The Maliblahblah kids are late today due to poor time management.”

I am having lunch stress.  I have always had lunch stress, but I do not know what to feed these people for their school days and I have just about had it.  The boys and their pickiness is off the charts.

They like turkey subs.  But only from Subway.  If I replicate the same exact sandwich from Subway and lovingly place it in their lunch bag,  they won’t even taste it.

Won’t.

Even.

Taste.

It.

Today, out of desperation and lack of a well-stocked pantry, I sent LD with just some rolled turkey slices, sure they would end up in the garbage can.

But he ate them!  Oh, this excited me, Reader.  So, I tried my luck and began to try and talk to him about more things he might like.

Me:  Oh!  What about the Costco Meatballs that you love?  I can bake them ahead of time and you can microwave them at school?

LD:  How long would I have to microwave them for?

Me:  30 seconds?

LD:  Nah.  Too long

I just don’t know what to do, people.

David:  Let them go hungry.  They will learn.

I just can’t.  It is a trial for me.  My burden to bear.

***

Today, I was able to see my students as we had a material pick up day.  This is the third time I have gotten to see these precious kids in person.

With masks and no hugging, of course.  Because ‘Rona.

Oh, I just love them.  They are so cute and tiny.  One of my kiddos’ had his last day today as he is transferring to in person learning next week.  This is my kiddo who is always serious as a heart attack. And he always says, “Yes, Ma’am.”

Me:  Oh!  I am going to miss you so much!

Kiddo:  I am going to miss you, too.

Me:  Have mom send me a picture of your first day!

Kiddo:  Mrs. M?  Every night, I am going to close my eyes and think about you.

*ok*

Be.

Still.

My.

Heart.

I had his brother last year, and he was standing right there as well.

Brother:  Mrs. M.  I remember when you were my first grade teacher.

Me:  Yup!  Good times!

Brother:  You were the best first grade teacher I ever had.

Me:  I think I was your only first grade teacher.

Brother (stars in his eyes):  Yeah.

Then, out of nowhere, I hear a girl screaming my name and jumping up and down.

Imagine if a tween was at a One Direction concert.  It was like that.

Girl:  Mrs. Maliblahblah!  I see her!  I see Mrs. Maliblahblah!

Well, now I feel awful because I have no idea who this child is and I am pretty sure she is not my student.

She wasn’t my student.  But our first grade team does several asynchronous video lessons, so all first graders see all first grade teachers and this child was literally acting like she was seeing celebrities.  It may have puffed us up with pride in ourselves.  And I can understand why.  And you would understand why, as well, if you saw the quality of our video lessons.  We are amazing.

***

The other day, David and I were piddling around in the kitchen and he looked like he was looking for something.

Me:  I just put a load of whites on our bed, so you can find a clean dishrag there.

This morning, he was trying to get out the door for work and only found one shoe.

Me:  Open the kennel.  The puppy brothers probably took the shoe in with them.

They did.

David:  We have been married for a LONG time.

Me:  Yup.

Because I just know what he needs, man.

***

New Family sent a new picture of Abbie.  New Family’s back story is that they held off on getting a dog for so long because one of their children was extremely terrified of dogs.  When they first got Abbie, he was very cautious and would only wear gloves when touching her.

Here is a recent picture of him and Abbie:

Also, here is a gift we received from Ma and Pa and Sisters Meagan and Jess:

***

Student, via a video, who is supposed to be submitting his math assignment:

Student:  Hi!  I cannot find my math page, but I wanted Mrs. M to know I get to throw ninja stars after school.  BYE!

***

We have two daughters now with boyfriends.

David looks like he has aged ten years.

Happy Thursday!