Off and Away!

He's off and away, just pulled out of the driveway with coffee in hand. Last night we had conversation at the dinner table checking in with the kids, seeing how they were doing, reminding them that Hubby was going to be leaving in the morning and wouldn't be home for a couple weeks. Monkey was given her family "homework" yesterday afternoon and wanted to do that with Dad, so they had that special time together.

I have emergency numbers in case I need to get a hold of people, I have a fantastic little community of people I can access to ensure I don't isolate myself. Life continues as normal, just a bit more lonely. It's only a couple of weeks.

We had parent teacher meetings for all the school aged children last week and Hubby was able to make all of those. It is always enlightening to hear about the way they interact outside of the home when we aren't present. No concerns for any of them academically, little social concern if any. We are blessed to have these amazing sponges of knowledge in our lives!

Sergeant has been taking "Who Would Win?" books out from the library and, even though he has read just about every single one, I had to read the two he brought home to the crew before bed last night. Polar bear vs Grizzly bear: Who would win? It was hilarious to read! Urusus maritimus (translation being: bear water) and Urusus arctos horibilis (translation being: bear bear really scary), which led to a language discussion on scientific naming. The word Antarctic: no bear. The word Arctic: Bear! There were so many giggles!

Today will be a hugs and cuddles kind of day for everyone. More slowing down and hugging, trying to be more patient as children sort through their feelings. I'm not going to cook supper (tons of leftovers in the fridge from the last couple evenings) so Smarty and I will do a bit of baking, rake up the yard before the forecast snow arrives tomorrow, and simply be. I have my list of what I would like to accomplish while Hubby is away. It's actually the same list I have had to do for the last few weeks, but I have given myself a hard deadline now, so that'll get done.

Girly got a new beanie boo. Little colourful stuffed animal that have invaded our house over the last few years. She raced through her "popcorn words" (sight words for class) so she got to pick a prize. Because she picked this little fuzz ball, the others dug theirs all out and we have been overrun again.
There are, apparently, a mommy, a daddy, assorted brothers and sisters, cousins, and babies. Sigh.  At least they are softer on the feet than cars or Lego.

Part of Smarty's academic goals was to look into different parts of the world and try other foods, so when I was doing up the week's meal plan the kids decided that we should "visit" Australia. So, since I am not going to order crocodile for us to prepare and eat, I have decided that we will have "snags and tomato sauce". That's all I'm telling the kids. But they will enjoy it. Hard to go wrong with ketchup and sausages. I'm having Smarty look up and research Australian cuisine and he'll tell his siblings what he finds tomorrow night when we take our little "trip". I'm excited for this exploration.