I exploit my power as a teacher every year the month before my birthday (and if I am going to be really honest here, two months before). All my due dates are within relation to my birthday. Every time I mention my birthday I say, "and I like chocolate chip cookies, Three Muskateers, and Kit Kat bars." When we were reviewing vocabulary, I said, "Ms Robertson is adept at . . . " and a student chimed in with "letting us know when her birthday is!"
The night before my birthday I celebrated by having three hours of parent/teacher conferences. I was busy all night, having 28 parents come and talk to me about their children. But instead of fending for himself with the girls, Nick had my parents there to help him.
Friday was a cold, rainy, snowy, and very windy day. Nick did not let that stop him from paddling. He and one other friend braved the horrid weather and went out on the waves. Two other colleagues stopped by to watch them.
When I got to school on Friday, my desk was filled with - you guessed it, chocolate chip cookies, Three Muskateers, and Kit Kat bars. Along with a handmade stuffed elephant head, earrings, and various other chocolate candy bars. A colleague also brought a princess tiara for me to wear. The English department bought me flowers. It was a great day, it was very sweet how kind my students were, how excited they were for my birthday. My parents spent the day cleaning our house and grocery shopping for us. An excellent birthday present! They also picked the girls up early from day care and brought them to the library.
That evening my cousin Abby and her family came over for calzones and dessert. It was a wonderful evening. One of the most delightful aspects of the evening was that Miles, Abby's six-year-old son and Lilly immediately took to one another and played peacefully all night. My parents took turns following Greta around (who of course tried to play with the big kids) and we were able to have some nice adult conversation.
There was a bit of snow, and by a bit, I mean a dusting but that didn't curb the girls' enthusiasm for it. Saturday we hung out, Nick went to work, and Lilly and I went to Learn to Skate with my mom. Lilly wasn't as eager to go out on the ice by herself this time but she did let me step off the ice a few times.
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| The high school hockey coach helping Lilly push her buddy |
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| The girl helping Lilly is one of my students. |
When we got home, I left the girls in the capable hands of my parents and did some shopping with my birthday money. Upon my return, it was getting ready for my parents to leave, getting ready for nap, and tattoos. Lots of tattoos. Here are some photos from the girls my parents snapped.
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| Me see? Me see? |
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Greta is obsessed with rides in boxes. No one is allowed to
give presents in boxes at Christmas unless they are prepared to push
her around for hours. |
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| I got Beverly Cleary's memoir for my birthday and Greta commandeered it. |
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Greta has developed an obsession with removable tattoos.
Here is where it all started. |
Saturday evening, Tim and Elizabeth came over for dinner. We made pad thai, had fun and conversation, and after the girls were in bed played the game Carcassonne.
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| Greta watched Tim and Elizabeth at a safe distance |
Sunday morning I attempted to go to Northland with Petra to exercise but the gym was closed. So, we went out for coffee instead. It was nice having conversation without having to catch my breath!
Sunday we did other things until after nap time, when we bundled up and headed to the Northern Greta Lakes Visitor Center for a walk/sled ride and then some time exploring inside. And Greta got more removable tattoos.
It was an absolutely wonderful way to celebrate my birthday!!
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