Nana K's New Digs

 February... it's a month that was nearly dedicated to moving Nana Karen to an assisted living village.  This meant packing up, sorting through, trips to the dump, Goodwill, selling.  Then, unpacking, decorating, and cleaning out the old place. That was the SHORT SHORT version.  

I'm bushed.  ...pretty sure I either have a shoulder impingement or a torn rotator cuff to boot.  🥴

 But... it's a new chapter for Nana K for sure.  And, it's a very very very good thing.

We moved Mom on seriously THE COLDEST day of the year; February 1st.  The temperature high for the day was negative zero and the winds blew ferociously.  It was the day we "had" to move in, so there was no getting around it.   However, for the rest of the month, we did take time to fill in with smaller items and such.

We were able to set up her bed and a few pictures before she moved in.  When she got there, I wanted her to see the place and say "wow, this is nice" and not think "good grief, this is terrible".  

We visit frequently.  Ramsey was SO worried that we would be selling or donating all of his toys from Nana's place.  Of course we would do no such thing!

In addition to the move, there were a LOT of medical appointments to endure; dental, vision, general medical, check-ups, etc.  January was the same.  It's been a BUSY few months here!   But, Nana is settling in.  And, the people at her complex are absolutely amazing.  We are so very blessed that she is there!  Love you, Momma!

Jango Puppy

 Our cute puppy, spoiled as hell... lounging on the daybed while I work, chilling with my childhood dolls.

This night, Ramsey thought Jango really needed to learn how to count.  He decided to start instructing.

A few days later, while Eric was out of town for business, I decided Pups should get a bath.  It had been WAY too long.  Now, normally Jango LOVES baths and he is so good about them!

NOT TONIGHT.  Tonight, he was a total stinker that would not step foot inside the bath tub.  

I tried.  And, I tried.  A 95 lb dog is too much for me to manhandle.  I really gave it my all, but I ended up getting a bump on my head from the struggle.

I put one of his shin bone treats in the tub, hoping he'd give a girl a break.  Nope!

I finally gave up.  I swore.  A lot.   Now, it's Eric's turn! Ha!!!  

Light Sabers & Axes

 Ramsey is ALL about the weapons, may that be axes, swords, lights sabers, guns, or just plain sticks.  He is a boy's boy all the way, in that fashion.

Here's some more mad moves with the light saber too.  I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally wish they had a fencing club here.  Darn!

Reading to Recess Jan '22

 And another benchmark... Reading to Recess for January!

Another free recess and another free personal pan pizza.   ...a bit of a smaller group this time.  

Kudos to these kids!

Happy Birthday, Connor! #20

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Connor!  Twenty.   Two decades old.  College student, rocking it out like a boss.  We are so proud of you, kiddo!   Where... does... the... time... go?!?

Celebrating Literacy Week

 This week, Ramsey's school was celebrating Literacy Week.   To make things fun for the kiddos, there were fun dress-up days (neon/crazy color colothing day, pajama day, creator day - teacher, artist, etc, and favorite fairy tale character).

And, each evening, the kids were challenged to complete special tasks, then send their teachers texts and pictures.

Nightly Challenge #1:  Take a picture with a parent, reading a bedtime story.

Nightly Challenge #2: Build a castle at home. 

Nightly Challenge #3:  Take a picture of your favorite reading spot.

Nightly Challenge #4:  Send teachers things you can do to be kind.

Extra hugs. Call grandparents. Try to play with new kids tomorrow.

For each picture/text to teacher submission, kids' names were put into the pot to be drawn for prizes.

Ramsey won a fun game!

And, because he had completed all of the nightly challenges that week, he also won a copy of the book, "Reading Beauty".     Getting a copy of that book was his ultimate goal.  Score!

Happy Birthday, Ramsey! #8

When I was a kid, I wanted to have my birthday during the school year, so I could celebrate with my entire class.  Being a June baby, that was never the case.  

Ramsey's birthday fell on a Monday, so he was thrilled to be able to enjoy his birthday at school!

He wore his favorite comic book T-shirt (Dog Man), and made sure he had everything he needed. 

He asked for chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.

We had cookies made by a friend of mine who has a home-based bakery.  They were adorable iced sugar cookies with a Minecraft theme.

At school, his teacher took this picture of Ramsey.

Ramsey took presents to his classmates for his birthday; Minecraft mechanical pencils.  

This kid... so much has changed in one year; back to school, new friends, getting so much taller, the love of learning, zest for life, and the social and emotional growth.  Fantastic stuff!

So.... down to Ramsey's birthday stats:

Stats:

    Height: 4' 1.2" 

    Weight:   54 lbs

    Number of Teeth Lost: Still only the lower two, though one lower side tooth is wiggly.  And, at the last dental cleaning visit, the hygenist told Eric that the top FOUR could go at about the same time - supposedly just "one little string" holding them all in place.     Sidenote: Ramsey does NOT want to lose his teeth and wants to keep his baby teeth FOREVER.

    

Grade: Second

Ramsey's Favorites:

    Colors:  "Red and blue...not mixed!"

    Food:    pizza, ice cream (not mixed! ha!)

    Games/Activities:  Minecraft, Pokemon, swimming

    Toys:    Star Wars action figures, light sabers, Nerf guns

    Music/Song:   "The things we sing in Music class at school."   However, we often hear him belting out the words to "Zombie" by the Cranberries.

    School Subject:  Gym/PE

    Bedtime Story:  Dog Man books

    Restaurant:  Tokyo Steakhouse (the Hibachi grill!)

    Ice Cream Flavor:  Oreo (shocker)

    Outdoor Activity:  playing on snow hills and swimming

    TV Show:  Captain Underpants

    Movie:   Captain Underpants movies

    Animal:  "Werf Puppy"  (aka Jango)

    Best Friends:  Jango, Raelyn, Ashton, Bridger, Connor, Charlie, Stetson, Les

    Girlfriend:  "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!  NO! NO! NO! If I did, I would wear a "Kiss Me, I'm Norwegian shirt every day to school!"

    Favorite Thing to Do With Connor:  Play X-Box

    Favorite Thing to Do With Daddy:   Light saber battles

    Favorite Thing to Do With Mommy:   "Hug her...aka "smother her", aka "sit on her head"... like the dog does!"

Ramsey wants me to add these:

    Favorite Number:  One hundred decillion billion million trillion quintillion.

    Favorite Letter:  "R... No, R, K, and D"