Small things with great love

I am having a truly joyful time teaching elementary music for this past two weeks. I have K-5, and I get every class in the school on rotation. I am lesson planning and grading again! The one small bump has been the virus I got at the end of my first week which robbed me of my voice in the second week. Teaching elementary music with only a rasping voice has been challenging. Especially in kindergarten classes, as these creatures seem only to respond to song. We have been doing a lot of clap rhythms, listening activities, and composing. But the kindy (and 1st grade for that matter) remains a challenge. That's where I wear out the last of my voice every day, trying to sing do a deer and Raffi songs with them. Well, that and lunch duty. But it is still a joy and a delight and a real stroke of good fortune for us! Miles is thrilled that I'm coming to school with him. It enables me to see him off on his field trip, for example, and to attend "Muffins With Mom" (see selfie above) at his school, which otherwise would not be possible. Next week I get to go on a field trip with the fourth grade! Speaking of the fourth grade, one 4th class decorated my desk with thank you notes! Really made my day. Especially since I'm working them harder than they want to be worked; they had hoped end of the year + sub meant games and movies for three weeks. Not on my watch, though. We're learning, baby. 

For Mother's Day, I wanted to take Koopa and the family to Angelo's, the riverwalk Italian restaurant. The patio is dog friendly, so we could all eat together in the 80 degrees 🙂. 

It was warm and we got to pet tons of dogs and I had fettuccine alfredo. 

I'm so grateful to have these guys, even as I'm wishing to celebrate with my own mother. I bought her a card this year. It felt good. It also feels good to love these guys the way my mother loved me, as best as I possibly can. I feel protected by having been loved that fiercely. Maybe they'll feel that way too. 

We thought this winter that these Irises had died. They went totally brown. We didn't really know about perennials. Or about gardening really anything. We've, or rather Jon has, put a bunch of things in the ground, though! We'll see what happens.

Anyway, like a miracle, the thing revived, sprouted new leaves and then stalks and then on the 4th of May, burst into bloom. We're growing flowers in our yard, guys!

 Adele is getting leggy and articulate. 

My firstborn gave me a rare non-ridiculous expression for this picture. Love this person. 

Almost been a full year, home. I still scratch my head sometimes and wonder how we got here. Life is strange. And beautiful.