I've got to figure out some sort of routine to be able to post better. Compared to last year, I feel like I'm slacking a bit in my journaling. When I wait a week or so to sit and type, I end up leaving out the funny little details of the day-things that made us smile or frown or wrinkle our eye brows. The weekly updates tend to be a bit more general, more of an overview. But I guess they're better than nothing.
My Connector shift on Monday was extremely slooow. The radio was so quiet-which is a good thing-but such a contrast from the week before. Last week, the radio was never quiet, tones going constantly. Lots of talk going around of some changes that are headed to our program. Exciting stuff. Nothing official yet, but there's some rethinking about how calls are run in Mesa and they're looking at utilizing us more and broadening the spectrum of what we do. Fun, fun.
Kids are still loving the walk to and from school. Of coarse, it's a pretty easy choice with the temps in the mid-70 here. Beautiful weather to be out walking. The mornings are still a bit brisk, upper 30's, low 40s, but not too shabby. They all had a fantastic week. Report cards came home this week. Matthew is settling down and into the flow of his classroom. They planted seeds and watched them sprout. He was excited to bring his plant home this week. Niko is plugging away. He's going to be part of a group soon that will strengthen his reading skills. He's reading very well and at grade level, but just could use a bit of strengthening in that area. Bethany is doing well too, just needs to work on talking at appropriate times and not arguing. She took the test for the 'gifted' program at school. The results came back and although her scores were high, they weren't high enough for the program. She still knows she is exceptionally bright though and as long as she stays challenged, then we're good to go. She's started recorder karate in music. They've been learning to play the recorder, a flute-like instrument, in class. When they learn a song they get 'belts'. Each song is more challenging than the last. She has already got her white belt, the first one, and is looking to get her next one. Kind of fun. Still doing great with her violin as well.
Niko has started back up with Royal Rangers after the holiday break. They are preparing for their slot car races in February. This week, he got his two car kits so he can get started on forming them and painting them and making them his own. The tournament/derby will be mid-February.
Matthew started T-ball this week. Same deal as soccer with the neighborhood kiddos all getting together. He was excited to get his glove. He keeps wearing it on the wrong hand though. And during practice, he didn't want to take it off, even when they were practicing running around the bases and hitting the ball. He was coerced into finally doing so, but it was funny. Practice went well and they all did really good at learning the concepts of what the game is all about. Games start next Saturday.
This week Matthew and I also made a trip back to the Phoenix Children's Museum one afternoon after he got out of school. It was so quiet there, not a lot of kids-which was good for not having to wait for things, pretty much had the whole place to himself; however, he missed not having anyone to play with. Kind of made him appreciate having a brother and sister. He said a couple times, "I wish Niko and Betany were here". He settle for me being the cashier at the grocery store and playing hide and seek with him. It was still great times though.
Mike had a challenging week at work. When you work with people, which is pretty much anywhere, I guess you are bound to run into times when there is friction. This week was one of those times for him. Pretty stressful. But by Wednesday things were getting resolved and issues were being handled and the table really turned around. Mike knows that he is appreciated and everyone is in agreement that he is a vital component to, not just his department, but the organization.
Mike also got a call from Florence Fire Department this week for an interview for a part-time reserve position they have open. He is one of two people they are interviewing for it. The interview is Saturday, February 7th. Florence is just southeast of us, about 30 minutes.
Mike is doing a volunteer shift in Phoenix today. He's called a couple times and expressed how much he's enjoying it. This morning he couldn't find any pants to fit him. It was kind of stressful. They were all about 6 inches too big!
We plan to be busy this weekend, hiking and enjoying the weather, WATCHING THE CARDINALS GAME!!! Superbowl, here we come??
Hope everyone stays warm and safe.
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