Spring forward

Spring break has come and gone and here's what we know now:

After child number three, it's very easy to forget what it was like with just one. The two big kids didn't have Spring Break so for a few days they went to school. Iwa's really into T-ball and she didn't want to miss practices, which are during school hours, and Kawika was excited about show and tell. Far be it from me to get between the kids and their learnin'.

Leilea and I had a small adjustment period where she wandered the house looking for "Iba" and "Deeta" and I caught myself watching, singing along with, and answering questions asked by Super Why and the guys on Word World by myself, but we did adjust. We both really enjoyed one on one time with each other and I enjoyed a break from my role as a constant referee.Apparently "Plus 4" means "freakishly large" in ENT. Because I have such a great relationship with our pediatrician, I just thought it wouldn't be a school break without a visit to her office. Apparently, Kawika and Iwa did, too, because K had a spiking fever all weekend right before Spring Break and Iwa woke up the day of his appointment with a weird swollen gland in her neck. If they wanted to go so bad, they could have just asked! That appointment resulted in meds for K (sinus infection) and a referral to the ENT for Iwa. At least it wasn't strep, which is what we thought for both.

It took the ENT one glance into her throat at her tonsils (after he immediately told the nurse "Plus 4, at least") to decide that she needs them out. We're going to do that this summer, which leads me to the next lesson learned (hopefully by John)....

Just because I get lots of "breaks" (summer, fall, spring, christmas, thanksgiving...) with my job, doesn't really mean I actually get a break. Yes, I do love being a teacher. Yes, I do get a lot of time off that most people don't get, but as I always tell John, it ain't all it's cracked up to be. Wondering when I'll be able to take a shower without any kids intentionally or unintentionally inflicting bodily harm to themselves or each other, and getting most of my social interaction from medical care professionals isn't exactly like romping in the beach or sitting at home eating bon bons. Teaching is my second job. My easier job.

I did have fun on Spring Break this year, got A TON of things accomplished (sadly, none of them were crafty), and even squeezed in a trip to the zoo with the kids and a bunch of family.
Iwa, Brock, Max and Kawika in the obligatory picture nook in the Northwest Passage of the zoo. With Leilea and P's nephew, the adults were outnumbered 4 to 6 but it was good times with great kids.
All I can say is this kid is secure... and he'll do anything for a chuckle. Which kinda makes me concerned for his college years....The zoo opened a new exhibit in the fall called Teton Trek. It has wolves, swans, elk, and adorable bears that wrestle in the water. I like this picture because you can't have enough pictures of Kawika in front of water tanks full of bears.