High Five for Friday (10.1.21)

One

It was so nice to have Tom home these last few days! We missed him, of course, so it was lovely to just spend time catching up with him in person. But I also appreciated having my co-parent, co-driver, co-tutor, and co-homeowner back for things like shuttling kids at 9:30pm and changing the living room lightbulbs that are JUST out of reach for both me and Will. 

Studying for a math test with Dad is way more fun than
studying for a math test with Mom. For both Hallie and Mom.

Tom has a lot more travel ahead of him this year (he's on sabbatical, and the research he's working on is taking place out of state), so we're doing our best to appreciate the time we have with him when he's home. 

Two

In addition to having Tom home, we've had Harry, Ron, and Hermione (temporarily) home too! It's funny how their personalities seem to line up - at least somewhat - with the personalities of the characters after which they're named...Hermione is brave, bold, and confident; Ron is timid and sweet; and Harry is gentle, kind, and somewhat confused about both his "powers" and how to interact with others like him. 

We had to work tremendously hard to the gain the trust and affection of our last two fosters (Aretha and Dumpling, affectionately known as our therapy kitties), and while that work was more than worth our time and effort, it's been delightful to have these three showing us all the love in the world, no questions asked, from the moment they scampered out of their cage on that first day. 

And for those of you who read Tuesday's post, their GI issues are improving - thank goodness!

Three

Having the opportunity to join choir was one of the things Hallie was most excited about when it came to middle school. Thus far she has LOVED the experience, and she was thrilled that she and her choir were able to sing the National Anthem - with other CSISD choirs - at one of our high schools' football games last Friday night. 

It's hard to see her in that sea of middle and high school singers,
but she's on the left toward the front and has a blue bow in her hair. 

Dance mom friends turned choir mom friends!

We didn't stay for the game because as Hallie was singing, Tom was arriving back into town and we wanted to head home to see him. But she's singing the National Anthem again tonight, this time at Will's high school's football game, and we're all going to our first (official, as in we have a child in high school) Friday Night Lights experience together!

Four

Fall has arrived. I realize fall officially arrived last week, but I forgot to include this important high five in last week's blog post. Fall is my absolute favorite, and the ever so slight shift in our temperatures - upper 80s instead of mid 90s - has contributed to an ever so slight shift in attitude and mood.

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face. 

~ Picture and quote courtesy of the Instagram account @fallwinterparty.

Five

Happiness Highlights

I miss spending time (other than in the car) with Will. Between
school, homework, debate, soccer, and refereeing, he barely has
enough time to sleep. So when he had 30 free minutes last week, I
gladly spent it with him, eating a late dinner and chatting over Psych. 

And then he quickly beat me at chess.

Found this pic of Will - taken for his player card his
first year playing competitive soccer with Texans. 😭

I like that he still needs me.

Halloween pajamas have come out!

We had two marvelous nights that
were cool enough to open the windows! 

One of my newest Starbucks cups! 😍

This is River. She's a whole mood, and I'm 100%
on board with it. Also, she's just as cute as can be.

Happy weekend, friends!

Up All Night

I was going to give myself a pass for today's blog post, but then I decided to instead write a blog post about why I was going to give myself a pass for today's blog post.

~

Last week/end we took the next step in our journey as kitten fosters...we welcomed bottle babies into our home. We hadn't previously cared for kittens so young - just two weeks old - for a few reasons. First, I was nervous about their fragility. Second, I was intimidated by the feeding process, which involves feeding them by hand and with a bottle every three to four hours around the clock. And third, I already "did my time" feeding babies at night and now I like to sleep. (Incidentally, I don't sleep much because I'm a night owl whose children participate in activities - school, dance, soccer, and refereeing - that start early in the morning, and I don't sleep well because I'm an incessant worrier. I do however, like to be and stay in my bed.) But when another foster mama needed to go out of town for the weekend, I said we would give it a try.

Pugsley and Lurch arrived - in their incubator - at 9am on Thursday morning. I had watched a Kitten Lady video about bottle feeding the night before, and then sweet Abby with Six Kittens Rescue showed me what to do...and then we were on our own until Sunday afternoon.

The kittens are the tiny black ball in the center. On the left
and right are their warm and cuddly security stuffed animals.

Because I knew I had to feed the kittens every four hours, I had ahead of time rearranged all four days so I could be home frequently; I moved appointments around, figured out how I could stop at home in between dance rehearsals, and lined up Tom to handle soccer in Houston and a few other drop offs and pick ups that conflicted with my feeding schedule. I stayed up later and got up earlier than usual. And, I stumbled out of bed every night at 3am to warm their bottle, help them go potty, and fill their tiny little bellies.

Bottle feeding newborn kittens isn't as easy as it sounds. (Does it sound easy?) Abby made it look like a piece of cake when she showed me, but it took me a few feedings to feel comfortable and even then I didn't always feel confident. Kittens eat differently from one another, and, as I discovered, sometimes eat differently than they did at the previous meal. The entire process reminded me of trying to myself learn and teach my human babies how to both breast and bottle feed. There was a lot of trial and error, but in the end they were fed...and as is the case with human babies, fed is best.

Those four days and three nights were exhausting and crazy...exhausting because of lack of sleep but crazy because all three of our other foster kittens decided that while we had the bottle babies would be a great time to develop some messy GI issues. But it was worth it. The kids and I learned so much, and we all adored caring for those tiniest of babes. Hallie in particular worked incredibly hard, and I was reminded that without her, we simply couldn't do this. (Tom and Will are great at snuggling, cuddling, sleeping with, and loving our kittens. But Hallie and I do most of the literal and figurative work.)

I don't think we'll become regular bottle baby fosters (like I said, I don't sleep enough as it is and I slept much less than usual between Thursday and Sunday), but now that I know we can handle it, I'm ready and willing to step up/in and help the "team" when someone else needs a hand. 

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some sleep to catch up on.

Just kidding...I don't nap. I haven't taken a nap unless I was sick since I was three years old. 😂 

High Five for Friday (9.24.21)

 

One

Tom has been gone for more than two weeks, but he comes home tonight! He spent about 10 days in Miami, judging the ANA Avatar X-Prize competition, and then wrapped up with his travels with a few days at "Man Camp" in Wisconsin with some of the menfolk in his extended family. It's been a long - and occasionally rough - 15 days, but we all made it.

Two

Reason #1 why these last two weeks were rough (for those of us at home): Hallie got sick. I knew *something* would happen in Tom's absence, so I can't say I was surprised when a COVID-esque illness struck Hallie down. I had to quarantine her in the master suite (more space, so she could attend some of her dance classes on Zoom, plus a television, a bathroom of her own, and a separate door to outside) for a few days, fully sanitize the other rooms in the house so Will and I could continue to live and work in the rest of our spaces, fully sanitize the master suite once Hallie moved out so I could move back in, and help her stay on top of school and dance...all while feeling out of control and out of my mind with worry, frustration, sadness, and anger.

Thankfully - HALLELUJAH - Hallie didn't have COVID and only ended up missing two days of school and two of her dance classes. Additionally, Hallie's teachers - despite not being given any resources by our school district to do so - were incredibly accommodating and even proactive when it came to helping Hallie stay caught up via virtual learning options. Most of our teachers deserve sainthood after what they taught through last year...and what they're having to put up/deal/cope with this year (which is undoubtedly MUCH worse).

Three

Each late summer/early fall, Hallie's dance company photoshoot falls on an extraordinarily hot weekend evening. The girls sweat while taking pictures, the moms sweat while waiting for them (with lipstick and powder in hand, of course), and by the end of the photoshoot we're all hot and tired and ready for the night to be over. 

In the end, we walk away with beautiful pictures of our dancing girls to show for all that sweat. But until I have those photos in hand, I'll share this one picture instead...it will most certainly be my favorite one of the night and is a top five favorite of all time for these two. 

Growing up is hard; what a gift to have a person with whom to share the amazing and the challenging parts of that journey.

Four

My eight-year-old nephew recently tried out for and made his area's competitive soccer team. Last weekend they traveled to their first tournament, and they won - a great accomplishment. 

But perhaps the most exciting part of the weekend (or at least entertaining part of the weekend), was when my dad - who was a soccer referee MANY moons ago - had to step in and oversee the beginning of one of Carter's games when the scheduled referee didn't arrive on time. He didn't have his attire or a whistle with him (because who travels with their referee gear, and also because he gave all of his gear to Will when Will became a referee last year), but he can whistle really well with his fingers in his mouth so he managed without an actual whistle. My parents are pretty cool. Most of the time. 😉

Imagine telling 17-year-old Erin that one day she'll be writing a blog post about how cool her parents turned out to be. 😂

Five

Dumpling left us this week, but in her place...

Harry, Ron, and Hermione!

Yes, they're all asleep in our shoe storage basket.
Harry is draped over the back bar, Ron is the ginger
on the bottom, and Hermione is the black one.

 Happy weekend, friends!

Things I'm Not Ready For

Throughout the last week I have been reminiscing about the two little babes we moved to Texas - Will had just turned four, and Hallie was almost two - and having a difficult time wrapping my head around both how long they've been Texans and how much growing they've done in that seemingly short period of time. 

This picture became their Valentine's 
Day postcard our first year in Texas.

The reason for the reminiscing? Throughout the last week I've also had multiple opportunities to feel *not quite ready* for - even a little blindsided by - the activities and experiences my kids are taking on. I know there's much more of this coming, but to have all of this unfold in a week was kind of a lot for my already-unstable mama heart to take.

~ Will signed up to take the PSAT.

~ Will bought (or we bought for him, for his upcoming 15th birthday) a real suit.

~ Will - and myself, as his instructor - registered for driver's ed.

~ Will started working again (his job is somewhat seasonal). Other than me driving him to/from (though not for long), he manages every aspect of work himself.

~ Will competes in his first debate tournament this weekend.

~ Hallie lost her last tooth.

~ Hallie has plans to fly across the country on her own for the first time.

I have to remind myself that there are positive aspects - and safety nets built in - to everything on this list. But each is big or scary or significant in its own way, and each is a reminder that 1) they're getting so big, old, mature, blah blah blah, and 2) I'm not ready for any of it.

Also, any tips on staying sane while teaching a kiddo to drive? Not asking for a friend...

High Five for Friday (9.17.21)

 

One

Will had a blast at Cavalry (his soccer club) Night at Ellis Field, which is the home of the Aggie Women's Soccer team/program. I unfortunately couldn't attend the Aggie game with him, so he and I made a rough plan for pick up and then I dropped him off - with a ticket and $20 - at the gate. I knew he'd quickly find his friends/teammates and he had his phone with him, but I was still nervous, as this was the the first time I'd ever left him "alone" at an non-school/community event, birthday party, or playdate. We I got a bit nervous when the time came for me to pick him up and his phone went straight to voicemail (his garbage battery died - a new phone with a functional battery to give his mom more peace of mind is on its way), but then he showed up exactly where he was supposed to meet me and all was once again right with the world. He's growing up...and making me exceptionally proud in more ways than one.

Will and his teammates are behind the goal in red.
Look at me, adding an arrow to a picture. 😁

Two

Nutcracker rehearsals are well underway! Hallie is a party girl, and because party girls receive and then dance with dolls (during the show), this week they brought to rehearsal their own stuffed animals to practice dancing with. Hallie chose Winnie the Pooh, and got him fully dressed in an American Girl Doll leotard and ballet shoes and then put a bow in his hair. I love when she shows me glimpses of the little girl she once was...

Three

(3a)

My sister found this on her phone. It made my day.

Lily is 10, almost 11. She has absolutely no personality at all. 😉 

(3b)

While we're on Lily... These are my two favorite pictures of her from her fall dance photo shoot. She is strong and confident and gorgeous, and an amazing dancer as well.

Four

I forgot to mention this last week, but it still applies this week... It's football season! I'm not in any way excited or happy about large, mostly unmasked, and largely unvaccinated crowds gathering in close proximity to scream and yell (and therefore spit on each other), but I am excited and happy to see both college and NFL football teams take the field again. (My Hawkeyes are off to a great start. My Packers...not so much. Get it together, A-a-ron.)

Five

I participated in the Texas CARES study and was pleased to learn that while I have no natural antibodies (not surprising, given that 1) I haven't been diagnosed with COVID and 2) studies have shown that natural antibodies wane rapidly), my vaccine-related antibodies are in excellent shape. 

* Worth sharing for anyone who is on the fence about getting a vaccine because they feel confident their natural immunity from a prior infection will protect them from future infections... A friend of mine had COVID late last November/early December. She and I were vaccinated on the exact same day(s) and had our blood drawn for the Texas CARES antibody study on the exact same day, and despite the fact that she had COVID and I have not, she and I had the same amount of natural antibodies: None. Zero. Zilch. Get vaccinated, friends.

~

Happy weekend, friends!

The Day the Music Died

A long, long time ago

I can still remember how that music

Used to make me smile

And I knew if I had my chance

That I could make those people dance

And maybe they'd be happy for a while

I was raised in a home full of music. We listened to the radio as well as records, cassettes, and CDs, but we also listened to live music, played on guitars and banjos and ukuleles and harmonicas - and probably some instruments I'm forgetting - by my dad and his best friend. When we were little girls they graciously let my little sister and me sing with them; as we grew older and became vocal musicians ourselves, they started asking us to sing with them, which we still do when we're all back in Madison at the same time. My mom fostered our love for Broadway music, taking us to our first show - Meet Me in St. Louis - in NYC when we were in second grade and kindergarten, and then many...many...many more shows after that.  

I wish I had photos from back then, and more/better pictures of us playing throughout the years, but somehow I don't. This post includes - I think - almost all I can put my hands on.

Tom was raised similarly, and when he joined the Mueller clan we added him to our family band as both a vocalist and a piano player. (Tom is an accomplished pianist, he and I met in a choir, and he plays the guitar, bass, and drums as well.) Throughout the years, different combinations of our family band - my dad, my sister, me, and Tom, along with my dad's best friend and my sister's lifelong best friend - have provided music for many weddings, parties, funerals, and even a high school graduation ceremony.

Tom playing the piano at our wedding reception.

Sara and me singing at our cousin's wedding.
Not pictured: Tom on piano and my dad on guitar.

That's Will, you guys. 😭

Though I years ago transitioned to listening to podcasts while I work out and get ready in the morning, music remains a huge part of my life and my family's life. Tom plays music every week with friends and about once a week with our neighbor (on occasion the kids join this jam session), Will just started his fifth year playing the cello in his school's orchestra, and Hallie...well, if Hallie isn't listening, dancing, or singing along to music I'd be worried something in her life had gone horribly array.

A few months ago I noticed I wasn't listening or singing along to music quite as often as I once had. I was sitting and walking and driving and working in relative quiet, because (I assumed initially that) I needed less noise after being at home with all my people for a year and a half. But as I thought about it more, I realized that it wasn't the need for less noise...it was avoiding the emotions music brought up and out in me.

As an ever-emotional person, music has always "enhanced" what I've felt - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Even on my best days, my kids can barely handle listening to music with me because there are MANY songs that bring me to tears. But now, it's not just "many" songs that bring me to tears...it's all of the songs. My emotions these days are a delicately balanced game of Jenga, and music of any kind pulls out the one block responsible for stabilizing the tower. 

But February made me shiver

With every paper I'd deliver

Bad news on the doorstep

I couldn't take one more step

I can't remember if I cried

When I read about his widowed bride

Something touched me deep inside

The day the music died

And because I couldn't handle falling apart every time music came on, I just turned the music off. 

And in the streets the children screamed

The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed

But not a word was spoken

The church bells all were broken

And the three men I admire most

The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost

They caught the last train for the coast

The day the music died

The music will return, I tell myself. The music has to return, I tell myself. It may have died, but I have to believe this is one instance when the dead can be resurrected. 

I'm working on a plan to resurrect my personal relationship with music. But before I embark on that plan, I'm going to give myself a little longer to sit...even wallow...in the silence. 

~

Here's the first draft of my plan: create an instrumental playlist to have on in the background at home, learn the words to a new musical's songs with Hallie (we're thinking Waitress?), splurge on a few new music downloads, finally transfer some of my favorite music from my computer to my phone, and perhaps even purchase satellite radio for my car. Anything to add?

~

To be clear, it's just my personal relationship with music that needs work. If my home is full of people, my home is also full of music. As I type this, Tom and Hallie are jamming with the vocoder and on the keyboards in the playroom while Hallie's Alexa plays her "strong dancer playlist" in her bedroom. I'm sure all of this music is helping Will write his English 9 Advanced essay.