The Little Drummer Boy

Mike had his first band concert tonight. He is in the percussion group so he was at the very rear of the stage where we couldn't see him but they had a photo-op before the performance began. He shares my love of music. I was a bit disappointed that he didn't pick a woodwind instrument because I can play them and could have helped him. But his father, aunt and uncle didn't pick them either - they play trombone and trumpet. I guess we could have our own band ;-)

For a beginning band they did very well. There were only a couple of squeaks and everyone stayed together.

After the band portion of the concert was done the chorus took the stage. Like me, Mike is vertically challenged so he was right in front. The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves.

Today felt more like late winter than mid spring with cold temperatures, clouds and showers all day. The weather appears to be clearing and we were rewarded with a pretty sunset on our way home.

Life with Mom

I took Mom to the doctor today. This was a follow up visit to see how she's doing with the oxygen and new prescription. She is supposed to be on the oxygen 24hrs a day but she has refused to use it during the day because "it's just too much trouble!" She's told me that she's worried about tripping over the tubing. I've explained to her several times that she can just take it off if she wants to get up and do something and put it back on when she sits down again, I even had the technician from the oxygen company tell her the same thing because we know I couldn't possibly know what I'm talking about.

Mom totally blindsided me when she started talking to the nurse about the real reason that she won't use the oxygen during the day. It seems she was convinced that if she took it off and forgot to turn off the machine that the oxygen would just keep building up in the house, flow into the cold air return vents to the furnace and then the house would blow up!

My jaw dropped to the floor and I sat there, struck dumb, while the nurse explained to her why that just wasn't possible and that she had nothing to worry about as long as no one was smoking in the house. He must have noted my surprise because as we were leaving he squeezed my shoulder and patted my back.

As soon as I got the portable tank switched off back at her house, she had me turn on the machine and had no trouble getting around with the tubing. I really hope she'll continue to use it all of the time and that it helps her think more clearly.

Birthday - Circus - Birthday - Birthday

Boy, was last week a busy week! The kids were here on Monday and since it was Nikki's birthday week we had a small celebration. I couldn't find any birthday candles so we had to improvise.


On Tuesday Alex was in the kindergarten musical Circus, Circus. They sang and he bounced and swayed the entire time.

Every circus needs a candy vendor. He did a good job and the production was cute.

Wednesday Nikki had her party at the mall. This time there were two cakes and presents! It's hard to believe that she is 8 already - 8 going on 12!

They have indoor mini golf at the mall and the kids had a great time. I have to say that I enjoyed it more than the roller rink - I didn't fall down once. Some of the kids at the party ride my bus and weren't quite sure what to make of me outside of work.

Sunday found us helping Twig celebrate his second birthday. Bean doesn't like me to share pictures of her kids but how can I resist. He's the baby and is getting so big.

It wasn't warm enough for the waterslide but that didn't stop the kids. It was just as much fun to bounce down without water. Mike and Alex were there with us because BJ and Angie both had to work. Of course they didn't bring a change of clothes. There was just enough water ponded at the bottom for them to both get soaked.
Any spare time I had last week was spent in the garden. I hurt my back picking up Twig on Sunday so I haven't accomplished much since then.

The girls are getting ready for a short vacation so we didn't have kids night this week. Maybe they'll all be able to come late next week.