Return to Normalcy

We continue the long slide into "normal" life.  It makes our life in the Philippines seem like a blink or a dream, and I remind myself that we had a "normal" life there as well.  I find myself missing it at odd times or being overwhelmingly happy to be stateside at others. 

We were home in time for Easter.  I scrambled to get the girls' a few treats and a toy.  Kate had picked out a Barbie that had dresses she could design herself, so she was easy.  Kiki...not so much.  I can only buy so many dinos, crocs, and other assorted reptiles, and I took a chance on a Barbie that came with puppies and a swimming pool and a slide.  She took one look and burst into tears.  "But I wanted a DINO!"  she cried.  Kate convinced her to like it, and Easter was saved.

Easter dresses were the furthest thing from my mind, but not my mom's. 
Thank goodness for her.

We had Easter dinner with the Barr/Hunter's at my mom's. 

Brothers don't shake hands; brothers hug.

There was a wild and crazy Easter Egg hunt.

Kate learned that for the best loot, you have to stay away from the crowd.

baby HaLee, Em, and me.

We spent the last part of the week in Pocatello with the Shelton's.  The kids played non-stop for 2 solid days and I didn't manage a single picture.  We stopped in Logan on the way home to see the Judd-Murrays and Miners. 

Oh how the girls loved Bruce.  He is their father's namesake after all.  He is large and has silky hair.  I'm talking about the cat now. 

We had Mexican, of course.  I'm starting to think I have more pictures of my children at assorted Mexican joints across the West than I do in front of Christmas trees or with their grandparents.

Bruce made it home to us on Saturday afternoon.  He was welcomed by the girls, myself, Powder, AND a bunch of water leaking out of the drywall in the garage.  Nothing says "Welcome Home" like the immediate need for a plumbing repair. 

We celebrated Bruce's birthday again on Sunday with my mom, George, and the Wynn's. 

You might never guess who picked out Bruce's dinosaur birthday cake.

"I wish I wasn't freezing my can off and finding myself unable to sleep during night hours!"

Kate went back to school yesterday.  We arrived early enough that I was able to walk her in, make sure she had lunch money on her account, and spend a few minutes with her teacher and her.  She started to get a little weepy when I was leaving, but Mrs. Lowry was right there to console and distract.  Kate had pesos to hand out to all of her classmates, but I think she was a little overwhelmed by all of the attention.  However, she was all smiles when I picked her up and happily announced that she had two new friends' phone numbers that she wanted to call for play dates.  I had spent all day fearing it was Kate calling to be picked up every time the phone rang, so I was relieved she had a good day.    Of course, she did get a little frustrated when it was time to do homework- it had been a loooong time since she last had THAT required of her. 

I started teaching piano again this week also.  I can't believe how much my student's have changed in only six months!  How dare they grow up?  It has been fun to reconnect with many of them and has made me hungry to begin my own lessons again...but I better start practicing! 

The girls had to be tested for TB before they could enter school again.  A little bit of fluid was injected at the crook of their arms, then we had to wait 48 hours to have the test read.  Kiki asked how they would know if she had TB, and I told her that where she had the shot her arm would swell up or maybe start to itch.  When we returned to the health department, the nurse told her she didn't have TB, but Kiki anounced, "Well, my butt itches!" nevertheless.