Pop-Up Playground

I used to take the kids to the playground as many as 5-6 days a week, partially so I could get the exercise of walking about 2 miles round trip. This year we have spent far less time at playgrounds than we did the past eight years. In the summer it was because the kids were in so many camps and classes. I did take Oliver to the Bloomsburg playground about ten times in the summer while his siblings were in a class, but as for all four of us going it didn't happen too often. I haven't been taking them to the playground the past three months because of going back to work. I miss the exercise, the fresh air, the opportunities to take pictures of the kids, etc. I'm hoping next spring I'll be able to take them maybe three times a week when the weather is nice. On Saturday I took them to an indoor pop-up adventure playground at the rec center at the university. It was a win/win situation in that the kids had fun and I could count it as service for the university. Quite a few of the students who were helping at the event are in one of the courses I am teaching this semester. Some of my students

helped by collecting boxes prior to the event. It was free and open to the public. The children were each given a t-shirt, and pizza, chips, and bottles of water were available for parents and children. They ordered far too much pizza, so one of the professors who organized the event told me I could take a large pizza home. Paul must have liked the pizza because he ate the entire 16 inch pizza himself over the course of two days. He was at the plant on Saturday and didn't get home until after 6pm. We spent a little over 4 hours at the event. Nadia and Oliver wanted to stay another hour. Ian wanted to leave sooner than we did. One of my students told Oliver, "Your mommy is my teacher" to which Oliver replied, "You're kidding me!". A tv station was there at one point, and when I watched the clip online, I saw that Nadia was in the video (she's driving a car made out of a box).

I got up at 5:30am on Saturday and was working on lesson plans and PowerPoints, and when we got home from the event I got back to work. At

some point the kids asked me to play hide and see with them. Most of the time over the past 3 months when they have asked me something like that, I've said "no" because my to do list was too long. I decided I should say "yes" to them, and after we played the game awhile the four of us ended up snuggling and giggling together in my bed. It was a precious time, and I was ever so grateful I had said "yes" to them and taken a break from my work. I think I need to do that more often. Similarly, Nadia, Oliver, and I went to a concert at church last night. I really

just wanted to stay at home, but I figured if I went I'd end up being glad that I had gone. That was indeed what happened. We enjoyed their vocal music (sometimes a solo or a quartet and sometimes all six of them sang), violin duets, piano solos, trumpet solo, etc. Oliver slept through most of the concert, but even that was a blessing to me because I have always enjoyed holding a sleeping child (although it makes me long for another baby).

Here are some things I am thankful for today...

1. The kids are almost over their colds, and it seems that both Paul and I escaped the bug. The kids have been sick twice this semester, and I am ever so grateful I didn't catch either respiratory bug. I have been very diligent about getting enough sleep, and I know that helps some, but I am also thankful to the Lord from enabling me to stay healthy thus far this semester. It would be so challenging for me to juggle everything on my plate right now while I was sick.

2. Paul's parents came to church with us on Sunday, took us out to Bonanza for dinner, and then spent a few hours at our house. We were celebrating Paul's mom's 73rd birthday!

3. I had been wanting to get a haircut for a couple of weeks. I usually try to schedule it when Paul can watch the kids, but we couldn't find a time for that to happen. Since the stores keep leaving the mall (which is where my normal stylist is located), I decided it would be quicker to go to a salon in our town (save about a 30 minute round trip drive). Well the hair stylist was MUCH slower than my usual one so it actually didn't save any time and it cost more money, but she altered my hairstyle somewhat and I got more positive feedback at church than I've gotten over any haircut in I can't remember how many years. It's shorter than usual, so I might go longer before my next cut. Nadia chatted with the hair stylist the whole time, and the boys played on the iPad. Ian and Nadia would have been fine without the iPad, but I can't imagine Oliver at a salon for an hour without a tablet. That would have been asking for trouble.

4. Similarly, the iPad came in handy today at the dentist. A little less than 3 weeks ago I chipped one of my molars. The dentist saw me today and said I had a cavity that hadn't shown up in my most recent x-ray. It's been years since I had a cavity, and I hope it's many more until the next one because I do despise having a drill in my mouth. My cheek and tongue are still partially numb. Thankfully it shouldn't cost us any money as I am back on the faculty dental plan. Oliver came back into the room with me and played on the iPad. Ian and Nadia stayed in the waiting room during my appointment. We'll be returning on Wednesday for their 6 month cleaning and check-up appointments.

5. The concert last night was fabulous! If you want to get a taste, if you search on youtube for the Collingsworth family. It's a mom, dad, and their four grown children. Three of their children are married, and the youngest (who isn't married) is 19 years old). They have two grandchildren. I loved their a Capella performance of "This is My Father's World." Or search for Kim Collingsworth if you want to hear any of her piano solos.

6. The Steelers won on Sunday, which means they are now 7-2! We play again on Thursday night. Hopefully we play better than we did yesterday. The Giants are just having the worst season I've ever seen them have in the 20 years I've been dating or married to Paul.

7. The kids had fun at the pop-up playground on Saturday.

One of Ian's recent drawings. He loves to draw Artic scenes!