Adventures in La La Land

What a crazy week! 1. A polar vortex, the likes of which we haven't seen since 2019 swept in and wreaked havoc on everything in its path for 4 days. Temps were in single digits with windchills well below zero. As if that wasn't enough, it snowed almost continually for those 4 days. And we all wondered, "why do we live here??"  2. We actually had a scheduled day off of school on Monday for teacher records day. We slept in, watched the inauguration and crossed our fingers for a snow day on Tuesday. Wish granted! Snow day #1.  Justin had the day off as well since temps were dangerously low and there wasn't any available inside work. I started a puzzle, listened to an audiobook, played games with the kids, and helped Justin transport his truck to and from the Ford dealership to fix a recall issue. The roads weren't the worst I've ever been on, but they were no picnic. That night, Lena and Levi had their first basketball practices of the season. It's conven...

What do you and Mommy do together? Read books What do you and Daddy do together? Read books What makes you happy? Gymnastics and reading books What is something scary? Bats and elevators What are you really good at? Gymnastics Who is your best friend? Harper, Molly, Charleigh, Hannah, Ella, Zella What do you want to be when you grow up? Gymnastics coach Who's the prettiest person you know? Nova, Ella  What do you think about before you fall asleep? Brands for every letter of the alphabet Favorites: Color  Mustard yellow Book Baxter Family Children books Movie Don't have one Food Apple slices with caramel Treat Donuts, strawberry milkshakes from McDonald's, cinnamon rolls, JoyRide Drink Starry mixed with other fruity drinks TV Show Bluey Toy Bop-It and Boxer the Robot Animal Koala Song Stargazing by Miles Smith, Garden in Manhattan by Josiah Queen, Anne Wilson Day Christmas Number 82 or just 8 Breakfast Food Donuts, cinnamon rolls  Store Aurora World, Amazon, and Barnes n...

1. The IRS update you've all been waiting for . . .  In case you missed it, I got a letter from DHHS saying my kids' medicaid is in jeopardy because the IRS discovered that we didn't claim $15,000 we received from a life insurance company in 2023. I was panicked that someone stole Justin's identity (it was aligned with his social security number) and dreading all the calls I'd have to make to clear things up. I had the day off Wednesday, so I settled in and started the process. My first call was DHHS since they were the one that sent me the letter. I was on hold for half an hour until I reached a representative. After explaining my situation to her, she told me to call the IRS. Thanks, lady. It took me longer than it should have to find the phone number for the IRS, but I eventually tracked one down. The automated system is frustrating because my question did not fall under any of their menu options, and they don't have a "representative" option. I fin...

1. I forgot to tell you guys that Lena won the spelling bee in her class! She got first place out of all the sixth graders, and she didn't even study the packet they sent home. So she automatically qualified to go on to the next round against the 4th and 5th grade winners. The first round is just done in their classroom with no adult spectators. But the second round is a whole thing where parents and grandparents come watch. I really didn't think she'd do it, so imagine my surprise when she was totally chill! Prozac for the win! She had a very laissez-faire view of it all, and I truly didn't think she'd care if she won or lost. But care she did! She was legitimately angry when she got out on the word "pesos." She said right there, "Why are there Spanish words in this spelling bee?" Lol. Again, if she'd studied the packet at all, she probably would've been more familiar with the word pesos, but she still managed to pull off 3rd place!  ...