Pond Cleaning

We went to feed the ducks earlier this week.  Anders told us, and I don't know where this came from, "Ducks clean pond."  I don't know where he learned that, but it was pretty cool. 
Today we played at the playground, but Anders does not like getting dirt on him, so that makes it tough to do too much at the playground.  At the playground, I taught him about the 5:30 SWA flight from Phoenix, so I wasn't surprised when Anna told me, "I was walking back from the 5-4 with Anders and he spotted a plane in the sky and said 'airplane fly to Houston.'"  That's still about the only context in which he'll say Houston.  He still loves Dallas and San Antonio, though.  His Dallas t-shirt that I bought him in September fits really well now, and it's a new favorite. 
Swimming went well on Monday as Anders asked to go under water!  He did a good job with that.  There were mixed results on the slide, but he did go down a couple of times.
Anders tested well at physical therapy on Tuesday.  He showed particular progress going up and down the stairs with both legs. 
MOPS did not go that well yesterday.  Anders was crying before he arrived and the Anna and Anders show was a comedy of errors while there including Anna losing her phone, the entire MOPS group stopping everything to look for it, and then Anna finding it in her purse!
Anders took the lethal 5 minute car nap today, which ruined his nap. 
At school today, we had field day.  My "house" won.  Not content to be a spectator, I joined in the action.  I'm not sure I helped, but I don't think I was a hindrance.  I also might have rushed the court along with the students when our victory was announced, but those reports are still unconfirmed. 
I feel that I have redeemed myself a bit for the cheating of us boys in the Mrs. Lovstuen's class in the 5th grade class softball tournament that led to the end of the class softball tournaments at East Side School in Decorah.  Here's the lesson I learned that day, if you are ever responsible for making the batting order for an entire elementary class, don't over think it--bat the best people first.  I'm sure Kyle Cutting, Josh Hildebrand, and Barrett Gipp would agree. 
I have also become a Quiz Bowl assistant coach for a weekend.  There is a huge national tournament at St. John's this weekend.
I also know  you wait for these weather updates.  I feel that we are making the turn toward spring.  I know it's never really winter here, but it just smells more "springy" today.  I've heard from various people that spring starts here in the back half of February.  They also have a giant rodeo with a bunch of musical acts starting this weekend, which sounds a lot like the state fair back home. 
Anders will be without Anna, with her friend, as Anna has a job interview tomorrow.  I fear that job interview season could prove more traumatic than MOPS.  Anna has recommended writing numbers and letters to calm Anders, which I think will work...eventually.  Anders sometimes counts to 20 before he goes down the water slide at swimming, so if you get him counting you have a chance.
It has been another fun and hectic week in the Chez Peterson.  By the way, we ate at a Texas-based chain French Restaurant, which I highly recommend if you are in TX, Louisiana, Atlanta, or the DC area called La Madeleine.