Anders could not sleep last night as he crammed to learn the middle names of the Presidents of the United States of America. I had enlisted Anders to "help my students review" for the Advanced Placement United States History Test by "teaching them the Presidents." I had no idea.
Anders was up late last night, and shot out of bed like a bolt at 5:45 am. He was ready to leave 15 minutes before Anna or I. He sang his Presidents songs from youtube all the way in to SJS.
He only took a nibble out of his donut. I had arisen at 5 to go to Shipley's to get the donuts for the "Donuts and 'Ders" review session.
A bunch of guys came in first. Vasia got the first question correct about George Washington and the cherry tree, then Vinay missed the next two true false questions on Adams and Jefferson. Anders was writing true false questions in order from 1-10. He made it from GW to William Henry Harrison. Each question received its own color. Anders greeted each arriving student with, "Welcome Guest # (fill in the blank)!" Finally, it was "Welcome Guest #19!" Anders was holding court with the students gathered around him. He was keeping score of who had correct answers. Each new "guest" got a "zero" on the white board until he or she scored. Well, the students were 2 for 10 as Anders' true false questions were much tougher than the hard multiple choice questions we give that they complain about. As Anders wrote on the board and directed traffic, I did some errands, even leaving the room to collect some printed papers. Anders did not miss me! He was in his element, and the students loved seeing this little four year old version of me run the class. He ripped off a few Presidents, which worried some of the girls since they didn't remember Benjamin Harrison. Anders was so taken with his job that he forgot to eat his donut! He finally finished it later in the faculty lounge. Once the kids left to take the AP exam in the church fellowship hall, Anders wanted to go around Rushmore, which we did. We ran into the principle, our department chair, and a few others and I compelled Anders to start naming the Presidents from the beginning and he made it all the way from Washington to Obama without any help from me, dropping some middle initials and middle names along the way.
Henrik made a funny today too. A short backstory, Anna has been trying to get in touch with the medical supply company for over a week since they first contacted her about taking back Henrik's O2 supplies. They aren't good at returning phone calls. Well, today they sent a letter saying that they had been trying to get in touch with Anna, but had not been able to do so. I mentioned the letter to Dorene as she was holding a sleeping Henrik, and I said, "Anna won't be too pleased with this letter!" At which point, Henrik awakened, opened his eyes, and began belly-laughing. Then, after the moment passed, he went back to sleep. He knows what we are saying! Just like Anders did!
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Happy Mother's Day
Since my Mother's Day card to my lovely mom, Mom, was late getting in the mail, and because she was sending harassing emails, I'll write a blog post an a Mother's Day gift.
It's been a couple of months. Since that time Henrik has officially graduated from O2. Of course he hasn't really needed it since February, but we played the pulminologist's little game, until the Friday that Henrik ripped off the cannula and the tape affixing it to his face!
As of last month he weighed 12 lbs 4 oz, but I would guess that he's at least 15 pounds now. He remains good-natured and mellow. He only gets upset when he hasn't had enough to eat. He sleeps in 5-6 hour pulls in his crib at night, then usually a second 2-4 hour pull after getting up for a feeding in the night. I think he might sleep through the night were it not for his all-consuming hunger. Meanwhile, Anders is only 38 lbs. It will be interesting to see if Henrik gets to 20 lbs or Anders gets to 40 lbs first. My bet is on big little brother.
Anders, meanwhile, remains focused on scholarly pursuits. He is learning the Presidents of the United States of America in order. He knows them all, but he's still drilling in order to be able to say them all in order at one sitting. The Animaniacs have greatly aided Anders in his quest. Grover Cleveland is the bane of his existence because he gets counted twice owing to his nonconsecutive terms. Anders covered his second presidency in Nerds on Easter so that he would not have to look at Grover the Rover. When Anders refused to eat supper we have to take his place mat away from him. We went swimming today for the first time this season, and he's currently taking a rare nap.
We are moving back to Minnesota next month. I took a job teaching the same things I do now: American history to juniors and a senior elective on the Cold War at St. Paul Academy in of course St. Paul. It's bittersweet for me because I've established myself and St. John's and the students have been quite gracious to me upon learning of my departure, but I'm also excited for the new opportunity Anna, meanwhile, is counting the days before she can return to a unionized working environment. She's had it much tougher than me, as always seems to be the case, so I'm happy that things should be much better upon returning home. Anna will stay home next year as Henrik will technically have chronic lung disease until he is one year old (adjusted) in February, so he is not big enough for daycare yet. Anders will begin Kindergarten in September.
We don't know where we are going to live yet. We've talked about St. Paul and we've talked about the suburbs. I suspect that we will end up in Eagan. We have remarked over the years at the large number of people we know from Luther, Decorah, and in general who live in Eagan. We have also noted on many occasions our aversion to living in Eagan, which pretty much makes living there a fait accompli. I also stated that I would never live in Texas, but I ended up loving it down here so I have high hopes for Eagan. On the other hand, I thought Ohio was be just like Iowa, and I was sorely mistaken. All of this just goes to show I know nothing and should never make any Shermanesque statements about any future plans. Eagan probably has more ex-Decorahns living there than any place in America other than Freeport. If they try to open another Mabe's Pizza up there, I'll try to make sure it doesn't go under again!
The only thing Anna's not happy about is all the weather talk that she is about to endure. For half the year no one talks about the weather in Texas because from May 1 to Oct. 15, it's going to be 90-100, mostly sunny, with a slight chance of rain. That's it, nothing else to say. With that said, here are ten top things I'll miss about Texas.
10. HEB: The best middle class grocery store I've ever experienced. Free samples abound, store coupons lead you on scavenger hunts for free items, huge fresh produce section, game wheel for kids, and buying the store brands can make you a competent Tex-Mex chef in no time. Also, Jalapenos get their own billing on the aisle boards.
9. Winter in Texas: usually between 65-72 degrees, sunny, low humidity. I'm going to try to get Anna to spend New Year's through Easter with me in the Hill Country after we retire in 50 years.
8. Texas Pride: This could go on the bad list, but after living in a place that was so economically and psychologically depressed as SE Ohio, it was nice to spend three years in a place where people feel such pride and a strong sense of place.
7. Friendliness: People in Texas are overwhelmingly friendly, not just nice, friendly. They will go out of their way to help you at the hardware store or grocery store. They will wait for you in crosswalks even if you are five steps from entering the crosswalk. No one honks! This is the fourth largest city in the USA and no one honks!
6. Vacation Day Trips: You can drive an hour and be on a tropical island at the ocean--Galveston. You can drive 2.5 hours and be in one of the hippest place in the country, Austin. You can drive three hours and feel like you are in Old Mexico--San Antonio. In an hour or a little longer drive you can feel like you are on a legit vacation. We are definitely going to plan some family vacations down here when the boys are older.
5. Cost of Living: it is cheap to live down here. My equivalent salary buys significantly less in the Twin Cities.
4. Diversity: We live in Fort Bend County, the most diverse county in the USA. It's roughly a quarter African American, white, Asian, and Hispanic. Going back to the Midwest to visit always shocks me by just how white it is.
3. Food, this one goes well with #4. Within a 10 minute drive of our house we have excellent: Thai, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican, Argentinian, and BBQ restaurants.
2. Openness: Anna in particular has made many deep friendships during our time here. I've made some friend as well, but Anna has made more good friends in a shorter time than perhaps at any time in her life.
1.The Idea of Texas. Texas is not just a place, it's a state of mind. People live well, eat well, drink well, play hard, work hard, and do it all with an abiding sense of optimism and "can-do" spirit. Things get done in Texas, and they get done fast! I hope that I can carry some of this spirit through the harsh MN winter.
Next time I'll do the top 10 things I'm looking forward to by moving back to Minnesota.
It's been a couple of months. Since that time Henrik has officially graduated from O2. Of course he hasn't really needed it since February, but we played the pulminologist's little game, until the Friday that Henrik ripped off the cannula and the tape affixing it to his face!
As of last month he weighed 12 lbs 4 oz, but I would guess that he's at least 15 pounds now. He remains good-natured and mellow. He only gets upset when he hasn't had enough to eat. He sleeps in 5-6 hour pulls in his crib at night, then usually a second 2-4 hour pull after getting up for a feeding in the night. I think he might sleep through the night were it not for his all-consuming hunger. Meanwhile, Anders is only 38 lbs. It will be interesting to see if Henrik gets to 20 lbs or Anders gets to 40 lbs first. My bet is on big little brother.
Anders, meanwhile, remains focused on scholarly pursuits. He is learning the Presidents of the United States of America in order. He knows them all, but he's still drilling in order to be able to say them all in order at one sitting. The Animaniacs have greatly aided Anders in his quest. Grover Cleveland is the bane of his existence because he gets counted twice owing to his nonconsecutive terms. Anders covered his second presidency in Nerds on Easter so that he would not have to look at Grover the Rover. When Anders refused to eat supper we have to take his place mat away from him. We went swimming today for the first time this season, and he's currently taking a rare nap.
We are moving back to Minnesota next month. I took a job teaching the same things I do now: American history to juniors and a senior elective on the Cold War at St. Paul Academy in of course St. Paul. It's bittersweet for me because I've established myself and St. John's and the students have been quite gracious to me upon learning of my departure, but I'm also excited for the new opportunity Anna, meanwhile, is counting the days before she can return to a unionized working environment. She's had it much tougher than me, as always seems to be the case, so I'm happy that things should be much better upon returning home. Anna will stay home next year as Henrik will technically have chronic lung disease until he is one year old (adjusted) in February, so he is not big enough for daycare yet. Anders will begin Kindergarten in September.
We don't know where we are going to live yet. We've talked about St. Paul and we've talked about the suburbs. I suspect that we will end up in Eagan. We have remarked over the years at the large number of people we know from Luther, Decorah, and in general who live in Eagan. We have also noted on many occasions our aversion to living in Eagan, which pretty much makes living there a fait accompli. I also stated that I would never live in Texas, but I ended up loving it down here so I have high hopes for Eagan. On the other hand, I thought Ohio was be just like Iowa, and I was sorely mistaken. All of this just goes to show I know nothing and should never make any Shermanesque statements about any future plans. Eagan probably has more ex-Decorahns living there than any place in America other than Freeport. If they try to open another Mabe's Pizza up there, I'll try to make sure it doesn't go under again!
The only thing Anna's not happy about is all the weather talk that she is about to endure. For half the year no one talks about the weather in Texas because from May 1 to Oct. 15, it's going to be 90-100, mostly sunny, with a slight chance of rain. That's it, nothing else to say. With that said, here are ten top things I'll miss about Texas.
10. HEB: The best middle class grocery store I've ever experienced. Free samples abound, store coupons lead you on scavenger hunts for free items, huge fresh produce section, game wheel for kids, and buying the store brands can make you a competent Tex-Mex chef in no time. Also, Jalapenos get their own billing on the aisle boards.
9. Winter in Texas: usually between 65-72 degrees, sunny, low humidity. I'm going to try to get Anna to spend New Year's through Easter with me in the Hill Country after we retire in 50 years.
8. Texas Pride: This could go on the bad list, but after living in a place that was so economically and psychologically depressed as SE Ohio, it was nice to spend three years in a place where people feel such pride and a strong sense of place.
7. Friendliness: People in Texas are overwhelmingly friendly, not just nice, friendly. They will go out of their way to help you at the hardware store or grocery store. They will wait for you in crosswalks even if you are five steps from entering the crosswalk. No one honks! This is the fourth largest city in the USA and no one honks!
6. Vacation Day Trips: You can drive an hour and be on a tropical island at the ocean--Galveston. You can drive 2.5 hours and be in one of the hippest place in the country, Austin. You can drive three hours and feel like you are in Old Mexico--San Antonio. In an hour or a little longer drive you can feel like you are on a legit vacation. We are definitely going to plan some family vacations down here when the boys are older.
5. Cost of Living: it is cheap to live down here. My equivalent salary buys significantly less in the Twin Cities.
4. Diversity: We live in Fort Bend County, the most diverse county in the USA. It's roughly a quarter African American, white, Asian, and Hispanic. Going back to the Midwest to visit always shocks me by just how white it is.
3. Food, this one goes well with #4. Within a 10 minute drive of our house we have excellent: Thai, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican, Argentinian, and BBQ restaurants.
2. Openness: Anna in particular has made many deep friendships during our time here. I've made some friend as well, but Anna has made more good friends in a shorter time than perhaps at any time in her life.
1.The Idea of Texas. Texas is not just a place, it's a state of mind. People live well, eat well, drink well, play hard, work hard, and do it all with an abiding sense of optimism and "can-do" spirit. Things get done in Texas, and they get done fast! I hope that I can carry some of this spirit through the harsh MN winter.
Next time I'll do the top 10 things I'm looking forward to by moving back to Minnesota.
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