March Randomness

If February was the Month of Snow, than March is most definitely the Month of Michigan Not Making Up Its Frickin' Mind.

We've had a roller-coaster of varying weather this month.  One day it's mid-60s and sunny, and the very next day it's forty degrees cooler and dumping inches upon inches of snow.  A few different times this month, we tried washing and packing away all of the winter clothes for the season, assuming the cold weather was behind us, only to find ourselves digging out the snow pants and thick coats a few days later.

We're totally over this bullshit.

Aside from the weather, this month was basically comprised of the following:  my grandmother's previously-discussed passing and the acquisition of loot from her house (which ate up a few different weekends the first half of the month), St. Patrick's Day (which again fell on a school day but was celebrated the following weekend, stretching festivities over the course of a week), and Spring Break (the last ten days of the month, which found me house-bound with both girls and a few different bouts of fever.)

But here's some other crap that happened. . .

I had to take the girls with me to vote in Michigan's Primary, as I could only go after work and didn't want to drive back out once Kris got home from her work (and deal with the longer lines and crazy locals.)  Before we went in I made sure to talk with the girls about keeping my political views and party affiliations a secret from those around us (they know I'm a Bernie Sanders supporter and a member of the Democratic Party. . . not something I wanted 'Make America Great Again' hat-wearing Joe Doublewide in the voting booth next to me knowing.)

Alayna came down with a fever the second week of the month, and was out of commission and couch-ridden for a couple days.  Consequently, she binge-watched Netflix 'til her eyes bled.

Some alternate outfits from Kris and Abby's dress quest for the Daddy Daughter Dance this year. . .

The third week of March was Alayna's 'about me' week in her 2nd grade class (it had a more clever name, but I don't remember what exactly it was.)  Kris helped her design a board full of pictures and facts about her, and she got to present it to the rest of the class.

Taking questions from the audience.

One day during the month, Dad and Cindy swung by for a visit, with their dog Bailey in tow.  While they were in tow, they figured they'd visit Jeff and Annie, too. . . but they couldn't necessarily take their dog with them.  This is how Bailey behaved the entire time they were gone.

Abby misbehaved at school - I forgot what exactly is was that she did - so when she got home I hit her where it hurt:  she lost Star Wars privileges for the weekend.  I found this note stuck to the fridge one morning. 

Goofin' around with a Star Wars app on my phone. . .

Green pancakes the morning of St. Patrick's Day, which fell on a weekday this morning.

This tree outside the girls' school is a fan favorite.   And apparently not just with my kids, either:  there's always a line of kids queued up to screw around on this tree after school when I pick the kids up.

Abby in her natural environment.

If this game teaches kids anything, it's that not going to college is much more gratifying than pursuing a four-year degree.  I mean, seriously:  you don't need a degree to be an entertainer, a hair stylist, or an artist.  C'mon.

Another day, another appointment with a child.  Alayna's eye exam once again verified that she has perfect vision. . . for now.  She, and her sister, are both totally screwed eventually:  both Kris and I wear glasses, and all four of our parents do/did as well.  Plus all of our grandparents did.  Our kids don't have a prayer.

What the hell is this?

March.  Totally not making up its Goddamn mind.

A sick girl and her dog. . .

I hate you, Michigan.

- Brian