Other Stuff That Happened in February

What's up, readers.

Soooooo this month was creepy.  60-degree weather half the time, barely any snow, raining like April.  Definitely a far-cry from February of 2016 (or, as it was referred to back then, Hothtember.)  A lesser man might be so inclined as to blame this somehow on carbon emissions, ecological negligence, and mankind's over-dependency on unsustainable fossil fuels.

But hey, Donald Trump says Climate Change is a hoax, so I guess this is just one of those natural, Earth cycles we're experiencing.

. . . .

Anyway, here's February.

Starting off, here's a really clean picture of our family basement.  'Cause our kids clean up after themselves.

This was from a couple weeks ago, when Cindy took Abby shopping at the Midland Mall (while Dad and I were out questing for vinyl.)

This year, for St. Patrick's Day, BP and I once again decided to run in the Clare Irish Fest 5K.  I asked Kris if she wanted to run this year with us, and she hesitantly agreed to it.  The training for the 5k posed a problem, though: what with our work schedules being what they are, multiple girl scout meetings per week, and an ongoing house quest to top it all off, finding the time for the two of us to run every evening was next to impossible.  In order to make training easier - and more convenient for us - we decided to buy a well-rated treadmill online, so that we could run at home and not have to worry about someone watching the kids.  This way we could squeeze 30-minute runs in any time, and all while watching Netflix - which is awesome.  Plus, we could both stand to be in somewhat better shape, since 40 is on the horizon and all.

The weekend Kris and Alayna were away at Girl Scout Camp (or whatever it was called, I don't know - I'm not privy to that information), Abby constructed a fort in the living room to sleep in.  Surprisingly enough she made it both nights in the living room without getting scared.

Some 'valentines' Abby made for Kris and Alayna while they were away.  I don't think she has a future at Hallmark.

I took Abby out to Applebee's for dinner once Dad and Cindy had left for Clare, and while we waited for our food Abby played around on one of the restaurant's interactive tablets that's available at all of their tables now.  Since there was no pricing information located anywhere in the menus, I assumed it was free. . . 'cause I'm an idiot.  Once I got the bill, I saw that the restaurant had charged us for the use of the tablet.  It wasn't much, but it was still enough to piss me off.

Indulging in an ice cream sundae. . . of which she she only ate half.  Same with her entre, and her side.  At least I was good enough to finish my Bell's Two Hearted. . .

Another shot of Abby's weekend quarters.

Alayna and Kris returned Sunday, and that evening Alayna had to decorate a cereal box into a Valentine's Day box (the holiday fell on the Tuesday of the coming week, so we were short on time.)

She decorated the box herself, and her overall 'theme' (if a third-grader could be credited with having one) was 'emojis.'

(I didn't draw any of these.)

Back at the Roll Arena, for a Valentine's Day field trip.  I offered to chaperone Alayna's third grade class, because since 2007 - my first year of teaching - I have sworn off teaching on Valentine's Day (middle schoolers are hormonal enough on a regular school day, thank you very much.)  Anyway, while we were there, Alayna spent very little time actually skating (shocking, I know), and instead quested for tickets in the arcade section.  She tried her luck at this particular game, which players somehow inflate the balloon and try and get it to pop. These things are usually a scam, but Alayna actually won 335 tickets from it by popping the balloon.

From that point forward, Alayna couldn't walk far without some random 8- or 9-year-old approaching her and asking her 'how to play the game.'  I'd call her 'Ticketmaster,' but that'd be mean:  I haven't yet forgiven them for price gouging in the early 2000s.  I'll hold a grudge, folks.

Having a healthy snack at the snack bar.

Okay, she did get out there once.  Baby steps, folks.  Baby steps.

I have no idea where, when or why this picture was taken.  It's weird and I'm a little uncomfortable about so many things in this picture going unanswered.  All I do know is that the woman in the background there sure is enjoying the hell out of her food.

Checking out a 'care package' from grandparents.

Part Valentine's Day, Part St. Patrick's Day.  It's easier this way.

This may be the creepiest thing I've ever found in Alayna's backpack. . .

Nobody ever believes us when we tell them our dog is one of the laziest animals they'll ever meet.  Usually, when Watson's around company or other dogs, he's wound up and barking, or otherwise in people's business, trying to be pet.  This, more or less, is how my kids behave when they're in 'show off' mode around extended family, so maybe the dog's just behaving like the girls. . .  or the girls are just behaving like the dog.  Who knows.  Either way, it's annoying.

When you're married to Col. Brian J. Hough, ladies, every day is Valentine's Day.

One of Alayna's BFFs, Madi, invited a small, select group of kids over to her house for a sleepover for her birthday party.  Her mom was nice enough to send Kris pictures as the night progressed, which included a lot of games, crafts, and activities for the kids to do.

Kris has entertained the idea of having a few of Alayna's closest friends over for something similar when it comes time to celebrate Alayna's birthday.  The bar has definitely been raised, though.

Some dog, begging for popcorn.

Some other dog, begging for popcorn.

- Brian