Mal: I want to cuddle you. Me: okay, let's cuddle. Mal: we have to hide. *pulls the nuclear blanket over our heads, which prompts the pups to jump on our heads* I toss the pups down and pull off the blanket. Mal: I want to cuddle you! I want to cuddle you! Me: okay let's cuddle now. Mal: I'm going to cuddle on the top. *climbs onto my shoulders* Me: why don't you go watch Octonauts in the playroom? Mal: you don't want to cuddle me? Me: I love to cuddle you, but I need a little space right now. Mal: you have space. You have more space than me. You know why? Because this is a couch and there's space for EVERYONE! Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

((Susan)) Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

I do a very good Pamela impersonation. Let me know who I have to call. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

This is how my family/friends are. Visiting a sick/recovering person means cooking for them, playing with the kids so they can nap or shower, picking up or pitching in. If I'm overwhelmed and excuse myself to take a nap, there are other adults to take up the slack. That's how it should be. You should not be expected to wait on anyone. Maybe when they arrive, you can make it clear that responsible adults will be expected to behave like responsible adults. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

I dislike this. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

Morning. Coffee. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

Weapon X has brain cloud today. Attention to detail is unattainable. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

((Paige)) Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

((JJM)) I agree. Send Jo so she can get closure. ((Prairie)) I understand sticker shock, but it sounds as if you DH has been working hard this year. It's okay to decide that his time is better spent resting with family. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

They did give us a short grace period, but they are losing their gracefulness now. It's just really hard right now, and with this one check we could have our heads above water again. But now we have no idea when/if this check will arrive. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

I need to vent. Everything is going wrong. My washing machine is broken. My refrigerator is broken. My garbage disposal is broken. My septic system is not working at 100%. Thankfully it is still working. All the bills are late. Like, we're about a week away from disconnections and repos. We've been waiting on a check from our home insurance so we can start fixing things. It was supposed to arrive today at the latest. And today we find out there is some issue with our mail. Our bank called to say they had returned mail and wanted to double-check our address. It was, of course, correct as it hasn't changed in 2.5 years. So we talk to the post office. They say everything is good, and that they know they sent stuff out for us today. We wait for delivery, and receive nothing. We call the post office back, and they have no answers. Where is our check? Was it sent back like our bank statement was? Or was it delivered somewhere else? What is the issue? The postal deliverer hasn't changed, our address hasn't changed. So why is this happening? Why now, when we need our mail more than ever? Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

Weapon X said he wanted blue hair. I immediately said yes. As soon as he realized I was actually going to let him do it, he chickened out. It's probably for the best since he still does speech therapy through the school. I'm not sure they would approve of my 6 year old showing up with blue hair.

Good Monday morning! Our screen fast is coming to a close. It's been good for us, I think. I got the school/playroom purged and reorganized this weekend. It's so nice we actually want to spend time in there. I also made a new chore chart and rethought my homeschool plans. From here on out, we all have screen limits but they are no longer banned. I messed up and made speech appointments on no-commitment Monday for the next couple of weeks. And we all are in desperate need of haircuts. But first, coffee. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

Oh, and Ready Player One is awesome! But I'm a huge geek, so YMMV. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

Good morning! I am not ketch upped, and I probably won't. I'm just checking in. I had to impose a no-screens rule for the boys and myself, which I am breaking right now. My little boys were behaving more like little zombies, and asking them to play instead was akin to taking away a junkie's stash. So we are detoxing in this house, and I'm trying to set the example. I miss you guys, and hugs for everyone. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

:cursing: :cursing: :cursing: :cursing: :cursing: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

I vacuumed half the house. The other half has to wait until the boys get all the Legos off the floor, so I'll probably be able to do that in 15 years or so. Next up: the kitchen. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

Good morning. It is chilly outside today. I just spent 5 minutes outside with the dogs, and somehow ended up covered in ants. They were all over my pants leg and one shoe. Now I'm itchy and wearing my second outfit of the day. But at least I have coffee. The following may contain slight educational content. Reader discretion is advised. Today's plan: We're starting Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as our new read aloud. We were supposed to start it on Friday, but my Kindle was experiencing technical difficulties. A quick math lesson, followed by some Prodigy. Phonics is solely review for a few more days before I add in any new content. This afternoon, we will be discussing gravity. After school, I must needs clean this house. At least a little. I did manage to fold my mountain of laundry yesterday. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

I personally find the Roanoke story fascinating. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

I have a pile of about 5 loads that have been washed and dried, but not folded and put away. I hate the folding part. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

Even pianos have strings. They are just sneakier about it. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

I need new dog hair clippers. These are no good. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

Mine only wants Lego, superheroes, and Lego superheroes. His interests haven't changed in....well, ever. Although, I think I can add Sonic the Hedgehog to that list now. Does he have an awesome train set? Art supplies? A remote-controlled car? A stack of donuts instead of cake. Or a big stack of pancakes, and you can hollow out the middle and put in sprinkles or candy or something else edible and confetti-like. Streamers across his door and fill the room with balloons while he's sleeping. Or a trail of balloons with a little surprise in each one. I love birthdays.

Thanks. I knew I could count on ITT for some suggestions. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

Fantasy, adventure, mystery, thriller type stuff. I'm not opposed to some good historical fiction or even YA stuff. But for some reason, everything on Overdrive seems poorly written and not engaging. I need engaging. This is my escape from reality. Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk