Drivers Ed

This week for homeschool Lucy decided it was her turn to be a crabby learner. It is so frustrating when they get grumpy on me. We have decided to go back to Tuesdays and Thursdays next year which I am not thrilled about for some reasons- not being in charge of curriculum, Ruby's nap being disrupted twice a week, more online stuff to track- but I will be happy to have two days off teaching the girls.

Tuesday Ben had his first session of Drivers Ed out in Novi. It's at the worst possible time- 5-7pm- right during dinner time- so we've been eating dinner super early. It is also a 20 minute drive out and I hate to waste gas going back and forth so that means killing time in Novi. That would not be so bad if it was just me, but Tyler has to coach all the nights that Ben has Drivers Ed so that means Ruby goes with me too. Tuesday evening Penny and Lucy decided they wanted to tag along as well so it was all us girls. We spent our 2 hours at the mall. We looked at the puppies, played at the play area, and walked the mall. It was a pretty good time but also a looong outing. At the play area Ruby enjoyed telling other kids "no" if they got too close to her. She loves that word too much lately.

Wednesday while the girls were at school Ruby and I went to Joanne's with Grace. It's going out of business so Grace and I wanted to see what was on sale. We were not impressed. Most things were only 20% off which didn't really feel worth it to me- usually I use a 40% off coupon when I shop there. I only ended up getting ribbon (to put in hair). Grace got a few craft sets. It was still nice to get out with my friend even though we had less of life conversations and more of what to buy conversations. Ruby was pretty good besides being a klepto- she would grab anything that was in her reach and since the aisles are narrow there was quite a bit in her reach. She also liked to "Oooo!" at everything and that was cute. After our shopping at Joanne's Ruby and I got outside for a bit since the weather was warmer- still had a cold wind though, I swear that wind never goes away. Ruby had some fun splashing in the puddle in front of our house. She loves puddles.

Wednesday night Lucy had volleyball and Penny wanted to game to the game (Lucy's team won!) so it was only Ruby and I hanging out in Novi during Ben's class. Hanging out at the mall was less fun this time around. At the play area she wanted to carry her snack around and threw a royal tantrum when I wouldn't let her- she threw herself on the ground and cried. I am not enjoying this entry into the tantrum phase. I ended up taking her out and walking around and that was less fun because she kept trying to book it up and down escalators by herself (I had made a poor choice not to bring a stroller, thinking the walking would be good for her). She is fast but thankfully I am faster. We took many trips up and down the escalator (which makes me nervous with a squirmy toddler) and the elevators. Later we went back to the play area and there was a group of kids playing tag and she ran around after them giggling like crazy. They were definitely not playing with her but she sure thought she was playing with them. It was actually quite cute.

Thursday after the kids finished homeschool I decided to go through the clothes in the attic. Ruby ended up climbing into a plastic bucket that had some clothes in it. When it came time for me to root through those clothes she was not happy about me taking them out and kept trying to grab them back and she was totally messing up my organization. That incident ended up with her throwing another epic tantrum. After she finally calmed down from that and was back in another plastic bucket, she ended up tipping it into the boys bed and crying about that. It was a long morning.

Thursday night Lucy and Penny decided to join Ruby and I in Novi again. We went to Marshalls and Five and Below first just to stroll. We ended up with some candy and a little toy I am going to give to Ruby for Easter. Then we were at the mall play area again. It was super crowded with kids. At one point a little boy randomly pushed Ruby over. Not cool. As we were leaving the mall, we happened to walk by a man with a dog and the dog decided to lick Ruby in the face. She got a really grouchy look on her face after that, she did not appreciate the lick. Driving Ben home from his driving school this week has reminded me just how bad my night vision is. I probably should not be allowed to drive when it's dark- especially when it is raining. Good thing Ben is learning how to drive ;)

Friday I figured out how to get my nose stud off and thought I could clean it and be smart enough to put it back in. I could not for the life of me find the "exit" hole and could not get it back in. I ended back at the piercing shop and for $10 I got it back in. She said it was too big and I needed to come back to get a shorter rod. I wish she would have just done it then. I am irritated and don't really want the studs they have there anyways. I am going to probably just have to find somewhere else with a better jewelry selection who will swap it out.

Friday Tyler was nice and took Ruby to Costco to pick up pizza so I had a little break from her. She has just been so much late and I feel like she's just always around to drive me crazy (even at night she is in my bed at least once). Friday night we all watched "Cheaper by the Dozen" and I decided 5 kids is more than enough.

Saturday morning Tyler gave me another needed break from the monster toddler. Then that afternoon I was a good friend and helped Caroline with her daughter, Lizzie's, birthday party (her husband was out of town). It was as crazy as I expected. She planned cute things- making art with dried flowers and a fancy "tea" party with dolls- but not any activities that helped with getting wiggles out and these 8 year old girls (and one boy) were very wiggly. I had to come up with things to entertain them as they all arrived and as she set up things- it was super fun. We matched doll shoes, played "duck duck goose" and played "I Spy".While I was doing that fun task- Ben and Tyler will building the new bunk bed. Their room is still a wrek because the bookcase still needs to be built but I am happy with the new bunk bed. It fits really well in their room. That night to celebrate getting through another day, Tyler and I went and had dinner at Culvers. It was a good way to end the day.