10 Days until Thanksgiving

I hate to wish away days, however I am looking forward to seeing my family. August was many blogs and facebook updates ago! The 1st quarter of school is over and Jack survived football and Kate found a new sport to love...velleyball. Jack discovered Claymation and Kate discovered Twilight (and is a normal fan, not ridiculous...I love that about her!) They both made high honors and I have to say, they worked hard for it.

I didn't blog last week. I was too tired from cleaning, yes the ONE thing I hate most (well not THE one, but it's up there on the list) We cleaned 3 rooms and a hallway for 5 hours straight. Jack and I got light headed from not eating, but his room was presentable as was the kitchen, living room and hallways...oh and the bathrooms too. yeah, 2 of them! If you have ever been to my house you know the accomplishment this is. If you have not been to my house, it's not because I don't love you, I am just embarassed about how I live and there is no end to the clutter. If you have seen my office, YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! Jack had friends over for Pizza, video games and a viewing of the 1978 movie Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. (kinda like Airplane!)

Kate had two friends come over after school this past Friday and they hung out until the school's fun night. I ran the lame game room, my own son called it that. WELL, it was very crowded and a big hit, Jack! Kids came in complaining that there wasn't much to do and they were bored. "Nice, I spend my Friday night with you and you tell me to my face I am boring." was my reply. "Oh no, I didn't mean that Mrs. Murphy!" 6th graders have no couth (is that the right word?) All they want to do is play video games, Guitar Hero, Madden Football, etc. and they didn't have any TV's set up in the hallway but one. While 9pm is my bedtime, particularly on Fridays when I quite literally collapse on the couch, I was glad I went. Stationed in the library, Jack brought the Wii and gaurded it with his very life and I had Simpsons Uno, Othello, Apples to Apples, Scrabble, the Ungame, Connect 4, Scattergories and Sorry. Every game was played and there was never a time that the place was empty. One little 5th grader had never played Uno, so sad. Another didn't even know what scrabble was. Parents dropped some kids off at 5pm. I got there at 6 (it started at 6:30) and there were over 30 kids waiting to get into the school. What is with parents. Play with your kids!!! spend time with them!!!

Eric was the biggest draw when he came into the library to play Uno, he had about 6 or 7 crazied middle schoolers screaming for his attention during the game. What a great guy. Bob nailed a few in dodge ball and then played College Game day on his PS2 with the kids, even Jack left his precious Wii to join that fan club. Besides not having enough video games, the kids complained they had nothing to drink. Use the Fountain!

No really it was a good night. I played the Ungame with Susan and Vanessa. You just turn over cards and respond to the statement or question. "What year of your life would you live over." What is your greatest fear now? as a child? things like that. It was fun. (I actually have used it with my emotional support students who never talk or can't focus in a converstation.) Kate played with her friends too.

I didn't feel too good today but I made a soup anyway, a Clam Chowder remake. I got the recipe from Foodnetwork website but I changed a few things to make it my own. "Mrs. Countryman, ha, this is so much better!" smirked my 14 year old.

They are baby sitting tomorrow. I am so proud of them. They have made such good choices in their friendships. I really enjoyed having their friends over. The kids are so polite, kind, appreciative and real. No phoniness about them. It was refreshing and not like hall duty at all.

Enjoy your week.