Random Thoughts

This is quite possibly the coldest winter of my life.  Seriously.  We have had a stretch for several weeks in a row where the high temperatures haven't gotten over freezing.  We hare having regular highs in the teens and 20s. Which often means nighttime lows are right around zero.  This morning, Kelvinator wanted to know what the forecast was.  These words actually came out of my mouth: It's four degrees right now.  But the high is supposed to be 28.  So it's going to warm right up.  Yah.  Surprisingly I am totally handling this crazy winter just fine.  In fact, I have probably complained LESS about the cold this year than in previous years.  I don't really know how that works, but it's true.  In previous years when we have had a cold spell of a few days with highs in the teens or 20s it has been bitterly, biting cold.  Now it's definitely cold but it doesn't seem to be carving it's way through to my bones like in previous years.  And the few days we have had in the 30s seem spring-like.  I tell you, it's so weird.

I've also decided that I disagree with the policy about taking recess away from elementary school kids as a form of punishment or discipline.  I just found out the other day that Mack's French teacher takes away recess and gives extra work to kids who don't return their homework.  This particular teacher assigns homework daily.  He does not accept it late.  If you don't have it the next day, no recess for you!  Stay in and do more work.  First of all, my 8 year old isn't at the point yet where he is going to remember all on his own to do daily homework which means that if he isn't getting homework completed, it's a failing on my part not his.  Second, recess is a necessary part of the school day for little bodies and minds.  They NEED recess just the same way they NEED math or NEED reading.  Third, if you do have a kid who is a behavioral problem or who is struggling in school, the very last thing you want to do is make school even more of a chore for them.  You don't want to take away their outlet for stress relief and energy burning during the day.  That will only exacerbate the problem.  Also, how nice of me to find out about this policy half way through the school year!  I'm so on top of things.  I feel awful for all the assignments Mack has missed and what that means for him at school.  Not to mention what a merciless teacher must think of him and his parents and his abilities and his work ethic.  That can't be fun either.

Lucky for me, my difficulty coping only lasted two days.  Whew!  Again, nothing in the situation has changed, just my ability to deal with everything seems to be back at it's normal level.

Hopefully today will be the first day I get to try out my new recumbent bike that I got for (after) Christmas.  I am looking forward to a good long ride and excited to be able to exercise at home on the days I don't have jazzercise.  The Hubba has been using it, too, so that's an added bonus that makes it all the more worthwhile.

And that's all I have for right now.  Winkleberry just woke up and is eating breakfast so now is the perfect time for me to go try the bike!