Snippets

Some moments from a busy season: 

My oatmeal exploded in the microwave at work when I ran upstairs between classes I was observing to eat breakfast, and I almost cried. Instead, I pivoted and ate my nectarine and plum with 2 of the granola bars I stock for my TAs. Calorically similar but not as filling.

Now Dorothy and Cooper are selling things on Depop as well as buying, and I am constantly going to the post office. I wish they could drive. I also wish they'd think about donating their cast-offs instead. But! I do like the idea of a fast fashion exchange. Is anything from Brandy Melville ever worth more than like $6 anyway?

Minnie is a joy to watch in the water at swim team practice. Is she the fastest swimmer? Absolutely not? Is she the most technically proficient swimmer? No not at all. Is she working her little tail off learning strokes and applying corrections from her coaches? YES SHE IS, and it is a delight to observe. She is such a good listener, and she is so determined to improve. I was like Minnie, I am so proud of you for working so hard and being so cheerful when your coaches tell you to fix something, and she looked at me like I was crazy and said MOM THAT'S WHEN THE LEARNING HAPPENS, AND I LOVE TO LEARN.

On a Friday afternoon, I cleaned up my office, recycled papers from literal YEARS ago, and prepped what I needed for my first meeting of the day on Monday. I loved spending just a few minutes taking care of future me, and when I got to campus a few minutes late the following Monday and had a student come immediately to my office before I even had a chance to walk down the hall and fill up my teeny tiny Hydroflask, I felt pulled together and ready to welcome them.

Snack box Sunday is still working for me. I really like asking Dorothy and Cooper to tell me what they're hungry for on the weekend when I am grocery shopping and then packing a whole week's worth of on-the-go snacks. This week, Cooper's box has 47 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, and Dorothy's has 27 grams of protein (she does not drink a protein drink like Cooper does) and 4 grams of fiber. Not bad

Cooper! Is a permitted driver. WHAT.

I am writing this at swim team practice while I grade 250 case studies (I grade these every week, and my TAs grade the 4 large papers in the course-- I really do have the sweeter deal, but it's tedious), and I have to tell you that 8-and-under swim team swimmers are ADORABLE in their swim caps and Speedos with their fins and their kick boards-- oh my goodness. I miss watching Minnie outside the window of the dance studio, but sitting in the warm natatorium twice a week is a trade off I can live with.