2025, February 3-9

From Groundhog Day to the Super Bowl and a birthday, we had plenty to keep us entertained this week. 

Monday marked Mike's first full day at the new job. It's a split schedule, which means he starts early and gets home late with a large chunk of time in between. He opted to stay at PACE this week during the time between classes so he could try to get his feet under him. 

Hallie got chosen by both pets as she took a break to rest after working at the preschool. 

As Mike and Hallie took Kai on a morning walk, we saw Fergus hanging out at someone's house around the corner. Mike is solidifying his argument that Fergus really does have a second family. Too funny!

Sunset near home was pretty spectacular.

Ferg experienced a post-breakfast blep Tuesday morning as he visited with Mike. 

Later in the day, he warmed up to Hallie. The kitty is not a fan of how cold we keep the house.

Mike's new job keeps him on his feet several hours a day. He did manage to make some time to get creative. 

Eliza accompanied Hallie to the high school while Hallie worked the ticket booth. The girl really had a lot of fun watching the different teams play. At SHS the students sections have themes for the games and everyone really gets into the spirit of the game. It didn't hurt that the Red Devils won.

Mike caught Landon and Kai watching a Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes video after he got home from work. 

We try to get Eliza to do her schoolwork on the days she's not at Yates Place. Sometimes we can, and sometimes she manages to fall asleep. Hallie was successful in getting Eliza to finish schoolwork after she woke up.

Mike feels very fortunate to have Scera Park and a quiet residential neighborhood right next to work. He took advantage so that he could get his daily step count up in preparation for Japan. We hear that people walk upwards of 15-20,000 steps a day while they're there. 

Landon started his new job at Jimmy John's this week. He likes the many food-related perks that come with his employment. 

We had some interesting weather this week, with wind and unseasonably warm temperatures into Friday. Eliza ended up riding indoors on Friday due to a return to rain and snow. 

Mike and Eliza shared a sample of one of the new fruit-and-cream-flavored drinks Hallie is making at Starbucks. Go and try a Midnight Drink with Vanilla Sweet Cream. It is yummy!

Several months ago, Mike got a LEGO yellow delivery truck set at Costco as a goal gift for when he got a new job. He feels grateful that he got to put it together this week.  

Eliza and the happy students at Yates Place have been involved with several projects this year. In history class, she presented a report on Rosa Parks, whom she remembered from our time in Detroit. 

We celebrated Eliza's birthday this week. Hard to believe where the years have gone! Landon toiled into the wee hours making her this paper flower-filled pot. 

Earlier in the day, she and Hallie went thrifting, and Eliza got some new clothes. In the evening, we went over to Gma & Gpa M's to watch the Super Bowl and share some cake. Eliza wore one of the outfits she got. She did not want to have us sing to her, but don't take her face here to mean she felt unhappy. 

Hallie has cut her hours at Starbucks to be home with the kids in the afternoons. She is looking forward to spending more time with them again.