How Enchanting

(11/27) The boys had a half day today. I volunteered for a little bit and got to prep for a Xmas project in D's class. Dad woke up early and we hopped in the car and went to get in line for a boat. There was a two hour wait for the ferry. Weeee. We picked up pizza for dinner when we finally got across and headed for Grandma & Granddad's. After dinner the boys cooked up a storm with Grandma. They have been so excited to do that!

(11/28) Happy Thanksgiving! Jake, Amber, and kiddos arrived this morning to join us for a French toast breakfast. Dad didn't sleep well, and felt even worse, so he decided to go home to a quiet house to sleep. Those of us that stayed meandered on down to the marina to check out the grands' new boat. They're going to have such a fun time this summer! Dinner was amazing and I packed a bunch of leftovers so Dad could have some too, once he's feeling up to it.


(11/29)  We said goodbye to the fam this morning and caught an early boat home. Dad picked us up and then went to sleep. We didn't see him again until 7p. He seemed to be feeling more human after that. The boys and I had a super lazy day. I didn't monitor screen time, and let them play to their hearts' content.


(11/30) Sarah and I went to Zumba this morning. It was a balmy 28° out when I walked home. The kiddos and I went to the park this afternoon and it still hadn't warmed up much. The lake had about 3" of ice, and the twins had the best time breaking off chunks and throwing them out into the middle. C went to grab his phone earlier today and the charger had fused to the phone. It totally fried the port, and had to be replaced. I'm so glad it happened when we were around and that it didn't start a fire or anything, but UGH!


(12/1) We had a pretty lazy morning today. The kids and I went down to check out the lake again after lunch.  It had warmed up quite a bit since yesterday, and the ice was much thinner. We weren't there long before an ambitious twin stepped through the ice and soaked his leg. ARGH. I hauled squabbling boys home amidst complaints that I was a life ruiner. I know, I know. Nanan came this afternoon to go with us and pick out a tree. The boys were still grumping at each other, so we all gritted our teeth and remarked on the happy family memories we were making as we drove to Stocker Farm. We got the tree home and the lights strung before heading to dinner at Scuttlebutt. Dinner was great, even if my dear darlings wouldn't look at the camera. This was the best pic I got.

(12/2) I worked from home today, and the kiddos had school. The boys thoroughly decorated the tree yesterday, but still managed to find a few more spots for even more ornaments. I need to put the box away, or we won't be able to see any green! The twins were really off their game today at school, and both had rough days. Coming off vacation is no picnic. 

(12/3) Work day for us parentals and school for the boys. The twins did amazing and were in good spirits when I came home. They wandered off to watch YouTube this evening with their reward minutes, and I got the TV to myself. That almost never happens! 

(12/4) I had the day off and worked in the kiddos' classes this morning. I read with kids in both rooms, and then went home and caught some of the impeachment hearing. C and D had counseling appointments this afternoon, and we all met up at home afterward for dinner. D and I watched The Grinch this evening--it was a newer version than I had seen before, but equally enjoyable. D really hopes that never happens to our Christmas. So cute!

(12/5) Today was a work day for Dad and me, and the kiddos had school. Dad slept poorly, so I saw him for like ten minutes before he disappeared upstairs. Eventually we'll be on similar schedules... 

(12/6) Today was a work day for me. J had a terrible day at school, and ended up losing his screen time. He helped Dad cut up veggies for tonight's dinner and did a good job. We let him earn a little YouTube time, and he was back to his sweet self saying how much he loved us. HA ~ tell me that when you don't have screen time, kid.  

(12/7) Sarah and I went to Zumba this morning. It was raining out, so I skipped the walk and drove there. We went up to see Snow and Seth this afternoon. I love their new place!  It's a great first apartment!  We took them to dinner, which was a disaster, but it gave us lots and lots of time to visit. There was a parade tonight, and the service was waaaaay behind, and then we didn't enjoy our food. But whatevs. We found a better place to go next time!

(12/8) The boys and I had a lazy morning. They played screens and I read my book by the Christmas tree (my fave!). Nanan came over this afternoon so I could take a look at her computer. She joined us for dinner, and then we all went to get our Santa pics. The one below was the best of the four, and I'm sure it will make me smile every time I see it. 

(12/9) Work and school for us all today. The boys had a great day at school and both earned bonus YouTube time.

(12/10) I had today off and worked in the boys' classrooms. I made a bunch of copies in D's room, and helped with a writing project in J's. All the boys had great days, and Dad treated us to Panda Express this evening for dinner. Yum!


(12/12) Today was a work day for both Dad & me, and the boys had school. D had a rough day, and helped make dinner since he wasn't on screens this evening.

(12/13) I had a dentist appointment this morning, so I worked from home afterward. My company's Christmas party was tonight at Enchant in Seattle. We started with dinner at Pyramid before, and then headed over. The lights at Enchant were amazing! I had such a fun time taking pictures and hanging with coworkers outside of work. We have some really great people!


(12/14) Today was a pretty lazy day. Sarah and I walked to coffee, and Nanan came over this afternoon. It was a day for hanging in our jammies. Which is one of the best ways to spend a Saturday in my opinion. Dad took C and some friends to the teddy bear toss night at the Tips game. The Tips won 2-3, and the kids had a good time.


(12/15)  I ran C's friend home this morning, and we're all hanging out and having a lazy day today. Happy Sunday!

It's a Zoo out There!

(11/2) I went to Zumba this morning, and spent the afternoon with my nose in a book. We went to the Tips game tonight, which they won. Woot woot!


(11/3) The boys and I met the grands at the zoo this morning. It was a beautiful day, and so fun to go through the zoo!  Dad scored some housewares for the teen, and took a trip down south to retrieve them. He had to work this evening, but made us a delicious shrimp alfredo for dinner.


(11/4) I worked from home today, and the boys had a half day. I went to C's conferences, and all his teachers had nice things to say. He's a good egg. We did some rearranging last night and J will get his own room later this week. He is SO excited!


(11/5) Today was a work day for Dad and me, and the boys had a half day for conferences. The time change and the half days have really thrown everyone, and the twins both were disasters.


(11/6) Day off for me and the boys all had school. I worked in D's class this morning, and had conferences for the twins this afternoon. They went about as expected. J is having a challenging time, but D is doing really well! J's mattress arrived and he was able to sleep in his new room. Dad drove all the stuff up to the teen and got to see her new place tonight.


(11/7) I worked from home today so I could meet Nanan at the doctor's this afternoon. Things are trending in a positive direction, which made me happy.  D had a great day and again scored 100% on his behavior report.  He sent me some animated messages, and I virtually high-fived him til I could get home and do it in person.


(11/8) Work and school for the boys and me today. Today was the last half day, and the boys were so quiet when they got home that Dad didn't wake up until really late. They decided on attending a fundraiser dinner for the twins' school, and even brought some goodies home for me! I told them to go on ahead since traffic on a Friday night is always terrible. They got home not too long after I did too.

(11/9) Sarah and I opted to walk in the rain this morning over going to a Zumba class without our normal instructor. The boys made cookies this afternoon "because there was nothing else to do" (complete with teenager eye roll and sigh of exasperation). The kiddos are not thrilled at me curbing their screen time, but it has gotten waaaay out of hand as of late. I attended a celebration of life this afternoon for Amanda's mom (our former nanny). The slide show was lovely, and I'm sure the service was just what she wanted.

(11/10) The kiddos played on screens in morning, and when I kicked them off, we decided on a walk to the coffee stand. J again tried an interesting concoction of Sugar Daddy + blueberry for his Italian soda. Once we got home, J went full Captain Underpants and "Tra-La-La"ed the afternoon away. D and I decided to trek to a different playground, and then kept going to the one at the lake.

(11/11) The kiddos were off for Veterans Day today and I worked from home. D was so excited about the park trip yesterday that he got his brothers to go again. Which left a quiet house for about... a half hour. I finally hid in the garage to finish out my day where I could hear myself think.


(11/12) Work day for me in the office. It never ceases to amaze me how in a city where it rains most of the fall/winter months, that people still don't know how to drive in it!  I'm glad I have my audiobooks, because sheesh.

(11/13) Day off for me and I worked in the twins' classrooms. I cut up number cubes for a math game D's class is playing and then listened to kids in J's class read.  Nanan came over this afternoon to visit and stayed for dinner. D was so excited about our dinner tonight that he told a friend at school all about the roast we were having.


(11/14) All aboard the struggle bus! I was woken up early this morning and then couldn't go back to sleep. And then the kids were up and at each other. Dad didn't get much sleep either, so it was a gripe fest kind of day. I hope tomorrow is better.


(11/15)  Work day for me, and the boys had school. Dad is sick, and tried to sleep most of today without success. He made chicken soup for dinner and will hopefully be on the mend soon.


(11/16) I hit the gym this morning and then ran errands. After errands, I came home and had lunch with the boys, and then we all bummed around the house 'cuz we're exciting like that. Dad still wasn't feeling great, so we let him sleep, and he joined us late this afternoon. It started raining, and D was especially bummed that we couldn't go play at the park, but J came up with a new menu and decided he wanted to start cooking everyone breakfast. D got out the playdoh and both boys had fun with that.


(11/17) Lazy Sunday for the kiddos and me. J was so excited to start cooking that he put on his apron and chef hat about a hour and a half before it was time. He and Dad made breakfast for dinner, which included waffles and crispy bacon (J's fave). D really wanted to put up our Christmas bells, so even though he didn't get to help cook this time, he was pacified with helping me get out the bells and hang Santa pictures.

(11/18) I worked from home today and the boys had school. I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon, and since it was up north, I met Nanan for dinner. We went to the Bone Fish Grill--which is always tasty--and had a nice visit.


(11/19) My office had a potluck today, and I brought in my spicy eggs (deviled eggs). D was crushed when I didn't bring home any leftovers. Everything was so delicious! My coworker made the turkey in the office and the whole suite smelled amazing!

(11/20) Day off for me and a normal school day for the boys. I worked in D's classroom this morning, and then popped home when his class went to lunch. I returned to listen to kiddos read in J's class. I went to the hardware store afterward to find some twinkling LED lights for D (not blinking--twinkling). I told him to go look in his room when he got home and he was thrilled! It has 8 different modes and it's a regular light show in D's room at night.


(11/21) Today was a work day, and the boys had school. The day was a complete cluster, and we'll all be glad to put it behind us. Dad had to work this evening, and the rest of us turned in early.


(11/22) I worked from home today so I could take J to an appointment. Dad and C went with the guys to a Silvertips game this evening. The Tips creamed the Blades. I hear it was a great game!


(11/23) Sarah and I went for a walk this morning in lieu of Zumba. After lunch, the twins and I hiked to the park for some outside time. Dad went up to deliver a book case to S this afternoon, and then helped them purchase and haul home a new-to-them love seat.


(11/24) We had a mostly lazy day today. The boys and I walked to play at the park, and we went to a Silvertips game this afternoon.  Tips won in OT!


(11/25) I worked from home today, and the boys had school. I walked with their classes to the store to purchase ingredients for stone soup that they'll be making tomorrow. Such a cute trip, and we lucked out and it didn't even rain on us!

(11/26) Meeting Tuesday will have lots of meetings. And we're off and running!