(5/28) I called the kids out sick today, and we hopped on a boat to go visit Grandma and Granddad. The boys were so excited that they were awake at 5:45 when I normally get up for a walk and to take care of the puppies. After my walk, I was allowed one coffee and then the boys were ready to pack and go. We arrived in Kingston around 11 and we headed out to the grands' for lunch. We loaded back up and ran to Port Gamble to let the boys play on the playground and for some ice cream. When we got home, the boys got to bake coffee cake with Grandma (something they've been waiting this whole pandemic to do). We had a crab feast out on the back porch and played some ladder golf.
(5/29) J was awake at 5:30 this morning. Blerg! Grandma had warmed up the French toast bake and made bacon and eggs to go with. We went to the marina to do some dip netting, ride in the dinghy, and get things prepped for tomorrow on the boat. We ran home for a quick lunch, and then headed to Port Townsend to the Marine Life Science Center. D was disappointed that the touch pools were closed (covid), but they did a great job with QR codes to bring up slides on all the pools. We headed across the street to The Orca Project and learned a lot this second visit. We intended to stop for ice cream on the way home, but the store was packed, so we decided on hitting QFC where everyone picked their own flavor and we sat out in the sun to enjoy. C made us his fried rice, which Grandma topped with shrimp. And we had more ice cream for dessert. 😂
(5/30) We went out on the boat this morning. It was cloudy and chilly out on the water, and the twins got cold and hid below. C braved the cold, and even got to drive the boat under sail! We made it a shorter trip, but I think that was for the best, as it gave us some time to just hang out back at the house. We played Uno Spin and Grandma cleaned our clocks.
(5/31) Memorial Day. We decided to head home after breakfast today. I had to finish Piney Bear, a book that Granddad loved as a boy, so enjoyed that with my coffee this morning. We pulled up to the ferry and were prepared to wait, but were able to drive right on. The doggos were thrilled to see us! We played with them, and got settled. Then I cut the lawn and Toffee's salad bar. We grilled this evening and were able to eat outside.
(6/1) Work and school for all of us today. Moose ripped open a mass on his shoulder over the weekend. I cleaned it up yesterday and decided it could wait for today, but struck out getting him in anywhere but emergency. It was a few hours' wait, but they were able to clean him up and give us some antibiotics. Poor ol' boy. Dad took pity on him and went and got him a donut.
(6/2) I had the day off, and the kiddos had an asynchronous day of school, which meant a morning Zoom, and then they were pretty much done for the day. It was warm out today and we broke out the swamp cooler this afternoon. We loafed around during the hottest part of the day and decided on breakfast for dinner so we didn't have to turn on the oven and further heat up the house.
(6/3) Today was a work and school day for all of us. Dad took the kiddos out for haircuts today. J told me on Tuesday that he had too much hair, and about 20 minutes later I found a bunch of hair in the sink. Uh-oh. The stylist managed to salvage it ~ it's short, but looks cute! It'll be great for the summer. I ran Moosey to the vet this evening to come up with a game plan for his leaky lump. They are going to attempt to take it off with a local since he is not a good surgical candidate. The plan is to patch him up, and keep him comfy. I'll take him in tomorrow for that.
(6/4) Moose's surgery was successful, and we brought him home and got him settled. He had a seizure this afternoon and was gone in minutes. We are devastated.
|  | | We saved him some fur 💔 |
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(6/5) Opa, Cherissa, and boys visited today. We've had such gorgeous weather, and today it poured. We decided on lunch here at the house and the boys had a great time playing together and with the dogs. We now have the family Miata, and Dad is super excited. Having everyone here was a good distraction. Our big ol' boy left a giant hole, and his absence is felt everywhere.
(6/6) We invited Opa and the gang back over for Dutch babies before they left for home. The boys had a great time again, and J is ready to hop in the car and go to Opa's house next weekend. We had a stray dog appear on our porch this morning, which I managed to leash and bring back to our garage until we could locate the owner. Turns out the same dog went missing the day before, so we were quickly able to reunite. D is really pissed I didn't let him pet and play with him. Sorry, bubs... not all dogs our like ours.
(6/7) Dad and I are on vacation this week. Sarah and I settled on a lunch walk to coffee, so I got to sleep in! That really threw the boys and dogs off, and me too. I need my routine! The boys still had school, and we argued our way through their classes. I cannot wait to be done.
(6/8) Sarah and I got up and walked early today. I was back in time to take care of the pups and make sure the twins were dressed and ready for school when it was time. We are anxiously counting down the days. I ran out looking for plant supports as all my irises have fallen over. I think I over-mulched the bed. I may have purchased more bulbs while I was out and hope to see some summer blooms. The boys wanted to go to Forest Park this afternoon, so we ran over there. I wasn't sure if the water was going to be on so didn't have the kiddos bring towels or anything. D wanted to come home and change, but I'm like, "Just go; have fun!" So they did, and we came home to dry off and have pizza.
(6/9) The boys had an asynchronous day of school, and asked if we could go to the spray park again after I got back from my lunch walk with Sarah. I said sure, and we popped by WinCo first to get the required snax. The boys love Mother's Circus cookies. Dad ran up and took S to lunch and for an eye appointment. He said they had a good time, and both sent me pics of their lunches. I should've texted back my boxed mac & cheese in response and made them jealous. My work peeps were so sweet and sent us a big box from Crumbl with the most decadent cookies this evening. There was even one in there that featured the Mother's Circus cookies, haha.
(6/10) We gritted our teeth through school this morning. I hate it and am so very done.
(6/11) I tried to sleep in this morning but the children were up thumping around before 7a. The twins were absolutely bonkers this morning and Dad and I both were ready to put them outside with a free sign. Sarah and I were going to walk at lunch, but it was drizzly and gross, so we decided against. The dreary weather put me right to sleep and the puppy and I took a long snooze on the couch.
(6/12) I left earlyish to run down to the Pie Co to score one of their amazing huckleberry cream pies. The line wrapped around the building by the time the shop opened. Pie secured, I came on home. Nanan stopped by this afternoon to visit and pick up her new computer. She brought her old dead one, and I plugged it in on a whim and jiggled the cord a bit. It dinged and miraculously came back to life. She was so excited to have her files back!
(6/13) Last day of vacay for me. Pout, pout. Our dryer hasn't been working so well, so I pulled the hose off the back and cleaned out the vent. We were overdue for that project, but it didn't solve the dryer issue. Running two loads on air fluff was the actual problem. Doh!
(6/14) Back to it for me. Sarah and I walked before work, and then I played catch-up for most of the day. The boys bickered their way through school, but I was mostly able to drown them out with my book. Friday is the finish line for this school year. I cannot wait!
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| Haha, J's memory book |
(6/15) Weee, Meeting Tuesday. Busy-busy-busy, but it's all good. C went in for his second vax this morning. I had work and he had a final we had to get back for so we opted for breakfast from the drive through rather than stopping anywhere fancy, and we'll save our treat lunch for Friday when they're done for real.
(6/16) I had the day off, and the boys had a completely asynchronous day, which meant no morning Zoom either. The kiddos were done pretty early, and I got the chance to run errands by myself and enjoy the sunshine. Dad's last shift on graves is tonight/tomorrow, and he will get to return to a normal sleep schedule! We're thrilled to have him home with us more.
(6/17) Work and school for the boys and me today. I gave the twins the week off specials (art/library/music), and they aren't required to come to afternoon session today and tomorrow either. Lucky kiddos were done nice and early.
(6/18) It's the last day of school! *Happy Dance!* I ordered a feast and had it delivered for lunch. Sushi, teriyaki, yakisoba, and orange chicken (D's favorite). The rest of the day absolutely crawled for me. I think my brain wants to be on summer vacation.
(6/19) In honor of Dad's new schedule, we went out for a date day! We stopped by the Pie Co for a peach pie shake (yum), and then went to the Rum Co to try out their newest, as well as our favorite winery to check out their new rosé. We stopped by the dog park to let a very happy Cass romp for a bit. It was hot out so he hunkered down in the footwell trying to get cool after.
(6/20) Happy Father's Day! Dad woke up early and made us Dutch babies for breakfast. He still hasn't quite adjusted to his shift change so went back to sleep after breakfast for a while. The kids and I bummed around. I did yard work, the boys video gamed. Dad and J made dinner together and then we all piled in the car with the doggos to head to the dog beach. It was Toffee's first trip, and she did really well. She even made it up and down alllll of the stairs. When we got home, it was bath time for everybody. I washed doggos while the kiddos took their showers and Dad and C went out for Slurpees for dessert. It was a fun day!
(6/21) The twins had one last check-in before they were really all done, and we were able to turn in their Chromebooks. Dad ran their computers in, and I got to work in the QUIET all day! It was wonderful and I got a ton done! It's supposed to really heat up here this week, so we got the fans going and strategically closed curtains during the hottest parts of the day.
(6/22) Weee, Meeting Tuesday! I got to have my fifty-seven meetings upstairs and without distractions though, so that was a plus. D really wanted me to take them to Forest Park, but I think the whole city will be there. I convinced them to play out back with the sprinkler instead.
(6/23) I had the day off today, and planned to sleep in, but I'm so used to getting up early, I slept in only about 20 minutes. Oh well, it's probably for the best considering the puppy. Dad had to work today, and the boys and I loafed around the house. It was overcast and cool to start off the day, which I know we'll be missing in the coming days. They're saying triple digits over the weekend. Yipes!
(6/24) Today was a work day for Dad and me. Dad normally has Thursdays off, but did a shift swap, so ended up working. Sarah and I met for a lunch coffee walk. It was a hot one, but the iced coffee made it worthwhile!
(6/25) I had to work today, so Sarah and I got up early and hiked over to coffee to beat the heat. Today totally dragged, but we did have an office happy hour which took up a little time. Dad enjoys those when he's off too!
(6/26) Uggggh. The next few days are going to be awful around here. 99° tomorrow, and 101° on Monday. The boys begged me to ask Sarah when they could go swim. We ended up there for a few hours, and came home to Icees that Dad bought just for this purpose. Our house was a total oven tonight and I could not get comfortable. I ended up on the couch in front of a fan all night. And today was supposed to be the coolest of the next three days.
(6/27) I woke up early, having slept terribly last night. I tried to air out the house the best I could before it got hot again. We hit 99°, and Sarah thankfully invited us over to swim at the peak. The temp slowly came down tonight, but it would long after midnight before it was comfortable.
(6/28) Oof, today was a.w.f.u.l. We reached somewhere between 100-103° depending on which thermometer you looked at. It was 93° inside. We don't have air conditioning, and I closed up the house early in anticipation of the heat. I had to work today, and held all my meetings in a dark room. The heat finally broke this evening. The kids all slept downstairs with fans blasting as we tried to air out the house.
(6/29) Ahhhh, it was in the 60s on my walk this morning! But we still went for iced coffee because we deserved it after yesterday! We only got up to 83° today. I had to work and had relatively few meetings. So not too bad.
(6/30) The house was still hot this morning and will take a few days to come down from all that heat. But overall it was pleasant all day. I had the day off and spent it reading, and even took a nap.
(7/1) Holy cow, how is it July already? My office is moving soon, so I drove down to pack up my area. All those years fit in two boxes. We should be moving in August (?), and I'm looking forward to the shorter commute when we finally do go back in person.
(7/2) Work closed early today, and I had a dentist appointment this morning so it felt even shorter. I am still surprised that the 4th is THIS Sunday. I think I'm in denial that my no longer little guy turns 14 on the 8th! No freakin' way!
