Holiday Hustle

Me: At Sarah's house, they root for the Cougars. At our house, we root for the Huskies.
J: Yeah, that's the sad thing about Sarah's house.

Ruffling J's hair ~

J: MOM!! Don't damage my hair!

D: How can you tell me and J apart?
Me: You're very different people.  You say different things. You have different eye colors. You really thought I wouldn't be able to tell?
D: No!  Because we have the same birthday.
Me: Right.  That makes you twins, but you're still very different people. 

(11/4) J had a game this morning. Much like his older brother, I had to pull him aside and remind him that there's no checking at his level, and most definitely no whacking other kids over the head (regardless of whether or not they're wearing a helmet!). He played well for the rest of the game, and I took him to pick out donuts for the fam as a reward.


(11/5) Someone is preparing to be a teenager. C had a ... breakfast of champions? Mashed potatoes and a donut. It's conference week here, which means half days for all of the boys.  I had D and J's today, and C's will be tomorrow. The twins are doing fine academically. Writing is a struggle for D, and he will receive services to help make it easier.

(11/6) Work day for me. We threw dinner at the boys, and then headed out to C's conferences. I kept checking my phone for election coverage while we were waiting in line to visit each teacher, and then got to go home to sit and watch the live coverage.  Dad headed off to work later this evening.  By the time I went to sleep, I was feeling better than I have in a few years.

(11/7) I had the day off, and volunteered in the twins' classrooms today.  D had an appointment after school.  By the time we get home on Wednesdays, and get homework done, it's pretty much bedtime.


(11/8) Work day for me, school for the boys, and day off for Dad. We were notified that D's teacher will be gone tomorrow, that there will be an assembly, followed by an early release. That all spells disaster for our kiddo that does not do transitions so well.


(11/9) We elected to keep D home today, and he helped Dad shop, and then make chicken fried steak.  It was delicious!  It took me fooorrrever to get to and from work today.  I'm so glad to have audiobooks to keep me company! D decided on Monopoly for game night tonight. The men played until Dad went bankrupt.


(11/10) I ended up waking up pretty early today and was met with a Deedle who was very excited to cook. He had picked out a scone recipe, and we managed to get them made and cooked before I headed off to Zumba.  After Dad woke up this afternoon, he and C headed down to the car show in Seattle.  The twins and I stayed at home, and they did some Xboxing while I read my book. 


(11/11) Veterans Day ~ No ice for J today, so we made it a lazy day complete with a movie tonight.  We watched The Incredibles 2. It was super cute!


(11/12) We had the day off from work and school in observance of Veterans Day. C has been wanting to make slime, so he made a very sticky mess that predictably ended up everywhere.  Dad purchased a DNA kit for our dog. He swabbed him today and sent off the sample. I'm excited to find out what he is!  We have our guesses, but who really knows.  With this kit, you can also find his relatives. It gives me flashbacks to sending my kit in, and finding a whole bunch of siblings!


(11/13) Work day for me and the boys had school.  Nanan picked the littles up and joined us for dinner.  The boys look forward to her visiting every week.

(11/14) Day off for me and I worked in the boys' classrooms.  In D's they did the same art project that C did in first grade (D has the same teacher C had). It was so fun to help all the kids with their turkeys ~ and they turned out adorable.  C's is on the left, and D's on the right below.  Both C & D had appointments this afternoon, and we all met back at home for soup and sammiches.


(11/15) Work day for me and school for the boys today. I'm working on a big project at work, so that's been pretty all-consuming when I'm there.  By the time I get home, I'm ready to turn my brain off and watch TV.


(11/16) Work day for me.  I had planned to take off a little early today, but got called home before noon. Argh.  The twins had a play at the Seattle Children's Theatre this evening - And in This Corner: Cassius Clay. It was so well done but was a heavy subject and was a little beyond the twins' understanding.  They got restless midway, and Nanan ended up taking them to the quiet room, while I stayed and watched the rest of the performance.


(11/17) D *begged* to decorate for Christmas.  It's super early yet, but our neighbors have their exterior lights up already. I relented, and told him we could do a little today. Most important was the strand of lights for their room. C went up to a friend's house this afternoon, and I got out our totes, and pulled out a few things to put up after running him over.


(11/18) J had a hockey game this morning. When we got back, I met up with Sarah to go for a long walk supposedly because I needed lots of steps for one of my StepBets.  We eventually walked back to her place, and she had figured out the ruse by then--her hubby had gathered all of her friends for a surprise birthday party.  I stayed for as long as I could, but we had tickets to a hockey game this evening, so I had to run home for that.

(11/19) Work day from home for me and school for the boys today.  The boys had a good day, and we had a quiet night in.


(11/20) Busy day for me.  I had meetings all day at work and drove our Thanksgiving basket for the YWCA down to the Seattle location. I love doing that every year!

(11/21) I worked a half day from home.  Once Dad woke up, we loaded up the car and headed to the grands' house. There was a four-hour backup for the ferry, so we elected to drive around. It was a long drive, but we enjoyed it.  Grandma had the place all decorated for Christmas, and D was so excited!


(11/22) Happy Thanksgiving! I brought my camera, but took only a few pictures today.  Doh! We had breakfast this morning with Jake's family. Grandma, Amber, and I snuck out for a walk afterward.  We went out to the marina and back. Shannon's fam arrived shortly after we returned. Grandma prepared a beer and chocolate tasting for us adults as a snacks--Now, I'm not a big beer person, but the pairings were quite tasty!  Dinner was amazing, the cousins had a blast, and it was so fun being there with everyone!


(11/23) Home again, home again!  We had breakfast with the grands, and then got loaded up.  We just missed the first ferry, but easily got on the next boat. Sarah invited us over to watch the Apple Cup this evening.  YAY DAWGS!! I don't watch much football, but do enjoy watching the Dawgs beat the Cougs. Sorry, Sarah!


(11/24) C made crepes this morning, and they were so good! He was up bright and squirrelly, and had Dad bring them up so I could have breakfast in bed.  So sweet! I took the boys to a movie this afternoon.  We went to see Ralph Breaks the Internet.  J didn't want to come with us, because he didn't want to leave the computer.  I told Dad to feel free to kick him off whenever.  Dad decided he'd bore him with getting him a haircut.  LOL


(11/25) It's after Thanksgiving, so I can now get our tree! I was going to go yesterday on Small Business Saturday, but the small business I was going to buy from isn't getting trees in this year.  Harrumph.  So I picked a grocery store tree, and called it good enough.  I put the lights up, and D decorated the entire tree.  He so loves everything Christmas!


(11/26) Work from home day for me, and the boys had school.  Today was pretty uneventful, and I didn't do much other than working, ferrying the kids, and walking to coffee with Sarah.

(11/27) Weeee, meeting Tuesday! Tuesdays are all hands days at work, and my day was one big meeting.  The boys had school, and Dad slept while they are gone.


(11/28) I had a meeting at the school this morning, so had Dad bring in the boys.  I worked in D's classroom in the morning, ended up tagging along to library, and only left when it was lunch / recess time.  I went home briefly, and then went back for round two in J's class. D had an after school appointment, to which I hauled his greatly miffed booty. He was super *on* today, which made homework oh.so.much.fun!  Part of the twins' homework includes a character focus, and this week's was what they are grateful for. J said he was grateful for doing his homework (lols), and D said he was grateful when he hugged me. Melt.  He can be so exasperating sometimes, and then he says or does something sweet.


(11/29) Work day for me, and school for the boys. My company's holiday party was this evening, and we were at the Parlor in Bellevue, which overlooked Snowflake Lane. We got to watch the parade from the balcony while it "snowed."  Nanan watched the boys for us tonight.  While we were out, a fuse blew in the dining and living room, taking out all the lights, and the exterior Xmas lights. Luckily the fridge and stove were still operational, so dinner was still possible.  We'll have to get that sorted. I'm not really sure what the issue is, since we've had the Xmas lights set up like that before, and they've been fine all week.

(11/30) Work day for me, school for the boys, and unfortunately very little sleep for Dad. Thankfully, he didn't have to work tonight, and was able to turn in early.


(12/1) December already?  Wow.  We hosted Nanan today and cooked up a full Thanksgiving feast.  Yummo!

(12/2) Lazy Sunday on tap today.  I don't have plans beyond making coffee.

Autumn Adventures

C (eyeing the cheesecake): Is it ready?
Me: No, Dad said I couldn't have any, so neither can you.
C: Dad said that YOU can't have any. He didn't say anything about me!

(10/13) Today we did a fall colors tour. One of the points we were due to stop at was closed, so we drove back toward home, and stopped for a picnic. The rest of the group continued on and got some awesome pictures, and now we know some must-see points that we'll have to hit next time.


(10/14) We celebrated the twinsies' birthday today.  I took them to the museum this morning to get them out of the house while S made their cake. They requested a pizza and video game party this year - just like big brother. Gone are the Chuck E Cheese days...


(10/15) Work day at home for me. D had to be picked up from school early today. But hey, we're this far in, and this was the first time this year.  So, progress?


(10/16) Work day for me, and school for the boys. My day was meeting-filled, as is typical for Tuesdays.

(10/17) I volunteered in both boys' classes today, took the teenager to her appointment, and then home to her house.  Hope she settles back in there, and is successful with her plans!

(10/18) Work day for me, and the boys had school.  Dad had to attend the HOA meeting in my stead this afternoon since it kept getting pushed back due to conflicting schedules. The benefit to being on the board is at least we know what's coming down the pike, but it's still one more thing on the never-ending list of things to do.


(10/19) Work day for me today, and the boys had school.  J and C both lost teeth today. And D has some super loose ones due to come out any day now.


(10/20) J had hockey this morning. He refused to do a lot of the drills this morning, claiming they were "prophetic" (lol). We were pretty lazy most of today, so I forced us all outside to the park for a little while this afternoon.  The boys played Monopoly with Dad this evening--Monopoly is my least favorite game, so I opted to read my book instead.  D put houses up first, but C ultimately won with hotels on Boardwalk and Park Place.


(10/21) J had a hockey game this morning, to which Dad took him.  Dad reported back that he worked hard the whole time, and was not the first to do ice angels. C had curling practice.  D went with me, and we played pool, and he played on the tablet while we waited for C.  The rest of our Sunday was a lazy one. Just how we like it!


(10/22) Work day from home for me, and school for the boys. Dad made cheesecake last night, and whipped up a strawberry topping from all the berries we picked last summer.  Yum!


(10/23) Work day for Dad & me, and school for the kiddos.  Nanan picked up the twinsies and stayed for dinner tonight.  I had book club with my work peeps this evening and got home after she'd gone.


(10/24)  I volunteered in the boys' classes today.  We did spider art with D's class.  D has been on a roll!  Three of the "best days ever" in a row!  I helped with math in J's class again this afternoon.  Two of J's classmates lost teeth today, and one of them lost the slip with his tooth stuck to it when we were packing up.  Had I not been there and known about it, it would've been odd to find in J's folder this evening when we did homework.  Ha!


(10/25) Work day for me, and school for the boys today. We're busy with a project at work, and I was more than ready to shut my brain off when I came home.


(10/26) Dad was called into work at 2am due to a schedule miscommunication. He is taking two short shifts (now today and tomorrow) to make up for having Halloween off.  It was a regular work day for me, and the boys had school. I cringe a little when I see the school's number come up, but today it was for a good thing!  J had won the "Golden Eagle" for kindness, and the principal called to let me know.  He's such a sweet boy.


(10/27) Sarah and I hit the gym this morning. Love my Saturday class and coffee days! Dad took J to hockey, and once they returned, I took the twins to Halloween with the Lights On at the children's museum. There was a talent show or something going on downstairs where it is traditionally held. We stayed for a little bit, but it was so packed, and the boys wanted to go play upstairs, so that's what we did.  J got to dress up in his costume. D elected to save his for Halloween.


(10/28) Busy day for us! The twins and I ran C to his last curling practice, played a quick round of pool, then jumped in the car and raced to J's hockey game. He managed to score a goal past his coach today, and has said he was "on fire" all day. After the game we went back to pick up C, and then came home to do pumpkins with the grands.  So fun!


(10/29) Work from home day for me, and school for the boys. Not too much to report today ~ just a nice, quiet Monday.


(10/30) Work day for me, and school for the boys. My work had a "Fall-oween" party, and I made up a batch of spider eggs to bring.  A coworker also brought vodka/cherry jello "shots" and amaretto/cran blood bags.  My work peeps are so creative! Nanan picked up the twins from school this afternoon, and stayed for dinner.  D entertained her with costume changes.  They're so funny ~ I changed out the stuff in their toy bin, and it's like they have brand new toys! So we've seen a lot of capes this week.


(10/31) Happy Halloween! I volunteered in D's class this morning, and got to do math with candy corn, which the kids got to eat after they'd completed their assignment. In J's class we did spider art, and a math game, at which J kicked my butt.  D was a bit of a D-saster this afternoon, but chose a consequence that didn't preclude him from trick-or-treating this evening. He said it was a best Halloween ever.  💓 Dad took tonight off so I could take the kids around, while he handed out goodies.  He scored a four day weekend.  Maybe we'll actually get to see him!  Graves suck.

(11/1) Work day for me, and Dad had the boys.  D ended up in J's class today, because he and the substitute teacher and they had just don't mesh.  He had a great day today!

(11/2) Work day for me, and Dad had the kiddos.  The boys had a half day at school, and have been excited for the weekend all week. Dad & C went to a hockey game this evening for a guys' night out.  They had a great time, even if the refs lost the game for the Tips.


(11/3) I love Saturdays!  Sarah and I walked to the gym for Zumba and coffee'd on the way home. J had hockey practice this morning, and will have a game tomorrow.