New Year, Who Dis?

(12/16) I worked from home today and got to drop off a whole car load of toys, collected by my work peeps, at the YWCA's Somerset Village. They were SO excited to receive our gifts, and I hope we made the holidays a little brighter for some of their residents!

(12/17) Meeting Tuesday was filled with meetings, starting with one at school, and followed by several at work. Today's highlights included a catered birthday lunch at work and a cookie exchange.  I brought home three of everything for the boys, plus a good chunk of the boozy fudge that I'm sending to Dad's work. J made an adorable ornament and card in school. His teacher is so creative!


(12/18) I had the day off and worked in the boys' classrooms. D had a sub this afternoon, and my boy that does not do change + big, exciting holiday + break coming up = not a great day. We had counseling this afternoon and worked through some of that. We made sensory glitter bottles for both him and his teacher as a gift this evening, which was a relaxing project to do in lieu of playing on screens.  The boys also made regular fudge for themselves tonight. So.much.sugar!!


(12/19) Work and school for us all today. Dad's parents came to town bearing blintzes and Opa cookies.  YUM! Their trip was slow-going and snowy, so they only stopped by long enough to get mobbed by the doggos and drop off food. We'll see them Saturday for dinner.


(12/20) I had a dentist appointment this morning (Merry Christmas to me ~ this is appointment 2 of 3), and worked from home afterward. The boys survived their last day at school, and were stripped to their underwear within 20 minutes of arriving home. Vacation done right!


(12/21) Sarah and I went to Zumba this morning, and I went out shopping afterward. Dad got up early to get the turkey in the oven. We had Oma, Opa, and Nanan over for dinner and presents this evening. Dinner was fabulous and we had a lovely time chatting. We do not get to see Oma & Opa very often, so that was particularly special.

(12/22) I enjoyed my Sunday morning by the Christmas tree, reading my book. I still had a few last minute items to go get, so I told the boys they could play screens while I was out. I *think* I'm finally done? We had our annual gingerbread cookie making party at Sarah's this afternoon. The kids made a smaller army of "gingies" this year, and we all had a great time, and ate a ton!


(12/23) It was pajama day at work today. It was so cozy working in my Rudolph PJs. The boys stayed home and of the two sheets of cookies we made yesterday, only four cookies remained, and they were mostly de-candied.


(12/24) We celebrated with Dad this morning. With him being on graves, it's just too hard to figure out sleep when we travel, so he decided to stay home today and come for dinner tomorrow. Opa brought us blintzes when he visited, and Dad warmed those up, and we had a delicious breakfast. The boys made quick work of all their presents, and we were packed up and on the road shortly after. We managed to drive right on the ferry and hit the grands' before lunch. Uncle Jake and family arrived this afternoon and we had dinner together. The boys ate beans & chips, beans & chips, and more beans & chips. I'm glad I'm not sleeping in the same room!

(12/25) Merry Christmas!  We woke to find that Santa had visited. The kiddos opened all their gifts and we sat down to a delicious breakfast of blueberry French toast. Yum!  Dad managed to get a ferry over in time to join us for dinner tonight. He stayed through dessert, and then he and C headed on home.

(12/26) The twins and I caught a ferry home after breakfast. I dropped them off at home, and left all the boys unattended with their stockings (and all the candy inside). I hear they were decimated in my absence, LOL. I drove up to take Nanan to lunch, and we opted to go to a movie.  We saw the new Star Wars, and loved it!

(12/27) Sarah and I went for a coffee walk this morning, and then I had a final dentist appointment. Boy am I glad to be done with that. And at least this time the anesthetic took and it was quick & easy.  Dad and I went to the Tips game tonight and got to watch the Dachshund races from the nosebleeds. So cute! The Tips lost, but overall it was a pretty good game.


(12/28) The kids and I headed back over to the grands' for the 19th? or 20th? annual kids' dinner. It all started with my siblings' friends invading the parentals' house every Saturday for dinner, and now the grands invite them and their families all back to have dinner together. This was the first year that there had to be a kids' kids table for the next generation. Grandma went all out and made roasted veggie lasagna, loads of meatballs, ziti, and of course her famous mousse! We lit off a few fireworks out onto the bay, and eventually made our way back home with all our goodies. We missed the first ferry, and I had a restless trio on my hands, but we got out and ran laps around the ferry once we finally boarded.


(12/29) Sarah and I hit the gym this morning. I love that we can walk there and back, and that there's coffee on the way! Today was a much-needed lazy day other than that.


(12/30) I spent the day up at Nanan's, and helped get her set to have a new fridge delivered. Good times, good times. Dad made a fancy dinner for us this evening, and we had a relaxing night at home.

(12/31) Sarah and I went for coffee this morning, and then I snuck in one last workout at the gym for the year. The boys and I went to Kathy & Raul's for a night of board games and all the screens they could possibly want! We watched the fireworks over the lake at midnight (so cool!), and everyone had a blast. The twins and I didn't even get to bed til past 1:30am, and C stayed overnight (and I know he didn't got to sleep any time soon).

(1/1) Happy New Year! Sarah and I opted for a long walk instead of fighting for space at the gym with all the other resolutionists. We came home and I read my book and promptly fell asleep. Nanan joined us for dinner this evening, and brought the kiddos more presents. She found a hand-controlled drone, which drove Cass absolutely bonkers. Once we disconnected C, he could not keep his eyes open, so we sent him up to bed early. Too much gaming tuckered him right out.

(1/2) I headed back to work today. It was good to see everyone and hear of their holidays. The kiddos have a few more days of break remaining, and spent the day playing on screens. It sounds like they had fun!


(1/3) Today was a work day for me. C headed over to Jor's to celebrate his (13th--GAH!) birthday, and to see Star Wars with a mob of boys. I took Dad to the airport this evening. He flew down to PDX to check out a car for S, and then drove it back up. Luckily he caught a flight right out of Paine Field, so my part in his shenanigans was minimal.


(1/4) I woke up late-ish today and didn't get out the door for Zumba, and instead spent the morning reading my book. I walked to the gym this afternoon, and then headed back that way once Sarah was free to join me for a coffee walk. Dad and J pulled the crystals out this afternoon. The purple one turned out really well!


(1/5) Lazy Sunday morning for us all today. I went up to Nanan's to help do some heavy lifting this afternoon and made it back home in time for dinner with the fam.


(1/6) I worked from home today, and the kiddos headed back to school. Dad and J did step 3 on polishing his rocks tonight ~ they're looking really pretty! As I was watching the news tonight, J came over to tell me all about how not tired he was, and how he's been getting so much extra sleep, and how I could move back their bedtime. Not even ten minutes later and he was *out*. Suuure, kiddo.


(1/7) Work and school for us all today. I get home pretty late on Tuesdays normally, and tonight there were multiple accidents on my route, putting me there even later. It was pizza Tuesday though, and dinner was easily warmed up!


(1/8) I had the day off, and the kiddos had school. I worked in both boys' classrooms this morning. D's having a rough time transitioning back to school, and today was more of the same. We had a quiet evening in after school.

Ornaments by D

(1/9) It snowed a tiny bit this morning, and more is expected next week. Today was a work day for me and Dad has his LAST shift on graves tonight. HUZZAH!!! Hopefully the transition isn't too difficult, but we're definitely looking forward to seeing him more!

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!