December 24th-30th

(12/24) Wee, Christmas!  We're headed to my cousin's house tonight for dinner with Nanan's family.  There are about 25 of us, and I have the youngest of the bunch.  It went about as I expected - the littles gorged themselves on hors d'oeuvres and then didn't want dinner, choosing instead to run laps around the house.  I just left my plate and grabbed a bite when I could.  They lasted until 7:30p, which is about an hour later than I thought.  D told us "Nigh-nigh DDs" allll the way home. I think J zonked out for a bit, but both were awake when we got home, hours after their bedtime.  

(12/25) Merry Christmas!  The littles "slept in" and I had to wake them so we could be at Granddad's by close to 8:30a.  C was up relatively early, and he opened his gift from Santa (a guitar) and his stocking. Dad worked this morning so his coworker could spend his first Christmas morning with his son.  Very nice!  We missed him at breakfast and while opening presents, but I sent him pictures and we chatted throughout the morning.  Santa picked a house with four locking doors for the twins, and a kidlet tablet.  J was hilarious - he would only open packages with red paper, and got very upset when we ripped anything else.  He is very careful with his books, and I can only imagine he thought we were ripping things we shouldn't be.  After the first round of presents, we had a yummy breakfast and then went back for more, plus stockings.  We were all quite spoiled! I took the littles home for a nap, and the boys were making so much noise, I thought they were ready to go back.  Well, it turns out that it was just J that was making all that noise.  I brought him downstairs and he quietly read books with the Tag reader for about 45 minutes while his brother slept.  I fell asleep too because he was so quiet!  I woke D later and we headed back to Grandma's house for dinner.  Oma & Opa arrived, as did Dad, and we had a lovely dinner, and more gift opening.  We headed home after a very fun and long day and put all the kids to bed.

(12/26) Today is Christmas with Nanan, Oma & Opa, Uncle Jake & Aunt Amber.  Dad made us a yummy breakfast and I got to cleaning while the littles slept. I dumped out the little's toy box and did a whole lot of decluttering. I took out several baskets of toys and shelved them for another time and de-cluttered the main floor.  Dinner was awesome, the company fun, and it was probably a good thing that we ate in shifts, since my house is a bit cramped for so many people at the table.  But we made it work.

(12/27) Today, my mission was to get after C's room. It looked like a bomb went off before I was through, but after three hours of work, it looks awesome now!  I took out the bookcase in his room, went through all the kids' books and divided them up based on which room they should be in.  The board and little bit books went into the twins' room along with the bookcase I removed from C's room and the rest remained on the new shelf Dad put together for him.  It looks great in there, but I know it'll last all of a day or two before it goes back to the tornado that it usually is.

(12/28) No hockey today meant a low-key morning for us. We played with Play-doh, and the twins didn't eat... much.  Sarah came by to grab C at lunch for an afternoon of scrap-booking.  After the littles went down for a nap, I plopped myself on the couch to read, and promptly fell asleep.  After the littles woke, we packed up and headed to grab Sarah & Desy, and went over to Grandma's for "kids dinner," where all the high school friends of us kids gather for dinner.  Desy got the lucky job of minding the kids while I had three uninterrupted hours of conversation.  Bliss! C stayed behind at Jordan's and the littles did a great job hanging out downstairs with Des.  

(12/29) Day of sloth for us today, and it was heavenly.  The littles slept late, ran laps around the island for fun and played with all their toys.  I found a magnetic draw & erase board up in C's room yesterday and brought it down for the kids. I've been writing down letters for D, he identifies them, erases them and then claps and cheers for himself.  So cute!  

(12/30) Happy Monday!  Back to work with me today, half day tomorrow, and then off for New Year's.  C is off this week and will be bumming around with his brothers.

Words

C: Dad? Can I have this candy cane as my snack?
J: Yes.
D: Yes.

D: Morning.
Me: Good morning.
D: No. No morning.
Me: Are you ready to get up?
D: No.
...
D (hiding under the blankets): Where's DD?
Me: Where's DD?
D: Boo!  No boo.

Me: Nigh-nigh, love you!
J: Love me!

D: Cookin'! (cookie)  Please? Okay!  Welcome.

D: Kiss?  Thank you!  Welcome!

J (after getting changed): Awesome!

December 17th-23rd

(12/17) Work day for Dad and I was off with the kids.  The big boys went to school and the littles and I had a lazy day.  


(12/18) I was off today because poor Bridger caught the stomach bug that's been going around.  We holed up and watched Disney movies all day and/or read.  It wasn't what I had planned for the day, but it was what it was.


(12/19) I was thrilled to go back to work today ~ I have so much left to do and just haven't had time to go do it!  I got some of my shopping done today and hopefully will finish up tomorrow at lunch. C brought home all his Christmas projects from school.  So cute!

(12/20) It snowed today ~ Everett got 1-2".  I went to work only to get called home because J was just miserable.  I stopped on the way to buy a new thermometer and watched his temp spike multiple times during the day.  It's almost better not knowing... ugh.  He ate some lunch and felt a little better before nap, and then had another fever spike in the afternoon.  Poor buddy.  This sickness is the pits.  And while I would never wish my kids ill, I am so glad I have the kind of job that will let me work from home when they are sick, and that I got to see the big kid and puppers play out in the snow during a quick break!


(12/21) We had hockey this morning, and C was a *bear*, to put it mildly.  He got it together enough to earn his way back to going to Nana's for gingerbread cookies.  I checked J's temp late last night and it was normal, and he slept in this morning.  When I went in, he was his cheerful self.  Yay!  After hockey, we headed over to Nana's (Sarah's mom's) to make cookies.  My plan was for the littles to sleep on the way there, so I left my playpen at home.  Of course they didn't sleep, but were happy little munchkins until J fell off a chair and just lost it.  I put him in one of Sarah's playpens upstairs and he was out pretty quick.  D played and played and played. He spent time in the nook with the cash register, did some drawing, made some cookies, played with the lights and did so well right up until it was time to go and he fell off a bench and lost it. Twas the theme of the day! I had a lovely time and it was so nice to just sit and visit with everyone without hovering over the kids.

(12/22) Shew, what a day.  I woke up sick-sick-sick.  Yuck.  I couldn't even drink coffee.  You know it's bad when I can't even handle the smell.  I slept a lot, and Dad went to take the boys for haircuts, and then went out again to do some shopping, but I had to call him back because I was so miserable.  I felt much better around dinnertime and was finally able to get out and finish my shopping!  Now to wrap everything... Wee.


(12/23) Day off with Dad & the boys. I hope to get together with Sarah and have a wrapping party, but I'm not sure she'll want to be anywhere near me.

December 10th-16th

(12/10) I was off today because we have Bridger this week. Dad took the big boys to school and the littles and I bummed around and did nothing. The littles have snagged 4 of the 5 apples, 1 of the 4 pears, and there are teeth marks in one of the oranges from the fruit bowl today. I realize it's just fruit, but we just got our box yesterday! So today I subbed out the fruit for potatoes and onions. Because I'm such a good parent.  They keep reaching in and saying "Yucky" and "Ew."  LOL

(12/11) Day off for me and work day for Dad.  Nanan came to watch the kids while I volunteered in Colton's classroom.  I'm sure I say this every week, but I so enjoy volunteering and helping with art projects and such.  Colton's teacher is so appreciative, and I know he loves it too.  After school I ran some errands, and then finished our Christmas ornaments at home while visiting with Nanan.  She left after I brought the big boys home (smart lady!).  I made pizza which was a big hit and all the kiddos ate and ate.  J even asked for seconds on salad.  *SALAD*   Woot!

(12/12)  Work day for me, and Dad had the kids, plus one.  I came home to a yummy meal and got to play with the kiddos for a bit before they went to bed.  Best way to decompress - being a human jungle gym.

(12/13) Oh dear, it seems the stomach bug is going around.  Colton and Kathy were both down with it today.  I came home early from work today.  He watched some television and napped, and was frustrated that he was so tired all day.  And he hardly ate a thing.  Poor bubba... Though he magically did seem better enough to sample some of the butterscotch chips for the haystacks I'm making today.  J & D seem to be fine and ate and napped like normal.

(12/14) The big monkey is feeling much better today, but wasn't up to playing hockey, so we stayed home this morning.  He managed to eat some Cheerios and later some soup.  I'm so glad it was a quick bug!  Nanan came this afternoon so I could go to a cookie exchange.  I brought home almond roca, fudge, gingersnaps, shortbread cookies, white chocolate cranberry cookies and some of my haystacks.  YUM!  Nanan agreed to stay with the kids while Colton and I went to Jason's birthday hockey game.  We lost in style with an empty-net goal at the end. Sigh... Nanan said the littles were crazy and she doesn't know how I manage.  It is a bit crazy at times, but they're all such nice boys.  Colton was so great this evening - we played the box game, munched on some popcorn and enjoyed our time.  He looked exhausted at the end, and as it was hours past his bed time, he went straight to bed after we got home.


(12/15) Date day!  Slept in after a late night and woke with the littles at 8am.  Made them waffles and we all got to hang out in our pjs.  I did some cleaning and Denton kept appearing upstairs, wanting to check on what I was doing.  Dad finally had to hold them both so I could get the downstairs cleaned without them unplugging the vacuum or escaping.  After lunch, I put them down and Grandma and Granddad showed up to do a gingerbread house with Colton.  Dad and I escaped for a movie and sushi from our favorite spot (shh, don't tell Colton!).  We didn't have our normal waitress this time, but did see her at the end and she said she missed the kids.  They're so nice there!  Back at home, Grandma said J was counting her Monopoly money and doing a fine job, and D was getting swings from Granddad. I fixed the kids dinner, but was too stuffed to eat any myself.  Not too stuffed to not eat a cookie from yesterday though ~ we're steadily working our way through our haul!

(12/16) Back to work with me today and Dad has the kiddos.  We are going to attempt our family Santa photo tonight.. Wish us luck!

Words

Our pets + Santa photo turned out pretty well

Me: Somebody's stinky!
J: DENTON!

Me: Are you being naughty?
D: No.  Yes.  *grin*

D saw me coming with the camera and ran away saying
"Uh-uh! No no!" and totally left his brother under the bus.

Me: Are you awake?

D (under the blanket): No.

Me: Are you ready to get up?

D: No. No ready.

D: Staaaaars!
When we look at the stars, I always tip his chin up. So he now tips his own chin. 

December 3rd-9th

Eggnog is delicious!

(12/3) Work day for Dad & me, and Kathy had the kiddos.  I dug out our sweaters and hats ~ this week is gonna be a cold one!

... down to the very last drop!

(12/4) I slept in this morning and then went to volunteer in C's class.  They are gearing up for the holidays and I took pictures of all of them today, and did some prep work for an upcoming art project. I also got to read with a few groups. Nanan had the littles so I took the opportunity to hit the gym and have some quiet time with my book, which I still didn't get finished for Friday.  Whoops.  After school, we bundled up the kids to take them to the Country Store which was doing Santa pics.  We had 2 adults (myself & Nanan), Moose, Nanan's dog Zoe, and the three kids.  Even with 3 shots, I doubt they got us all looking the right way. The kids got candy canes, and D ate the plastic AND the cane.  Nanan treated us to cupcakes, and I was smart with the littles and got them ones with gingerbread cookies on top, which they ate and then I "helped" the frosting come off (purely to contain the mess!) and let them have their "muffins" on the way home.  We finished the day of sweets with polishing off the eggnog before it expired.


(12/5) Work day for me and Dad had the kids. We took the kids out to sushi tonight at our favorite restaurant (Sushi Spott).  J has been on a salad kick, and inhaled all the green salad, and kept thieving cabbage out of the yakisoba we ordered to supplement the rolls (also quickly inhaled). D was so polite - he thanked the waitress every time she brought something to our table.  So cute!  I really appreciate the waitress there, she knows the kids by name and visits with us each time we go. I told her how very kind she is and thanked her as we were leaving.  D & J rode with me on the way home and D kept telling me how we needed to go to "Maymie's house" (Jamie's).  

(12/6) TGIF!  Today was a work day for Dad & me, and Kathy had the kids.  I left early to go to another foot appointment where I was finally cleared to run (WOOHOO!!).  After that, I picked up the kiddos early. C had a play with Nanan and I had book club. I love book club!  Granddad and Grandma came to watch the twinsies and said they were a riot.  They kept them up late.  Here's hoping they sleep in tomorrow.  We all could use it!


(12/7) We woke to frozen pipes this morning. I turned the heater on in the laundry room and opened up all the cabinets, and then headed out to the gym.  Brilliant move when you have no water in which to shower... But I hadn't had my coffee and didn't think things through.  After stopping for coffee, I came home and got the kids ready for hockey.  We got to hockey only to discover that C only had one skate. I spoke to rentals, the pro shop, the parents in our locker room, the coaches, checked lost & found, and finally managed to borrow a pair of skates.  During all this, J spilled his drink alllll over himself, drenching himself in the process.  Oh, and did I mention it is 24° outside, and was not much better inside next to the ice? Grumble. I got J all cleaned up, changed, and then fed the twins snack (pomegranate, a huge fave). Then we wandered around and tried to keep warm.  From what I saw of it, hockey went okay.  We came home and checked the water: still off.  We went to Sarah's and filled up a jug so we could camp in our house. On the way home, I grabbed some teriyaki for the kids.  We were going to go to Warm Beach to see the lights, but it is so bitterly cold that we decided against.  I chatted with Granddad who gave me an idea to improve the heat in the laundry room, so moved things around and voila, water!  Yaaaay!  We also got out our Christmas decorations and put up some of it where the littles can't disturb it much.  C decorated the whole tree by himself.  Love it! 

Our tree!

(12/8) We again woke to a frozen kitchen sink, but at least we had water in the bathroom so I could make coffee.  That is a necessity!  I spent the morning with the kidlets while Dad ran errands, and once he returned, I took off for a class. It was a whopping 22°F!  Brrr!  After nap, we headed to Grandma & Granddad's for a little tree decorating.  They had the cool lights running along the bottom of the tree and a few non-breakables for the kids to put on.  We only lost one ornament. Balls are meant to be thrown, yes?  We had yummy fish tacos for dinner and chocolate souffle for dessert.  They spoil us!  J crashed on the way home, so I put him directly to bed while D was still going full steam at bedtime.  Sorry, kiddo. I put him to bed and caught a shower just in case it decides to freeze again tonight.  It's supposed to warm up and "rain". Yay, snow.

(12/9) Today was a work day for me and Dad has the kiddos, plus one.  We have Bridger this week too and are hoping good things for his family.

November 26th-December 2nd

(11/26) Work day for Dad and me, and Kathy had the kids.  Dad took D in for a hair cut (his second) and then took him to Kathy's house, where he projectile-vomited shortly after arriving.  She put him to bed and he seemed fine afterward.  Maybe it was the stress of the haircut?  I dunno.  I hope he's not getting sick. He was fine the rest of the evening, and as it always does, Tuesday flew by in a blur.

(11/27) I actually had to work today, but it was a short day, and I was off before C was out of school.  Nanan came to watch the littles for me, and I got home right as they were getting ready to have lunch.  They went down for nap after lunch and didn't wake until it was almost time to go to Sarah's.  She watched all three of my boys and kept C over night so I could go to a scotch tasting for Granddad's birthday.  That was a lot of fun, and of course I had to have the 787 flight (C's b-day).  Time passed all too quickly, and I had to run and grab the twinsies so they could get to bed.  Once I got them tucked in, I curled up to read, and then Dad came home and mulled some brandy. Yeah, it was a good night.

(11/28) Happy Thanksgiving!  Mama may have indulged a bit too much last night and had to try the whole getting out of bed thing a second time.  Thankfully, Dad was home and the twinsies were pretty quiet and my second attempt went much better.  We bummed around in our PJs for a while and then took the pups for a walk once the littles went down. I made the mistake of touching the leashes, and Moose about exploded, so I had to take both dog boys, even though that makes holding coffee more difficult.  I brought C home from Sarah's after our walk and then made up some spicy eggs to go to Granddad's house.  We had a lovely family dinner - everything was delish!  The twins ate and ate all the snacky stuff so they weren't hungry for the main event. Oh well. I just cleaned them up and followed them around with my plate.  Dad took them home around bedtime so I could sit and visit a little, and Uncle Jake drove C & me home.  Love my family!

(11/29) Apple Cup!  Gooooo Silvertips!  Since I was the only Husky going to a house full of Cougs, I wore my hockey gear and secretly enjoyed it when the Huskies pulled it off.  We attempted nap for the littles all in Jamie's room and they spent the afternoon talking/screeching at each other, and the bookcase spontaneously exploded into J's playpen.  I have no idea what happened there.  So they didn't nap, and J fell asleep on the 5 minute ride from Sarah's back to my house this afternoon, and just laid on the couch to sleep some more when I brought him in.  I let him sleep for a little bit, then woke him for dinner.  After dinner he kept saying, "Nigh-nigh. Please. Nigh-nigh!"  I put the littles down before Nanan got here to watch them.  She was disappointed, but then D decided to wake up and stay up while I was gone, so I guess that made up for it?  Sarah and I finally made it out for a movie for our birthdays ~ we've only been trying for 4 months this year.  I think that was the plan for last year too and it never happened.  Whoops.  Catching Fire was very good though - brutal, but very good.

Dinner!

Dutch Babies ~ yum!

(11/30) I started the day by taking the boys to the Seattle Marathon Expo, which I cannot run this year.  Sigh.  But Grandma's cousin's son mentioned he just finished his first marathon and so I helpfully offered up my bib.  Kool-aid distribution at its finest! I will miss doing the run, since it is my favorite course, but they are predicting a 90% chance of rain tomorrow, so I can't say I'm not excited to miss that.

Grandma's mousse

C & Cass

The boys were awesome today!  They both zonked out on the way down to Seattle, and of course didn't want to sleep once they got home.  D finally crashed after being up there for over an hour, and I'm not positive that J slept.  I finally went to get D up and he kept muttering "Linner.  No nigh-nigh.  Linner." He just laid there with his butt up in the air, refusing to get up.  So funny!  We were supposed to go to Grandma's for the kids' dinner tonight, but after two days of sketchy naps, and C going to play with Mateo for the evening, I called to cancel in favor of being a bum at home.

Trains outside of Macy's on our way to the expo

(12/1) Lazy Sunday for us today.  Dad ran some errands, I played with the kids, and the twins took forever to go down again.  I sure hope we're not nearing the end of naps--I'm so not ready. Other than that, we didn't do a whole lot.  Those kinds of days are needed every now and then.

Pre-Thanksgiving snacks

(12/2) Back to work with me today, and Dad has the kiddos!  I'm so glad the snow in the forecast didn't materialize.

Amazing!  Thanksgiving night