Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe that 2016 has come to an end.  We've had a great winter break - our first without travel, and we've all enjoyed time together at home.  The Christmas decor is down now, but last Sunday evening we ended our season the same way we started it:

Our time at home allowed the girls to spend lots of time playing with their new toys.  We did get out of pajamas, but most days we weren't on any time table.  At one point I thought we might need a lot more activities to curb boredom, but in general, that didn't turn out to be the case.  As I reflected a bit, I realized that we are busy all.the.time.  On the weekdays, the girls are up and out the door early, and not home until the evening.  Our weekends are typically busy, too - if not with games, with general life catch-up.  I enjoyed the simplicity of not over-planning ... although there are some things I think would have been fun to do, nobody seems to feel like we missed out.  I think I forget sometimes that we can just be.

 

 Other highlights from the break include a couple of play dates with friends, a family trip to Six Flags (the "pickle present" this year was season passes, so we'll be back!), jumping in leaf piles (yep, our leaves finally fell off the trees after Christmas), building and sleeping in a fort, watching movies, a Cyclones game watch for the Big XII opener (a "W"), and lots of staying up late/sleeping in.  The girls had many moments of playing so nicely together, and just as many moments spent arguing ... comes with the territory.  Tonight we're planning on enjoying a safe evening at home with good food, bubbly, and poppers.

In terms of New Years Resolutions, I'm working toward continuing a healthy lifestyle by taking it up a little notch.  I have friends on FB who are involved in various programs, and although I've been curious about some of them, I feel like we're in a good place to do some things on our own.  Steve and I both have our workout routines down, and we generally eat pretty healthy.  I've decided to add breakfast smoothies in the mix, and found a recipe on a clean eating blog that felt manageable.  Today I prepped some smoothie mixes, and they are in the freezer ready to go when I start back to work on Monday.  Looking at some of the food prep suggestions can be very overwhelming to me, so I have decided to start small with a few things (veggies, mostly) that I think will help me maintain control and *balance* on a daily basis. 

 Tomorrow we'll be eating Hoppin' John, and of course red wine remains in the mix because it's good for our hearts, right?!

In general, 2016 has been good to us ... looking forward to the next set of adventures!

Merry Christmas!

the gift that keeps on giving

My Grandma Lou made this sweater for me when I was a little girl, and now both of my girls have worn it.  Grandma Lou turned 93 in November, and it's so special to me that my girls know her and love her.  When Emma asked to wear this sweater the other day, she said, "I'm going to wear the sweater Grandma Lou made for ME!"  Sara said, "Actually, Emma, she made it for me, but you can wear it now."  Actually, she made it for me ... but I don't correct them.  What a precious gift.

Sara, January 2011 (2) / Emma, December 2016 (4)

better to hear you with, my dear

 At Emma's well-child visit in September, her pediatrician noticed fluid in her ear, so three+ years after her first set of tubes, we headed back to the ENT.  He confirmed that she had quite a bit of fluid in both ears, and tests indicated hearing loss.  He recommended another set of tubes plus removal of the adenoids ... and what better time for all that than winter break?!  Sara got a night away with Papa and Mamas, and early this morning, Steve, Emma, and I headed to the surgery center.  Emma was so good this morning; she was totally ready to go to the doctor to get the goo out of her ear.  However, when we went back to the pre-op room and she spotted the bed and equipment, she knew this was not the doctor visit she had envisioned.

After a lot of bribing and build-up, we finally got her into the hospital gown, which she was thought was ugly.  Once it was on she said, "This looks terrible" (unlike the completely mismatched outfits she chooses to wear on a regular basis).  We thought she looked cute, even if she was angry.

The surgery went well, and the doctor confirmed that it was the right decision based on the amount of fluid and mucus lodged in the ears and adenoid areas.  Emma woke up from the anesthesia groggy, but cuddly, and asking to go home.  She wasn't a fan of the IV in her hand, and was very glad when it was removed.  The nurse brought her a blue popsicle, so that helped!

Now she's like this:

 We're all relieved this procedure is over.  I have soft foods (including the blue jello we made last night) on hand, and all the time in the world to let her rest and recover.  Proud of our brave girl!

Christmas Vacation

We are officially on Christmas Vacation!  We kicked it off Friday evening with Emma's Christmas Program.  Her class sang "S-A-N-T-A" (to the tune of "B-I-N-G-O"), "Hark the Herald", and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", and they were awesome.  The kids were supposed to wear Christmas pajamas, but Emma wasn't interested in that, so she just wore her regular clothes.

(not sure what's happening with this sideways video)

 Saturday started with a holiday volleyball tournament, which Sara's team won!  Emma then had a soccer game, so once again we made a day of it at PSA.

 Then we headed to the Dallas Children's Theater for "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown".  The show was so good, and it ended with an audience Christmas carol sing-along.  The girls loved meeting the characters and getting autographs afterward. (For the record, it was 70 when we left PSA after volleyball; it was 30 when we left DCT.)

  Today we started doing some holiday baking, which the girls have been waiting *ever-so-patiently* to do!  We made "eggs & bacon", spritz cookies (plus extra dough), and gingerbread dough.  More baking to come this week!

This will be our first winter without travel in many years.  It'll feel different, but it's also nice to look ahead toward the next couple of weeks knowing we've got nothing to do but hang out, relax, and say "yes" to whatever fun might come up!  We're so glad it's Christmas Vacation!

2-4-6-EIGHT

Sara is 8 today!  She is the perfect mix of all things good.  She's super smart: she loves to read, learn about science, and do math.  She's funny: her current go-to question when no real conversation is going on is, "So, how's life?"  She's serious: she has the rock gene; her teacher and coaches have made comments about this (her teacher told me, "I love it when, once in a while, Sara act silly because she's usually very serious!").  She's creative: she recently created an arcade in her room with cardboard and other found items (and then charged her sister $2 to play).  She also recently checked out a DIY book from her library, came home, and got to work making a bulletin board for her room.  She has opinions about almost everything and isn't afraid to voice them.

 At eight, Sara is involved in soccer, volleyball, Brownies, and Mission Possible Kids (at school).  She loves to build in Minecraft and to write and draw.  She wants to wear outfits that "look cute" but also work well for PE and recess.  She likes to hang out with the family, but also craves her alone time.  Her favorite foods are hamburgers, pizza, apples, bacon, and the hash browns from the school cafeteria.

 For her birthday this year, Sara wants to go ice skating and get her ears pierced (a long time ago, I said she could do this at eight...she hasn't forgotten).  It's hard to believe that the "far-off" number I threw out years ago is upon me.  Eight years have flown by, and Sara just keeps getting better and better.  I'm so proud and humbled to get to call this special Birthday Girl mine.

movie night

On Friday night, an old theatre in Garland had a free showing of one of our favorites, "White Christmas".  The atmosphere in the old theatre was perfect!  There was a big red curtain that went up when it was time for the movie to start, and Sara kept saying, "I've always wanted to go to an old-timey theatre!" (Even though she was a little put-out by the lack of cup holders attached to the seats.)

 

After the movie, everyone was tired and the weather wasn't great, but we enjoyed a a little time in downtown Garland looking at the light display.  Amidst the stress of planning, shopping for the completely sold-out items they want, and the general rush of the season, we welcomed the simplicity of this family fun night!

Holly Jolly!

A White Thanksgiving

We arrived in Minnesota Tuesday afternoon, and the girls were thrilled to see snow falling that evening.  We woke up Wednesday morning to perfect "snowman snow"!  Although it was mostly gone by the time we left MN on Saturday night, we were glad to be up north for a White Thanksgiving.

 On Wednesday, we went to Melissa's to help prepare for the Thanksgiving meal, and the girls loved running around her backyard with Expo.  I also offered to shovel Melissa's super long driveway and then felt it for the rest of the trip.  My sore back was a small price to pay for the calories burned, though.

 BFFs

 While we were busy playing in the snow/baking/meal prepping on Wednesday, the guys visited Charlie's on Prior Lake and a local brewery.  Adam joined Todd and Steve after he got off work at noon.  Glad they got this time together.

 The whole fam on Thanksgiving.  Melissa and Adam did a great job hosting 15 people!  Of course we ended the night with "Christmas Vacation" ... a family tradition.

 On Friday we avoided the stores, but did head to an outdoor Christmas Market in a nearby town.  The girls were excited to see real live reindeer (even though Emma doesn't look the least bit excited here).

 We took a break to warm up and consume a beverage at Excelsior Brewing Co.  The girls enjoyed root beer from the tap and old school games.

 We also took a trolley ride with Santa!  Steve and I not-so-secretly were super excited to check some important holiday to-dos off the list that afternoon.  We ended with drinks and apps at a local pub, and then headed home for movies and another appetizer spread prepared by Grandma and the girls.

 On Saturday morning, my mom, sister, and I did a little Small Business Saturday shopping at a longtime favorite: The General Store.  While we were there, the girls went to the park with Dad and Grandpa.  The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day!

 We all met up for lunch at Lion's Tap.  A little delicious walk down memory lane for me...and why not cap off a week of overindulgence with more overindulgence?!

 Since our flight didn't leave until Saturday night, we had time that afternoon to just lounge around.  We watched some football, and the girls painted pillowcases and sewed purses in Grandma's craft room.  It's a little piece of heaven for them up there!

We had such an awesome visit, and it was hard to say goodbye, but I'm thankful to a special kick-off to our holiday season.  And especially thankful for my family.

Book Talk

As busy as life has been, reading remains my "me time".  I always loves to get in at least a few pages before I close my eyes for the night.

 Falling into Place was a really engaging book that starts with teenage Liz attempting suicide.  As she fights for her life (which she wasn't planning on doing), the story unfolds from the perspectives of various people in her life, many of whom she has plowed through over the years without thinking about her impact.  This was a really great, and timely, young adult novel - good for a quick read.

The Goldfinch, on the other hand, was super long, so be ready to commit.  It's about 13-year-old Theo, who survives an accident that kills his mom and many others.  Having been abandoned by his dad, Theo finds himself living with wealthy friends trying to make sense of what has happened.  The story follows him through years of darkness.  I really loved this book, sad as it was, and as I read I couldn't stop thinking about so many kids I know who deal with tragic and traumatic situations.  Intervention by the right adults is so vital.

"Reading is a way for me to expand my mind, open my eyes, and fill up my heart."

-Oprah

updates

This past weekend, for the first time in a long time, life slowed down for a minute.  It was wonderful.  I went to the gym, finally got the haircut I'd rescheduled a thousand times, Steve ran, the girls hung around in jammies ... we needed it!  On top of that, it's Thanksgiving break.  The last four weeks have included 5th grade camp (for me), Halloween week, election week, and super moon week. To say we've needed a break is a huge understatement.

We're heading to MN tomorrow morning, but I've been itching to get some things down on the blog, so it's bullet points tonight...

• Both girls finished fall soccer a couple weekends ago.  They'll continue to play indoor this winter.  It's so fun to watch them improve and have a good time with their friends in the process.

•  Sara also finished her first volleyball season.  She improved drastically, and it was so exciting to watch it "click" for her.  After a very long morning of multiple back-to-back games, including a real nail-biter, Sara's team took 2nd place in the end-of-season tournament.

• I can't believe the holidays are upon us.  I love Thanksgiving; for me it's always like the calm before the stressful storm of December.  I haven't even thought twice about birthday or Christmas presents yet ... I am in a one-day-at-a-time mode this year, and I'm just being okay with that. 
• School is going so well.  It hasn't been without hiccups and a few significant issues, but I love going to my dream job everyday.  If you had told me in August I'd make it until Thanksgiving, I wouldn't have been so sure ... but here I am!  Sara is doing wonderfully in 2nd grade.  She has something exciting to tell me everyday, but my favorite was the other day when I picked her up and she said, "Mom, my teacher trusts me...".  Her story had to do with helping friends on the computers, but I just loved hearing the first part of that story.  How empowering!  Emma's year is going well, too, and she loves to practice writing her numbers and letters.  When the girls aren't fighting, they are really sweet together.
• We had a fun time at the skating rink with friends today, and then made a stop at Trader Joe's for chocolate Advent calendars (annual must-have).  I have so many other things to update on, but I can't think right now (speaking of aforementioned fighting) and everything I wanted to say has escaped me.  It's probably for the best because I have to go pack anyway!

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

living the uber life

I sure wish I was getting paid for all the driving I've been doing.  I'm not complaining (honest), but for the sake of documenting our lives, I'm going to catalogue this weekend's drive time:

• Friday after work
• pick up girls, drive to Sara's volleyball practice, then drive home
• a little while later, drive Sara to movie theatre to meet a friend (and his mom, don't worry)
• a little while later, drive back to movie theatre to pick up Sara
• Saturday
• wake up early and drive Sara to her volleyball game, then drive home
• a little while later, whole family drives to Emma's soccer game, and then home
• a little while later, whole family drives to Sara's soccer game, and then home
• a little while later, drive Sara to a birthday slumber party
• Sunday 
• get up early and drive to grocery store
• a little while later, drive to pick up Sara from birthday party (45 minutes away)
• *right now* sit for a few minutes
• in a little while, drive Emma to birthday party (take Sara with me)
• leave Emma at birthday party to take Sara to Brownies
• go back to birthday party to get Emma, then go back to Brownies to get Sara
• buy more gas

Halloween Fun

I'm of the mindset that Halloween should always be on a Friday or Saturday.  Definitely not a Monday.  Nevertheless, even though going to bed last night was hard - and waking up this morning was harder - we had a fun Halloween!

 After debating on various designs, we went for classic jack-o-lanterns this year.  Steve and Sara separated the seeds from the goo, and we all enjoyed baked pumpkin seeds.

 On Monday, Sara had book character day at school.  She went as Ramona Quimby.  Emma didn't get to dress up for school, but she did wear her Halloween shirt under her dress and also had a "cheetah face".

 Ready for trick-or-treat!  Emma was Sky from "Paw Patrol" and Sara was a police officer.

 They had to come home and sort through the haul before collapsing.

Now I'm feeling like the holiday season is really upon us ... lots more fun ahead!

Night at the Museum

Last night, Sara's Brownie troop participated in the Perot Museum's Spooktacular Sleepover.  After school, we drove downtown with our sleeping bags and toothbrushes, ready for a night of fun (to be honest, I wasn't super ready ... I was coming off of 5th grade camp and really just wanted to sit on the couch, but I put on my big girl pants and tried not to yawn a lot).

We entered the museum just before 7:00.  After we checked in and dropped off our stuff, we started visiting the various booths.

 Sara tested out ghost bubbles and then watched a pumpkin explode.  That was a big hit!

 After a little while, we were free to roam all four floors of the museum.  Around 10:00, they showed "Hotel Transylvania" in the theatre, and we watched for a bit when we needed a rest.  However, Sara was determined to finish the scavenger hunt we were challenged with upon arrival, so she and I took off to explore the rest of the museum.  This isn't a great pic, but she loved standing among the stars and planets in this exhibit.

 The night ended with a Monster Mash dance party, and then Sara chose to sleep on the third floor with the rocks, minerals, and gems.   Lights out was just after midnight. The floor was pretty hard, and I woke up every so often feeling very old (complaining to myself about hip pain and things of that nature), but we made it through the night.

 After a muffin (Sara) and a little coffee (me), we were feeling revived - and a little silly - when they kicked us out just before 8:00 this morning.

Although this was a troop event, everyone sort of wandered in different directions, so Sara and I had a lot of time just the two of us.  It was so fun to watch her explore, dance, play, and just be a happy kid.  She's already not all that interested in me much anymore, so I'm grateful for these opportunities that allow us to just enjoy being together.

Book Talk

I recently read two books that my sister loaned me.  To be honest, I didn't really love either one, but I felt committed to finishing once I started.  The thing is, I think they are both probably really good books ... I have just been too tired and absent-minded to enjoy them.  So although that all doesn't sound very promising, I'm still putting them here because I think both stories could be pretty enjoyable.

 On Canaan's Side is told by Lilly Bere, and 85-year-old woman who has just lost her grandson, the last family member she has.  As Lilly mourns, she recounts her life, which has been marked by war, love, loss, and attempting always to find home.  Many interesting characters walk in and out of her life over the years.  This book was well-written, and while I tuned out in parts, I enjoyed the ending.  It was a good mix of history and modern-day.

The Hundred-Foot Journey, which is also now apparently a movie, is about a boy from India whose family experiences loss and is forced to travel to find a new place to plant roots.  Once they do so, they are nearly forced out because of the competition their restaurant brings to a high-brow town in France.  Hassan loves to cook in the restaurant, and through a series of events realizes that he's a very gifted chef.  This story follows him to the height of his career.  Again, I tuned out parts (especially the names of French dishes), but I can see how, if I had read this during a more relaxing time, I probably would have enjoyed it more.

"Don't just read the easy stuff.  You might be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it."

Jim Rohn