The Rundown

We had a long relaxing weekend and I didn't take many pictures. On Friday, Lila started coming down with a cold and by Friday night it was full blown. Poor thing, she was pretty puny until Saturday afternoon. Thankfully, she's young and healthy and colds don't last very long with her. So she was back to her rambunctious self quickly.

We've had the double bed in Nate's room for a while now and while it works out well for sleeping, it doesn't give him much room to play in there. Before Christmas, we decided that after the holidays, we were going to switch out the double bed for his trundle that was hanging out in the office downstairs. It was a most necessary move for us as we try to make the most of the space we do have until we can depart this house. Someday.

We all were very pleased! I got out his old quilt and told him that I would find something "older boy" looking when there was a good sale. I don't think he even computed what I said because he is oblivious to such matters. Thankful that I have at least one of those types of children.

On Sunday, we hung out and then all loaded up to go to the pool for Nate's swim practice. I got a wild hair last week and signed up for a swim workout class. I used to swim competitively about million years ago, but have probably not swam a lap in close to 20 years. So I decided to go swim some laps on Sunday for my workout so that I would at least know if I remembered how to do such things.

I am in a stage of life where I'm exercising regularly so I thought it would not be a big deal. My mind remembered. My body even remembered. My muscles? Let's just say I had to come home and immediately take copious amounts of ibuprofen. Help.me.

So that swim class? I'm looking so forward to it.

The kids were off school on Monday for MLK so I decided to take Nate to get some new shoes, since we've been putting it off for weeks. We had a great time shopping and getting some lunch. I love my 9 year old, that did not want his picture taken.

Counter tops installing on Friday! Whoop Whoop!

Plumber can't come until Monday to hook up the kitchen sink! Womp Womp...but what's 2 more days when we've been without it almost 2 months?!?!

Chai Tea & Science Center

I don't drink coffee. I'm not sure how I missed the boat on the coffee, being that I have 2 kids, and one of them was not a wonderful sleeper in the first year of his life. But I've never acquired the taste. A few years ago, I started drinking hot tea because it's so blasted cold in St. Louis, and that's usually what I start my day with now. I like English black tea the best. 

Until now. My mom had these Chai Tea Latte Keurig cups at her house. And I discovered them over the holidays. I loved them so much that I almost went out and bought a Keurig. But I decided to see if I could make it myself. I used a chai tea bag, hot water, steamed milk, a little vanilla extract and a little brown sugar. It worked. And I was so proud of myself that I decided to put it on the blog. Proud, I tell ya. (why yes, those are my lovely temporary plywood counter tops. Aren't they special??)

On Thursday, Lila & I went to the Science Center. It had been a while since we've been and I'm not sure she even remembered going before. The activities are still a little out of her league, but it was something good to do on a chilly day. 

This was probably her favorite activity. Moving the mattress plates from pole to pole. 

While we were standing there, I remembered that I had a picture of Nate doing the same thing back in 2008 (was he really ever this small?? Cry me a river, I loved that sweatshirt)

It's going to be almost 60 degrees this weekend and we are SO excited!

Kitchen & Weekend Update

2015 is off and running at our house. As off and running as you can be without a kitchen sink. Actually, we have a sink. It's fully in place. What we don't have is a counter top. And in case you don't already know, you have to have a counter top to install a faucet. Funny they don't tell you all this stuff when they sell you those pretty counter tops. And no, I didn't think that far ahead.

We were supposed to get them installed on January 8th. That was last Thursday and sadly, that came and went. Apparently this product can go on back-order. Nevermind that we have no sink. So maybe it'll be next week. Maybe. 

Scott put plywood on the cabinets a few weeks ago to serve as our counter tops, and that does make all the difference. I can almost pretend it's all normal. Until I of course need the kitchen sink. Did I mention we don't have one that works? 

Sigh. Being without the sink is not super fun. But it truly is just a temporary inconvenience. And for that I have to be thankful. 

Last week was a good one. Ben came to stay with us on Monday night because he was flying to NYC on Tuesday morning ahead of the rest of his fam. Then Emily and the girls came for lunch on Thursday before they headed to the airport to catch up with Ben prior to all of them flying back to Switzerland. 

Sweet cousins at the farewell lunch:)

It was so cold here last week. Driving the kids to school was painful for all of us. Lila and I always have a few minutes before we have to go in to her school after dropping off Nate. She loves to wash all the windshields and mess up all the temperature settings.

On Friday, we were tired. The first week back at school wore everybody out. Even Truman.

On Saturday, it was still cold. So the kids and I were the first ones through the door at Monkey Joe's. I knew it would get really crowded quick, so we wanted to maximize the time without 1,000 other kids there. We succeeded.

On Saturday afternoon, the kids were resting, so I rested on the couch. Yes, that's Truman's head. If I'm sitting or laying down, he needs to be right beside me. I think he knows that I harbor angry feelings towards him like all the time. He bothers my old cat, he bites the kids, he makes a mess with his food, and he doesn't sleep when we sleep. But we love him. Not sure why, but we do.

Happy Monday!

Christmas with Mimi & Paka

Mimi & Paka met us in Charleston on New Year's Eve and I was so happy to see some other adults after having been with the kids all by myself for a long time. Ok, only about 36 hours, but still:) 

We had a nice dinner and were in bed by 10:00 PM. Just the way I like it! 

On New Year's Day, we headed back to St. Louis for some quality time with Mimi & Paka. We ate, shopped, went to Myseum, played Uno Attack and Clue. Scott & Kevin did a few of the kitchen to-dos, which was so appreciated. It was nice to have them here when we didn't have a lot going on (except the going on that we still don't have a kitchen sink - an update on that later!) 

We also celebrated Christmas and the kids were so excited! 

 Scott trying to shake a present - the kids thought this was so funny.

Lila truly has the best picture opening facial expressions.

Her Doc McStuffins Doll!

Funny story...back in May when Nate was getting ready to be out of 2nd grade, we were walking in to school on one of the last days. He was doing something funny with his backpack, like had it over his shoulder in some contorted way. I asked him what he was doing. He said I'm trying to make it an over the shoulder bag. I asked him why? He said because that's what the 3rd graders have. I chuckled. With a serious face on, he said, "I'll be needing one of those by 3rd grade."

Well, we got busy with summer and the start of school and I totally forgot about it. I guess he did too because he hadn't said anything. But I remembered to tell Mary and she and Paka totally delivered on the "3rd grade acceptable" bag! He loves it and was so excited to carry it to school!

My big boy! Where does the time go??

More Christmas Notes

Scott's "7 On" started on Christmas Eve this year and he traded with one of his co-workers so that he didn't have to go in until 11:30 AM on Christmas Day. This mean he had to work late on Christmas Eve, but we were happy he got to be with us on Christmas morning. During a year where we have been reminded not to take our own health or our children's health for granted, we were thankful he was able to celebrate with us but also be able to help those children that didn't get to be home on Christmas morning. 

After Scott headed to work, we packed up and drove down to the cabin, where my Mom, Dad, Emily, Ben, Bluet & Ilona were celebrating. The weather actually wasn't too bad on this day, so we played outside and took rides in the Ranger. 

Nate AKA Harry Potter!

We came back to St. Louis the next day so we could spend a few days at home. It was cold on Saturday and rained on Sunday, but that didn't stop Lila from spending copious amounts of time shooting this bow & arrow off the back porch. She's a mess!

On Monday, we packed up again and headed down to Charleston so that I could keep all the children while the crazy people went floating down the river. We had fun, and everyone did really well, but I was exhausted. Having 4 children is no joke. Props to those that do this everyday!

Sweet Ilona:)

Lila was a wonderful big cousin!

When the floaters got home, we headed back to St. Louis for one more Christmas celebration with Mimi & Paka!

Christmas Eve & Christmas Morning

On Christmas Eve day, we hung out around the house and watched movies and as Nate said, basically did nothing. It was a great day. We cleaned up and got ready to go over to Sarah's parents house around dinner time. They are so sweet to include us in their celebration and I was especially thankful this year since Scott had to work. 

We loaded up and went over there where we had fun visiting and playing with Thane. Here are the sweet little dears...

and about 3 seconds later, here they are having an all out wrestling match. Sigh.

When we got home, we quickly wrote our letters to Santa and set out the cookies and reindeer food. The kids were so excited and they went right to sleep!

 

Truman was very interested in what Santa brought! 

Lila woke up bright and early at 4 AM. Yes, that's a 4. I went and laid down with her and after she didn't go right back to sleep, I thought we were going to be up for good. Around 5 AM, she finally went back to sleep and we didn't wake up until 7:30. Poor Nate, who followed instructions and got up promptly at 6 AM (which is when I told them they could get up) had to wait for little sister to rise.

We had a wonderful Christmas morning, just the 4 of us before Scott had to go to work. We truly have so much to be thankful for!

Christmas Preparations and Giving Back

Before Christmas, we took it easy at home but we also started a new tradition. On Monday, Lila & I made these hot chocolate spoons. So fun and so easy! The kids have had fun using them in their hot chocolate over Winter Break. 

After we made them, we wrote letters to Santa and had some treats.

Then on Tuesday, we went as a family to work at the St. Louis Area Food Bank. We really enjoyed the work and I was very impressed with the work ethic of both kids!

We inspected and sorted food donations that will be shipped to local agencies. It was a perfect way to show the kids just how much we really do have and help them learn to always show compassion to others. It was a 3 hour shift and I was a little worried about Lila, but she was a trooper!

We are going to make this a tradition for Christmas week as it helps us to remember not to take our blessings for granted. We are all capable of serving in some way, big or small, and one of my goals this year is to provide my kids more opportunities to give back!