We Don't Talk About Him

 Here's a little desk shot for you. Because it's January. And Thursday. So okay. 

Keeping me company is my friend Bruno. Subject of the hit song I've been singing for 14 days straight since we first watched Encanto on New Year's Eve. 

So even though, we don't talk about Bruno, the jam about him keeps my work day peppy. And looking over at him makes me smile. He keeps my phone dinosaur company. And my small chirp wheel. (Perfect for the office, I've found it also helps me work out the tension in my wrists.) 

I am so very thankful for the sun shining today. It wont be as warm as it was yesterday. 

Even still I was able to get my car washed yesterday which makes so so happy. It has been so cold that all the water mains are breaking. Last week I was driving home with the kids in the car and I didn't know a water main had burst, so the road was extra slushy. The city clearly kept coming through with salt trucks to try and keep it slush instead of ice, with the running water. Another car going the other direction just sped through and COVERED my car with salty slush that instantly froze. 

I was able to get the windshield cleaned off during the drive but had to scrape the drivers side windows once I was home. My car looked super gross and dirty, plus that's not great for the paint so getting it cleaned made me super happy. After the car wash, we met Husband at a restaurant for their $3.99 Wednesday burger baskets. 

The kids approved! Happy Thursday!! If you're singing along with me now... just know you're in good company!

Wednesday Happenings

 It's kind of crazy to sit here and think it's January 12. Already. Only. I go back and forth. In some ways this month is flying by and in other ways it's dragging on. 

I feel like everyone is getting COVID. I feel like the walls are closing in a bit. But enough about that. 

My girl has been singing and playing and I love to watch her. I also like to join in when I can. She's obsessed with the Owl Diary books right now. 

This kid, has been doing okay. There's a big third grade project coming up and we've been excitedly working on it. I've been excited about this project for years in fact! I hope it turns out nice! 

He also had his well child exam. He's such a peanut still. Which does ease the sting of him getting older let me tell you!! (He was less than thrilled with this appointment because... shots.)

This is my word of the year bracelet from Pink Salt Riot. (LOVE THEM!) Last year I really enjoyed having a bracelet all year to keep me focused. This year I am doing it again. My word, clearly, is worthy. It's a multifaceted word choice and I am hopeful that it plays out well. It was abundantly clear that this was my word though. (No random generator used, just prayer and journaling.) 

Poor M hates spelling. She's not even bad at it, but getting her to practice her words is like pulling teeth. Last night we tried bananagrams  to mix it up and that did seem to go over pretty well. 

It's been really cold. But it's warmed up a bit today. I might try and go get my car washed at lunch today in fact! 

Happy Wednesday! 

Hello 2022!

 Our New Year started out with snow. It snowed ALL day on Saturday. But because it was so cold it didn't actually amount to a ton of snow when it really comes down to it. 

We shoveled and stayed in. Which was a cozy and relaxing day together. 

Monday was supposed to be the first day back from break. But we woke up and got the message school was cancelled due to a bus driver shortage. We follow our local district's policy on this but it was decided mid day that going forward a bus driver shortage will not keep our school closed again. (We will follow their lead on severe weather and extreme cold however.) 

But yesterday everyone got to go back to school and we celebrated by having soup in the kid's new soup bowl/cups they got for Christmas. Just like Medieval Times! 

We are getting back into the swing of things, and honestly, this week has been exhausting. I am already ready for Friday and it's only Wednesday! Alas. But I don't want to go wishing time away. 

Happy Wednesday!

Goodbye 2021

 As we say goodbye to 2021, I look forward to what 2022 has to bring. 

Here's one last family selfie and we'll see you next year! 

Christmas 2021

I can't really believe we are on the other side of Christmas already. Seriously. December went so incredibly fast. 

We ventured to my parent's house on Christmas Adam. 

Husband hasn't been to their house since Christmas 2019, so it was really great to be there together. And both of my brothers were there. 

Christmas Eve has always been my family's big celebration. We had a great meal and then opened presents. Everyone loved all their things. 

Even Rocco the dog was over the moon with his new presents to eat and chew up. 

On Christmas Day we went to Mass. 

And got a few more presents. 

Then we went to my brother's house. He bought a house last year and he wanted to host a holiday. He really went all out and did such a nice job decorating and planning. 

We played our traditional Christmas dice game. Everyone loves it! 

We played many more games and then my brother planned a Spooky Christmas Mystery for the kids. It started with them watching Mickey's Christmas Carol and then every adult was given a station around the house with riddles, games, or activities for them to complete to earn the next clue and ultimately a little prize. It was so much fun for them! 

My parents went back to their house right as the kids were going to sleep then three siblings and the one spouse got to hang out together. We played another game and the annual Mario Party tradition continues. 

I won!!! That is NOT part of the tradition typically. But that was great. I cannot stress to you how much I enjoyed hanging out with my brothers. 

So my brother's new house is in a tiny little small town, and he lives no kidding, right across the street from a tiny old church. So Sunday we were able to walk to Mass which was novel. 

It's like the one-room schoolhouse of churches, it didn't even have bathrooms. You would have had to go outside and to the office building next door. After Mass we walked to the main drag (read: not far at all) for breakfast at the one restaurant in town. The kid's Mickey pancakes surprised us all when they came loaded up with m&ms. (The menu read: Kids Mickey Pancake... $3.00 so how would we have known?!) 

They were obviously a hit. The rest of Sunday was spent lounging, eating, playing more games, and hanging out. 

Monday we left for home again. It had snowed a bit overnight so the first bit was not the best drive but manageable, and wouldn't you know there was a rainbow?!

Okay, not the best pictures but it was there. And since I saw my first rainbow in June, I thought it was very neat the second time around too! 

We made it home safely and had family presents to open still. 

Then today I had to go back to work but it snowed here so the kids got a great day of playing with all their new things, most of which we wouldn't let them open in Minnesota and playing outside. 

They even made a snow Snoopy. 

All around, a great last few days. And in the spirit of the fact it's still Christmas... Merry Christmas friends! Ours was Merry and I hope yours was as well. 

A Wedding, A Wedding, Hooray!

 My wonderful friend Linda's daughter got married on Saturday! And she invited our little friend group to be guests. 

I took zero pictures during the ceremony, but the Mass was lovely. Actually, I took zero pictures of the bride and groom at all. How lame of me! 

Afterwards we snagged a group picture of all 7 of us because one of us wasn't going to be at the reception. 

Look at how gorgeous Linda is as the Mother of the Bride?! Oh so lovely. 

We killed time with some friends at their bar before the reception. And oh what fun we had at the reception. The room was gorgeous! 

This picture of all of us is my favorite of the whole night. I just love these people so much!! 

We had to text the babysitter to tell her we would be later than we anticipated because we couldn't be the party poopers and the first to leave. Our parish priest was still there for gosh sakes! Honestly, it was a super fun wedding and I am so thankful to have been invited. 

Scavenger Hunt

Sunday evening our parish hosted the second scavenger hunt. 

The pictures are cute. I think the kids had a pretty good time. But my heart was not in it. I really needed a night at home so driving all around wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. Nevertheless, even with my grumpy self, I am glad I spent time with my family no matter what. 

Someday, not to long for now, they may not want to go on the scavenger hunt as a family and would prefer to maybe go with their friends. Holding on to these guys when I can is the best though.