Vacation: Week 1

So much fun we've had this past week, especially since Christmas was just a few days ago.  Here are some updates!

On Christmas Eve, my parents came over to spend the night with us.  On our agenda was enjoying a ham dinner, making sugar cookies, and watching a movie while staying warm with a fire.  The boys were of course excited to see Grandma and Grandpa but weren't too keen on all the "activities" we had planned.  Grandma and I ended up making the cookies ourselves.

Then, the boys were off to bed and Santa came!

Once the boys woke up, they immediately ran to the gifts that were all set up for them to play with.  And in hindsight it looks like Santa wasted a lot of time wrapping gifts this year.  The boys had no desire to open gifts - they just wanted to play with them.  Then after they found a few they really liked from the first couple they opened, they really didn't are too much about the rest.  Let's just say that I think they were a bit overwhelmed with the whole process.  All in all, they got lots of fun toys and it was awesome watching them play with them all!

Another lesson learned - do not attempt a family photo after all the gifts are opened.  After all, who wants to stop playing in order to sit and smile for a photo?!?  Not these boys!  I was a bit jealous after seeing all the cute photos all my FB and IG friends posted with their family around the tree or with another festive setting, but it is what it is, and this is what we got!

After the boys took a much needed nap, we headed to the Reaves' house to finish Christmas evening there.  Lots more fun toys and wouldn't you know that Ellis' favorite toy was one that Parker got!  I will have to keep that toy on my radar for their birthday in March!

Note the yellow transformer he wouldn't put down.  Nope, that's not his toy, it was Parker's.

Still has that transformer in his hands despite opening new gifts!

Now that they boys are older, they were quite mesmerized by the train around their tree too.  Looks like we'll have to find one next year for our tree.

It doesn' t surprise you that they don't have clothes on, does it?

The rest of the week I spent some time cleaning up the Christmas decorations and putting them away for another year.  As much as I love the holiday's, I'm also usually very ready to put them away after the month is over.  With all the snow we got, I ventured out with the boys yesterday for some fun in the snow, but since their sled was in the garage attic, we waited until today to get that out.  Since Troy is still fighting a cough, I thought it was only appropriate that I pull them around the yard.  Boy oh boy, what a feat!  I knew I wasn't in the best shape, but damn, I really need to get my ass in gear again.  Despite the gasps for air after each trip around the yard, seeing the smiles on their faces (mainly Ellis), I had to keep going.

Then it was time to make a snowman - okay, time for me to make a snowman.  They just ran around in the snow acting crazy while I built him.  When I was done though, they walked up to him and started talking to him like he was real, so that was cute!

How long will it take before they will sit still for a picture, for goodness sakes?

As for the rest of the weekend, no major plans here.  Although I feel like I should get ahead with some things on my to-do list, I'm totally slacking right now and enjoying my relaxation time.  Have a great end of 2013 everyone!

Recent festivities

Our current happenings:

Last weekend, my mom, Nicole, Morgan and I had our annual cookie-making day.  My mom made Pecan Pralines, Nicole made rolo cookies, Morgan made frosted sugar cookies, and I made white chocolate cherry shortbread cookies.  I also dipped some pretzels in white chocolate and sprinkled them with red or green dots or rolled them in candy cane.  Lots of fun and plenty of cookies to take home!

On Thursday, the boys had their last day of daycare with Seema, the current woman they were going to. If you read any of the last few posts, I might have put something about it in there.  I don't want to make it much of a big deal anymore, but we have a place lined up starting in January.  For next week, they will be spending the days with Grandma Frahm again, just like old times.  They are going to LOVE it (and I hope they don't wear her out too much).  Anyways, Seema gave them a little Christmas gift as they left that they opened when they got home.  Each got a little blanket and a book, which I thought was very kind of her to give them!

That night we made salt dough ornaments.  They LOVED doing this, but I was not very happy with how they turned out after they were baked.  We always do their handprint along with other festive shapes, but their handprint (which is what I liked the most) was all bubbled up, so I think we are going to try a different recipe some time this week.  I'm sure the boys won't mind considering how much fun they had...

On Friday, I stayed home with the boys.  Long story short, but Seema was taking 3 weeks of vacation, which started on Friday, which is why Thursday was their last day and why my mom is watching them next week.  I figured there was no sense in having them start a new day care for one week before Christmas.  Unfortunately I got hit like a ton of bricks with a lovely cold, but we still did a few fun things.  First I made some pancakes.  Logan has been particularly clinging with me and had to be right next to me while I cooked so I set him up on the stool and he "helped" me take the pancakes off the griddle.  He loved using the turner and must have figured, why wait until you cut it up for me and dug right in.  I couldn't believe it!

Then we went to drop all their paperwork off at their new day care.  They played in the room they will be in and actually screamed (picture Logan limp on the ground when I told him we had to leave and I was trying to put his coat on - not helpful at all!).  I guess it is a good sign that they like the place though.  Then we went to a little show that the Rochester Public Library was having.  It was a little winter-themed magic-type show and the boys seemed to like it and did a good job sitting down with me for about the first 15 minutes.

He was showing "invisible" lights and how lights just appeared out of no where.  It's hard to see, but the boys were eating a snack at the time so this picture shows him taking a light out of Logan's snack cup.

Then when he called some kids up to volunteer to do things, Logan and Ellis thought they were allowed to go up there too and then they just started running laps around everyone.

Ellis apparently wanted to volunteer too!

At first it wasn't too big of a deal until Ellis started laughing uncontrollably and distracting a lot of people as he kept running.  Needless to say, I didn't want to continue being that mom that couldn't control her kids so after a few minutes where they weren't sitting back down with me, we took off.

That night, I headed to the Reaves' house to watch Morgan and Parker while Nicole and Mark went out to Mark's holiday party.  I can't remember the last time I've watched them on my own, and actually I'm not sure if I ever have since Parker was born, so it was nice just spending time with both of them without the distractions of my own kids.  We had "Morgan Art School" and I even showed her how to make old school cootie catchers.  Fun stuff!!

Today we finally headed out to see Santa.  Bass Pro Shops has a whole set-up there, including free pictures with Santa so we checked that out.  The boys loved it (well, they loved all the activities and seeing all the big fish in the fish tank).  I will let you determine how much the boys actually loved Santa.

Love this picture.  Looks like Logan is really thinking carefully of what to tell Santa.  In reality I think he was trying to muster up the courage to get closer to him.  Both boys were nice enough to give high fives though!

Ellis didn't have a major meltdown but was not very happy.  Logan just seemed to go along with it, sans tears for the first year!

We rode the Wildlife carousel...

Daddy and Ellis with the moose..

and me with Logan on a bear.  I think he was more mesmerized by the flashing lights!

Saw Frosty....

Saw a huge elk (and was shocked that they were okay with getting so close to it considering how life-like it was)...

Watched a short part of "Elf on the Shelf" which was playing right next to the line to see Santa..

Found a great Christmas gift for anyone who hasn't gotten us something yet (LOL!)...

and of course saw the fish...

I wanted to look around at a few stores for something for the boys to wear for Christmas and the boys thought it was a major free-for-all and started running sprinting down the center of the mall.  There was once a day that we kept up with them but those days are over.  Seriously I think Ellis will be the next champion marathoner.  The kid never gets tired running!  So, we put our own shopping on hold and went to the play area, which of course they loved (and they still had tons of energy to burn).

Then Logan caught a glimpse of some cars, trucks, and a bus to play in just outside the play area so we went over there.

All Logan would say is "bus - beep beep"  Love it!!!

Major drama once it was time to go, of but overall they loved every bit of it.  Troy and I just couldn't believe how exhausted we both were when we got home.

After a short visit from my parents on their way home from up north (to get the car seats for the week), I took a trip to Target.  Between that trip, yet another amazon order, and a pending target.com order (couldn't believe how picked over their shelves were today - VERY low selection of toys...should I be surprised?), our Christmas shopping is officially complete.  PHEW!

I seriously thought that with having an extra day off of work, giving me a longer weekend that I would actually have time to relax, but that didn't happen.  Only 5 more working days though and I'll have 2 weeks of that!

Okay, Troy is telling me my blogging time is up.  Time to watch our DVR'd Parenthood from last Thursday.

Hello December!

Today was the beginning of our holiday decorating.  As I mentioned before, I'm not a huge decorator ever (notice that we barely have anything hanging on our walls after living here for 4 years!), so my holiday decorations are still pretty minimal, but it's a start.  

Last year I put the tree up while the boys were napping, but I thought maybe they'd like to "help" this year.  So, here goes nothing...

Up goes the tree,

 and what are the boys excited about?  

 yup, the box that the tree is stored in!

So, it was up to me to put the lights up and decorate it - no help from them.  They did like it all lit up and decorated though, once I was done.  

I was trying to get Logan to be gentle, so he said "gentle" every time he hit an ornament.  Looks like we have to work on what "gentle" means!

"TREE" says Logan!

And just like last year, Ellis loves his ornaments!

When the boys took their nap, I turned the lights of the tree off but once they got up, Ellis was quick to notice that they weren't on, so back on they went!

Here's how the mantle turned out.  I feel like it's missing something, but I'm not sure what yet.  I feel almost like I do when I make cards - that something is missing, but if I add something else, it will be overdone.  So, for now, it is what it is and perhaps I will add/change something once I figure out the missing link (and yes, I need to fix the overhanging snow on the righthand side)

Here's to the start of a good holiday season!

30 Days of Thanks!

What I am thankful for this month (as close to being in order, as possible!):

01: A relatively easy last day of work at UYA.  Mom - thank you for watching the boys today since it was not easy for Troy nor me to take the day off of work.

02: Val - thank you for heading to UPA with me for the morning/afternoon to help me set up my new classroom.  Jen - thank you for coming up to the school to open it up for us to get some work done!

03: having friends and family with kids around the same age as Logan and Ellis.  I love getting together and seeing all the kiddies play together

04: an easy first day back at UPA.  So happy to see my old peeps on the 4th floor (Kelli and Pam) and see some familiar student faces,

05: Starbucks! It's Election Day so we don't have students today.  We were told that breakfast would be served for us, but something happened where it wasn't delivered.  So, in between meetings, Pam and I made a run to Starbucks.  I don't think I sucked down a frappuccino so fast in my life!

06: A work-night with no work to do.  Ever since the beginning of the school year, once the boys have gone to bed, I've always had some sort of work to do.  Tonight, I sat down to watch "The Voice" recordings while enjoying some Cold Stone Creamery - no work to do tonight! 

07: Troy - thankful for him allowing me some "me" time this weekend since he will be hunting next weekend.

08: follow up from #7 - having my Christmas cards made already.  My "me" time consisted of going to mom's house and working on my cards.  Except for putting them in the envelope, they are done!

09: thinking before I spoke. There is a bit of daycare "drama" going on and it all started this weekend.  While I could have responded very matter-of-factly to what I would consider a very rude email, I figured that it would just be best to talk it over in person when I pick the boys up on Monday so that my tone wasn't taken the wrong way.

10: a decent commute. We got our first burst of snow today and all I could think about on my way to work was "dang, how long is it going to take to get home today?"  The first snowfall usually comes with people forgetting to know how to drive in snow.  Luckily the dusting didn't throw anyone off too much and I got home in a decent amount of time.

11: an awesome sunset coming home from work.  So calming to drive through the neighborhood and see such beautiful colors in the sky.  I did take a picture of it while stopped at a stop sign, but the picture sure doesn't do it justice.

12: boys that play well together.  Okay, so it's not all the time, but I loved seeing the boys work together to take their train tracks off its table and make a much bigger track loop on the ground.  No pushing or taking - just good, fun playing and working together.

13: Logan and Ellis improving with their speech.  It seems to be a slow moving process, but Logan has really picked it up a lot this past week or so.  Julie, their speech teacher, has even documented some things during their class today of his improvement.  He is even starting to say some two word phrases.  Ellis isn't saying as much, but is gabbing a heck of a lot more than he was, which is also a good sign.

14: my mother-in-law.  Rosie, thank you for coming out and staying with me and the boys for the next couple days while Troy is up north hunting.  The boys love spending time with you and of course I like the company and help!

15: a girls night out.  I can't remember how long it's been, but some good company from UPA and UYA got together tonight to hang out in Mexicantown for dinner and drinks.  We MUST do this more often!

16: one last decent weather day to clean up the leaves in the yard.  With Troy being up north hunting and me being by myself with the kids today, I took advantage of the time that the boys napped to mow the lawn/pick up the leaves.  It must be the OCD side of me that loved seeing the yard all cleaned up!!

17: keeping our power during the huge storm and wind we had.  A couple flickers, but no major loss.  I always feel bad for Nicole and Mark, who seem to lose power quite often during storms like these, and unfortunately I take it for granted that we have it.

18: watching the boys so engaged in number activities.  With Logan's improvement in speech, he loves saying the numbers 1-10.  Tonight while I was working on some school work, I pulled out a couple number activities and both Logan and Ellis were completely engaged for so much longer than they were over the summer when I tried them.  Happy to see some of the busy bag activities I've had for so long, be put to good use.

19: Professional Development.  After being at UPA only 2 weeks, I was asked to go to a professional development around data.  My favorite!  (yes, I'm a nerd - I'll admit it!) Although the ideas I got are ones that will take a ton of planning to do, I'm excited to use what I learned to hopefully push my students and fill in the gaps that they have from previous years in math.

20: impromptu visits.  Power is still out at the Reaves' house so they came over after Morgan got out of school to hang out, eat dinner, and visit.  Thankfully for them, just before they left, they got word that their power was back on.

21: beer.  I'm not a huge fan of field trips - not that I don't like them, but for some reason they wear me out so much more than normal school days.  So, although I never drink a beer after I get home from a normal day of work, it was just one of those days where I cracked one open to have with dinner.

22: Beer Friday.  I always love having an "excuse" to get together with the Chandlers.

23: family gatherings.  Since the Reaves are going up to Lansing for Thanksgiving this year, our side of the family got together for the afternoon/evening.  We do a Secret Santa exchange with the 6 of us adults, so we pulled names, had some pizza and watched the kids play around.  Yet another thing I wish we did more often!

24: a short work week.  It's always easier to look forward to the week ahead when there are fewer than 5 work days in it!

25: Kelli, thanks for taking my last class today so I could leave early and go check out a new day care with the kids.  Also, thankful that the boys really seemed to like this new day care so that we don't have to keep searching for other possible places to take them.

26: terminating our current day care.  I know it doesn't seem like I should be thankful for such a negative sounding thing, but I was glad to make it official with our provider.  I wasn't looking forward to telling her but I wanted to get it over with since we have to give a 2 week notice.  After hearing her comments once I told her, I am 100% sure it was the right move (nothing negative about the kids, but more her business-side of things).

27: an easy day at work.  Between a lot of students being absent because of Thanksgiving tomorrow, and students having little parties in other class, keeping them out of my class, it was an even easier day today than I thought it would be.  I'll take it!

28: seeing the boys with their grandparents.  I was so happy to have both sets of grandparents here for Thanksgiving.  The boys had a blast and of course they love all the attention they get from all 4 of them.

29: Black Friday sales.  I did head out for a few hours yesterday morning and not too many stores were terribly hectic.  I got a few good deals for gifts but was most excited about my Michael's purchase.  I'm not exactly the most savvy with decorating, but I got a few things to decorate our house a bit more for Christmas.  Let's just see if my vision works out in reality!

30: internet shopping.  oh how I love amazon.com - enough said!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow - time to put the tree up, decorate it, and take out my minimal Christmas decorations.  I'm interested in seeing how the boys react to the tree since they were a little hesitant at first last year with it, but then got much better after a day or two.  I'm looking forward to the holiday season this year with the boys.  I'm know they still don't totally understand the whole Santa/Christmas thing yet, but I LOVED watching their faces tonight as we watched "Elf on the Shelf" that we recorded on TV yesterday.  Ellis was so excited and I don't think Logan even blinked during the entire show.  Perhaps we'll have our first non-screaming visit with Santa this year?  We shall see!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and stay tuned to updates with our holiday happenings in the days and weeks to come.  Happy December!

(And just a little video of the boys showing their love for each other !  Of course they did it spontaneously just a minute before, but we had to prompt them along so I could get it on video.  I'm sure they will hate every second of this video when they are older!!)

Tired yet?

For many kids, giving a bath is soothing and calming and prepares them for bed.  For Logan and Ellis it does quite the opposite.  Here's a little snippet of our post-bath time tonight:



What else is going on?  Last week was a pretty busy week as I returned back to UPA (YAY!!) and had to get situated there with trying to figure out what my students did and did not know. I usually like to prepare each week the week before so obviously I was a little behind for the first couple of days.  Only a week later and it's just like riding a bike.  It's like I never left.  My days are much more stress-free and the little issues I have are nothing to complain about.  This past weekend I actually had quite a bit of free time and made my Christmas cards.  So glad to have those already done!

The boys have been loving anything and everything vehicle-related.  They love their hot wheels and other cars they have and also love playing with the trains, planes, and helicopter toys they have.  Logan has has been saying more and more words lately, which is awesome - lots of repetition of words that he hears.  He is even putting two words together to make simple sentences - up stairs, open door, etc.  Ellis is making more sounds but not saying as many words. His favorite lately is "mine".  It almost sounds like "ma" so I was excited when he kept saying what I thought was "mom" but then when he grabbed my phone and said "ma", I realized that he really meant "mine" as in my phone.  Crazy boy got a little reality check there!  Ellis is a big fan of making animal noises although some of the noises are a little off, but I get his drift!

Troy's mind has been focused on hunting lately.  Buck fever, is that what they call it?  After work on Thursday, he will be heading up to Cadillac to hunt with a buddy of his.  Lots of luck to him in hopes of him being successful and having some venison to bring home.

Well, thats about it really.  Here are a few pictures from a couple weekends ago when the Reaves and Chandlers came over for the UM/State game:

Ellis getting some lovin' from Aunt Nicole

A whole group shot of the kids

Logan totally cracking up from Morgan tickling him with the Cat in the Hat.

Ellis' turn getting some tickles from Morgan/Cat in the Hat

Talk to you all soon!!