Journal: Christmas 2014

TODAY

Out my window: It was sunny earlier but now it is cloudy.  It is supposed to get pretty cold tonight and for the next couple days.

Clothing myself in: Typical Monday clothes.  Trust me, that is enough of an explanation in and of itself.  I did have the decency to put on a pair of jeans when we headed out to the library a bit ago.

Around the house: Finding spots for (the kids') Christmas presents.  I have decided that we're not going to keep toys in the living room anymore.  We used to have a big bin, but it rarely got played with aside from a couple things, namely the playsilks.  We have our playroom in the basement with our kitchen set and food, balls, tools, dress up clothes, and a few other things.  And then Gemma has her things in her room, she is more into craft stuff and stuffed animals anyways.  The boys have a nice sized bookshelf in their bedroom closet, so I have some various sized little bins that we've collected over the years, and the rest of our toys that aren't packed away (new and existing) I've divvied up amongst the bins.  We'll see how that works out.  We also have some stuff stored in our kitchen that they play with.

 

The baby/toddler: He has hit a phase where he will only wear button-down plaid shirts.  For real.  Luckily we owned a few (I had to hit up the 3T bin) and he got one for Christmas.  I may pick up one more to get us through to spring, but oh my.  For real, if one of his button downs wasn't clean, he would refuse to get out of his pajamas, or if he finally got out of them he would go around the house in his underwear.  OH the life of a two-year-old.

 

The kiddos:  Christmas break has been nice, although today has been a little rough (understatement).  We really struggle with a lack of routine around here.  We got out and went to the library though this afternoon, and that seemed to help hit the reset button.  Sort of.  :-/

For Christmas, Kolbe got the Fighting Robots he had been yearning for.  He had seen them at Aldi a month or more ago and just been pining for them.  Seriously, every time we went he would just stand there and stare at them, listing all the things about them that were amazing.  We (Santa) originally weren't going to get them, but then after hearing his adorable desperation, and listening to Gemma tell him she wished she could buy them for him, we booted one of his Christmas gifts down the road to his birthday and picked them up.  Oh my was he thrilled.  We have video evidence of him opening it that is absolutely precious!  And despite my preconceived notions, they ended up being a really cool toy!  We're all having fun with them.

Gemma got quite a bit of craftsy stuff for Christmas, and a few duplicates that we're still trying to iron out.  ;-)

All the kids had fun, we spent Christmas eve with some of my inlaws and Christmas evening with my entire family.  We were originally supposed to make a day trip together this past weekend to visit Aaron's extended family, but we had boys on the tail end of fevers, so I stayed home with them and just Gemma and Aaron went.  That was a bummer.  We rarely travel as a family (we rarely travel at all), and Aaron is done with his time off for Christmas (he was back to work Saturday) and doesn't get New Years off, so I was really bummed that we had to split up Sunday.  But oh well.  Many people have it much worse, I should quit griping.

Oh and also, we went to the dentist last week and she recommended Gemma see an orthodontist this Summer.  At seven.  Does anyone know anything about this?  Seven seems awfully young to us to treat anything orthodontically.  She is still growing, her mouth is still growing, she only has a small handful of adult teeth that are at various stages of coming in and her pain tolerance is probably in the negatives on a scale of 1-10.  I realize I am not a professional, but as with anything health-related, our MO is typically to take the road of least intervention.  Orthodontics for someone her age would seem to me about as effective as trying to shovel your driveway during a blizzard.  Our thoughts are let things settle out, grow in, and check back when she is a tween or early teen.  I would welcome others' thoughts and experiences in this realm, as it is admittedly uncharted territory (as is everything with your firstborn).

In the kitchen: Lasagna with steamed broccoli and cauliflower, white chicken chili with sour cream and cheese, chips and guacamole, homemade pizza, and a tasty recipe for foil-baked fish our neighbor recently gave me.  These holiday weeks I have taken "the Fathers" (as we have dubbed them) all their food early in the week, so the bulk of my cooking has all been clustered towards the beginning of the week.

Crafting: HA! no.  I did pick up a kit for some foam picture-holder ornaments that I think we will make next year instead of salt dough.  A+ for planning ahead, even if I get an F for crafting.

Learning:  We will start work on thank you notes, probably tomorrow. 

Reading: I picked up Come Be My Light from the library but am not much further than the first chapter.  And I have 5-10 pages of theology I need to read.  I am feeling seriously unmotivated to read for whatever reason.  My parents got me my very own copy of The Hidden Power of Kindness for Christmas.  It is one of those books that I think I just need to continue to read and reread.  I also got the first three American Girl "Kirsten" books at the library today.  Gemma has been needing some new chapter books for us to read together at bedtime, and I think we'll both enjoy these.  I know I loved them years ago.

Watching:  My dad and I went to see Unbroken this weekend.  It was very good, I loved the ending.  But I still think the book was better.  We were loaned a copy of For Greater Glory that we are hoping to watch soon.  We needed something light and brainless last night before heading to bed so we turned on an episode of Finding Bigfoot.  Bigfoot stuff fascinates me, but those guys are just goofballs.

Bringing me joy: Is it bad that I have to sit here and think?  It has been a gripey day.  I love having time with my hubby after the kids are in bed.  The best.  I got up and went to early Mass by myself a couple days last week and it was glorious.  Gosh, now I sound like I don't like my kids.  I do, they just exhaust me sometimes.  We listened to Curious George on CD during snacks today and that was fun.

Thinking about: The kids' birthdays.  Less than two weeks away, sigh.

Pictures to share:  

Christmas morning.

At church before Mass.

 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Product Review: Reduce WaterWeek Kids water bottles

I have recently been looking for a new water bottle option for our kids, as in the back of my mind I have known for a long time that the cheap ones from the Target dollar bin were just gross. Between the fact that they were probably leaching BPAs and pthalates and all kinds of other nasty chemicals into their water, not to mention the fact that they weren't dishwasher safe, so even though I washed them (not as frequently as I should), they were just plain gross.  Disgusting.  Like, even if I were dehydrating I would have to stop and think whether I really wanted to drink out of them.  Mom of the year.  Due to my severe Paralysis by Analysis, I sat on this way longer than I should have.  Finally, just in time for the Feast of St. Nicholas, I decided to go with the WaterWeek Kids bottles from Reduce.  At 10 oz, they were smaller than our Target cheapies, but I was worried the taller ones would be too tippy.  I am glad I went with the smaller ones.  I ordered sets in Cosmic and Simply Sweet, and ordered two sets of push/pull lids, as those seem to be the best option for my kids at the ages of 7, 5 and 2.5.  This gave us enough bottles for each kid to have two...one from which to drink, and one in the dishwasher, thus the bottles ideally get washed (GASP!) daily.  The Simply Sweet bottles worked like a charm, the Cosmic had something really funky going on with the threads.  The lids were nearly impossible to get on and then leaked somewhat once they were on.  I spoke with their customer service, and they very kindly and promptly sent me a new set of Cosmic.  The new ones are better, but still not as smooth as the Simply Sweet ones, which I find odd.  I am glad I ordered the Simply Sweet ones, if the Cosmic were my only experience with this company I would probably be ready to hang it up.  The 10 oz has ended up being a great size.  They usually need refilled now and then throughout the day, and we always freshen them up at bedtime, but for young kids around the house, they are just right.  My kids are very taken with the bright colors and fun patterns.  I am very taken with being able to throw them in my dishwasher to de-funkify them on a regular basis.  I think they are a little overpriced, and the issues with the Cosmic set are a bit annoying.  Overall though they are a huge improvement from what we had, and I appreciate their simplicity and ease of use and cleaning (no straws, or funky tubes or seals, etc.)  The leaking they may do is minimal enough that it is not an annoyance.  If you get the push/pull lids, be sure to loosen them about 1/8th turn before drinking, or there is enough suction created that drinking is very difficult. 

Bottom line, while overpriced and not perfect, I give the Reduce WaterWeek Kids bottles four stars.  If you are going to buy them, I would recommend waiting for a sale or discount code.

Journal: very quick update

Going to do this quickly.  Less than 20 minutes, I even set a timer.  My faithful reader has complained about my lack of updates.

TODAY
Out my window: It snowed last night, about 2 inches.  It was beautiful.  It is hovering right around freezing so the snow was perfect for Kolbe to build a little snowman in the backyard this morning.  Looking at the forecast, it should melt soon.  No white Christmas here this year.

Clothing myself in: My "uniform" (jeans, tank, hoodie, double socks).  I am the most predictable dresser in the world I think.

Around the house: Nothing of note.  Most gifts are wrapped.  Have just an itty-bit of shopping to finish up today at the meat store.

The baby/toddler: OH my, he is the main reason I decided to update.  He is a funny kid.  He  has started waking during the night and making very odd requests.  Demands really.  Sigh.  The other night he woke up about 3am asking for something.  I kept repeating different things, what I thought he was saying, and he kept telling me "NO".  Sometimes he is difficult to understand, but he was definitely saying the same word over and over.  Something like "pie-a-whoa".  So I picked him up and he laid his head on my shoulder and dozed off, so I just came out to the couch and laid down with him and fell asleep.  Well, he woke up about an hour later asking for the same thing.  Aaron even came out to help.  Apple? NO!  Water? NO!  Pineapple? UH-HUH!!!!  Well, OK.  "Show me where it is?" I asked him as I set him down.  He grabbed my hand, walked me back to his room, lifted up his pillow and proceeded to pull a (clearly imaginary) pineapple out to clutch.  "Did you find your pineapple?" I asked.  "Yes."  "Are you ready to go back to bed?"  Affirmative again.  So we laid down, and for the next 5 or so minutes I had to intermittently hand him pieces of pineapple from under his pillow.  Then he went back to sleep.  The end.  You can't make this stuff up.

 

The kiddos:  Gemma is now officially on Christmas break.  We will have fun.  Kolbe has been a bit trying lately.  Aggressive/destructive at times, strong-willed, stubborn, epic meltdowns about seemingly small things (that are certainly big things to him, but even so).  Sigh.  This is my path to sainthood. 

In the kitchen: This is my first week cooking for "the fathers" (as we have been referring to them around here).  So far so good.  I think this job is going to be a super-great fit.  This week, beef and veggie soup, loaded baked potato and chicken casserole with tasty (on sale) avocados on top, shredded pesto chicken with pasta and steamed veggies, salmon and sides TBD tomorrow.  Something simple tonight (probably leftovers for us and a quesadilla for the kids).  Next week will be hit and miss with the holidays, I know I'm making a broccoli salad, and I think I will do shepherd's pie on Monday, but that is about all that has been determined at this point.  I need to menu-plan the next month or two here sometime soon.

Crafting: ha.  yeah.  Food is my craft.  Oh wait!  I do actually have something!!  Been working on our salt dough ornaments for the year with the kids.  Good times, good times.  I pulled Kolbe's khakis out of the dryer the other day and was like, "WOW, next time you will need a paint shirt AND paint pants."  Oh well.

Learning:  Kolbe has been into reindeer crafts this week.  Lots of santa games and dancing to Christmas songs on the AT&T Uverse Santa Tracker thing on our TV. 

Reading: Finished My Sisters the Saints (very good).  Started Happy are you Poor.  Reading Christmas at Stony Creek with Gemma.

Watching: Team Umizoomi is currently competing with the beautiful Christmas music on NPR.  It's never dull around here.  Or quiet.

Bringing me joy: Advent, the closeness to Christmas.  Prayer and meditation. 

Thinking about: I am out of time!!

Pictures to share: 

1. Gemma painting ornaments. 
2. Kolbe with his Christmas present from speech for us (a handprint 2015 calendar).  He was so proud. 
3. "Let's use this to make a pumpkin pie with daddy!" he said as he was helping me put dishes away.  

Journal: odds and ends

TODAY

Out my window: Sunny (after a cloudy rainy morning) and wet.  Low 50s.  Very moderate 10 day forecast.

Clothing myself in:  Jeans, black tank with a gray design on front, gray 3/4 sleeve cardigan.  Double socks.  Unless I am wearing athletic socks, I always double socks.  And they have to be mostly cotton or they drive me nuts.  Odd?

Around the house: The holiday decorations give our home such a cozy feeling.  I love it.  The boys and I took a load of donations in early this week.

 

The baby/toddler:  Oh goodness.  He tells two knock-knock jokes.

1. Knock knock.  Who there?  I ARE!!!

2. Knock knock.  Who there?  Poop.  (said in the most delicate voice you could imagine).  

That kid.

He has such a strong mind and will.  This is very challenging at times.  Oh patience. (click on the article, it was very good.)  I am sure this will serve him well later in life.  Hopefully I can escape his (and his sister's) childhood with at least a few shreds of sanity left.

 

The kiddos:  Gemma was back to school this week.  We enjoyed the break, but it's always nice to get back into our regular routine.  I was talking to Aaron, and he was commenting how the kids get the whole week at Thanksgiving, and two full weeks at Christmas, and that's so much more time off than we got as kids.  I reminded him how much longer our summers were (3+ months) as kids.  Honestly though, I will take more breaks and less summer.  If it were up to me, several 1-3 week breaks during the year and a 6ish week summer would be perfect (or better anyways).  HA!  Like it's up to me.

Kolbe is Kolbe.  We have been so careful with his (and consequently the whole family's) diet.  Nothing that has the word "artificial" or anything unpronounceable (for the most part) in it, and his face looks great!  He had a rough time about the first two weeks of November, and I am convinced it was the Halloween candy.  Debating our options for next year.  For Halloween, and all the extra food that comes with school as well.  I have been very unmotivated to do much "school" work with him.  Part of it is probably laziness, but part of it is just wanting to let him play and do stuff that is self-led.  School is so much work, the rigor of Kindergarten was a bit shocking to me last year (I am not being sarcastic).  I want him to be prepared, and I do think he will be "ready" for school, but I don't want to overwhelm him before he has even started "real" school.  I know for a fact he is not in the same place academically as Gemma was at almost 5.  Not that it matters.  So much about which to think... 

In the kitchen: honey chicken with brown rice and edamame, meatloaf with roasted brussels sprouts and broccoli, spaghetti and meat sauce with canned green beans (I have a very soft spot in my heart for canned green beans. odd?), and a very hearty batch of chicken noodles.  We will be eating leftovers tonight.  Next week looking at a new chicken recipe our neighbor gave me, a batch of chili, some baked fish and maybe the bean enchilada casserole I was going to make tonight.  Speaking of the kitchen (I suppose this fits best in this category), I got a job!  A very part time one.  A priest friend of ours asked if I would cook part time for him and the other priest in residence at his parish (which is just a few miles away, not our parish).  I wasn't looking for a job, but have often said I like the idea of parish work long-term.  To have such an offer fall in my lap seemed like something I should seriously consider.  I have high hopes it will work out quite well. I will cook all the food at home and deliver twice a week + some light grocery shopping.  I start Christmas week.

Crafting: hahahahahaha, yeeeaaaahhhhh...

Learning:  See above.  ;-)

Reading: Still working my way through My Sisters the Saints.  I read Clare's Costly Cookie with Gemma a couple months ago, and she loved it so much she has been requesting random chapters each night at bedtime.  If you have a precious daughter between the ages 6-9, I would highly recommend this compilation of stories to help children (namely girls) grow in their personal relationship with Jesus.  It is truly beautiful.

Watching:  We watched an interesting show on public television about Neil Armstrong the other night.

Bringing me joy: Advent.  New job.  Hanging out with the boys during the day.  A shopping date with just Clement. Finishing the mail merge and Christmas letter without killing anyone or breaking any pieces of electronics.  And getting a family picture with everyone looking and smiling!!  Christmas cards just need assembled now.

Thinking about: I think we already covered that.  At any rate, I am not in the mood for any more thinking currently.

Pictures to share:  

The boys with their homemade air hockey game.  We have gone through wayyyyy too many straws the past few days.  And somehow this game always ends in a straw/light saber fight.  Star Wars, you had to make your presence known in our home at some point.  It has happened.  My husband is thrilled, I am just confused.  I think there is something in the male genome that must help you understand all that.  I still am not even sure who's a good guy and who's a bad guy.  #boys

Gemma at her new homework workspace, the desk in the basement.  Why it took the entire semester to realize this may be a better fit than the kitchen table still has me shaking my head...