The Slow Slog of January

      Is it just me or is January creeping by at a ridiculously slow pace?  How is it not February yet?  The first few days were glorious.  I shipped the kids off to school, fell back into an afternoon routine of homework and extra-curriculars, reminded my body what going to the gym felt like, and had a massage.  It all felt so refreshing.  The last day of chill was Thursday, January 7th.
      Since that fateful day I have been living with two over tired beasts.  I'm pretty sure the neighbors thought a family of banshees had taken up residence listening to our group trying to get into the car to go to karate practice.
      My evenings have been filled creating my yearly blog book.  I decided to go a step further and transfer all of the photos from our lives before the blog starting with Linus' birth and put them into an additional two books.  I spent many hours working on the books.  It was fun reminiscing over the past year as well as looking at pictures of sweet little babies.  I miss those babies.  I'm beginning to wonder if there has been some sort of invasion of the body snatchers in my house and the children I'm currently living with aren't actually the ones I gave birth to.
      This weekend I got motivated and decided to purge and reorganize the boys' room.  I even convinced Dave to go to IKEA with me.  I was surprised by Linus' willingness to go through his stuff and get rid of things.  I'm so glad to be part of an awesome Buy Nothing group.  I was quickly able to unload a ton of stuff.  I took a big step and even gave away the crib mattress and toddler bedding.  It was like ripping off a bandaid.  Nothing is more invigorating than purging and reorganizing a room even if it means closing the door a little more on babies.
    Yesterday was a loooong day with the kids.  Rough does not begin to describe it and I was so glad when it was over and the kids were all in bed early.  I was determined to make today, a non-school day, better.  All three kids slept in today.  The kids haven't believed me when I told them they were really needing more sleep and everything would just be better if they slept.  We then went and played at the Swing Set showroom and ran off some energy, followed by naps for everyone.  In better moods, the kids self-entertained with all the cardboard left over from IKEA.  That's right.  I provided no help.
     It's hard to see but Eileen is drawing horses (they turned out pretty impressive) so the 3 of them could ride around the house on them.

 Some larger boxes were used to create castles.  Eileen preferred Linus' to hers.  Not shown is the giant soldier drawn on the box, guarding the back of his castle.

 Eileen didn't know the password for entry so Linus was whispering it to her.

I ended the day baking applesauce muffins for breakfast in the morning with Eileen and Robin.  I am hoping that the kids will remember that they had a mom who baked with them and not just a mom who constantly made crazy eyes at them and tried to to not lose her cool. 

Oh January I need you to move just a smidge faster.  I can't handle anymore long days of winter.  I can't rely on trips to IKEA.

Little Moments

I am one of those people whose mind is always working.  It constantly swirls with ideas, plans, and possible back up solutions.  While it really helps me to have a house that is clean and flows relatively smoothly, it is hard for me to slow down.

Yesterday I took time for myself.  I dropped the kids at school and Robin at daycare.  Then I went home, made myself some coffee, turned on the fireplace, and curled up on the couch with the laptop.  It was lovely.  Then I quickly ran a few errands (those one minute errands that are so painful when you have three children in tow).  Then I got a massage, browsed a consignment shop, took myself out for Starbucks, and got a pedicure before picking the kids up from school.  After the bustle of winter break, a day to myself was just what I needed.

As lovely as yesterday was, I liked today better.  It was one of those days when I can relish being a stay at home mom.  After dropping off the big kids, Robin and I went to my physical therapy appointment.  As we walked back to the car, he asked for Starbucks.  We had a lovely little date, where unprompted he went and took his stuff to the garbage when he was finished.  Of course everyone cooed at the site of Robin walking across the coffeeshop by himself and getting on tippytoes to put his garbage in the trash.

We came home and I wanted to clean house, but Robin had other plans.  He grabbed my hands, looked me in the eyes, and said, "Mama. Dance. Me."  How do you say no to that?

We eventually made our way upstairs to clean.  He scrubbed toilets and dusted while I did everything else.  I could have kept going, but instead decided to just spend time with Robin.  We danced some more and then I laid down on the trampoline.  He climbed on top of me and snuggled me cheek to cheek.  We just layed there together, listening to music and lightly bouncing.  It was wonderful.  We stayed like that for a good 15 minutes.

My heart feels a little lighter and Robin knows he is loved.  I know I am lucky that I am able to stay home with the kids.  It can be hard to remember to slow down and enjoy it.  Robin's baby snuggling days are numbered.  I plan to take advantage of them as much as possible.

We make a cute couple.

Don't worry.  I'll finish cleaning the house and folding the laundry this afternoon.  I can't relax unless my house is clean.The big kids love to scrub toilets and will be anxious to earn their screen time.

From the Mouths of Babes in December

Me:  Chess is a very old game.
Eileen:  Like from the 1970s?

Linus:  Do they still make tapirs?
Me:  Um.  Tapirs are a kind of animal.  You don't just make them.
Linus: Oh no.  I mean those things that have tapes that you can listen to.
Me:  A tape recorder?
Linus:  That's it.

Robin:  No no. Hate.  (his response to anything that displeases him or is not what he was thinking)


Today is the birthday of both my sister, Beth, and my father.  While Beth was out taking time to celebrate herself, I was home with all five kids.  While I was cleaning house, the kids decided they were going to form a band.  Linus wrote all the lyrics.  Sorry for the lack of video quality.

Why yes I do have a headache today.  Why do you ask?

A Letter To Myself About Christmas

Dear Future Charlotte,

    The bulk of your Christmas 2015 is over.  You've had time to reflect.  It is imperative that you remember this Christmas--for all its joys yes--but more importantly, there are things to keep in mind for next year...

    You struck a nice balance of Christmas adventures.  You were surprised to discover that there is a street full of over the top Christmas lights just two blocks away.  Next year please remember to just suck it up, spend the money, and go to the PNB Nutcracker.  Even if you think that maybe this year it will be okay to bring Linus, don't.  It won't be okay.  He won't like it.  He won't appreciate it.  Use the money you would have spent on him and take Eileen out to a nice dinner or go get mani-pedis.

   A big take away from this year.  Have an actual conversation with your husband about Christmas spending a gifts for children.  Consider just one big gift for each kid and one smaller gift.  This year the favorite gifts all cost $15 or less--the wood ball catch toy from the Target dollar bin, plastic steppers/stilts, a balance board, road tape, and a voice disguiser.  This might be hard to swallow, but maybe even skip the legos.  Someone will get them LEGOs.  You can't stop it, you can only control Santa.  Do you really want to spend all break assembly multiple LEGO sets for your daughter?

   Remember, you love your husband.  Even when under the auspices of getting the children out of your hair while you do food prep on Christmas Eve, takes them to Fred Meyer and lets them buy each other presents with no spending limit.  He lets his 5 year old buy a Wii U and Mario builder for her big brother and a singing dinosaur for her baby brother.  You love Dave.  You really do.  A year later you will have forgiven him.

  You gave Dave amazing presents, first a wearable sleeping bag.  You saved money in a shoe box for two years to surprise him with a box a cash on Christmas morning.  I hope you guys took a really great trip with the money.  (I did the thing where each week you increase the amount you save, $1 week 1, $2 week 2, etc)

  Your children looked beautiful at Christmas Eve mass. You looked pretty good yourself.

Robin provided entertainment for everyone around you, spitting, squealing, and blowing raspberries non-stop.

Uncle Tim spent Christmas Eve with you and woke up Christmas morning.  It was a special treat.

Robin really only wanted the candy from his stocking.  He was done after one present.  Robin really understood the whole present idea this year.  His face lit up every time someone talked about presents.

Nice job on the food.  The cranberry roast pork is a definite keeper.  The carrot pudding was not.  Make more chocolate peppermint gooey bars.  Skip the carrot pudding.  May I suggest the roasted balsamic brussel sprouts from Thanksgiving?  Try having a special holiday cocktail instead of the mulled wine.  Cards Against Humanity after the kids are in bed is still a winner and your mom can even handle playing with you.

You can't tame the beast that is Grandpa Claus.  No matter how much you beg and plead, he will buy tons of presents for the kids.  He will then be more excited than the kids about opening presents.  The new plan is you just leave him in a room with the kids to open their presents in a free for all and then later while the kids are playing in a separate room, have a nice calm grownup present time.

The holiday brunch and white elephant was fun.  Keep the menu the same.  Buy more orange juice for mimosas and only make a triple batch of gingerbread pancakes.

Finally, do get lots of sleep.  Stop trying to make Christmas perfect.   Just let go a little bit.  Sit back and enjoy.  Drink more candy cane cocoa.  You really like it.  Remember what Fr. Brad said while rapping Notorious B.I.G. during the Christmas homily, "Mo money, mo problems."

You did a good job.  Deep down everyone appreciates it.  You can do less and still have it be great.  Love yourself and Merry Christmas!

Love,

Charlotte

The Long Winter Break

The kids are now on winter break.  I have actually been dreading this for a month.  Two weeks without school to break up the day.  Two weeks of having each other for playmates around the clock.  Two weeks of erratic schedules, relatives, visitors, and sugar.  I love Christmas, but I do not love being a mama on Christmas break.

Yesterday was a long day.  I was at my wits' end by 3 pm.  The floor was made slick by puddles composed of melty children.  So many tears.  So many fights. The upside was that Eileen was fast asleep before 7 pm.

In anticipation of grumpy children, I booked almost daily playdates to help break up the day and entertain the kids.  I honestly prefer hosting since Robin likes to take a long nap.  Yesterday he fell asleep on me in a store at 10:30 am and then slept for another almost 4 hours.

Today was better.  We all woke with a resolve to have a better day. The kids played nicely in the morning while I cleaned upstairs.  They wore costumes, played all sorts of games, drew pictures, and danced to Christmas music.  They did not fight.

A new favorite spot in our house is the bottom shelf of the toy cabinet. The kids like to take a flashlight in with them and hide out there.

Our friends, Katie, Rylan, and Declan came to play.  Katie teaches math at my kids' school.  She and I are kindred spirits.  Luckily, her boys are the same age as mine.  She and I drank coffee while the kids ran themselves ragged.  It was great.  While Robin napped, the big kids and I rested on couches, snuggled up with books.  Eileen and Linus were then inspired to earn their screen time.  It was all so weirdly peaceful.  Once Robin was awake, they all continued to play nicely together, building forts and pretending they were a family of "spinasauruses."

The kids like to wear coordinated jammies.  It's cute.  Linus tends to dictate what the theme for their evening attire is.  Tonight it was cowboy.  I love that although he is growing up, Linus is still a little boy at heart.

Today was so nice.  I just don't even know what to think.  Perhaps the best part of the whole day was when I served broccoli and meatloaf for dinner and not a single person complained and everyone tried everything.  Maybe we've all been swept into a parallel universe?  Given how today went, I am hopeful that tomorrow's playdate renders equally pleasant results.  Otherwise, 4 days down. Many more days to go.

A Christmas Card from Linus

The Christmas season at Catholic school is very festive and fun.  A natural part of this would be the annual Christmas pageant.  The kids' school switched it up a bit this year.  The result was truly amazing.  Amazing that is unless you talk to Linus.

You see, it was decided that all of the first graders would be angels.  This meant even the boys would be angels.  Linus was not pleased.  He begged me to "opt him out" of the pageant.  Sadly, I don't have photographic evidence of Linus as an angel.

Meanwhile back in the classroom, students have been busy making gifts and cards for their parents.  Today I received this card from Linus.

A festive tree.  Lovely.

Until you open it....

It reads:

"To: Mom and Dad  From: Your most annoyed son Linus.  I will never be an angel again."

I find the skull and cross bones to be a nice understated touch.  You have to admit that the spelling is pretty impressive.

You better believe I will be keeping this card forever.  It currently resides in the branches of our Christmas tree.

Holiday Bucket List

There are just way too many options of things to do in the Puget Sound when Christmas rolls around.  I've been trying to strike a balance so it doesn't feel more exhausting than fun.  We've tried some new things like Snowflake Lane while keeping with a few traditions.  Sometimes I wish there was another weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas to have more time for everything.

Linus is starting to question the existence of Santa Claus.  He has not given up on the big guy just yet, but can readily identify impostors.  I knew getting him to go along with Santa pictures was going to be a problem.  I sat him down the night before, fully prepared that I may have to divulge the truth.  We talked about keeping the magic of Christmas alive for those younger than us.  In exchange for having Kraft mac n cheese for dinner, Linus agreed to be enthusiastic and cooperative for Santa pictures.  He did great and I credit him for helping Robin to stop crying while on Santa's lap.

 

Last weekend we headed out to Whidbey Island for the Holiday Fair at Whidbey Island Waldforf school.  I loved the Waldorf take on the season.  It felt festive without being commercial.  The kids got treasures from the Pocket Wizard, shopped for homemade treasures, and crafted.  We didn't have time for all the crafts and settled on three--peg gnomes and angels, fairy house, and felted soap.  It was the type of stuff you see on pinterest, but don't feel like you have the ability to quite do without guidance. I love the fairy house we created and the fact that Linus contributed the toadstool he purchased.

The felted soap works great and makes bathtime smell wonderful.  The kids love using soap they created themselves.

Last year we went to PNB Nutcracker.  It was really expensive and the kids got bored.  This year I decided to try the Nutcracker Sweets at ARC Ballet.  The kids and I got holiday cupcakes at Cupcake Royale beforehand.  In order to be diplomatic,  I will say this.  I liked that this production for relatively inexpensive, much shorter, and we got to sit close.  My inner critic gets less nice after that.  Ask me in person if you want a stronger opinion.  Anyways, I promised Linus I would never make him attend the ballet twice in one day again (Eileen had a short performance earlier in the day) and next year I would only take Eileen.  Eileen and I will definitely be going to PNB next year.  I heard the new show is great. My experiences the last two years have made me miss the Tacoma City Ballet production of the Nutcracker. Sigh. The evening was redeemed when we took advantage of our Ballard location and drove through Olympic Manor and looked at Christmas lights.

Up bright and early, the kids and I were ready for more adventure.  My friend, Beth, was not deterred by her experience last year, and wanted to join us on our yearly downtown trek.  We parked at the Seattle Center (free street parking whoop whoop!) and took the monorail into downtown.

I think the gingerbread houses at the Sheraton this year were the best I've seen there.  I'm pretty sure the designers are all secretly Star Wars nerds because the attention to detail was ridiculous.  Thanks to Linus, I know way too much about Star Wars.

Forest moon of Endor

Linus was excited to rescue Hans Solo from carbonite.

We were sure to visit the Teddy Bear Suite.  Eileen really wants a giant teddy bear for Christmas.  It's what she told Santa she wanted.  I'm hoping her desire was satiated by sitting with this one.

 **Note**   anyone caught giving anyone in my family a giant stuffed animal will be hereby banned from all gift giving occasions.

Is it wrong that I kind of want this in my room, minus the teddy bears?

Linus is starting to rediscover the fun of photo-taking.

From the Teddy Bear Suite, we headed to the Carousel. The look on Eileen's face says it all.

We made time to peruse Top Ten Toys before lunch and taking the Monorail back to the Seattle Center.  From there,  everyone passed out asleep.  I admit that I drove around for an extra 30 minutes just so the big kids could nap.

We did manage to add another new thing this year.  I've always wanted to do Christmas lights for the house--not the level of Clark Griswold, but lightly festive.  Luckily, my brother-in-law, Carl, does Christmas light installation as a part of his business and gave us the family discount.  Linus was so excited to help, he even put on jeans!

The kids would like to see us step it up a little.  Add some colored lights, maybe an inflatable snowman or light up nativity scene.  Hopefully, we will be able to strike a compromise.

So much to do.  So little time.  Someday I would like to do the Christmas ships.  Linus nixed a trip to Swanson's nursery so I think Robin and I will enjoy it this week while the kids are at school.