A Winter Break for Mom

The holiday season is a wee bit crazy for everyone.  As your responsibility increases, so does the intensity of the holidays.  Adult --> Teacher --> Mom.  From the days leading up to Thanksgiving until Christmas, life can be nonstop.

The three days before Thanksgiving were parent-teacher conferences.  Then I hosted Thanksgiving.  From there we returned to school with students high on life and so much fun/craziness. 

There was the Christmas Pageant with the world's cutest angel ever.

Then a piano recital.  Linus played "Linus and Lucy."  Eileen played "Jingle Bells."  At school there was practice for the caroling competition, the actual competition, and so.much.energy.  The first weekend of break was my mom's side of the family Christmas party.  My kids love this event so much, especially the white elephant exchange.  My sister and her boyfriend graciously hosted.

My favorite pic -- my Aunt Molly played a guitar (given in the exchange) with Robin.

Robin was a huge ham.

Snuggling with Eileen under her new blanket.

After 3 straight weeks of a mad rush.  This mom was done.

Judge all you want, but I put all 3 kids in day camp for the first week of winter break even though I didn't have to work.  It was the best decision I ever made!!  While the kids were busy having the time of their lives doing things like visiting the Teddy Bear Suite, the Gingerbread Houses, and going to the mountains to play in the snow,  I got to be by myself.

I am an introvert.  I need solitude in order to refresh. 

Monday     I started the week with a trip to the spa.  Families donated scrip to me as a Christmas present.  I felt it appropriate to spend it refreshing myself with a massage and facial.  It was glorious. 

Tuesday    I worked out at the gym.  Took a long shower.  My friend, Kate, came over.  We drank hot wine and watched "A Christmas Prince" on Netflix.

Wednesday    I went to the aquarium with a teen mom that I am a companion to (a great program called PREPARES if anyone is interested in learning more).  Then I took her to the library and got her a library card.

Thursday   I had joked with Dave about taking a sick day so we could hang out.  Unfortunately, Dave went and got sick for real.  I went to the gym and then we went out for a late breakfast.  He then slept on the couch all day while I wrapped all the presents.  I have a strange ritual for Christmas wrapping where I binge watch the most recent season of American Horror Story.  This year was "Roanoke."  I like the juxtaposition of it with the holidays.

Friday/Saturday    After 4 incredibly relaxing days, it was back to being mom. It's been back to constant go-go-go for the last 48 hours.  Today Eileen and I spent some quality time together.  First we had swim lessons, then we went roller skating (my first time since 1994 and I rocked it), and then a little retail therapy at Old Navy.  I also squeezed in grocery shopping and mass since I didn't want to go twice tomorrow (Christmas Eve has the gall to be on a Sunday). 

I finished the day at MOD Pizza with these two.  They are pretty cute.

Eileen took this pic of me.  I think it captures the look of "Mom" quite well.

I really enjoyed my special break for just me.  I will definitely do it again next year.  I am so grateful I had the option of some serious self-care.  I know not everyone does.  It takes a village people.  To all you parents out there, there is no shame in taking time for yourself.  Your kids need a well-rested, happy version of you.  If you don't have kids, give the gift of time to a parent.  They will love you forever and feel indebted to you. 

Harry Potter in Ballard

I love Harry Potter.  I love the magical wizarding world, the slightly dark quality, and the wisdom of Dumbledore.  I like how Rowling shows qualities of character, strength, and heroism through ordinary people (ordinary people who also happen to be wizards).  When I'm in the world of J.K. Rowling, I feel relief that there are adults in the world who will put themselves in harms way for the greater good. 

Not only does living in the Puget Sound mean I am able to enjoy lush greenery, mountains, water, and a delicious food scene.  I am surrounded by well-read, nerdy people.  Another lover of all things Halloween, October, and Harry Potter constructed his very own Diagon Alley.  Randomly, the house is right in our old neighborhood.  Maybe you've heard about this bit of Harry Potter fandom.  A guy left his job to build a model of Diagon Alley in his driveway and got a little carried away.  He put it up for Halloween and has since left it up.  Earlier this month Dumbledore visited.  I'm sad I missed it. 

I feel so lucky that as a fan, something was happening for free right in my own backyard.  The kids and I drove down to Ballard to check in out. We were not disappointed.

 Linus was my photographer for the bulk of our trip. 

 Check out the dragon on top of the Gringott's Playhouse!

 Being in Ballard, we cruised the Olympic Hills Christmas light scene.  Despite a deep desire for a Cupcake Royale holiday cupcake, I couldn't deal with the parking scene.  Instead we made a quick stop by the grocery store on the way home.  Crowds were light so each kid managed their own cart.

The fact that someone took it upon themselves to create the world of Harry Potter for everyone to enjoy free of charge, is proof there is still goodness in humanity.  It was a fun night.  One of these days I will finally make it to Universal Studios to see Harry Potter.  In the meantime thank you random dad of Ballard.   You are my new hero.

Santa

Dave is going to be gone all weekend man camping.  In order to let him prep and pack, I took the kids to visit Santa.  More than seeing Santa, the kids were most excited about the fact that I said I would take them to the Lake City Dick's Drive-in.  You would have thought I told them I was getting them a puppy.

My plan was to visit the U Village Santa.  I packed our clothes in the morning before school.  I hadn't even had kids try on their Christmas outfits.  I was just hoping for the best.  They changed in the oh-so-fancy U Village bathrooms.  Eileen and Robin both appreciated the large full length mirror.  Robin stuck out his hip and exclaimed, "Look at my butt cheek!"  Classy.

U Village Santa lines can be crazy on the weekends.  My plan was that by going earlier in the month, on a weeknight, that there would be no line.  Despite a cramped parking lot, we got a sweet parking spot.  My plan worked perfectly.

It just so happens that like Buddy the Elf, I know Santa.  It's true.  I double-checked the Santa calendar to make sure Santa would be there.  As is true of all things good and wonderful, Santa has worked at CYO camp.  I last saw Santa hanging out at Camp Gallagher (former CYO camp and now just regular awesome camp).

I admit that Robin totally looks like a creepy marionette here.

Santa Larry is truly the best.  Besides lacking a sketchy or awkward vibe, he really talks to the kids.  He gave the kids advice on websites they could go to for DIY projects related to their interests.  I was surprised by how conversational Robin got with Santa.

Linus asked Santa for a baby sister (not gonna happen).  Robin wants a blue tuffet.  Eileen wants a Barbie Doll and Barbie Dollhouse (nope nope nope).  Eileen discovered a passion for Barbie during our Nebraska visit.

I think the kids look so great.  Robin was very clear about what he wanted his outfit to be.  He wanted a Christmas sweater, but couldn't describe it to me.  Then he saw the red and black checked and started screaming excitedly, "That's it! That's it!"  He also knew he wanted a bow tie to match. Robin picked out the shoes as well.  Eileen loves that her dress has a built in fluffy petticoat that shows when she spins.  I was just glad that Linus was like, "Okay, yah, fine," when I found the shirt/tie/pants for him.

I can now cross visiting Santa off the list.  I think it will go down as the most successful trip ever.

From the Mouths of Babes in November

Robin:  And then he'll (Santa) say, "Maybe I should bring more presents."

Linus:  I think I want to learn to play the saxophone.
Dave and Me: Really?
Linus:  So I can be like Lisa Simpson and miss school.

Robin: Let's make her (Eileen) the best cake ever!

Robin comes in our bedroom early and commences snuggling.
Dave:  Robin do you want to take a shower?
Robin: No.  (pulls my arm over him tighter)
Dave:  Robin do you want breakfast?
Robin: No.  (climbs onto me, lays face on mine)
Dave:  Robin do you want screentime?
Robin: In a second.  (snuggles more, gives a few nuzzles, a kiss, and leaves)




















Last night we were at Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition, providing technical support for the middle school.  All three kids are very good at asking for money.

The Tree is Up!

Something I enjoy about being an adult is making my own traditions.  One of my favorites is decorating for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving.  I am not down with Christmas before Turkey.  But once Thanksgiving is officially over it's game on.

We do a fake tree.  I know I know. Bad bad bad.  But it looks so good, good, good and is oh so easy to take care of....  Our current tree is more than 5 years old and is starting to show its age.  After an exciting start to decorating, we discovered multiple parts of the tree would not light.  We did what we could do decorate the rest of the house while Dave tried to fix the tree.  Eventually, we retreated to the living room to watch a Christmas movie while we waited.

Dave worked for a looooong time.  He never gave up, even when his back did.  The tree is now mostly lit.  One would have to really scrutinize the tree to notice. Thanks Dave.

With the tree in mostly working order, the kids wasted no time.  This is the first year I didn't put a single ornament on the tree.  I didn't even have to separate them out.  Sure some of the ornaments I might hide are out front and center, it is unevenly decorated, and the top is bare, but hey--the kids did it themselves!

With the tree done.  Linus decided to compose his Christmas list.  He discovered the magic of Google docs this fall.  His list is 51 items long.  At least 8 of them are sports cars so....  Robin decided he needed to make his own Christmas list.  He took it very seriously.

Another Christmas tradition I instituted is you get Christmas jammies the day the tree gets decorated.  This means the special Christmas jammies get a whole festive season of wear. 

I love the face Eileen is making.

With the house all decorated, I retreated to my room.  It is ridiculous how happy my bedroom makes me.  I need to find someone into interior design to really help me take the room to the next level.  My room is my sacred space where I decompress.  I love to be cozy.

An accidental tradition is going to the Seattle Center the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  Most years we are at the Seattle Children's Theater.  One year it was McCaw Hall for the Nutcracker.  Either way, the traffic is always crazy due to the Seattle Marathon.  Will I never learn?  Today Eileen, her friend, Lillian, Robin, and I saw Mr. Popper's Penguins.  It was so fun to watch the three of them giggle their way through the show.

And so ends the start of another holiday season.

Turkey Day Achievement Level Unlocked

I've finally recovered enough to blog about Thanksgiving.  It was an off year for the Dimocks, meaning we all go to our other family/friends.  Last year I got to get away with bringing canned cranberry sauce (the good stuff with the rings) and some rolls.  This year I hosted for the second time.

There was no school this week.  Instead I had 3 days of parent/teacher conferences.  During down times between conferences I furiously planned my upcoming units, all with the goal of bringing nothing home.

I pride myself on being organized.  A couple of days before Thanksgiving, I opened up my binder of recipes and pulled out the Thanksgiving sleeve.  The clear plastic sleeve contained most of my recipes for Thanksgiving, a menu plan, and timing for the big day--what to put in, at what temperature, and when, and what to prep the day before.  It made it a lot easier to not have to expend mental energy.  I invited family and extended family via Facebook events--off loading the bringing of drinks, desserts, and rolls (gluten-full and gluten-free)

Thursday morning I managed to take it slow, slept in, drank coffee, and showered.  We took away i-pads, video games, and computer screens from the kids at the beginning of the week.  The result was kids who slept in and then played nicely all day.  Weird right?  I borrowed the electric turkey roaster from my mother-in-law and then impulse bought buffet warmer at the checkout a few days before Thanksgiving.  These simplified the whole day with the goal of food ready at 4 pm.

Growing impatient for my mom to arrive to help me with the turkey, I decided in that moment that this would be the year I learned to roast a turkey.  Last time I hosted, my mom handled the turkey.  I was too intimidated.  Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I cobbled together a recipe I thought might be good.

Charlotte Roasts a 15 lb Turkey, step by step instructions.

1. Don't brine the turkey.  Preheat roaster to 450 degrees.
2. Clean out the sink.  Put turkey in sink.  Be brave and reach into turkey to pull out neck and giblets.
3. Call for help (Dave!) when you can't find the giblet packet and are ready to cry because you are getting a little grossed out digging around the cavity of a large bird.
4. Have Dave come to rescue.  Then rinse turkey, pat dry, and sprinkle kosher salt inside turkey.
5. Put turkey in roaster.  Shove fresh poultry seasoning herbs, 2 carrots, and 2 celery stalks into bird.  Put additional 2 carrots and 2 celery in roaster.
6. Rub 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup melted butter on bird.  Add a little more oil to wings just for good measure.
7. Make a rub of 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp pepper, 2 tsp dried thyme, 2 tsp dried rosemary, 1 tsp dried sage.  Rub all over outside of bird.
8. Wash hands for the millionth time.  
9. Pour 1 cup white wine over turkey (plus a little more for good measure).
10. Cover cook for 30 minutes, then reduce heat to 350.  Cook for another 2.5 - 3 hours.  Then pour another 1/2 cup of melted butter over bird.  Quick baste (so bird is good and drunk).  Then continue cooking for another hour.
11. After 4 hours, check temps.  If done, put on giant Christmas cookie platter you have lying around and let rest of 30 minutes.

While the skin didn't get crispy and brown, the turkey was beautiful and the meat fell off the bone.  I'm feeling pretty proud of myself.

I rounded out the meal with roasted balsamic brussel sprouts (done in a crockpot), my serious labor of love stuffing, lime ginger roasted corn, vegan mashed potatoes, and a carrot souffle (Trader Joes).  Appetizers were fancy crackers, gluten free (but surprisingly delicious) foccacia, bruschetta (Trader Joes) and my amazing ricotta parmesan thyme dip.  My brother brought his A game with pumpkin flan, pumpkin pie, and salted caramel pumpkin pie.  And dinner was ready right at 4 pm.

After eating ourselves into oblivion, everyone carpooled over to Sally and Gino's new place (about 5 minutes away).  I used the opportunity to slowly clean up a little and have some quiet moments to myself.  The excursion was just long enough to allow our stomachs to make enough room for dessert.

The kids played quietly by themselves most of the day.  Robin has recently taken to playing for hours with his duplos.

My dad, Linus, and Dave played Snake Oil.

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year with a total of 14 people, a completely manageable amount. Robin picked off the outside of a roll and ate a bowl of vanilla ice cream.  Not surprisingly he had room at the end of the night. 

I conquered Thanksgiving taking a slow and steady pace.  However, I was exhausted by the end of the night.  The kids weren't in bed until 10 pm.  2 days later I feel like my self again, but better.  Why?  Because I am a complete and total badass who roasted her first turkey.  I am so an adult now.

And Then She was 7

Yesterday the Schnitzel turned 7.  We were both still a bit jet lagged from our trip to Nebraska. It was another low key birthday celebration in the Dimock house.  Eileen woke up and had breakfast in bed (as requested).  She didn't ask for a special breakfast or lunch. Eileen didn't even take advantage of the opportunity for free dress since it was her birthday. The teachers at school (even the ones who aren't hers) did a great job of making her feel special.

She only asked for hot dogs and watermelon for dinner. Okay. Super easy. I almost feel a little bad because of how little was required of me.  I baked a cake the night before--gluten free, dairy free funfetti.

Eileen was pretty dirty (and knowing she had a doctor appointment the next day) I made her take a bath before cake and presents.

Eileen got the official age 7 present -- a Kindle.  She got a Kindle Paperwhite (no Kindle Fires with apps here!).  I got her a really pretty cover and pre-loaded a few books.  I got her Binky the Space Cat and the Imaginary Veterinary Book Series.  Later in the evening I showed her how easy it was to borrow books from the library.  She was amazed but the way books instantly arrived on her Kindle.

She quickly curled up in her favorite chair for some light reading.

For her birthday I finally caved and downloaded an app for the Ipad that she has been begging for, Unicorn Glitterluck.  Eileen was so revved up from her day and so enthralled with her Kindle that she had trouble falling asleep.

Eileen at 7 is a joy.  She is currently obsessed with cats --reading about them, drawing them, making puns.  She still loves unicorns, fairies, and rainbows.  Eileen likes swimming and art, especially painting.  She is very aware of how others are feeling and wants to do things that she thinks will make others happy.  Eileen loves Robin.  The two of them have so much fun together. 

She is generally easy going except when she is tired--and then oh my God the whining.  She has finally started letting me play with her hair after a 2 year hiatus.  Her hair is still so thin and baby fine.

Eileen is still the least competitive of the three kids.  She is happy to do her own thing and isn't motivated to do the best, but rather pursue her own passions and interests. 

This morning in the car Eileen asked me if I missed Baby Eileen.  I told her yes, but I liked this version too.  She asked if her birth was the happiest moment of my life.  I was almost taken aback by my body's visceral response.  Her birth truly was one of the happiest moments of my life.  In the moments after her birth, I was so struck by her beauty and my love for her.  That awestruck feeling has never left.

One of my co-workers told me the other day how much she loved Eileen and informed me, "You got a good one." Yeah. I did. She's pretty great. 

Happy Birthday Eileen.