Me: No Robin! Stop! We don't drink from the toilet.
Robin: Hee hee.
Robin: Why are we alive right now?
Me: Because God made us.
Robin: Why did God make us?
Eileen: Dada just please go downstairs.
Dave: Go by yourself or I'm going to make up a word.
Eileen: No, I'm too scared.
Dave: I'm gonna do it....treeple.
Eileen: Nooo!
Dave: Do you know what it means? Treeple. It means three people.
Eileen: Dada just go downstairs.
Dave: I can't. I'm afraid of the treeple.
Robin: I'm a very clever boy.
Me: Robin, what's your favorite thing Santa got you for Christmas?
Robin: Tic Tacs. (to be fair, the were Elf Mix)
It's been almost a week since Christmas and I am finally getting around to blogging about it. I am always surprised my how Christmas never goes quite as planned.
It all started Christmas Eve. I prepped food for the next day. Robin fell apart from exhaustion. I sent Dave out to drive him around in the car so he would pass out. They came back in time for us to make it to the 4:30 pm Christmas Eve mass. Normally, I avoid the children's mass due to the crowds and chaos. But I had a plan! I would order our traditional Christmas Eve Thai food. It would arrive just after we returned from mass. Kids would take baths, be in jammies. We'd watch a Christmas movie and kids would go to bed at a reasonable time. Piece of cake.
Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday this year. I dragged the kids to mass on Saturday evening so they didn't have to go twice in one day. Anyone who likes Thai or Teriyaki knows that those places generally aren't open on Sundays. Christmas Eve was no exception. Amazon restaurants was closed so I decided to try UberEats. I placed my order at Panda Express (desperate times). Driving to mass, there was a light dusting of snow.
Mass wasn't too insane. One hour after we went inside church, we came out to a veritable winter wonderland. So much snow! Dave gingerly drove us home. We watched people struggle with the hills of Shoreline. The dark and snow made it all feel festive. Arriving home, I checked the status of our order. And then proceeded to watch it slowly be continuously delayed until I finally cancelled. Kids ate peanut butter and jelly. I bought the first 17 Christmas episodes of the Simpsons. Some parental guidance was needed, but the kids loved it.
Christmas cozy
The view from my front door around 6:30 pm.
Kids were under strict instructions to not get up before 7 am. We generally do not go overboard on Christmas. This year we did not do a big gift either. While I refused to get her a live animal, Santa brought Eileen a battery operated hamster. It was love at first sight. His name is Fluffy.
The old ball and chain.
The benefit of a white Christmas meant that the kids spent a large portion of the day playing outside, coming inside for brief rests.
Eileen has been begging me to dye her hair and make her a red head. Santa brought her hair chalk pens. They seem to have satisfied her desire for now. Linus was pretty into them as well.
It was a pretty quiet afternoon as we prepped for our my family arrived.
Robin preferred to keep me company while I did things like set the table.
I always find Christmas with my family a little exhausting. Sorry guys! It's just a lot of presents, given by people who love my kids and my niece and nephew.
I made the mistake of buying Christmas crackers that came with whistles. Whistles and children at the dinner table DO NOT mix. I repeat. DO NOT mix. We moved the "musical sounds" to the other room where Beth attempted to conduct the group.
In a parenting fail, a few days after Christmas I found one of Linus' Christmas presents wrapped and hiding in my closet. Whoops! At this point, Linus is in the know about Santa so he kind of like the surprise delayed present opening.
The Rousseau family stayed on with us for the next few days. There was lots of playing of Beyblades and Pokemon.
Quality cousin time.
And even a trip to the Family Fun Center. I hate the Family Fun Center, but let it be known that I won at mini-golf.
Look Grandma! I got a picture of all 5 kids.
I took the big kids to see Jumanji. I was surprised by how good it was, aside from a few penis jokes/implications. The kids spent the rest of their time talking about who they would be in Jumanji and why. At the night the grownups got to hang out -- playing games, watching movies, and even going a double date one night!
As I said earlier, nothing ever goes as planned. A friend, who was house sitting for my sister, got very sick and end up in the ICU. Thrown into all the festivities was going over to my sister's to clean up the house and take care of Pee Wee, the dog. The kids liked playing pool at their house and snuggling Pee Wee. When I could I sat with my friend at the hospital. My sister, Beth, joined me one day and I got to watch her put her music therapy skills to work. She is very good at what she does.
Life is starting to get back to normal. The snow is melted. Our house guests are gone. We still have one more Christmas to attend on New Years. I go back to work on Tuesday. It's been a wild winter break. I'm a few pounds heavier and many dollars lighter. I am grateful for all that I have and am hopeful that 2018 will bring greater balance to the world.
Linus is a very lucky little boy. My sister, Sally, and her boyfriend, Gino, gifted Linus with snowboarding lessons for his birthday. They asked first. It's a big gift, especially since Dave and I do not currently participate in winter sports. Stevens Pass gives a free season pass to 5th graders. Gino, being the forward thinker that he is, realized that if Linus learned how to snowboard now, then by 5th grade Gino would have a snowboarding buddy. Smart Gino. Very smart.
Yesterday was the big day. Dave and I worried. What if Linus did not get the hang of it easily? Linus tends to give up quickly if he finds things difficult or even more challenging than anticipated. We regularly pep talked him about the new for grit and perseverance. Linus seemed to dismiss our concerns.
Gino and Sally did a great job planning out the day and were kind enough to take some photos and video.
Ready to shred.
Linus was the only person in his age level during lessons so he got to have a private lesson.
As luck would have it, he was a natural. Aunt Sally was a little jealous.
Linus had an amazing time. Seeing the joy he experienced almost makes me want to do a family snow weekend in the mountains and try skiing again. Almost. Thanks to Gino and Sally, Linus has a few more lessons to look forward to. I think he also really enjoyed the quality time with them. Sometimes I marvel at how grown up he is becoming.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Me: No Robin! Stop! We don't drink from the toilet.
