Day 1274 | Family Support
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Tonight was a good night. I managed to attend a niece's holiday concert AND another niece's dance team performance back to back. Just another reason we moved back...I just love these girls.
Day 1273 | Blanket Forts
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This has been the standard scene in our living room for far too many days. Ok, it's just been two but that feels like forever when you don't like staring at a mess.
The boys (including Chris) have been living the dream, though. I guess I'll let it slide...for one more day.
Day 1272 | Holiday Hustling
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I'm sorry I've been a terrible blogger this week. I missed two day (TWO DAYS!!) somehow. That's when you know it's been a busy week. That's when you know it's the holidays. All is well, though, and I'm happy to be back at it.
We had an insanely busy weekend full of holiday fun including cookie decorating, a holiday party, and krumkake rolling with grandpa. Whew. Every year I get totally sucked into the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season only to get *slightly* overwhelmed and exhausted by it all. That seems normal, right?!? Oh...and it's only December 10th. I better rally for the second half of the season or Christmas Eve is going to be rough!
New podcast episode!
We've got a new episode coming out tomorrow and I realized that I never posted the last one to my site. Eeek! See? I'm *a bit* behind in everything lately. This episode about milestones give a bit of back story (which you probably already know) about Robbe's speech delays and offers an update, too. Give us a listen!
Day 1271 | Samesies
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These two have been really into matching these days. I mean really into it. I fully support it and think it's super adorable, but I want everyone to know the wardrobe choices are not coming from me. That is all.
**Special note: Chase finally has pjs that fit! It's been a long time since I could say that. Thanks for all your hard work, Grandma Bibi!
Day 1270 | Happy St. Nick's!
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St. Nick visited our house last night and filled our shoes with some coins, clementines, a couple of new Christmas books, and a puzzle. A pretty good haul for a Wednesday.
Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa M. for bringing this tradition into our lives.
Day 1269 | Holiday Baking Extravaganza
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My mom came up after school today for our official holiday baking extravaganza. The goal was three cookies (with two additional crafts added while we waited for cooling + baking) and we nailed it. All the sweets turned out super yummy. Now if only we can manage to have them in the house and not eat them all. That's no joke.
Here are the recipes in case anything's looking too good to resist:
Glazed Little Orange Cookies with Cinnamon and Cloves (I didn't come up with this name)
Pretzel M&M Hugs (although our preference is for round pretzels)
Peanut Butter Blossoms (thanks, Aunt Pam for hooking me on this cookie!)
Happy baking!
Day 1268 | Target Lunch
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I may have lived my whole life without ever eating from the Target cafeteria, but sweet Robbe didn't even make it to his fourth birthday. After picking him up from school and running an errand, we were running short on time so it was either eat at Target (which Robbe was also really excited about) or delay nap (which really isn't an option at all). I think we made the right choice. And it was so cheap! ;)
Day 1267 | Warm Winter Weekend
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With temperatures hovering around 50 degrees all weekend and some close friends in town to entertain, we enjoyed the opportunity to get out of the house a bit more than usual. The winter parade on Friday night, some downtown shopping yesterday, and some playground and hiking time today. Even after all of that, I still don't think I'm going to be ready for the high of 23 on Tuesday. If it's going to be that cold, there better be snow!
Day 1266 | Breakfast with Santa
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Well hello, Santa + Mrs. Claus. The boys were super excited to present their lists to Santa this year. It was a hard decision, but they both managed to come up with their wish list *just* in the knick of time.
In case you're wondering:
Chase's Santa Letter (Written all on his own for the first time)
Dear Santa,
I would like the Imaginext Pyramid with some pirate stuff, please.
Thanks and ho ho ho!
Robbe's Santa Letter (with his own signature for the first time)
Dear Santa,
I would like a Playmobil Camping Lodge for Christmas. I would also like a surprise, please. My brother and I have been very good this year. I'm wondering what your reindeer eat.
Merry Christmas!
For past Santa lists, check out these links:
Day 1265 | Fireworks
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The boys witnessed their first real fireworks display (that's because they can shoot them at 630pm in the winter instead of 10pm in the summer). After a bit of preliminary skepticism, both boys are now excited about the idea of fireworks. Whew.
Day 1264 | Students as Teachers
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Tonight Chase took on the role of teacher and had to show us (and Grandma and Grandpa G.) around his classroom for the annual Students as Teachers event. When the hour was up, Chase had given us four presentations (for anyone familiar with the Montessori vernacular) and we were impressed and excited about his work in the classroom. We're feeling lucky to have stumbled upon this school.
Day 1263 | Card Crafting
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I bought an adorable card kit (similar to this) on a whim when I was making a return to Michaels and I have to say I'm super impressed with the quality + simplicity of the project (and, because it was on sale, the kit was $3.50 for six cards!). Everything was peel + stick or sprinkle (the flare inside the snow globe). The boys loved that they could actually help with the project (not always the case when we start these types of crafts). Quick, easy, fun, and adorable. I'd highly recommend.
Day 1262 | Looking Festive
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I think we kind of rocked our outside house decorations this year. Candles in the upstairs windows, lit garland over the bay windows, and a single strand of lights around the door. So festive, right?
It makes me so happy every time I pull into our driveway. :)
Day 1261 | Advent Workshop 2017
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Two hours and 13 crafts later, and Trinity Lutheran Church's Advent Workshop didn't disappoint. Robbe even got to participate in the fun this year!
This event is definitely a family favorite and one we look forward to all year long. Thanks to all the volunteers who donate their time + energy + craftiness in order to pull the workshop together. Until next year!
Day 1260 | Looking Festive
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The house is a total mess but it's starting to look Christmas-y around here nonetheless. The tree is decorated, the outside is pretty much done, and some of the other random decorations have been strewn about as well. I like it. I like it a lot.
Day 1259 | Onto the Next
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Thanksgiving is so yesterday. Onto Christmas tree hunting today! For the first time as a family, we cut down our own tree. The beautiful 50+ degree day didn't hurt the experience, that's for sure. The boys had a great time "hunting" for the perfect one. And we found it. Stay tuned for a fully-decorated photo later this weekend (if all goes well).
Day 1258 | I'm Thankful
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Some days you just have to step back from all the stressors and annoyances that surround us and realize all that there is to be thankful for in life. I'm going to attempt to do this tomorrow and I hope the same for all of you.
I'm thankful.
Day 1257 | Family Fun
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We've only been here two days but we're squeezing as much fun out of our visit as possible. Today's activities included a coffee date with Aunt Andi, a lunch date and outing (with ice cream, of course) with just the boys and Grandma Bibi, dressing the Christmas goose (pictured above), an afternoon play date with cousin Eli, dinner + board games with cousin Lily, and a thumb-wrestling training session with Uncle Mike. Oh and there was a ticklefest. An epic ticklefest.
Day 1256 | Fall Break
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The boys are off of school all week so we jumped in the car to visit grandma and grandpa. We're bummed to have left Chris behind but we're having enough fun for him, too, so you don't need to worry about him.
Day 1255 | Hat Hair
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Nothing you can do about hat hair in Wisconsin. We just better get used to this.
