Day 198 | Looking Good
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He looks so grown up with a new hair cut, right?
Side note: Chase is still working on his thumbs up pose. :)
He looks so grown up with a new hair cut, right?
Side note: Chase is still working on his thumbs up pose. :)
He looks so grown up with a new hair cut, right?
Side note: Chase is still working on his thumbs up pose. :)
Day 197 | Oh Yeah, This is DC
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Then one of my least favorite parts about this city got in the way: the traffic. We've had such good luck in that department lately that I almost forgot how much I despise sitting, without moving, in the car. With two babies.
We did make it to the museum after some tense moments, several songs, and a Marshall and Thomas (the train) story. This museum is, unexpectedly, lots of fun for the kiddos. There's a great children's area with a skateboard (pictured above), a kayak (modeled next to Robbe), a teepee, an igloo, and too many additional exhibits to mention. We wish we could have been there for longer, but we'll take what we can get.
In case you think that was the only traffic congestion we got stuck in today, you'd be wrong. The trip to Caia and John's house for lunch took twice as long as it should have and the trip back home was no piece of cake, either.
Thanks for the reminder, DC.
Day 196 | A New Craft
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I started by carving bird stamps (one of my favorite subjects at the moment) and I'm really enjoying the new challenge. It's a fairly mindless, inexpensive activity that I can do in small chunks of time (a must with my current lifestyle).
I'll be posting future designs as I hone this new craft. You might have to wait until after the holidays, though, because I see some great gifts on the horizon.
Day 195 | Picnic, Please
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Day 194 | Jump, Jump, Jump
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The jumping didn't disappoint, yet again. And Chris decided the wait was definitely worth it.
Day 193 | The Fading Fall
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I heard a rumor from my dad today that there's a cold spell coming. Luckily, we had already arrived at the park to take advantage of the sunshine and lovely temperature before winter starts creeping in.
No, I'm not ready for it, in case you're wondering.
Day 192 | Tooth Time
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Robbe popped his first tooth! Can you see it on the bottom? I guess someone has to start gaining teeth to make up for our niece Leila, who keeps losing hers!
He's handled this first round of teething like a champ. Fingers crossed that continues as they keep coming.
Day 191 | Say It Isn't So
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We're so sad to see Steve, Krissy, Cynthia, and Jeffery go but we plan on spending as much time with them as possible before they pack up and move to the other coast. We'll stay optimistic that they'll return to us someday.
Day 190 | The Mall
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The boys had a blast playing at the mall play area today while Chris made a big purchase (that he has been debating about for about a year, obviously).
One thing I would like to point out: Robbe got more attention and hugs from the ladies (ok, three year olds) than most gentleman get their whole lives. I've never seen such a charismatic tot draw in the hugs. Ha!
Day 189 | A Little Conflicted
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Don't tell my husband but I'm considering changing my mind about one of the strongest beliefs I've had since we met: not listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving.
It just seems to be cheating the fall to start listening to Christmas music too early. Chris's tradition? Starting to listen to it after the first snow. Luckily, since moving to the District, the first snow doesn't typically come before Thanksgiving so it hasn't caused too many conflicts in our marriage.
This year, I'm torn, though. I want to give Chase a fighting chance at learning some of the holiday classics. I just don't know how realistic that is in only four weeks. I'll continue some heavy contemplation and keep you posted about my final decision. Motherhood is full of reconsidering things you've always known, right?
Note: Please don't judge me on my holiday music collection pictured above. These were the only hard copies I could find. Plus, it's not part of the holiday spirit to judge!
It just seems to be cheating the fall to start listening to Christmas music too early. Chris's tradition? Starting to listen to it after the first snow. Luckily, since moving to the District, the first snow doesn't typically come before Thanksgiving so it hasn't caused too many conflicts in our marriage.
This year, I'm torn, though. I want to give Chase a fighting chance at learning some of the holiday classics. I just don't know how realistic that is in only four weeks. I'll continue some heavy contemplation and keep you posted about my final decision. Motherhood is full of reconsidering things you've always known, right?
Note: Please don't judge me on my holiday music collection pictured above. These were the only hard copies I could find. Plus, it's not part of the holiday spirit to judge!
Day 188 | Feeling Sporty
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Chase has been asking to play again after our first successful outing. Today was the day. We woke up to a lovely fall day and no plans (the horror!). Both boys had a blast "playing" tennis in their own ways: Chase running after the ball and Robbe playing with the tennis ball container. Once that got old (it took a surprising long time, actually), we headed over to the soccer fields. Chase scored some fancy goals and Robbe frolicked in the grass.
If you can believe it, I even got to sit down on a bench in the tennis courts for a few minutes and just watched them. That might be the first time...but hopefully not the last!
Day 187 | It All Comes to an End
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The best October ever has come to an end. We dropped the last of our visitors off at the airport this morning. I hope the boys and I still like each other now that there aren't constant distractions. Even after everyone has left, I continue to be beyond grateful to these folks for spending their time, money, and vacation time to hang out with us.
Feeling very lucky.
Day 186 | Playseum
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I've been thinking about my review of this place and I'm still torn as I write. It's a great indoor activity with lots (and lots!) to offer little ones Chase's age. And Chase had a total blast. That's all great but it's pretty expensive (except I got a two for one deal online) and it's in need of some TLC: none of the baby toys worked (batteries, maybe?), the train tracks were practically unusable with only a few actual trains, and items in the grocery store had definitely seen better days. I guess that's par for the course when you're dealing with a ton of little ones wreaking havoc every day, but all this will give me something to think about before heading back.
Day 185 | A Perfect Day
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I'm not exactly sure what my perfect day looks like but today was pretty close:
Both boys transitioned to daylight savings pretty successfully so it wasn't a crazy early morning (a very important part of my perfect day). We had an amazing big breakfast (think eggs, sausage, hash browns), we organized the boys' closet (lame, but very satisfying), my mom and I scored some great deals at the outlet mall (shopping sans babies is one of the best things ever), then dinner was waiting for us (credit to Chris and the slow cooker for that one), and finally a pumpkin bar and hot apple cider post-bedtime.
Ahhhh, perfection.
Special note: Robbe is pulling himself up to standing now (see photo above). He's so proud of himself.
Day 184 | Pumpkin Bars
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Just because Halloween has come and gone, it doesn't mean we have to stop eating delicious pumpkin treats, right?
We headed to a friends' house for dinner tonight and pumpkin bars were the perfect house warming gift. These are one of Chris's favorite desserts and are slowly making their way up to the top of Chase's list as well. Everyone got involved in the baking...even Chase and Grandma Mary. It's nice to have so much help.
You'll find the recipe below (and no, I didn't remove the sugar with these). A special thanks to my Aunt Karen for making these a special treat throughout my childhood. They are pretty amazing, but don't take my word for it...
Pumpkin Bars
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin (one small can)
3/4 cup melted butter
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup nuts (optional)
Frosting:
6 Tbsp butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
3 ounces cream cheese
Directions
Beat eggs lightly with a fork and add the sugar, butter, and pumpkin. Mix well. Add dry ingredients to this mixture.
Pour into greased jelly roll pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Beat the frosting ingredients until smooth and put on cooled bars.
Day 183 | My Little Hedgehogs
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The moment you've all been waiting for: the big Halloween reveal. Chase and Robbe were the cutest hedgehogs around (not that there was much competition).
We made the best trick-or-treating decision possible: head to our old (old, old) neighborhood, and Chase's namesake, for the Chevy Chase Halloween Spooktacular.
Chris and I enjoyed witnessing this spectacle when we first moved to the District, without babies. Now, eight years later, here we are bringing our own little trick-or-treaters back for the event.
Chase really got into the spirit this year with his, "Trick-or-treat!", and "Happy Halloween!", and "Thank you!". And Robbe got the best treat an almost-eight-month-old could ask for: a polka dot balloon.
We wrapped up the evening by stopping at a couple neighbors' houses before heading home to admire the loot. A super-enjoyable time was had by all.
Day 182 | A Healthy Halloween: Part 2
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Delicious pumpkin agave muffins? Yes, please!
I've been making these muffins since I first started looking for sugar-free recipes. They are AMAZING. Not exaggerating and I promise you won't miss the sugar. I'm not going to repost the whole recipe since I actually follow the original recipe pretty closely: just leave out the salt. I've also substituted applesauce for the oil in the past and ended up with good results. One tip? Fill them pretty full because they don't rise much.
Today, the lucky recipients were Chase's school friends for their Halloween party. And by "party," I mean they celebrated by having this special snack and using festive napkins. No costumes allowed (apparently some kids get overwhelmed by them?) so no big reveal yet. Stay tuned tomorrow. When I asked if Chase was going to tell his friends that I made the muffins, he said "no." Embarrassed by me already? That can't be true!
Side note: Grandma Mary comes today! We're picking her up post-nap and, as you can imagine, we're all a *little* excited. Chase has asked about her whereabouts at least 100 times in the last three days.
Day 181 | A Healthy Halloween
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These classes are taking a hiatus for the holidays and we'll sorely miss our fun (and free!) Wednesday activity. Maybe I'll start coming up with my own toddler crafts now. A girl can dream.
Day 180 | Feeling Nostalgic
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It's unbelievable how a smell can throw you back to another time and place in an instant, isn't it? Last week when we were at the Cape, the vacation house we stayed in sent me right back to my grandparents' house in Wisconsin.
The smell hit me first. Somehow the upstairs and downstairs smelled exactly as my grandparents' house did. I can't even begin to explain what the smell is but I knew it after not visiting their house in almost four years. The more I looked around, the smell was just the beginning. The shuddered closet doors were in both the upstairs bedrooms. Just like at Grandma and Grandpa's. The glass shower doors were the same. I know these doors are probably very common, but I think I've only ever used two that look like this.
I left my grandparents' house after saying goodbye to Grandma in January 2011. It didn't feel real that I would never walk into their house again and I don't think I felt all the emotions I should have when I walked out the door for the last time. Staying in the vacation home for the week was almost more emotional than that last day in a way. It brought back a flood of memories that I haven't thought about in quite some time. Although some of these memories were sad, I was overjoyed to have the unexpected reminder of my grandparents.
Day 179 | Unlikely Lunch Outing
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As if that weren't enough, the boys handled their shots like champs. No crying. Let me say that again...no crying. Can you believe that? Such brave little guys.
