Day 604 | Book Lovers

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After much thought and consideration, the boys decided to spend part of their Christmas money (thanks great grandma and great great grandma!) on new books. Robbe selected a giant truck book (even his shirt expresses his enthusiasm for transportation) and Chase picked out a Frozen book (with 12 separate stories). He's discovered a new interest in the movie since receiving the soundtrack in his stocking and watching it for the first time with his cousin (his first ever full-length movie) back in Wisconsin. Chase did make it clear, however, that this is the only Frozen book he wants. He clarified that this one has so many stories that he doesn't need anymore. Smart kiddo.

Yay for reading!

Day 603 | Candles

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I'm sure you've been dying to see the candles Mary Catherine and I made back in November. Since I gave them as gifts, I needed to keep the final product under wraps.

Aren't they cute? We made purple lavender citrus candles and green peppermint vanilla candles. I have to say, they smell amazing.

Here's a basic how-to for candle making. It's super easy, I swear! And I've been ordering my supplies from this website lately and have been happy with the options+shipping. I recommend the soy wax. It's the best. :)

Day 600 | 600!

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Posing at our favorite breakfast spot.
Yep, another 100 days has flown by. You know what that means: another team update.  Enjoy!

Name: Sara
Favorites: SmartWool socks (now that winter has finally arrived, super warm socks just couldn't make me happier), lattes (there’s nothing better in the chilly afternoons), going out for breakfast
Biggest hurdle to overcome: dealing with attention-deprived kiddos after the last two weeks of constant family distractions. Eek!
Dreams for the future: crafting with my boys more often…this whole school five days a week is really cramping my style. Goal for 2016? Craft more all around, with and without the babes.

Name: Chris
Favorites: giant ice cubes (and now we have a circle mold in addition to our square ones!), kringle (good thing he got to eat it three times in the week he was in his hometown), writing notes on his brand new old typewriter, horsing around with the boys, going out for breakfast
Biggest hurdle to overcome: how to spend his big fantasy football earnings (he won his league…no big deal)
Dreams for the future: the first snow day. It’s DC, we’ll have one eventually…but when?!?

Name: Marshall
Age: 3.5 years (45 months, to be exact)
Favorites: Paw Patrol & trains (at least he’s consistent), puzzles, practicing his writing, saying “I really love you so much, [fill in the blank]” (it’s the sweetest thing ever), negotiating…anything and everything, going out for breakfast
Biggest hurdle to overcome: finding the time to play with all his new toys (thanks, family, for spoiling him like crazy over the holidays) in addition to all the old toys that he hasn’t seen in 2+ weeks.
Dreams for the future: going diaper-free. He’s gone one day at school with no diaper for nap (he’s been doing it at home for a couple of months) and last night was his first diaper-free bedtime. We’re so close!

Name: Robbe
Age: Almost 2 years (22 months, to be exact)
Favorites: Miga (for some reason, these two are best friends lately), his brother, giving the best hugs, offering up smooches, tucking in his toys before naps/bedtime, trucks, reading, saying “mama”, going out for breakfast (have you noticed a family trend?)
Biggest hurdle to overcome: whining and screeching. It’s a new development since we’ve been on vacation. Not sure how it came about but let’s just say no one is a fan. Hopefully once we’re back in the routine of real life he’ll realize it’s not a great attention-getting option.
Dreams for the future: talking. He’s so close to actually being able to express himself. I see an explosion of words in the not too distant future. Stay tuned.

And, if you're interested in looking back over the past year and a half of team blog posts, here's your chance:

Day 598 | Home Sweet Home

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As sad as we were to say goodbye to Wisconsin and our lovely vacation, there's really nothing better than being home again, is there? I feel crazy lucky to feel that way.

The flight went perfectly. I even read a few pages while Robbe napped on me (a seriously unusual circumstance). The travel day could not have gone better. 

Thank you, family and friends, for the best holiday trip yet. So many things to be thankful for as we inch toward 2016. 

Day 597 | Wrapping It Up

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We had a busy last day in WI: visit to the Children's Musuem, lunch at a new spot, quality time with the sister in-law, a evening visit to the farm, a pizza party with the whole fam, and reading time with Chase and the girls. Oh, and packing, lots of packing.

Whew. Tomorrow's travel day will feel like a relaxing break. Just kidding, of course, here's hoping it's just as uneventful as possible. Happy thoughts, please!

Day 594 | Girl Talk

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Sometimes, although not frequently, something blog-worthy happens after I've completed my post for the day. Hard to believe, I know.

Last night, my favorite pre-teen/teenage nieces and I enjoyed each others' company while playing a board game (Girl Talk), watching a movie (Home...it was cute), and playing cards (Kent...a middle school favorite of mine). Grandma Mary even got in on the action. It was the kind of evening that made me more convinced than ever of our need to move back to Wisconsin. I want to be a bigger part of their lives during this super-important, super-influence-able time for them. I miss these girls.

Oh, and the little cards we're holding in the photo are from the Girl Talk game. We all passed out cards that we think best describes each person and then each of us picked our favorite card we received. The selected cards?

Isabelle: Giggles a lot
Ann: Incredibly caring
Sara: Can be trusted with a secret
Grandma Mary: A good listener
Lane: Very confident

Day 593 | Trains!

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We found trains in Wisconsin! Whew. We were starting to go through withdrawals.

There was a nice little holiday exhibit of model trains at the Chippewa Valley Museum. And, to top it off, there was a whole room dedicated to a toy train track that Chase, in particular, loved. Robbe seemed more interested in exploring the nooks and crannies of the rest of the museum. He found a fishing pond, a downtown bus, and a cow...to name some of the highlights. 

That, in addition to Mancino's for lunch = a pretty fantastic morning. And thanks, Grandma and Uncle Matt for going along on the adventure. 

Day 591 | Happy Christmas Eve

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For the fourth time ever, we celebrated Christmas Eve with my dad's whole family tonight. It was madness and totally wonderful at the same time. I'm not sure how it's possible to feed 55+ people in a smallish house all at the same time but my Grandma and aunts managed just that. And flawlessly. I'm beyond thankful to call this group of people my family.

Oh, and Santa even stopped by during his gift-giving tour. Can you believe it? Chase was enamored, Robbe was terrified. At least they're consistent!

Happy Christmas Eve!

Day 588 | Meeting Santa

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Whew. We can finally cross meeting Santa off the list. December 20th is a little too close for comfort. Thank goodness Grandma M saved the day and found the big man today. Both Santa letters were successfully delivered but both boys did not successfully sit on his lap. Poor Robbe was shaking at the thought of being handed off to the stranger's lap. We'll settle for a photo of the boys (and me) with Santa this year.

Oh, but don't worry! Chase gave the jolly elf Robbe's wish list, too. Hopefully that means both boys will be rewarded on Christmas morning. 

Day 587 | Family Time

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Another lovely day in central Wisconsin. We had a ton of quality time with the cousins...like a full day of quality time with the cousins. I don't think Chase has played that hard in his life. He spent almost every waking moment with a toy in his hand. Vacationing is serious business around here.

Oh, and we got to take Archer and Maria (pictured above) for our Christmas present outing! They love crafting at a sweet little pottery shop where you can paint your own project. We had a blast. Archer chose a lego bank, Maria selected a spunky Christmas tree, and I painted a fun and festive holiday bowl. Chris took on the role of assistant, his preferred crafting position. Yay for spending time together instead of just more money on a plain-old gift.