Chase is on vacation all week and we're living the dream. Practically nothing on the agenda and lots of time to talk about the impending holidays. And, to join in the fun, Uncle Matt and Cousin Brad came for a visit.
Holidays are the best.
It was the perfect day to get some friends (and their little ones) together for some Thanksgiving crafting this morning.
We made some corn shakers (we promised to give the corn to the squirrels after the kids get sick of them), some owl + turkey friends, and some thankful pumpkins (here's the tutorial, in case you're interested).
What are your two favorite blog-stars thankful for this year? Well, let me tell you:
Need I say more?
After a morning yoga class (my second this week...look at me!), my mom and I dropped the boys off at a "kids party" with my nieces and sister in law. Their dance studio hosts baby sitting every now and then as a fundraiser and by calling it a "kids party" the boys were beyond excited to attend (sometimes Robbe would prefer to have me by his side indefinitely).
My mom and I got to enjoy some kid-free exploring a few new-to-me spots in my new city and the boys had a blast.
A lovely day had by all.
Watching the squirrels take down this pumpkin outside our door has been completely fascinating and incredibly impressive over the last week. This was a full, medium-size pumpkin when they got started. I think they sense a change in the weather and really decided to focus.
Robbe slept in this morning so Chase and I had a shocking 45 minutes worth of snuggle time in bed. We laughed, we pretended to be sleeping, we talked about how excited we are for the holidays, we promised to be best friends forever, etc. Oh, and Chase enjoyed using the camera on my phone to capture the moment. The photo above is credited to him. Every time he put his little finger over the flash, he would look at the photo and say, "Look! A rainbow in this one!"
I just kept thinking to myself: man, I'm glad to have these mornings back (he had school last year so we had to get up and going everyday). In addition, I was thinking about how much I'm going to miss these mornings when he's in school full time again next year. At least I can be grateful and present in the moment because of this crazy gap year of school for him. I'll take it.
Our little one has gotten a lot of attention for his latest accomplishment, but this guy is just as amazing as ever. And this photo is about the perfect photo of Chase-it looks just like him. Such a sweetheart.
This is hands-down one of my all time favorite recipes. To the boys, it's known as "fancy mac & cheese." To me, it's just delicious. The only problem with it is that I tend to eat way more than I should. Such problems, I know.
Ingredients
1 box spiral whole wheat pasta
8 slices bacon (I use turkey bacon)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium zucchini (about 1 pound), halved and thinly sliced
salt and black pepper
1 pint grape tomatoes, sliced in half
6 ounces crumbled Feta
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (or a sprinkle of dried basil)
Directions
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes; transfer to a plate, let cool, then break into pieces. Reserve the skillet.
Add the oil, zucchini, a sprinkle of salt and pepper to the drippings in the skillet and cook, tossing occasionally, until tender, 4 to 6 minutes.
Add the zucchini, tomatoes, and cooking water to the pasta and cook over medium heat, tossing, until the tomatoes soften slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the Feta and bacon and toss to combine. Serve sprinkled with the basil.
This guy. He never ceases to amaze me.
First, Robbe dropped thumb sucking totally cold turkey when he turned two (except for an occasional slip at night...which I think is unconscious). Now, he's nailing potty training. Ever since he put on undies for the first time on Friday afternoon, he has had one accident. One. Crazy impressive, right?
He's been toying with the idea of potty training for several months and using the potty when he feels like it. On Friday, I asked him if he wanted to wear undies. He replied, "yes." I told him that he needs to tell me when he needs to use the potty then. I asked him if he understood. He replied, "yes." And that was it. No looking back.
I would have posted this earlier but I've always been really worried about jinxing my good fortune. I feel three and a half days in is a good enough streak to risk the jinxing. Fingers crossed.
One more note: I've been much more surprised at my bittersweet feelings toward this development all weekend. Since he's our last baby, I feel like I've been much more present for the "lasts" than I was with Chase. His last time nursing, his last time in the swaddle, his last time crawling, etc. I was more present, but I wouldn't say I was much more effected by these transitions. Not this time. For some reason, potty training seems like such a bigger deal. It seems like the last link of his current life back to him as a baby. On Friday, that last link was severed. And that makes me sad. As much as I'm enjoying these ages and would never go back to the bitty baby stage, I guess the fact that my kids are growing up is tugging at my heart more than I anticipated.
That little guy in the photo above, he's not a baby anymore. Luckily--and this I'll hold onto forever--he'll always be my baby.
My dad has been making these sour cream cookies for as long as I can remember. They're only made once a year (he brings them to the hunting shack), which somehow makes them even more delicious.
I used to help my dad with these when I was still living at home. Since our move to DC, he's been managing it with my mom's assistance. I think all of us were pretty excited to have the boys involved in the baking this year. Mind you, their active participation didn't last too long, but you've got to start somewhere!
If you're interested in starting your own family tradition, here's the recipe:
Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
Directions
The boys and I had a lovely, busy, and social day today. First up, a trip to the park to meet a friend for some serious playtime. Next, off to have lunch with my dad. After a much-needed nap, a visit with my favorite life-long (no exaggeration...my whole life) and her little ones. Finally, dinner with my mom and dad and some playdoh and lego time for the boys.
Whew. Everyone is ready for bedtime tonight. But I wouldn't have changed a thing!
After yesterday's weighty post (sorry not sorry), a little levity on the blog today. This is what our front yard looks like at 5:00pm these days.
Not a fan daylight savings time, not a fan.
I cried this morning.
In the midst of the shocked, disappointed, devastated, concerned feelings I could identify (and a million others that I couldn’t), I’m making a promise to myself: never again.
I found myself appalled by the fact that I could be so emotionally distraught and devastated over my candidate losing an election after I had done nothing to help her win. Never again.
I told myself that there was NO WAY Trump could win. I told myself I was too busy this time around to make a real difference. I told myself the majority of the country has the same values and beliefs that I have, so our future would be clear. I told myself that what others were doing to support the campaign would be enough. Never again.
This morning I woke up sad to have to share this news with my boys. They’re little so they don’t really understand all of this, but I still needed to explain to them the outcome of the election and help them comprehend why I was disappointed. I wanted a woman to be present for my sons just as much as those who wanted one for their daughters. I wanted to send the message to them that we’re all equal. That the placemat that Chase looks at everyday doesn’t have to depict just males. That a woman can do anything a man can do. For those of you that know me well, you wouldn’t call me a feminist. I wouldn’t call myself that. But I’d be lying if there wasn’t a huge part of me that was thrilled at the prospect of “breaking that glass ceiling”. It’ll happen one day, I know, but, by golly, I thought it would be today.
To my future self (and any of you that woke up crying, disappointed, and/or terrified this morning): please DO SOMETHING next time. Talk about the issues. Reach out to people. Don’t hide thoughts and beliefs because you don’t want to offend. I’ve been offended plenty of times over the course of this campaign and just stood aside. Never again.
I don’t know where we go from here. I’m trying to be optimistic that the checks and balances are in place to prevent any real damage done to our country and the people who live here. I’m hopeful that President Trump will be more in the business of unifying rather than dividing as he takes the oath of president. I have to believe these things. But for today (and probably several days to come), I’ll let the sadness be the motivation I need to be heard next time around.
Here's an article of helpful resources if you too are looking for ways to DO SOMETHING.
We couldn't have been happier to spend the day with my mom celebrating the opening of the $27 million building she's been working on for three years. It's more beautiful and impressive than I could have imagined.
Congratulations, Mom!
As promised, our spooky spider and ghosts pumpkins. Unfortunately, they didn't make it to Halloween. I blame the squirrels + the warm temperatures. In that order.
Another 100 days have come and gone. Man, have things changed for our little family. If you remember, the 800 day post was soon after the move. It simultaneously feels like forever ago and just yesterday. Based on the last few weeks around here, I don't think we can bank on things slowing down at all. Just another reason (and extra motivation) to keep on keepin' on with my blog.
FAVORITES: spending time with my nieces between dance commitments, observing the boys playing together, breakfasts with my dad, brother, grandma + the boys on a regular basis, having Mary Catherine back as my designing buddy (it wasn’t nearly as much fun without her), wearing scarves again, listening to Hamilton (it's the best!)
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: deciding on what holiday crafts are on my list this year + finding time to create.
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: carving out *a bit* more time for myself (including a chiropractor appointment last week and my first post-surgery yoga class scheduled for Wednesday). I’m hopeful I can actually do it this time!
FAVORITES: getting home from work in time for dinner, any quality time with his boys, the mad deals he gets on adult beverages here in WI, the complimentary coffee at his new office, enjoying the new fireplace, driving to work (no more walking in the rain).
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: keeping up with raking the tons (and tons) of leaves in our yard. Maybe having so many mature trees on our lot isn't such a great thing. At this point, we've loaded up 37 landscaping bags. That's no joke.
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: finding the perfect location for our first Christmas tree in our new house.
AGE: 4 years, 7 months
FAVORITES: his school + school friends, collecting treasures to store in various treasure boxes around the house, playing Superhero and/or Star Wars with daddy, chasing his brother around the house in circles, reading (current interests are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, superhero books, + Star Wars), talking (like, all the time…he’s got a lot going on in that little head), his mad scooter skills, studying the book order pamphlets that he brings home from school, translating for Robbe.
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: narrowing down his Christmas wish list, he's just so excited about everything.
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: convincing his mom and dad to let him watch as many movies as he wants. Sorry, friend, you've got too much playing + reading on your to-do list.
AGE: 2 years, 8 months
FAVORITES: giving big hugs to his brother (and sometimes his parents...if we’re lucky), thumbing through the Christmas toy catalogues + carrying them everywhere with him, his six sleeping friends (stuffed animals), picking Chase up from school, talking about reporting all his injuries to Papa (grandpa), reading (current interests are books about trucks, books about tools, our animal book), stickers (still a hands-down favorite), playing with Chase
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: his inability to contain his enthusiasm when we have company. His little body just can’t handle the excitement.
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: wearing his new snow boots. I promise it’ll come soon enough, let’s not rush it, ok?
And here's the rundown of how far we've come:
To clarify, the image above is showing the outdoor bathroom, or torpedo, not the hunting cabin. :)
The boys (Chris and Chase) had a great trip to Northern Wisconsin with Grandpa Paul. Chase enjoyed the ATV rides, the marshmallows, and the quality solo-time with two of his favorite people most off all.
Robbe was super sad to see them go yesterday but he did rebound as the afternoon wore on. Let's just say he's more than ready to sign on when the next opportunity arises.
I've said it before and [hopefully] I'll say it again, if this is November in Wisconsin what was I doing in DC all those years? You just can't beat sunshine and 65 degrees when you're out taking leaves and planting spring bulbs.
Chris and my dad even took Chase up to the hunting shack up north to spend some serious time outside. They'll be back tomorrow with some good photos to share, I hope!
I've been dreaming of heading back to my old high school for their annual musical since I graduated and tonight it finally happened.
These high schoolers (including my niece!), pulled off The Sound of Music better than I could have imagined. Well done, Eleva-Strum, well done.
I have approximately 750 things on my to do list but voting isn't one of them. Check!
Can you believe this was us playing at a local park on November 2nd? It was over 60 degrees today. What?!? If this is November in Wisconsin, I can totally handle the winter. :)
small city | BIG DAYS
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