Day 1611 | Blanket Forts Con’t
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The forts continued through the weekend and into today. I finally decided I couldn’t stare at the mess anymore and we put everything away. It’s nice to have the family room back.
Day 1610 | Spring Piano Recital
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We’re not even close to spring arriving in WI but Chase had his spring piano recital today in hopes it motivates some warmer weather. Chase rocked “Pirate’s Song” and looked pretty adorable playing it, too. :)
Day 1609 | Dress Shopping
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I snuck out of the house this morning for some bridesmaid dress shopping with my mom. Yep! I get to be a bridesmaid in my brother’s wedding and I’m SUPER pumped about it. I wish I lived close to them so I could go shopping with the bride, but my mom and I managed to have a great time solo.
Trying on fancy dresses is so fun. I feel like there should be more reasons to try them on on a regular basis, you know? At the end of the excursion I found two dresses that I definitely like (the bride is letting us choose our own style). Now just to make the final decision. The wedding is in August so you’ll just have to wait until then for the big reveal.
Day 1608 | Sick Again
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The little nugget has a fever [again]. Hopefully it’s just a fever and nothing else sprouts up tomorrow. Luckily, we’re on track for another stay-inside-because-of-snow day tomorrow so we’re ok with a lazy recovery day.
I’m starting to think winter will never end.
Day 1607 | Blanket Forts
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I wish for a world where all kids can experience the sheer joy of blanket forts.
Day 1606 | A Final Line
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On March 1, 2019, I wrote the last entry in my one-line-a-day journal. For five years, I have struggled and fretted over this journal. One sentence every day for five years. That’s no joke. I didn’t do it every day (that was probably my problem). I would forget or be too tired and there would be days (even weeks sometimes—eek!) that I would have to use my blog to catch up on the entries. I did it, though. The journal is complete and I’m happy to have the record of the somewhat mundane but also memorable moments of our life.
I’m not going to lie, though. It feels really good to check this little journal off my to-do list forever.
*Side note: the journal is pictured above with the amaryllis plant that my mom gifted me and I’ve managed to rear successfully for the past few weeks. It’s huge and beautiful and a sign that maybe spring will come eventually.
Day 1605 | Drop Off
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This is what drop off looks like at 830ish every morning: the boys pushing each other out of the way to be the first to give me a smooch before jumping out of the van.
These are the moments you want to hold onto forever. And ever.
Day 1604 | Little Faith
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I don’t read nearly as much as I’d like, but somehow when my favorite author drops a new book, I can make the time.
Little Faith is officially on bookstore shelves and I’m betting it’s going to be pretty great—I’m only two chapters in so I can’t offer much additional insight. Nick is not only an amazing writer, he’s a dear friend, and also family. If you’re in the market for a new read, consider this one, will you?
Day 1603 | Happy 5th Birthday!
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Our little nugget is five today. FIVE. I love birthdays. I love thinking back to that day of their births and how our whole world changed in one minute. I love showering them with gifts + special treats + attention. I love coming up with a day filled with whatever makes them happy. I just love it all.
Robbe’s activities of choice on his big day? Present-opening immediately upon waking up, French toast for breakfast, watching Bolt (in the morning!), mac + cheese lunch at Panera bread, attending a community theater production, serious playtime + Lego assembly, pizza for dinner (with pineapple and pickles on the side), a mystery game (created by Chris), a bingo game (created by me), and this yummy Oreo ice cream cake for desert. Add in some family to the mix and the day was pretty much perfect.
UPDATES ON 5 YEAR OLD ROBBE
He's still rocking speech therapy. At this point, Robbe is seeing the speech therapist at his school just once a week and he's surpassing all of his developmental milestones. We've got his annual IEP check-in in about a month and rumor has it he might graduate out of his IEP altogether!
Potty humor gets him every time.
Favorite meals: yogurt + berries with granola (breakfast), anything on pretzel bread (lunch), french toast with berries on top (dinner)
Robbe is almost exactly the same height at 5 as Chase was when he turned 6.
He loves Legos (like, really LOVES Legos), but rarely puts them together. He prefers to play with them, not assemble. It's a good thing there are other friends in the house that really enjoy the assembly part!
Chase is his best friend and favorite playmate. There is nothing that brings me more joy.
He can’t wait to eat lunch at school (next year). I’m worried the idea of this is not going to live up to the reality of it come next year.
Robbe’s answers to a few questions:
What is your biggest fear? Tarantulas, snakes, and scorpions
Favorite person? Chase (without hesitation)
What makes you laugh? Funny jokes (obviously)
Day 1602 | Snowbanks
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Snowbanks taller than a four (almost five) year old. Taller than a minivan. This is getting ridiculous.
Day 1601 | Pilates
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Another delayed start meant that I couldn’t make it to my Pilates session today—until my [super-sweet and overly-accommodating] teacher was willing to reschedule so the boys could come with. Now they love Pilates as much as I do! There version is a bit different than mine, but I’m pretty sure it still counts.
Day 1600 | 1600!
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Sara
FAVORITES: Pilates sessions, oat milk + decaf lattes (still going strong despite an oat milk shortage earlier this winter), sunshine on winter days, listening to the boys play happily together again (after the rough patch in the fall), puzzling with my #1 guy (we’re just more picky about the selections these days), wearing vests inside (they really do keep you warm even if your arms aren’t covered!), my Yeti mugs (I had no idea how often I was drinking cold beverages)
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Coming to terms with not hosting birthday parties for the boys this year. They opted to celebrate at the waterpark last weekend instead. I’m relieved and saddened to not be dealing with all that stress + excitement right now.
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: One week of a normal schedule without sick or snow days. It’s been at least five weeks since that has happened.
Chris
FAVORITES: Drinking water (lots of water), playing the Nintendo Switch, puzzling with his #1 gal (he’s recovered from the great Eagle Puzzle Incident), Salted Nut Rolls, not having to shovel, playing board games (Catan is the current favorite)
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Having to drive home in 6+ inches of snow on a regular basis
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Soaking in the sun on the beach in Mexico (we’re going again over spring break)
Chase
AGE: Almost 7 (just over a month to go)
FAVORITES: Playing the Nintendo Switch with his Dad, anything on the iPad, Lego Ninjago (still going strong), his new winter boots, everything about school, reading chapter books (currently we’re very into Peter and the Star Catchers), his cousin Eli, equality with everything related to his brother
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Making time for practicing piano (he’s just too busy playing to fit it in)
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Losing more teeth. He’s down four already and only two have started growing back in. Even still, he’s ready for additional visits from the Tooth Fairy—I can’t imagine why.
Robbe
AGE: Almost 5 (four days to go!)
FAVORITES: Snow days (he’s by far the biggest proponent in the house), Ty Beanie Boo characters, planning his birthday festivities, his Pokemon blanket, playing Legos, visiting the library, honey wheat pretzels, his sandwich recipe (pretzel bread, peanut butter, and flat pretzels), drinking tea, vitamin C drops, constantly requesting things to eat, his new sloth stuffed animals
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Keeping his undies un-bundled. This kid does not have time to slowly pull up his pants so that his undies lay flat and are comfortable. Instead, he pulls everything up together in a wad and then spends most of his day with bunched undies. How does that not drive him crazy?!?
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: To be as old as (or older than) his brother. I *don’t think* this one is going to come true for the little man, but that doesn’t stop him from requesting it.
LOOKING BACK ON 1600 POSTS
Day 1599 | Squinty
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He might be squinty but he’s still cute!
We made it home safe and sound today. This is definitely a winter to remember.
Day 1598 | A Bonus Day
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Mother Nature decided to extend our stay in Wisconsin Dells by another day so we were forced to make the most of it. We went to see the new Lego movie, stuffed our own Build-a-Bears, spent some time at the arcade, watched the Oscars, and enjoyed some family board games. Definitely better than driving in terrible weather and spending the rest of the day unpacking and doing laundry!
Think happy thoughts for our trip home tomorrow.
Day 1597 | Water Parkin’
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We jumped right into the water park weekend. *Pun intended. Although water parks aren’t really my thing (are you surprised?), I couldn’t be happier to be spending the quality time with some of our favorite people. I guess I can handle some pool time for that.
Day 1596 | Fun with Friends
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Are you ok with photos of photos? Cool. I appreciate that.
Day 1595 | Custom Hats
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The boys are in need of some new sun shade for our upcoming trip to Mexico. I found these cheap trucker hats online and then let the boys pick out their own graphic for them. Chase selected Shadow Lugia (a Pokemon character), obviously. Robbe’s is a Lego kit that he’s interested in. Random and humorous selections, but I like them.
I printed them out on iron-on transfer paper and then added them to the hats. I’m shocked at how well they turned out. And the boys are pretty pumped, too. You can tell in this photo.
Day 1594 | The Birthday Boy
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I might as well offer a quick update on Chris for his big day. Now it’s a thing.
UPDATES ON MY 36 YEAR OLD HUSBAND
- He only wears white or light blue dress shirts to work. No other colors or patterns are acceptable.
- He worries the boys have missed their window to be great video gamers. They are 6 and 4. Let that sink in.
- He really likes birds of prey. He’s got some sort of radar that goes off when they are within eyeshot. It’s a pretty impressive super power.
- He’s terrified of pink eye. He has been since I met him.
- He eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch everyday.
- He’s really good at board games. Like, so good I get frustrated because I never win. Luckily, he’s terrible at Speed (the card game) so that’s my confidence booster.
- He gets funnier with age. No one can make me laugh the way he does. He just gets me.
- He’s probably the best dad ever. And I’m not biased at all. The amount of energy and attention he can offer the boys after working non-stop for 11 hours is truly inspiring. I know he might not be able to offer the quantity of time he’d like to the boys, but he sure makes up for it in quality. The boys have no idea how lucky they are to have such a dedicated, caring, motivated, and funny (they think he’s hysterical, too) role model in their lives. Luckily I tell them all the time.
Happy birthday to my best friend.
Day 1593 | A Birthday Update
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The whole family pretending to blow out candles.
I know you know a lot about what’s going on in our lives, but I realized that there are some pretty big updates about myself that I haven’t shared on here—mostly because I don’t have a photo to go with them, not because I’m withholding information.
A FEW LIFE UPDATES FROM A 35 YEAR OLD
- I’ve started taking private pilates sessions. It’s pretty amazing. And expensive. But amazing nonetheless.
- I’ve learned how to successfully soften butter in the microwave. It comes up more than you would think.
- I can see. I had Lasik eye surgery about three months ago. Waking up in the morning and being able to see is crazy. Real crazy.
- I still really like cats. We don’t own one, but I think that only fuels my fire.
- My parallel parking skills remain intact. After honing this skill in DC, I’m happy to report that I’ve still got it. I have to work harder to seek out tough parallel parking challenges, but that makes it even sweeter.
- Back pain? Still there. I continue to have hope, though.
- I really like oat milk lattes. Specifically, oat milk lattes from the coffee shop a block from our house. Handy, right?
- I still hate making bunkbeds. It’s been two years and it’s not any easier/less of an acrobatic feat. There has to be an easier option.
My birthday involved a lot of time inside and more sick snuggles than I would have hoped for, but it’s been a good day. I got to craft a bit, I spent a lot of time with family, and enjoyed a yummy bday dinner and desert with some lovely gifts. In reality, this was a pretty good representation of what life is like these days. I’m present enough to appreciate that.
Day 1592 | Valentine’s Day
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Today was filled with lots of love—and still a sick little one. Luckily, the presents helped to brighten spirits.
Thanks to everyone who showed us some love today. We love you, too.
