Day 1773 | Hamster Headquarters

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I’ve been tasked with building Blossom a special hamster headquarters. Robbe is fairly excited about this project. Today was just step one. We got the general layout of the headquarters organized. Now we just need to find awesome things to fill the rooms with to help entertain our favorite furry friend.

You’ll notice that all of the rooms that branch off are connected by tubes so it can be dismantled and stored when we need a break from the headquarters. My previous attempt at starting the headquarters failed because I went too big with my box. It’s hard to store a giant box when you don’t want to stare at it anymore. You’re welcome for that time-saving tip.

**Health status update: Robbe was home sick today. His fever didn’t come back but he still seems pretty wiped out. He’s lobbying pretty hardcore to go to school tomorrow. Apparently gym is a pretty substantial motivator. We’ll see how he sleeps.

Day 1771 | The Game of Life

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Ever since finding this gem of a game at my parents’ house, the boys have been playing non-stop. I think I’ve played it more in the last month than the entirety of my childhood. It’s a solid game, though, and it really makes you understand the important of a high salary. Just the lesson we want our children to internalize. Ha!

Also, the little one was looking pretty rough tonight. Think happy thoughts for a fever-free morning, would you? Much appreciated.

Day 1770 | An Update

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I’ve been skating by the last couple of weeks with a post here and there, but I realized a full update about what’s going around here might be nice.

A few things to note:

  • The bathroom is completely gutted and now it’s starting to be built back up again. The process has been incredibly interesting. I’ve enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. The plumber was here yesterday to re-work all the pipes and the carpenters are back today to start framing up the new spaces. No one is willing to commit to a finish date, but there’s *a bit* of hope that they could wrap up before Christmas. Otherwise, it’ll be just after the new year. We’re handling it just fine, though, so you don’t have to worry about us…yet!

  • As you might remember, Chase was sick last week. He got the Walking Pneumonia diagnosis on Friday and I’m happy to report that he’s hugely improved. I’d say he’s at about 90% at this point—quite a shocking turnaround from last week. We’re all healthy at the moment so hopefully that continues for a least a little while.

  • I’m officially [mostly] done with the book festival. There are a couple of wrap-up meetings next week and I need to finish compiling the survey results (but I’m getting close), but, other than that, I can put the 2019 festival to bed. It’s been an exhausting few months and I’m grateful to a supportive husband and patient kids that enable me to do this volunteer work and help the community and a worthwhile cause. I’m definitely ready for a break, though. I see more puzzles and reading in my near future. Here’s the photo gallery with lots of shots from the festival in case you’re interested.

  • One final update: it’s cold here. Like, middle of winter cold. I’m not sure what’s happening (I mean, we all really know what’s happening), but I’m a little worried about what’s to come this winter. Right now it feels crisp and refreshing. I don’t think this sunny disposition is going to hold up for the next six months, though.

There you go! All caught up. :)

Day 1767 | Boys Weekend

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This was supposed to be the weekend my dad and Chris take the boys up to the hunting cabin for some quality solo time. Unfortunately, Chase’s Walking Pneumonia diagnosis means that he had to sit this one out. So sad, I know.

The three healthy ones hit the road this morning and Chase and I made the most of the mommy and me time. It still didn’t make up for missing the hunting cabin but I’m glad to say he [finally] turned a corner today and seems to be feeling much better. It made me so happy to have that sense of humor and spunky personality back again.

Day 1766 | Halloween 2019

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Happy Halloween from our stealth ninjas! They definitely selected their costumes based on the weaponry that came along with it.

Not our most successful trick or treating attempt, but you don’t have to worry, the boys got plenty of candy. Chase still isn’t feeling good (ugh, I know), so we opted for an abbreviated Halloween. I don’t think any of us were too disappointed to have to cut our time in the 30 degree weather short.

Day 1765 | Pumpkin Carving 2019

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Chase still isn’t feeling great but we mustered our energy and buckled down for some last-minute pumpkin carving.

Robbe wanted to carve a dolphin (for a reason no one is clear on) and Chase selected a Dementor (from Harry Potter). The boys took on more of a supervisory roll but it was fun nonetheless.

Now fingers crossed that Chase is feeling good enough to trick-or-treat tomorrow (he definitely wasn’t tonight). Tomorrow’s also the big STEAM Fair at school. He’s been working so hard on his project with his team—it’s going to be a rough day to be sick, I’ll just say that. Come on, sleep, work some magic tonight!

SOME PAST YEAR’S PUMPKINS

2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017

Day 1763 | Tired

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I’ve maybe never been more tired than I am right now. It was another full day of activity after seven days of going non-stop.

Today we made it to our niece’s confirmation (yay, Anni!) and then immediately went home for Chase to rest (he’s still in rough shape). Robbe and I headed to a birthday party (at a waterpark, nonetheless) and then I made it home in time to turnaround and leave right away for my last book festival event. In total, I attended 15 events in the last two weeks (12 of those were in the last seven days). I. Am. Tired.

I’ll post a link to photos when they’re up on the book festival site. I got some good ones this year.

But, for now, I’m going to bed. I might just sleep until Tuesday.

Day 1760 | Quite a Day

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This was an exhausting day. I’m too tired to go into all the details, but here’s a glimpse at my day:

  • Got the boys off to school (with an extra little one in tow who joins us on Wednesday mornings).

  • Brought Blossom, the hamster, with to school to do show and tell in both classrooms. He was a big hit!

  • Attended two back-to-back book festival events. They were both SO good!

  • Stopped to get my tires checked (a follow-up visit).

  • Ran home to work for about ten minutes and check on our bathroom reno project (photos to come).

  • Picked up the boys from school.

  • Stopped at a local nonprofit to drop off a 4-H community service donation.

  • Headed home to make fudgy oatmeal bars for the teachers at the boys’ school to enjoy during P/T conferences tomorrow. For the record, I signed up for this a long time ago and didn’t realize that this week would be so crazy.

  • Found out Chase had a fever. Ugh.

  • Changed my plans to attend a third book festival event and decided to stay home for some reading and cuddling time with my favorite people.

So that was my day. How was yours?

Day 1759 | Bye Bye Bathtub

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Our big [huge] bathroom reno starts this week. Did I tell you about our bathroom reno? I’m sure all the details will seep out over the next few months but the short version is that we’re redoing our master bathroom (a leak from the current shower drove that decision) and adding a new guest bathroom at the same time (not because of a leak).

Most of this is possible because we’re taking out the gigantic jacuzzi tub pictured above. The boys are the only ones not completely sold on its removal.

I promise there will be lots more photos as the work gets started. Please think happy thoughts for the project.

Day 1757 | Speech Graduate

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This guy officially graduated from speech. Robbe no longer has an IEP for speech therapy.

After continuing to make progress all last year, we chatted with the school speech therapist and Robbe’s teacher last spring and decided to keep him in therapy through the summer just in case he had a bit of a slide. He didn’t!

During his last speech probe, he nailed 200 words…he got every one right. It was time to put this chapter of his life behind him. And we couldn’t be more proud of him or more thankful for the speech therapists (the one pictured above, and this one, and here’s another) that gave our little man the gift of communication. After all the back and forth about whether or not he was speech delayed 2.5 years ago, I have a new appreciation for early intervention and the power that these special education teachers truly possess.

Day 1755 | Apple Picking

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We braved the cold weather (and a bit of sleet) for our annual apple orchard trip. Bundled up, it really wasn’t so bad and we avoided all the crazy people who prefer to pick apples in beautiful weather. Bushel and a Peck orchard was another big hit again this year. We’re sold on this sweet little family-run business. It’s got just enough entertainment without any of the over-the-top stuff. Apples, pumpkins, delicious apple treats, and even a couple of gourds. That’s a good day.