Day 1500 | 1500!

This is what 7:10am looks like at our house these days. That’s what you get when the 1500th blog post sneaks up on you and you don’t have a family photo to share. Seriously, though…1500 posts. I missed some days. I’ve hated blogging some days. But I’m glad to be here. Having to reflect on our sweet little life every 100 days in these update posts really helps me realize how far we’ve come and how quickly the boys change.

Enjoy this little sneak peek into what’s been happening with us.

Sara

FAVORITES: The smell of fall, oat milk + decaf lattes, getting more space back in my life (5 half days of 4K helps!), Halloween costume crafting (I really do love it), seeing the boys grow up as best friends, nearing the completion of the marketing plan for the book festival I’ve been working on
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Realizing that I might not be completely warm again for the next 6 months. That's not ok.
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Completing the big [HUGE] painting project in the house (which hasn't even started yet). I'm just so excited (mostly because it’s not me painting!).

Chris

FAVORITES: Watching the boys play in the fort, tinkering with his Fantasy Football lineup, regaining his interest in the Brewers, fixing things around the house, eating Oreos, reading The Phantom Tollbooth to Chase
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Stepping onto a cold tile floor at 6am. It’s pretty much the worst.
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Calling the fort completely done. He's close, but shutters, the door, and some of the "special features" are looming over him as the temperature drops.

Chase

AGE: 6.5
FAVORITES: Legos (specifically the Ninjago variety), playing with new friends, reading on his own, making people laugh, practicing his piano recital song (for once he likes practicing piano!), playing swamp on our new backyard swing set, losing his teeth, hypnotizing people, watching movies, brownie M&M cookies, keeping things symmetrical, at school: silent reading, lunch, and recess
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Convincing mom and dad to let him play video games more often. It’s a new addition to our house and Chase is VERY interested in honing his skills.
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Always being the one to pick what he and his brother play. I will say he *usually* gets his way, but more and more Robbe is asserting himself. This dream might be harder and harder to come by as the days roll on.

Robbe

AGE: 4.5
FAVORITES: Riding the bus (and *most of the time* opting to sit with his brother), dog-sitting, eating at Noodles, swinging, watching movies, chewing gum, saying "it's not fair", getting presentations at school, smiling + being silly, wearing his sherpa hoodie again, ga-ga ball
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Waiting for Halloween. This kid is excited. He asks me every day (at least once) if I've been working on his costume. At least he's holding me accountable.
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Dropping his afternoon nap. If he wasn't such a hot mess at the end of the day on the days he skips, I'd be more likely to consider it!

Looking back on 1500 posts:

• Day 1400

• Day 1300

• Day 1200

• Day 1100

• Day 1000

• Day 900

• Day 800

• Day 700

• Day 600

• Day 500

• Day 400

• Day 300

• Day 200

• Day 100

• Original posts: Chase, Robbe, Chris & Me

Day 1499 | Another Tooth Gone

I picked the big one up from school today and he was grinning from ear-to-ear. And then I realized that his giant smile was missing another tiny tooth!

We’ve been waiting for this bugger to wiggle free for weeks and Chase couldn’t be happier that he lost it during school. Because of that, he got a sweet tooth necklace that he got to wear around for the rest of the day. That’s about as good as it gets in the world of a first-grader. 

Now if only Robbe wasn’t feeling so excluded and jealous about the whole thing. It’s just “not fair”.  

Day 1498 | Fauxhawk

This guy wanted a fauxhawk. And he got it.  

It lasted less than a minute.  

Day 1497 | It’s October

Bust out the hats and mittens. Obviously. 

Day 1496 | Silly Boys

We didn’t get to see much of this family during our trip to Point this weekend, but we made the most of the time we got! Our boys sure love their cousins.  

Day 1495 | Ga-ga Ball

Have you heard of this game? It’s all the rage with the kiddos. Robbe even came home from school this week saying he won one of the games against his classmates—he’s 4. It might have been his proudest moment ever.

We got to see their skills in action today when they got in the ring together. Robbe really fights his way into the middle of the action and Chase stays on the sidelines and tries to go unnoticed. Hmmm...I see some personality traits shining through. 

Day 1494 | Picture Day

These cute little nuggets had school pictures today. No lie, I spent at least 30 minutes attempting to style Chase’s hair so it holds for longer than three minutes. Yes, the photo above is the “styled” version. He claims that it held up until his photo was taken “after silent reading and music class”. I’m skeptical.

I feel like parents should be allowed at school for picture day. I want to be there to fix his shirt when it’s askew. I want to give one more tweak to his little hairdo. I want to “facilitate” a real smile (instead of this). Does this make me a helicopter mom? Probably. Really, though, it’s just because it’s the ONE professional photo we have taken on a yearly basis and I want it to be good! I want them to capture the essence of my favorite people in the whole world. Is that too much to ask?!? And, at the end o the day, I need a real smile for his graduation board, you know?

Day 1492 | Pumpkin Picking

Hopefully we’ll make it to a proper pumpkin patch somewhere in a field this season, but for now a short walk to a neighborhood yard filled with pumpkins will have to do. We haven’t decided if these are going to be carving pumpkins or just decorations. Either way, our house is looking much more festive than it was earlier today. 

Day 1491 | Afternoon Snack

I decided to treat the boys to an afternoon snack at our favorite coffee shop today. And (can you believe our luck?)  it was the school year’s first book order day! Nothing makes these two happier than a yummy treat and browsing for books. 

Day 1490 | Little Free Library

It’s surprising how much joy a little box can bring to a little boy. These Little Free Libraries are the best. And we found one two blocks away from Chase’s piano lessons. When it’s nice outside, Robbe and I spend the half hour scooting/walking to peruse the selection, taking a couple, leaving a couple of ours, and scooting/walking back to read a book just before Chase finishes up. 

It’s a definitely one of favorite thirty minutes of my week. 

Day 1489 | Rocket Experts

These two had a blast (pun intended) building rockets with the 4-H club this afternoon. There was more super glue than I expected (and my fingers haven’t fully recovered), but otherwise it was just a lot of fun. We’re hoping we can track down another launch pad so we can see them fly again.  

Day 1488 | Arts Center Opening Day

After more than six years of planning, the arts center down the street from us (literally) opened today to a big crowd of excited locals. And the Pablo Center at the Confluence is really lovely. I can’t wait to attend my first performance!  

Day 1487 | Attack

Chase played a new game at school yesterday and was so enamored with it that he wanted to recreate it when he got home from school today. We modified our Jenga game by coloring the pieces to make different blocks. It turns out it was probably made up by some other kid in his class because the rules are crazy and seem fleeting at best. I lasted about five minutes playing this game—which involves trying to destroy each other’s houses with cars, cannons, and helicopters. The boys, however, played it for over an hour. No lie. 

I might not get it, but they certainly do.  

Day 1486 | Waiting in the Rain

This was the scene at the bus stop this morning. It was raining. It was early. But it was pretty entertaining. These two do some pretty fancy tricks with umbrellas it turns out. Oh yeah, the bus driver also forgot about us so we were waiting (in the rain) for an extra ten minutes. Luckily it was a warm rain so we really didn’t mind.

Day 1485 | Farewell Friends

We had a really lovely visit with our new friends. Safe travels on the rest of your journey. We’ll look forward to the next time!

Day 1484 | The Spy Hideout

After about five days, three family members helping (in addition to Chris), and no less than 20 trips to procure supplies, our backyard “Spy Hideout” (as the boys have named it) is complete. We are beyond grateful to Brian for leading the charge on the construction and thankful for the help of my dad and Matt. Chris has wanted to tackle this project for a long time and he couldn’t have done it without all the help. Thank you for making this dream a reality for him. And, as you might imagine, the boys are *just a bit* excited. 

Day 1483 | Beach Break

What do you do when it’s 90+ degrees in mid-September? Take a beach break, obviously. The whole fam enjoyed a quick late-morning excursion to a local beach. To be honest, it was almost even too hot for that. I’m ready for you, Fall. 

Day 1482 | Angry Face

Robbe captured this angry face competition between Chase and me. I’m pretty sure I won.  

Day 1481 | Early Morning Walks

Our bus stop is a short two blocks from our house. At first, I wasn’t super excited about the jaunt (one more thing to add to a rushed morning, you know?), but it’s actually really lovely. I haven’t been out in the morning sun and the crisp fall air without being totally rushed in a long time. Maybe ever. For those few minutes we’re waiting for the bus every morning, the boys and I have nowhere to be and I don’t have my to do list bearing down on me. I enjoy the sunshine on my face and the excitement emanating from the boys as they await their ride to school. 

Talk to me again about this “lovely morning wait” in the dead of winter and I might not be as enthusiastic. But, for now, I’ll enjoy every second.  

Day 1480 | Swinging

No spoilers about our backyard project but just let me say that the boys have been swinging their little hearts out lately. For two kids who never choose swings on a playground, they’re sure loving them now.