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.

Day 1753 | Tortellini with Brussels Sprouts

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It’s been a bit since I’ve shared a recipe. And this is a good one. I have ulterior motives for sharing it, though. The only place this recipe exists is as a photo buried in my email. It always takes me forever to find it and is super annoying to try to read as a photo on my phone. Shout out to Erica for sharing this recipe with me [six years ago]. Also, did you know there’s an “s” at the end of Brussel? You learn something new every day.

TORTELLINI WITH LEMON AND BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Ingredients:
Salt and pepper
2 pounds brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered
3 TB unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
20oz package of cheese tortellini
Zest and juice from 1 lemon (grab an extra one if you want it extra-lemony)

Directions:

  • In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook brussels sprouts until crisp-tender, about four minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium: add onion and cook until translucent, about eight minutes.

  • With a large slotted spoon, transfer sprouts to skillet. Increase heat to high and cook, stirring occasionally, until sprouts begin to brown, about five minutes. Meanwhile, in pot, cook tortellini according to package instructions then drain. Toss tortellini with vegetables and stir in lemon zest and juice.

Day 1750 | Apple Orchard Field Trip

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I attended Ferguson’s Apple Orchard with about 70 four and five year olds on Friday. Luckily, the weather stopped raining just in time to enjoy lots of activities and a bit of apple picking, too.

It’s nice to [finally] have the chance to attend school field trips without having to worry about childcare duties for our little one. Hopefully there will be a lot more adventures on school buses over the years to come.

Day 1748 | Double Playdate

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I’m trying to make a more conscious effort to coordinate playdates these days. I’m pretty sure before this year Chase had hosted or attended probably two non-relative playdates of his choosing. I was fine living in that existence. Life is easier in our little bubble. The boys aren’t trying to put on a show. I don’t have to deal with the state of our toy room before and after the kids are here. There’s no fear of anyone being left out when only one friend is over. I could go on and on.

But as the boys get older, they want to hang out with their friends more. Crazy, right?!? It’s time for me to get onboard with the idea and so I am.

We even hosted a double playdate yesterday. Although the two boys that came over were sweet as can be and all four boys played remarkably well together, it was still exhausting for me (part of that was trying to prepare a corn-free meal—it’s harder than you think!). I’m sure I’ll get used to having semi-random kids in our space over time. And my boys really did have a blast.

Now I can check “playdates” off my list for at least a month, right? Right?!?

Day 1743 | Home Renovations

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We’re waist-deep in the planning stages of a pretty sizeable home renovation project around here. We’ve decided to take on a master bathroom renovation and add another guest bathroom in one rip-the-bandaid-off type of moment.

It turns out that renovation projects are kind of a time-suck. And super expensive. Who knew, right?

I’ll have a lot more to say about this project as the days and weeks (and months!) drag on, but for now enjoy this colorful snapshot of the boys helping me pick out paint swatches.

Day 1741 | Home Again, Home Again

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I made it home to see my crazy cats before bedtime. Woohoo! It was such a good trip, but man, is it nice to be home. I missed my boys (all three of them)—probably more than I should have!

I love that I could be there for my sweet friend (and boss!) as she navigates life as a mom of two. We had a lovely time catching up on a million things with no real agenda all weekend. And, truly, nothing makes me happier than to lighten the loads of new moms. I remember so clearly how hard that time can be and how much of a difference having another set of hands can make.

And now I’m staying home for a bit. I realized that I’ve been gone for a weekend+ trip every month since June. That’s really crazy for me. My jet-setting days are behind me for now. And I’m not complaining about that one bit.