How beautiful is this? For 4-H, we hosted a Covid-friendly community service event where we split up into family units and cleared sticks from the hiking trails at Beaver Creek Reserve. We didn’t find many sticks, but it was a lovely walk with falling snow and some pretty amazing scenery.
Is there anything better than this?
Chase and I were working together this morning (him: virtual school, me: book festival). At one point I was out of coffee but couldn’t go for a refill because I had the cutest sleeping cat on my lap. Time for Chase to learn how to pour coffee, obviously. Home schooling is a time for practical life lessons, too, after all. And he did great! No spills or anything. Having kids is totally worth it.
Robbe asked to stop and take a photo on the way home from my parents’ house on my birthday. Of course, I had to take one, too. It might be [way too] cold, but it sure is beautiful.
The work/school day made a big bday celebration for Chris a bit difficult, but we tried our best to have some fun tonight and celebrate our favorite person in the world. He really is the best, you know?
It was a different day than I expected due to school closing because of a -35 degree windchill. So instead of Chris and I having a kid-free day (he was off for President’s Day), we spent our morning doing virtual learning. Then the party started with a game of Pandemic and a frigid hot tub dip. My boys (mostly Chris) worked so hard to make today special and I fully appreciate it and acknowledge how they had an up-hill challenge this year. Covid birthdays…you get it.
A heartfelt thank you to all of you who sent me messages today. Texts, cards, videos, gifts, calls, Facebook posts…I enjoyed every single one. I’m feeling very lucky and very loved.
It was a bitterly cold but love-filled day. I guess that’s all you need.
We’re back to fostering! We’ve got five-month-old kittens this time. Potato and Gravy have been at the shelter for three months now and just need a little extra love. They’ve never even been in a house! I forgot how much fun kittens are. Potato is low-key and snuggly. Gravy is high-energy and super playful. Such a great pair, right? Don’t you need two super-sweet kittens in your life? They’re ready for their forever home. :)
Our six year old has discovered funny animal photos and screenshots (this is his collection of photos on his iPad). Quite a glimpse into his little mind. It makes me chuckle.
Robbe celebrated his 100th day of school today. Instead of bringing 100 of something to add to a class trail mix (the pre-Covid tradition), he brought in his own mix of 100 items. I have to say, it did look pretty good.
Chase and I spent a good part of Friday and Saturday learning the rules for Terraforming Mars, a board game that has been in our cabinet for two years because of the excessive amount of time it takes to figure it out. Thanks to Covid and negative temperatures, it was the perfect opportunity to invest the time. It’s a bit hard to tell with new games, but now that we’ve got the hang of this one, I’d say it definitely has potential. I’m relieved it wasn’t a total waste of time at least. Ha!
We did our job as a cat foster family. We nursed Wally back to health. We have her extra love and snuggles. And then we said goodbye when she found her forever family. It wasn’t easy to walk away, but it was totally worth it. I enjoyed watching the boys care for a cat more than I expected and she was a great reminder to slow down and savor quiet moments in my day. We look forward to our next foster friend and, in the meantime, we’ve got lots of photos of Wally to keep us company.
It brings me so much joy to peer out the window and see the boys frolicking in the fresh snow together. Apparently Wally feels the same way. She joyed watching them, too.
A sweet friend dropped off these flowers for me today as a thank you for the work I’ve been doing for the book festival. A kind gesture really goes such a long way, doesn’t it? These flowers have brought me so much joy today. I’m left feeling gratitude for this thoughtful gift of gratitude. Funny how that works.
I decided to sign up for a month-long challenge through the MommaStong program I’ve been doing. My goal was to show up every day in January. I even bought myself a water bottle as a prize for completing the challenge to help motivate me. Guess what? I did it. Even though I was often surrounded by rambunctious boys, an inquisitive cat, and dirty floors, I did it. If you know me, you know I have a hard time making space for myself in my day so this is a big deal. Yay for self-care.
We’re up at my parents’ lake house this weekend and it’s been lovely. Quality time all around: painting, ice skating, snow fort building, baking, puzzling, and lots of reading. Here’s hoping for lots more quality time with the rest of our family in the not-so-distant future.
Look at these two. Can you handle it?
Robbe told me that his snow boots “feel funny”. I took out the insoles and discovered these and a heel worn practically through. Sheesh. Kids are resilient, aren’t they?
Luckily, I found an acceptable replacement pair in the closet. I love when that happens. Thank you, hand-me-downs.
I don’t want to brag, but Chris and I are kind of Oreo connoisseurs. When I gave up gluten, having to give up Oreos made it extra hard. But look what I found at the grocery store today: gluten free chocolate sandwich cookies (aka Oreos)! Chris and I taste-tested them and they’re actually pretty good. They’re not Oreos, but they check all the boxes. I’ll take it.
Last week was a tough one. I was too busy every single day and I felt it by the end of the week. My to-do list still feels daunting, but slightly more manageable this week, so I did something crazy this morning. In a quiet house, I enjoyed a cup of coffee while reading in the sunshine with a cat curled up in my lap. We spent 20 minutes like that. It was exactly what I needed.
small city | BIG DAYS
home | about | meet the team | work with me | contact
