Day 1622 | Home Sweet Home

It was a good trip. A really great trip. And it went by way too fast. As I sit surrounded by piles of laundry, it’s almost unimaginable to think I woke up in paradise this morning.  

I’ll post lots of photos at some point (when I’m able to catch up on life a bit more). In the meantime, enjoy this one sneak peek (and also probably my favorite shot).  

A big (HUGE) thank you to my parents for letting us tag along on their annual vacation. Another big (HUGE) thank you to Chris’s mom for taking the risk, stepping out of her comfort zone, and joining us. We spent the week being showered with love by all of you and we’re beyond grateful. 

Day 1621 | Spring Break

Time for fun in the sun!

I’ve got my phone turned off while sipping tropical drinks on the beach (more accurately, by the pool—knowing my guys). I’ll be sure to post lots of pictures upon our return. 

Day 1620 | And we’re off

I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for a vacation. Sunshine and 80+ degrees...here we come!

Day 1619 | Babies!

Two of my closest friends had babies within eight days of each other. And let me tell you, these are some cute babies. The whole gang has yet to meet the newest little one but the boys did get to hang out with the older one and even got to hold her! This was the first time the boys have held onto a tiny baby. It melted my heart to watch them. It didn’t last long (they had other pressing obligations), but it was adorable just the same.  

Congratulations, friends! I’m so excited to watch these babies grow—and to help out in any way possible! I already love them so much. 

Day 1618 | Fabulous Florals and Fine Art

I forced the boys to check out a local art exhibition today and I totally won them over. The Fabulous Florals and Fine Art exhibit at Pablo Center was an impressive collection of different types of local art (glass making, paintings, photography, quilting, etc.) and then floral arrangements inspired by each piece of art. The boys and I had a lovely time talking about each of the pairs and coming up with what the similarities were between them. I remain very impressed with the caliber of artists in this community. 

Day 1617 | Birthday Girl

I didn’t take any photos again today. Sheesh! What’s happening to me?!?

This gem is from a birthday celebration over the weekend. It’s too cute not to post so perhaps it’s for the better that I didn’t have one from today! 

Day 1616 | Beauty and the Beast

Our local children’s theater put on an amazing production this past weekend. We took the boys to see Beauty and the Beast in the new performing arts center. The boys managed to stay enthralled through the entire 2.5 hours of the musical. That’s when you know it’s good. I couldn’t convince them to take their photo with any of the cast so you’ll have to accept this pre-show selfie. 

Yay for local theater! 

Day 1615 | Spring Sunshine

We might just survive this winter after all. The sunshine left pretty glorious today.  

Someone I follow on Instagram posted this Great Expectations excerpt today and I really like it. I thought you might enjoy it, too.

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:
when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”

Day 1614 | Dreaming

Just some dreaming and drawing going on over here. Can you tell what the boys are thinking about nonstop? Yep...Mexico. Seven days and counting. They’re not the only ones dreaming about it. 

Day 1613 | Drawing

Chase has been telling me how much he likes to draw lately. This is very surprising as he’s never been the artsy type.  

He did this super elaborate drawing over the last two days, though, and now I’m starting to believe him. I can’t tell you what’s happening here but it’s a very complex story with many winners and losers. I like it. 

Day 1612 | The Melting Begins

This photo was taken last Sunday before Chase’s piano recital. I’m happy to say that *I think* this is as high as the snow will get this year. The snow bank is about as tall as me—in case that’s not obvious. Luckily, we’ve had some warmer temps this week and the snow piles are receding. Now we get ready for flooding...but that’s something future Chris and Sara can worry about.  

Day 1611 | Blanket Forts Con’t

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

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

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

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

I wish for a world where all kids can experience the sheer joy of blanket forts. 

Day 1606 | A Final Line

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

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

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!

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)