Best Parts of Winter Break

I love breaks from work SO MUCH.  It is incredible to lay low.  To calm down.  To not be rushed out of the door and to let the kids sleep.  Seriously, Charlie has been so sad all this week because we have had to wake him up at 6:30 when he was sleeping in until 8:30.  I am sure Friday when I am off he will be up and ready to go at an unreasonable time. That is just how that works! 

In no particular order, here is my list of the best parts of Winter Break: 

1) Took a train ride with Santa.  We had no idea what to expect and next year I need to dress warmer, not take one car with 8 people (car sickness is real) and bring more snacks.  But Santa sat and chatted with us for a long time, gave the kids bells and they were excited.  We did this the day before Christmas Eve which only added to the excitement! 

2) Watched Home Alone.  I had this great idea in my head about how fun this movie would be but I forgot it is a little scary and the language isn't great (shut up, moron, jerk).  Oops.  But Charlie loved it! 

3) After brunch at my parent's house on Christmas morning, the kids took really long naps and then we were playing in the basement.  Charlie went upstairs and when I went to go look for him I found he had opened the garage door, pointing to Ryan's car chanting "G.  G.  G." (my dad).  I guess he wanted us to drive him right on over there.  

4) Our sweet friends had us over the day after Christmas and made us brunch and bloody marys and we had a great time recapping all our holidays!  I got cute Delilah this chef outfit for Christmas and she made us lots of snacks! 

5) I go a little crazy after Christmas when all this new stuff is in your house and the tree is taking up so much space and I just feel like the walls are closing in on me.  I took down Christmas fast and bought a new rug!  It brightens up the place and with a few new pillows on the couch I am feeling much better.  I have mental problems! 

6) We met our friends at the museum a snowy morning.  There was a cool lego exhibit and they loved playing in the kiddo area.  We had lunch and it was a great way to spend the morning and get out of the house! 

7) We went to go see Big Hero 6.  We brought 2 cars just in case Charlie couldn't handle sitting still for 2 hours.  However, we learned if we give Charlie a box of junior mints, he can do just about anything!  When we left I noticed he had streaks of chocolate down his neck and in his ear.  But he had a good time!  

8) I caught up reading ALL my magazines! I had a huge stack.  And I made myself sit on the couch and read through each one.  It was amazing. 

9) I listened to the podcast Serial.  I know I am late to this party but it is amazing!  I just finished it today.  LOVE.  If you haven't jumped on this train you need to.  TODAY.

10) Saw 2 movies- Horrible Bosses and Wild.  Way different but both entertaining! 

11) Sleeping in!  Everyone slept in!  In fact I think I woke up before everyone everyday.  It was amazing to have some quiet time in the morning and amazing to let the sweet boys wake up when they wanted! 

11) Our fun friends The Kearneys were in town and came over for lunch one day.  They have 3 boys.  And brought their nephew.  So there were 6 boys.  SIX.  It was loud and crazy and I loved it.  It was funny that the adults just continued to talk over the constant noise.  I think we are all used to it!

 

12) But my favorite part of break was just laying on the couch with my boys and watching them play.  It was amazing to hang out and have nothing pressing on the calendar! 

Oh Winter Break, I already miss you!! 

What We Did This Weekend!

I feel like I have been on an extended weekend because of Winter Break (I'll talk more about our favorites of break later this week) but I thought I would quickly share what we did this weekend!

Friday night started with seeing WILD!  We both really liked it.  When I walked out of the theater I liked the movie, but I liked it even more now that I have thought about it and let it digest.

I taught yoga to the high school swim team (cue 20 teen girls all talking at the same time) and then Charlie caught up with some work.

Ryan had plans Saturday night, so my friend came over with her three sweet girls who played with my boys all night and then.... CLEANED UP THE ENTIRE PLAYROOM.   So I love them and would like them to come over every Saturday night.

Sunday consisted of yoga, of laundry and rushing to get everything done before the big day. The big day back to work.  Bittersweet for sure.  Luckily for me, my part time schedule doesn't have me back until Tuesday so I still get one more day.  Ryan was not amused by this news, so I snuck out last night and had wine with my yoga gals.  I am basically the nicest wife in town.

Happy Monday!  I am certainly sad to go back to work and will miss the lazy days of break, but it will nice to get back to a routine and maybe stop eating and drinking everything in my house.  Here's to hoping.

What did you do this weekend?

December Goals

I did a pretty nice job with my November goals.  I read more than 3 books, we had someone over for dinner, I caught up with Scandal (and can you believe it is not going to come back until JANUARY??)  and I am 90% done with Christmas shopping.  However, that dining room chandelier is still sitting in its box.  #typical

Here is the plan for December: 

1. Get the light installed.
I mean seriously, just call someone and put up this freaking light.

2. Read 5 books.
Go big or go home.  I think 5 books is possible because I have quite a bit of time off at the end of the month.  And I have some great books on my nightstand begging to be read!

3. Paint the master bathroom 
This is a Winter break plan and I am pretty excited to brighten up the bathroom.  Seriously.

4. Watch Love Actually, Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, and some other Christmas cheer.
Ryan and I always watch Christmas Vacation on Christmas Eve while we are setting up for Santa.  I love a good Christmas movie.  I hope Paul is ready for Home Alone!

5. Enjoy Christmas! 
The season is busy with lots of gatherings and parties and things to do.  But Paul is SO EXCITED for Santa and I want to slow down and enjoy his excitement.  Charlie is excited too, he just doesn't know why!

What are your December goals?

It's Friday and I Saw a Movie!

I don't have much for you today because I saw Gone Girl last night and got home WAY past my bedtime.  But it was really good and REALLY creepy and I even locked the garage door on my way in.  I thought it did the book justice and that is saying A LOT.





I still want to see the movie, This is Where I Leave You.  Maureen and I just discovered this is a book since she is reading it for book club this month.  Obviously I already have it on hold at the library.




And I am so excited for WILD!

What about you?  Any movies you are excited to see?  Are you planning to see Gone Girl?  Have a wonderful weekend! 

Weekend RoundUp!

Good morning little sunshines!  Hope you had a wonderful weekend!  Here is what we were up to!
Friday night we made it out with our friends.  We had a great time and even saw some of our former students who now work at this particular establishment.  That is always awkward.  We got home and promptly went to bed because it was 9:30.  #wearecrazy.

Saturday morning we woke up for some yoga and then headed over to our friend Kacy's 1st birthday! How do babies grow so fast?  She looked cute in her pink dress and seemed to enjoy stuffing cake in her mouth.  Charlie stayed close by my side so I wouldn't be tempted to hold, look, glance at other children.  He's a smart cookie.  We came home for naps and when the boys woke up Ryan made them this AWESOME fort.  They stayed down in the basement and watched Toy Story while we were upstairs drinking wine watching Scandal.  It was genius.

Sunday morning we woke up and I took the boys to the grocery story.  The time to get groceries around here is EARLY Sunday morning.  They don't seem to mind because they get a cookie and can ride in the car cart (I want to meet the person who invented the car cart.  It.is.awful) and it is less busy.  We came home and Paul had a play date with his girlfriend Sophia.  I went to yoga and Target ALONE.  Play dates are amazing.  When I picked Paul up he hugged Sophia and she planted a kiss right on his cheek.  When he told Ryan about the incident he covered his eyes with his hand, as if he knew to be embarrassed.  So cute.  

Sunday afternoon we had a visit from Nana and Papa and then nap times.  I tried to do some school work (gross) while I watched the Bronco game with Ryan.  Paul woke up from his nap and we made cookies.  These cookies were very important.  I didn't have to work on Friday, but Paul had school. When we were getting ready that morning Paul asked me where Charlie was going.  I STUPIDLY replied that he was staying home with me.  Someone was very sad.  Tears in his eyes sad.  So I did what any good mother would do.  I lied.  I told him I was just teasing him.  That of course after we dropped him off at school I was taking Charlie to daycare.  He seem to buy the story but to ensure my lies I told him we could make cookies this weekend, just the two of us.  I am probably going to hell. I called Ryan right after I dropped him off to confess my sins, but I am not sure if that helps my karma in the universe.  Anyway, we made cookies and everyone seemed happy.  

After Charlie woke up we walked to the park for some baseball time, also known as wear the kids out so they'll go to sleep time.  It was actually a perfect end to the weekend.  The air was crisp.  Paul rode his scooter.  Charlie pushed his own stroller with nothing in it and Ryan and I walked calmly with a beer in our hand.

Then it was back home to vacuum, pack lunches, clean up the kitchen, blah blah blah.  I gave the kids baths and they love the towels Aunt Kascie made them.  Paul is "roaring like a Polar Bear" if anyone is wondering!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and good luck tackling Monday! 

Date Night

A few weekends ago, Ryan had a little date night while my mom and dad watched Paul.  We went to go see The Campaign.  We thought it would be smart funny but it turned out to be Dumb and Dumber funny.  Which is fine, just not what we were looking for.  The date started by my purse getting searched by a 15 year old boy because it was post Aurora movie theater shootings. 

We then went to dinner where we were served by a former student who informed us of the wonderful news he had an 18 months old daughter at the ripe age of 20 years old.  Ryan told me he literally saw the tip amount for this young man going up, up, up in my head as he told us of his struggles trying to balance fatherhood, community college, and working.  He was right.  I left a generous tip.  

Meanwhile, my parents took Paul to the "fancy park" and snapped some great shots!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And then they took him to Chuck E. Cheese.  Seriously. 

 

 I thought Paul would be scared, because that mouse looking thing is quite frightening, but he loved it.  Especially when he realized his "G" had a unending supply of quarters that he could play games with.  My dad coped with a beer.  Had I realized they served beer at this establishment, I may have been more willing to try it months ago.  Live and learn.