Month: January 2018

Well we’re just here in mid-Michigan in late January chillin’ in some 50 degree weather.

On Saturday, we took the kids to swim class.  Noomi is doing awesome with her backstroke and is almost able to swim.  Ajax is also doing great, he can swim and is working on his side-breath.  He is also learning the kicks for butterfly and breast stroke.  After class, we did a bit of running. We went to the mall and the kids got to play on those large trampolines attached to bungee cords.  They had a blast.

We also hit up the Oriental Market in E. Lansing.  I wanted some red bean dumplings and while we were there we also let the kid pick out a few things.  Ajax picked out a strawberry drink and Noomi chose a donut making/decorating kit.   Noomi was very proud of her homemade donuts, she ate one and Ajax tried one, but he said they were inedible.

On Sunday, our day was very quiet.  We kicked it around the house and had an early dinner.  We decided to go for a walk, since the weather was so nice.  When we got home, however, the door to our house was locked.  Apparently one of the kids on the way out hit the lock.  We had to call a locksmith and then hung out at the neighbors for a half hour.   We finally got into our house around 7 pm.  Argh.  $85 bucks later and many tears we’re still unsure which kid locked the door.

Another week in the books and another busy time in our home.

On Thursday, I stayed home with Ajax who was feeling a bit under the weather.  I called the school to inform them he wouldn’t be in and the secretary, Nancy, shared a story with me.  She said that on Wednesday Ajax had been in the office complaining about a sore throat. She offered to take his temperature because he seemed warm. Ajax said that – actually he runs warm because when his mom was pregnant she ate a lot of spicy food.  Nancy was cracking up and couldn’t wait to tell me about it.  It’s so funny because I always tell Ajax that he runs warm (because he does) and I have told him that it was because I ate a lot of spicy Thai food when I was pregnant!  Hilarious!

On Thursday night, Noomi asked me to paint her nails because on Friday she was attending her first performance at the Wharton Center.  She laid out a dress for the occasion and was so excited.  She saw “Dragons Love Tacos” and had a great time.   She couldn’t wait to tell us all about it!

 

This was a pretty quiet weekend.

The kids had a 1/2 day on Friday. Dave worked from home and it’s so nice that the kids are old enough to come home and chill quietly while Dave works.   On Saturday we took the kids to swim class as usual.  While we were waiting for class we watched as a swimmer leaned over and threw up in the pool.  Right now the flu is running rampant in the area and has taken quite a few people out.  The instructors informed us that the next class (our class) would continue just as soon as they skimmed and shocked the pool.  As we watched we became queasy and eventually just rescheduled the swim lesson.

The rest of our Saturday was quiet – the kids and I played outside. The snow was perfect for packing so we were able to make some awesome snowman and Ajax made a neat chair and footrest.  We explored through the woods and found some neat swag for our snowmen.

At dinner we also had an exciting game of Settlers of Catan.   I actually won, I never win, so that was cool.  Ajax was a close second and did great, for such a complex game, and Dave rounded out third.  Noomi was my helper/banker.

On Sunday, the kids had their makeup swim class.  We wrapped up some homework.   Ajax worked on math and Noomi worked on her biographical timeline.   We then met my folks and Emily and Adrian for dinner in Lansing.   Overall, a pleasant and calm weekend.

It seems like Michigan is finally getting a real winter.  It’s been cold and icy with plenty of snow.  I mean it is Michigan so we shouldn’t complain, but it’s been so cold that the kids can’t even be outside long in it, which means we’re all stuck inside.

Last week Friday the kids had a snow day.  Dave was working from home, so they had a day home with dad. I had to go into work and it took me over an hour to get into the office. Not much fun, but there you go.

Our weekend was pretty quiet and very relaxing.  I’ve been cooking more and more with my Instant Pot and loving it.  We went to swim class and did a few minor errands, but that was it.

On Monday, I had the day off as did the kids since it was MLK Day.  I took them to Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn and we walked around for about an hour and a half. It was pretty crowded so that was about all we could take.  Afterwards we picked up some pizzas and headed to my Aunt Lisa’s house for a visit. The kids played with my cousin Logan and my Aunt and I got to chat.  We hit the road at about 3 pm for home and it still took us about 2 hours.  When we got home Noomi and I worked out in the basement while Ajax played video games.  We did an easy dinner and then into bed!

Oh on Sunday the kids and I also looked around a furniture store in town and Noomi kept photo bombing me!

Well after our exciting Christmas, we rounded off the holiday with a fun New Year’s Eve with friends.  On New Year’s Eve we played games, the kids watched movies and generally ran around the house screaming.  Everyone made it to midnight, but no one liked the sparkling apple cider.  As soon as the ball dropped Noomi collapsed and fell asleep.  Ajax insisted he wasn’t tired and Dominic could barely keep his eyes open.

On New Year’s day (Monday) we bummed around the house in our pjs and did some cooking. I’m still trying to get the hang of my InstantPot but I must admit it’s pretty cool.  We went to see the new Star Wars movie and while everyone enjoyed it, at 2.5 hours it’s just too darn long.  Everyone was antsy in their chairs and ready for it to end.

Mid-week the kids headed to my parent’s house for 2 days as Dave and I had to work.  On Thursday I headed to Brooklyn to pick up the kids.  My mom, sister and I ended up taking them over to Cabellas which was pretty cool. The kids loved looking at all the animals and fish.

On Friday, we took the kids to District 5, a giant trampoline park in Lansing, which is a ton of fun.  Of course, every other parent had the same idea so the place was pretty busy.

On Saturday, we had swim class and a play date with friends.  We then dog sat Keiza and we all realized how much we want a dog.  Everyone was so excited to have Keiza for the weekend.  On Sunday, Emily picked her up and we were all sad to see her go.  Sunday was quiet as well got ready for school and work.  Lunches were made, laundry folded, and outfits laid out.

Monday was tough, but we survived. Here we come 2018!

(so I realize I’ve fallen down on the picture job, so here are some pics – Noomi with her desk that she loves, us making gingerbread houses – after xmas the kids put them out in the field for the birds – and Noomi and I walking in the Williamston light parade with the Girl Scouts).