Fun Staycation to chase away the cold

The kids had a day off of school on Friday, which happened to correspond with Mike's day and morning off before his work weekend. So we took advantage of the late-week time off to take a one day staycation right here in Des Moines, and chase away the winter blues. Jack's class presented a little play for the parents and siblings on Thursday morning, which we attended before our adventure.

Before the play (We really need to teach that kid to tie his own shoes and give his teachers a break :)



He and his friend Kate doing their one-liner:




After a lovely little Jan Brett play, followed by cookies made by the kids, we left to begin our "vacation." We stopped for lunch at Jethro's BBQ near Drake. Our waitress said to me, "You are brave. I have one 4-yr-old and I NEVER go out to eat." And here I thought they were pretty good at this restaurant...



Finally, the kids were giddy to get to the hotel and begin our PIRATE ADVENTURE.








Gavin really loved those slides, as did the other two.


We ate dinner at 4:30 and they were already WIPED OUT. Three hours of swimming and they were so done.



But after Mike left to take Gavin home for the overnight shift, the older ones revved up enough to head back out to the Tiki bar for some ice cream and pirate play.





All THREE of us were in bed at 8:38 PM, oblivious to the screams and splashes in the pool outside our door.

The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast for three bright and early at the hotel restaurant before Mike and Gavin came back for more swimming.



After spending way too much money in the arcade, the boys enjoyed watching CABLE cartoons (ooh, ahh) the rest of the morning before we checked out.


Then it was Friday afternoon, and Mike left for a loooonnnng weekend at work. Boo.

when it comes to suckers, it's "clothing optional" at our house



future secret agents

the sectional arrives

oh thank goodness, we have furniture again! after 4 days of sitting on the floor and looking up six feet to the t.v., I'm glad to have family room furniture again :) now we just need a couple end tables for drinks and i'll be set for what appears to be (finally) a cold, windy winter season.


i'm not sure how it didn't cross our minds, but when we chose the cushions it didn't even occur to either of us how well the circles within circles print would match with our tree prints above. lovely when UNdecorating people can pull that off ;) of course, probably real decorators would advise using contrasting patterns. whatev.

shenanigans already underway....

2012!

It's January! 2012! And we have been out riding our bikes, walking to the mailbox, and generally enjoying the weather. It feels like March. What is going on? Is this global warming? Because I have to say that as much as these temps. creep me out (it is January in Iowa, after all), I am LOVING this.

Things I would like to accomplish in 2012?

1) Clean our master bathroom shower.
2) Meet with a lawyer and get a real will written.
3) Get my knee issue diagnosed so that I can rejoin Farrells and come up with a more regular physical routine.
4) GO ON VACATION. With hubby. And no kids. Far Away. The end.
5) Really and truly focus on being a loving wife, rather than business partner.
6) Visit Bridget and her lovely Willa. Visit Alicia in her new New Jersey home. Visit many in Minnesota. Get. Out. More.
7) Read more. Books currently on my upcoming reading list:

Mama, PhD
The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes Us Smarter
Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion
Raising Free Thinkers
The New Book of Family Tradition: How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays and Everydays
The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest
In Defense of Food

And, oh my, there are many more. But I am starting there.

Things I am so very thankful that 2011 brought me:
1) Sleep. Mike has undertaken the challenge of Gavin night-duty. So nursing has greatly diminished and for the first time in two and a half years, my body has learned to get a full night's sleep again.
2) A beautiful new home that has left me feeling settled and more at ease. It has been a joy to host family gatherings, potlucks with friends, work parties, and welcome loved ones into our home to share food and memories.
3) The feeling of brightness and happiness creeping on a more regular basis again.
4) The creation of Wisdom Circle, which picked up where Birth Circles left off, and has offered me three hours every month of rich, thought-provoking conversation about real topics with like-minded women who I have grown to cherish.
5) Saturday morning book club. Pretty much "ditto" to that last comment.
6) The village that Willowsong Midwifery has presented to me and welcomed me into, which has gradually opened up new and rich friendships for not only me, but my kids and husband, too.
7) Much more introspection about spirituality, life, and happiness than I had enjoyed in the past. With the perfect people to discuss it with.

I seem to be listing things in sevens here. Maybe seven will be my lucky number this year.

Many, many good wishes to all reading this as you approach a new year of journeys.

Christmas 2011

We had a very enjoyable, low key Christmas this year. Adam came on Christmas eve and spent the day with the boys and I while Mike was at work. We made eskimo cookies to leave out for Santa. Adam and I used to make those all the time growing up.







Adam also played engineer and teacher, and spent about an hour with the boys taking apart a broken snowman and showing them how playing with the wires and various batteries made different parts dance. Something I would never do. Thank goodness for uncles.




Christmas morning




Bounce House Mania





Rocket launching it the backyard



In the afternoon on Christmas day, Mike's parents, brother and sister-in-law, and all of their kids and grandkids came over. I didn't get a lot of photos, but do have this of Jack really digging down into his gift bag:




My parents came on New Year's Day and we celebrated our family Christmas then. Good food, good times.