Cold

Sunday I stayed home from church with Ruby since she was still coughing, congested and miserable. I took a shower after every one had already left for church and Ruby made sure that was not a fun experience for me. When she is sick, she is very needy. So after that, we mostly just cuddled on my bed or on the couch which was honestly ok for a Sunday morning. That night the girls were invited over to a friend from church's house for a sleepover. I found that really weird that someone from church was doing the inviting for a Sunday night sleepover but I guess their rationale was that their was no school Monday (MLK Day). I let the girls make a choice about going and they both decided they wanted to. They ended up being with their friends until 2pm the next day. With both of them away Monday I decided to clean the house in the morning. It was nice to have Tyler home for the holiday so that he was able to help with Ruby while I cleaned. The only fun thing we did Monday was we all went to Culver's for dinner. I can't belive how much fast food costs these days but it was really nice to not have to cook and get frustrated with the kids messing up my clean house.

Tuesday was the girls first day back at school. Ruby was still not doing well so we basically had a quiet day at home. That evening I went to Grace's. I always bring some sort of art to do while we chat; usually I just color something. But lately I have been trying to draw realistic portraits using some books. Being distracted with chatting did not help my already poor skills. I was copying a face of an Indian woman but she kind of looked more African American when I was done. I am not sure if drawing realistic portraits is something I will ever be good at. I probably need professional help.

Wednesday night Lucy started volleyball and the rest of the kids had a "Nailed It" activity at the church. They came home with some pretty well decorated cakes. I was impressed how much they looked like Minions. 

Thursday while the girls were at school Ruby and I ran few errands and then we met Kara and her baby Amelia at the mall. We got there early so Ruby could play in the kids play area and so she could go up and down the escalator- I think she would go up and down the escalator for hours if I let her. Then when Kara came, Ruby seemed content to just sit in her stroller and enjoy the ride. She only got off once in the elevator and another time where she attempted to push the stroller but I managed to bribe her with food to get back in. So overall I was able to have a really nice walk and chat with Kara. We mostly talked about her trip to Utah and her thoughts about if she wants to go back to teaching. I could connect with her on a lot of things and it was a good conversation. She asked if I wanted to make mall walks a weekly thing so I think she had a good time too.

Thursday night, while the boys were away at archery, I took the girls to Trader Joe's. All their friends are big Trader Joe's people so they were wondering what was so special about it. I was nice and made the 25 minute drive so they could find out. We all decided it is not as special as everyone says. The parking lot was small and we had to circle for a spot and then it was very crowded and busy inside. They did not see any food that they thought was extra special. Maybe if it had been less crowded we could have browsed better and found some yummy things but we were not impressed and will likely not return.

Friday the boys were off of school because it was sooooo cold (negative temps) but the girls still had school work to finish. After the girls finished their schoolwork  Lucy's friend, Claire, came over. They haven't hung out since her birthday so this was quite a surprise- I had thought the friendship was basically done. They ended up having a sleepover at Claire's house that night so I am not sure if they will start hanging out again or if this was a one off. I worry that Claire will just cast Lucy off again but I know that Lucy was really happy to spend time with her again.  

Friday afternoon I went to Grace's salon and got my hair did. She had given me a gift certificate for Christmas to get my hair dyed and cut. I always like getting my hair done with her. I get to leave my kids, hang with Grace and get a hair makeover. We had a great conversation and I left feeling uplifted and happy with my new hair. She is a really good friend.

That night, I begrudgingly left the house and took some of the kids to Chuck E Cheese. It was so cold and buckling Ruby in and out of the car in the cold is just not fun. But they really wanted to go and we had nothing else to do so we went. Ruby is so funny now that she is a pro with the play points card and knows how to scan it to activate games and rides. This time after she finished a ride/game, she would walk to the otherside where all the older games are and then circle back to her side. I got some good steps in. 

Saturday Ben and Tyler were gone all day for archery- Ben got a personal best in the Bullseye (248) so he came home happy. We were in one digit temperatures all day so I had no desire to leave the house. We spent the day indoors. Ruby has been having me fill up her sensory table with water on one side and bubbly water on the otherside lately so she spent most of the splashing in her tubs of water. I ended up leaving the house in the afternoon because I had found a game I had been wanting to get for the family on Facebook Marketplace for an excellent deal. It was unopened and they were selling it for half the price it is new. I jumped on it and ran to Krogers to get cash and then drove the 10minutes to pick it up. I ended up making Steven slightly late to work because he needed the car. Oooops. But I think this game, Dixit, will be fun to play with the kids. I enjoyed playing it for the couples game night we had. Once Tyler got home, I left the house one more time, to go out to dinner with him. I really think we do better as a couple when we get out together at least once a week. I enjoy our date nights.

And some random pics from the week. I really think the Brady genetics are strong in Ruby...