Productive

It was a pretty quiet week and it kind of rushed by. I was able to accomplish quite a bit. 

-Presents are all bought and wrapped. 

-The kids all bought white elephant gifts to exchange and we'll have our first annual family white elephant party this coming week. They picked up some real fun stuff so I think it will be pretty fun. 

-Tyler and I became Costco members again- Executive Members none the less. It was a real good deal so we thought why not be fancy. Then we spent way too much on food in bulk which made me regret this membership decision a bit. 

-I loaded up a bunch of stuff from the basement and made a Salvation Army Run. The first time I went I discovered they closed at 2pm. I was there at 2:15. The second time I went I waited an hour in line. Crazy times at Salvation Army thanks to Covid. 

-I made dinner and Christmas cookies for my friend Caroline's family (their daughter had her second surgery). 

-Led a Christmas Family Feud game for a YW's Activity and between a crummy internet connection and a computer that couldn't handle a power point with a zoom meeting...it was a little stressful...but the girls loved it.

-Delivered some Christmas gifts to friends and neighbors. My bowls and soup mugs that I personalized seemed to be appreciated so that felt good. Got some nice thank you texts. Delivered a hand lettered plant pot (with a plant of course), too, to my neighbor Christy and then she came back with blankets, candy and popcorn bags for each of my children and that sure made my plant seem measly. Yes, I know, it's not a competition but if it was.... 

- I booked tickets to Arizona- for a month. We were all going to drive but I was having some anxiety about 32x2 hours with all the children in a car and decided to look up flights. I found a great deal and snatched it up. Tyler will still drive so we can have a car and so we don't have to worry about lugging homeschool supplies on a plane. I am feeling both excited and a little anxious about being away for a month. It's a long time away from our own space but also a long time away from the cold.

And in terms of fun things this week. I had a puzzle night Thursday with my friend Melissa. I always dread having to leave the house and socialize a bit but then once I go, I am so glad I did. I so needed that night out. We can unload and ease each others burdens and we also had lots of good laughs. We extended the fun and got together again Friday- but with our families. The kids get along well and so do us parents. 

And the kids have continued to go to Sharon's house this week to work on crafts. They all finished their ornaments and now have been just walking Sharon's dogs and playing games. She always says she's grateful to us for lending our kids but I just feel so grateful for her getting them out and entertaining them for a couple hours. We have some good people in our lives.

Tennessee

Last week, before we headed out to Tennessee to have Thanksgiving with the Turley's, we put up the kids' Christmas trees and had them decorate them. This year I basically just had them use their Bronner's ornaments so their trees weren't quite so heavy as when I presented them with more ornaments. It was a smart move, the trees are a lot less tipsy than they were last year.

On Wednesday we made the 9 hour trek. We decided against bringing tablets and things and instead we just had a fun playlist on Spotify and the audiobook How To Train Your Dragon. It went surprisingly well. The book was a good one, the music was fun and the only complainer about boredom was Steven- which is not super surprising. 

Once there the kids seemed to become quick friends and we had lots of fun just sitting and chatting with our buddies. It was like no time had passed since we last saw them in person- even though it had been a whopping 4 years!

The Turley's were nice and setup their trailer for us to stay in. It had 2 bunk beds for the kids and a Queen bed for us. It was the perfect set up- we could hang with them  but still have our own space so we didn't feel like we were imposing too much on them.

Thursday was Thanksgiving and it was a perfect Thanksgiving day. I had brought the rolls (which had not turned out well, I can never get Tyler's mom's roll recipe quite right), we brought sparkling cider as well, then Tyler made the turkey and I made mashed potatoes. Patty made this amazing pretzel Jello, green beans, and sweet potatoes. Since all I had to do that day was make the mashed potatoes, it was a real chill day for me. I got to chat with my friend, shop some online deals, work on a puzzle (because Patty loves them too) and then later on enjoy so much good food. Tyler's turkey turned out perfectly again. The kids had fun with their kids and that night we turned on a movie for them in the living room and us grown ups watched a movie in the sun room. It was perfection.

Friday was not my favorite day of the trip. I wasn't in the greatest of moods- it seems that when I am about a week out for my period I get super emotional. Friday was my emotional day. We were going to go for a hike which might have helped but it just didn't happen for various reasons. Too chilly in the morning, boys went to Knife Shop, Patty wanted to show me their tiny homes that they rent out, everyone was tired and cranky...by the time we thought of rallying up the kids for the hike it was too close to sunset to have a decent amount of time for a hike. Being cooped up in the house did not help my emotionalness and then my friend's kids were having a lot of tantrums which furthered my bad mood. Finally I went into the camper, had a good cry, took a short nap and felt immensely better and was probably a much better person to be around for the rest of the evening. But still not my favorite day. I think the kids still enjoyed it though- Leia used chalk to turn the girl's hair pink and green which was like a dream come true.

Saturday was a much better day. Once everyone was up and ready (which took some time since there is 13 of us all together) we went to see Santa at Santa's Clauset. Despite all the Covid precautions this place was pretty great and I would love to go back every year- it's only a 9 hour commute after all. They had him in a tent outside but it was fabulously decorated. The wait wasn't terrible and when it was our turn, the kids got to sit 6 feet away from Santa and have a pretty great discussion with him. He asked questions about their lists, he took notes, he asked them some Christmas trivia and chastised Tyler for his bad cheating. It was way fun. Then they took a picture (green screen so they photoshopped him in next to them) and he gave them each a personalized ornament and candy cane. 

After our fun with Santa we strolled the store and found me an amazing nutcracker puzzle. When we finished shopping we were all hungry so we found a restaurant that surprisingly had a table for all 13 of us. It was in the back and raised up so we felt like we were on a stage for all to see, kind of awkward and at times a bit chaotic but it was still good times. The spinach dip appetizer we got was so delicious, the rest of the food was meh.

Our next stop was a hike in the Smokey Mountains. The drive to get there took us through Gatlinburg and the traffic was crazy. Definitely not a town to hang in during the holidays. But once we got to the Smokey Mountains things clamed down. It was a really beautiful river walk. And it was all fun and games until the kids decided they wanted to walk on rocks to get to a middle part of the river covered in rocks. Of course all of them slipped at least once and got wet feet. Penny was the most upset about it.

We capped off our day leaving the kids with a movie on (all except their baby of course) and us grownups went out for dinner. I got some amazing pork nachos and we had some fun banter with the waiter. Pattie requested water with no ice because the cold makes her have to pee, lol- the waiter than determined that she was high maintenance and we all had some pretty funny jokes from there.

Sunday we were awful Sabbath Day breakers and went to Dollywood. With their membership they got free passes that we were able to use so all we had to pay for was parking- lucky us! We started off in the kiddie section which was a wise choice. We built the kids up from a little scary to super scary rides. However, Penny was definitely scared for the first ride (Shooting Star). But when it was over she was all smiles. And as we hit up all the other kiddie rides she kept shouting about how amazing everything was. Her joy was pretty contagious. 

After the kiddie section we went onto the little scarier rides. We went on the Blazing Fury which had a few little drops which Penny told me afterward that she thought she was going to fall out of. Then Ben and Lucy (not Steven) went on rides that I wouldn't even go on. Way too scary and high, Wild Eagle & Tennessee Tornado. I have grown into a chicken in my old age. But after those terrifying ones I went on the Mystery Mine ride with them. That was so much fun I actually went on it twice.

At this point we were starving so we got some pizza that was actually amazingly good and the kids got cotton candy for dessert. Then dad and Lucy went on the terrifying Drop Line. Lucy was really regretting getting on as they got close to that 230 foot mark and I am told that as Tyler tried to reassure her, Brian was spazzing out saying he was going to die. Sounds like it was loads of fun, lol.

It was time for some more tame rides after that. So I rode on the Treetop Tower with the girls which and then the kids did the Great Tree Swing. 

Then all of us, EVEN Steven did the Dragon Flier Roller Coaster. As it started Penny began to freak out and I'm going to be honest, I'm not the best support. I didn't want to hold her hand because I have to hold on for dear life myself. But we all survived and both Penny and Steven were proud of themselves for going on it but I am not so sure that either one of them loved it. It didn't have huge drops but it moved fast and that can be scary.

I think everyone was getting roller coastered out because we attempted to all go on the Fire Chaser after that but Penny started crying as we entered the line so her and I got out of line. Then I got a call that Lucy was getting scared and to come get her but somehow Patty convinced her to stay on. Steven stayed in line up until the end where I guess he decided to just wait on the other side for everyone else to do it. So in the end just Ben, Lucy and Tyler went on it.

At that point it was getting dark and cold and I was pretty much ready to go. But Brian insisted on going on the Barnstormer which is like a pendulum. That was a nope for most of us but Lucy and Tyler did go on it. I was freezing so Patty sat on me to keep me warm ha ha. 

That was our last ride of the day. After that we just hit up the gift shops for some taffy and cinnamon bread and then headed back to their house. It was honestly such a fun day full of bravery and all kinds of good memories. 

Monday all our fun with friends was over and we had to head back to real life. It rained and slushed most of the way home and the book we picked for the ride home was not a hit (Green Embers) but somehow we survived the 9 hours. We did take a quick stop at the Cherry Republic in Ann Arbor on our way home and that was well worth the effort- even with parking being super frustrating and the walk being super cold- so worth it because their cherry chocolate covered pretzels are my most favorite thing ever right now.

And Tuesday it was back to real life. No surprise we had kind of a rough couple days getting back into the groove of homeschooling. Steven told me he wanted to run away so he didn't have to work. And Penny was pretty whiney. But she still gives a great face when she's concentrating that is pretty adorable.

Wednesday night for Young Women's we had an activity to celebrate the girl's goals from the year. We had half the girls there, always the same crew. It can be disheartening because it seems like nothing I do helps to get the missing ones there. But the ones that came were in good spirits and it was a good time.

Thursday evening I met my friend Stefanie in town in Milford. We got some hot cocoa (which was sooo good) and then we attempted to sip it outside but it was way too cold so we ended up chatting in my car. We had a great conversation about all the things in our lives. It was some much needed girl time.

And today, Friday, we finished homeschool by lunchtime and then I spent the rest of the day attempting to accomplish all the things on my to do list. Lots of Christmas errands and Christmas crafting. And of course, catching up on this blog ;) But one exciting thing that happened today was during our errand running Lucy and I decided to stop at Great Clips and get her hair cut. She hates combing it and getting it done so it was a mutual decision to cut it short again. I am so happy. It looks so much better and no more fighting over her rats nest.

Bronner's

It was another busy Sunday last week with meetings galore and our younger class presidency meeting was such a mess- unprepared girls and lots of technology problems. It would have been so much better if we could have met in person but alas, Covid is a forever issue. Thankfully today (Sunday) I literally only had one thing to do- watch our area broadcast. It has been so nice to have a relaxing, rejuvenating Sunday.

Monday was not a great day. The kids were rough for homeschooling and my patience was short. Then Tyler's lunch got lodged in his throat(he could still breathe but was in lots of pain). After hours of pain and constant gagging, I dropped him off at the ER. While he was at the ER, Lucy slipped (while brushing her teeth in the bathtub) and pulled down the shower curtain while trying to save herself. She did not save herself and got a pretty good bruise. I took a picture because amidst the frustration, I realized that it looked like kind of like a Christmas tree. How's that for being positive? 

After hours at the ER Tyler pretty much threw up the blockage so they just prescribed him some meds that will hopefully help in the future. I am hoping this was the push he needed to get this throat problem fixed but he still hasn't set an appointment *sigh*

The rest of the week was a little bit better homeschooling wise. I think really I was just better at being patient. We even did some experimenting with hydrogen peroxide- Steven seemed to enjoy it and sat and watched it until it stopped oozing. 

Thursday the weather was so lovely that we had to get out and enjoy it. I picked up my friend's kids and took them out to Proud Lake for another hike. I got some interesting looks being out there alone with 7 kids- someone said "at least the weather is nice." As if going out with 7 kids is so terrible. Really they all get along great so I just walked behind them and enjoyed the beauty of nature while they had fun with their friends. Their favorite part was probably throwing big sticks into the lake to try and crack the thin ice. Steven walking down to the lake literally got his shoe stuck in the mud and had to pull his foot out and then dig out the shoe. Ugh.

Thursday night we were prepping for our annual trip to Bronner's by taking out ornaments they have bought in the past. This way they didn't accidentally pick out repeats. The kids had fun taking out their ornaments and remembering when they got them. We also came to the crazy realization that we have been doing this since 2014 so this will be our 7th year of the tradition. Ben is the only one to still have all 6 of his ornaments. Lucy and Steven both broke one of theirs and Penny didn't get to start the tradition until she was a little older.

Tyler took off work Friday so we could go to Bronner's but one of my friends was in desperate need for someone to watch her kids early afternoon so we got there when it opened and then didn't linger too long. Thankfully the kids didn't struggle too hard to pick out their ornaments- Lucy took the longest but only because the unicorn section was further away. It really is nice to have older kids that we can go into a store with lots of breakable things and not worry about them breaking things.  

When we got home we took pictures of the kids with their ornaments. Penny got a s'more one making a gingerbread house. Ben got a marshmallow chef, Lucy got a unicorn cat and Steven got a guinea pig (does it look real!?). 

After Bronner's I watched my friend's boys while they did virtual school. That was interesting. It is definitely hard for them to focus. She was at an ultrasound. She is my second close friend that I have found out is pregnant and I would be lying if I said that doesn't phase me. It's hard to not feel a little envious and sad. I was on Amazon this week and saw these Lord of the Rings Fisher Price toys and immediately wished I had a little boy to buy them for. At Bronner's I mourned the fact that I wasn't buying a Baby's First Christmas ornament. I know it doesn't do any good to dwell in what can't be changed but sometimes I just feel sad.

On a positive note the kids seem to be doing well working on their projects with our neighbor, Sharon. Here's a pic of them with Sharon's dog. I am grateful she gets them out of the house and is teaching them something creative.

With homeschooling during the week, Saturdays have really turned into my errand running, productive day. I clean the house, dropped off a Thanksgiving gift to YW, ran to Target for some things and then that afternoon we watched my friends kids. The house was crazy loud with 3 extra kids but by the end of the evening we turned on "Home Alone 2" and I did some crafts while they watched it. It was a nice way to end a busy day.