Monday, February 22, 2016

Spring!

Maybe not according to the calendar, but it's pretty toasty out there. And no one is complaining (though I have a ton of stuff coming up I need to prepare for and instead we're outside playing all day). It's been wonderful. I started off the annual "I'm going to be a runner!" kick on Saturday with a long, super slow jog. (Spoiler alert: this idealism will die a rapid death in the next two weeks. Or on the first cold/rainy day) Found a new podcast that I'm really enjoying called Myths and Legends; it's all the fairy tales and legends that aren't mainstream. I listened to an Irish one while running staggering and it was extremely motivating (as in, the body count and descriptions of murder were pretty intense right as I got to the spooky part of the woods and my pace picked up impressively). Otherwise, not a whole lot going on.

See, my plants are already coming up! This was a few days ago, today I noticed the bud is starting to develop



Haha, soooo..I was walking with the kids, and found this brand new, still in the box, bathroom vanity sink and counter. Ours is original to the house and rusting out like crazy no matter how much we caulk it. Obviously it needs replacing, and look at that! One that looks like it was made for our bathroom. Unfortunately it's 2' too small....but I bet I can figure out a solution. You should have seen me pushing a double stroller and hauling this bad boy on my shoulder through the neighborhood.

After getting the sink home and off again to finish our walk


Oh, oh. ooooooohhhh this cake. Yes, we are still avoiding sugar. But Thursday was rough. And there was only a tiny amount as all I had was 1/4cup in the house. And it was INSANELY good. Plant based baking is the way to go y'all.

This kid loves to spin. It makes me sick to just watch.


Cards from Grandma

A very ticked off ladybug, lol

We took the kids bowling for their first time. They loved it, and Hen got a strike! She was pretty proud 


Hudson putting on Dad's shoes

And then summer came and there was no getting them to even touch a coat

Treated myself to an iced coffee and hair trim. My stylist left with no forwarding info, so I just got whoever. She was a cute  young thing who had a bunch of restaurant recommendations I can't wait to try (including  a vegan ice cream and baked goods shop. Yay!).

It's so much easier to do it yourself. But they've got to learn. So, chore time is just a normal part of their day, and at this point the only thing I have have to do is the bathroom (don't want them touching the chemicals) and washing the laundry (they can't reach, but they help fold and they put away), It's not perfect, but it's improving and I can live with it. 
See? Normal, non-inspiring week. I'm good with steady :)

Monday, February 15, 2016

Food and selfies

Another long weekend over with. This past week was kind of foggy and seemed to have gone quick. Hudson was still pretty couch-bound until about Wednesday night, and on Sunday I had started in with his cold (I thought). Saturday I finally went to urgent care and was diagnosed with a sinus infection and started some meds. I don't think I've ever had one before, and they're pretty nasty. But now hopefully everyone is on the mend! On Saturday the teens at our church babysat everyone's kids so all the parents could have a date night. I drugged myself up pretty good and we went to Central Square and tried Veggie Galaxy. Definitely worth a repeat visit when we want a treat, we had burgers and fries and Steve got a milkshake that I had a taste of (it's all vegan...and their house hot sauce was awesome!). And then Sunday was the last day of our 6 week diet so we celebrated with salmon. And I had a candy bar and felt pretty icky from it. And then we all agreed to do it for another 6 weeks because the fact is I've lost 14 pounds AND we all feel really good eating this way. And it's pretty easy now that we're in the swing of it. So in 6 weeks we'll have another cheat meal and this time I'm skipping the sugar. So, sorry, not much to share except lots of nose blowing, dozing on the couch, and food. Oh! We did go to a playgroup on Thursday that we'll be joining after the school break and the kids loved it. Hudson didn't even notice/care when I left to join the moms for discussion, all the kids were his age (and boys!) so I think it'll be a good fit this time.

We finally got some snow!

A sweater mom knit Hen ages ago still fits

Valentine's Day prep. 

Playing with his ninjas

The cards Hen gave her Sunday School class

And the ones Hud gave. Found all the figures in bags of 20 at Target. Don't tell the kids, but I bought extras 'cause they were pretty cute

Was getting desperate for a treat, so blender "muffins". Only Henri really liked them

Henri's been making glasses for me

I don't like cauliflower, but it's cheap, and I'm trying to eat lots of different veggies. Used Pioneer Woman's recipe for spicy stir fry cauliflower, and it was a scrumptious lunch! Making it again this week. Except I set off the smoke detectors and the kids are still talking about that....

Apple nachos! Went over to some friends for dinner on Thurs and made this for dessert. Chocolate sauce, peanut sauce, sprinkled with walnuts and mini chocolate chips. Technically a bit of sugar in the chocolate, but close enough to the spirit of the diet. And yummy!

Coldest day of the year and he wanted to wear short and leg warmers

So the next day she wore the same thing

Elaborate picnics in the living room

Saturday we went sledding at Gore Mansion

See? Selfies and food, it's all I've got on my phone....

Our date meal! 

David came over for supper last night and brought his new toy.

Steve had today off, so after all our Monday chores got done we headed back to Gore for some more sledding. Hudson spent a lot of time chasing geese too. He remains terrified of all animals except the Canada Goose. He was pretty sad they wouldn't let him get close enough to hug (although he got a lot closer than I'd be comfortable with!)

Hen walked herself back up, but Hudson got free rides

More selfies

And even more.....

Last run of the day since our feet were numb.

And that was the week! No big plans for the coming one, but at least it's a shorter one and projected to be warmer. :)

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Why?!

Ah, the "why?" stage. Had somehow repressed the memory of that one. But it's hit, and hit hard, and my throat is raw from answering. Unfortunately Hudson doesn't talk much so his ability to carry on a conversation regarding the explanation is non-existent, and it's just a chant of "why"'s right now. Also, he's been pretty sick this week with a cold and coughing so whine factor out of control! I know that sounds like I'm whining, but it hasn't been all that bad. For one thing, our crazy "winter" continues with temps in the high 50's, so we've been outside a lot. And then yesterday it rained so we had a marathon of TV show watching and put our FireStick to good use. And *drumroll please* I think I weaned Hudson off his pacifiers. It's only been 2 days, but so far not a peep from him. He went to bed with one and started crying because sucking on them hurt his upper lip (raw from runny nose). So I totally blamed it on the pacies, asked if he wanted me to take them so they wouldn't hurt and he handed them over. I've got them hidden as a just in case, and it feels cruel to deprive him of comfort when he's ill, but other than nursing a lot more he hasn't seemed bothered. There's no way it could be this easy, but I'm enjoying the lack of drama right now.
We had a pretty laid back weekend with Sue in town. We walked around Fresh Pond, and then the guys took her to the Symphony on Saturday which meant I had the house to myself so I watched The Importance of Being Earnest. No idea how I've missed it up to this point, but very glad Anna recommended it as it was hilarious. Perfect "being on your own in a creaky house late at night" sort of a movie :) And then we went to our current favorite restaurant on Sunday night, a vegan place where I've yet to have a bad meal (and the kids adore their smoothies). Lots of running around on Monday, and then the cold has kept us housebound since. I finally went out with the kids today to Target to get ready for Valentines Day. Somehow it's become a big celebration in our house, with small items found in their personal mailboxes for the entire week leading up to the day, and a nice meal with lots of chocolate on the 14th. I've found 3 different chocolate truffle recipes I'll be making for Henri and I (coconut oil for the win!!!!), and a raw carrot cake truffle for Steve. It's a fun interlude in what is usually the dumps of winter.

Hudson got a little too excited about the flower and picked it. 

The remains of their snow fort



She was singing "Sisters" from White Christmas and using pine branches as the fan :)


She's very in to making her own headband/jewelry/clothing items

The kids are loving that everything is plant based so they can lick any mixing bowl or spatula now

Our dessert on Friday night. Raw chocolate cake. It was fudgey and chocolate and so so so so sooooooo good. Hudson was shoveling it in with both hands, and even Steve (who doesn't like chocolate) loved it. 


Sat we went to the nursery too. Just to see some greenery



They're such cool old brick houses

Tree climbing

As always, it doesn't do it justice, but there was a gorgeous sunset


He's been picking out his own outfits for a bit. Despite not knowing his colors, he manages to coordinate pretty well. And yes, that is a maple syrup jug in the recycling. Pure panic until I found one more hidden away in the pantry. Would be horrible to run out now with no more to come for months! 

Sick bug, sipping tea and honey and watching "Little Bear" 
My thrift store find! These are insanely heavy, very weird, poorly cast, and I'm in love. I have grand plans (don't I always) of creating a statue garden on the other side of the shed where nothing grows. Pea gravel paths, ornamental grass in pots, and statuary. Fountain in the middle. These are the first of the collection :)