Marshmallow (and other) Adventures

We had a busy day! Michael spent most the day shoveling ramps, walks and our driveway. 

Stacia and Allie had school...then Allie headed to work, and Stacia settled in to working on a Christmas present and making dinner. 

I left the house at 0800...after spending an extra 10 minutes shoveling out the van. It was an exciting drive into town and CoRielle's house.  The roads out near their church were a mess and so the staff meeting had been called off. Arielle asked if I'd be willing to stay anyway so she could get some computer work done uninterrupted. The boys and I MUST have our Tuesday mornings. We started with drinks...the boys now run to the table when they see me coming to the door. ::snort:: Cool hot chocolate for the younger boys and "China tea" (Chai tea) for Benny and me. 

It snowed most the night and it kept snowing off and on all day. The boys were enthralled - for about 4 minutes. 

We spent 20 - 30 minutes playing all sorts of "chase" games on youtube...a clever ploy to get kids active during screen time. I got 2000 steps - works for me. LOL 

Little Buddy and Benny 

We usually read a book, but no one was in the mood to read today. Arielle had said Benny's school activity today was to build a marshmallow sculpture. We settled in to work on our sculptures. I showed them how to make cars, igloos and snowmen...I DID let the little guys on the table for this one. 

It all started so well. They were motivated and making all sorts of structures and creatures...You KNOW what he's thinking. 

Yep - and once Danny tried them - everyone had to try one. 

Little Buddy has a unique building technique. 

Next up Benny made a great discovery...marshmallows melt with warm hands and friction. 

THIS led to everyone heading to the sink where they discovered marshmallows shrink and melt in warm water. LOL 

I told Arielle it turned into being more of a science experiment than an art project. Benny DID make a mouse trap. 

Arielle asked if the boys were having trouble minding me. No, they were great...but there is a lot of redirecting, and encouraging "make good choices" and "walk away," when watching two two year olds. LOL At times I felt I was attempting to herd cats. ::snort:: We had fun. In no time at all it was time for us to head off in different directions: me across town for food co-op, Little Buddy to therapy, and Danny and Benny to library story hour. 

The roads were a mess, I was quite proud of myself for driving all the way to the other side of the next town over and NOT sliding at all. I DID see a truck perpendicular, with its nose in the snow and its wheels spinning.... people were pulling over everywhere to help. I thought my best bet was to keep sliding straight on down the road. 

On the way home from co-op I stopped to pick up meds for Dad. WHOeee. $475 for meds...that's his co-pay....and when I got home, I found out that Kroger will no longer be in the network of who his insurance accepts as of Jan 1st. In fact, Kroger pharmacies will no longer take tri-care either. This means we will have no pharmacy in town that takes our insurance. I need to sort that out tomorrow. 

I walked in the house and could tell Stacia had been cooking. She made Salmon Pot Pie. It is really yummy...and as there were only 4 of us for dinner, we have an extra pie in the fridge for tomorrow. Poor Allie called for a ride home, she is not feeling well. The rest of us watched a sappy Halmark Movie - the Christmas Scavenger Hunt. This has me thinking it would be a GREAT activity for our little town. 

I'm whipped. Hoping to sleep well tonight. 

"Helping"

 Several have commented in the past couple of days they've noticed the blog went silent, or they've asked if we are o.k. because we are silent....we are well. We are busy, life is stressful, but we are well. I am going to try to post more often so y'all know we are well. LOL 

I had a doctor's appointment last week and out of it came a renewed commitment to find time to work out. Since Dad's surgery and the more hands-on caregiving it has led to, I've not been able to go to the gym in the winter or get out for walks the rest of the year. In fact, I SWEAR, the minute the treadmill or elliptical start up, his button also rings. I sort of threw in the towel completely.  At this point it's become a necessity again for me to make time somewhere to do the basics - for myself. And so, this morning I determined I would NOT go to Bre's or rush out to run an errand for anyone until I had at least 20 minutes on the treadmill. I've given up the 5 - 6 mile goal and am simply trying to get the habit established.  

It wasn't pretty around here, and I got to Bre's 2 hours later than I'd planned, but I got 20 minutes on the treadmill, all the morning and lunch routine with GG taken care of, all the laundry going, his bed remade....and finally...an hour after Michael, Allie and Alex left for Anchorage and Nolan had come home...I left the house. LOL 

Yes, they went to Anchorage and brought home Allie's new car. Michael is doing a few things for it tomorrow; she'll get the title changed over and be good to go. 

Nolan provided back up for Stacia - they watched GG so I could go help Bre out a bit.

Izaak has gone back to work this week and I am going over a few hours a day to "help." Today that amounted to playing hide and seek, statues, a phonics game and watching the kids do a host of gymnastic tricks. Bre did all the work...but she insists I was helpful. LOL 

With all this help around I'm not sure why she needs me. LOL 

Jojo LOVES his baby sister

Perpetual motion

Trudy Sophia Marie

Bella clicked the photos below. This was my first time to hold Trudy. 

Stacia had a LOVELY ham dinner in the oven when I got home. It was a blessing to have a nice dinner ready to go.  After dinner I ran for ingredients while Stacia assembled a couple of 8-inch cakes. We're working towards a family baby shower for JaRissa and Noah this weekend. 

I have a few things left undone this morning to finish up - so good night. LOL 

Adulting in Alaska

We went to Anchorage after church to get a car for Allie. She and Michael have been shopping, researching, making calls, talking with mechanics... Today it finally worked out for the buyer to meet us.  Alex watched GG, who did NOT want to drive to Anchorage. The girls, Michael and I headed to the big town, tested the car and got lunch. 

Everything checked out, Mike and Allie will run up tomorrow and exchange cash for car. The banks are closed today. It will be a great little car for Allie. 

We are proud of Allie. This is a well-thought-out decision. Luke and Krista gave Krista's car to the girls, but they are on vastly different schedules and going different directions. Stacia loves the Vibe and the stick.  She is looking at being overseas in 4 - 6 years and the Vibe suits her just fine for the amount of time she will be here. Allie will be stateside and would be happier with an automatic and a few more winter safety features. This is a sweet car... Y'all seat WARMERS for the LEATHER seats...and all the winter safety features as well. WARM.SEATS. I plan to always be a passenger in Allie's car. 

She paid next semester's tuition, we'll split the expense of the car 65/35, and she'll still have cash in her emergency fund and enough to register, get insurance and operate the car while she saves up for the next semester. 

What Happened to November?

 Yikes....I came to my senses, and it was THIS time of the year! 

It appears I lost a month of blogging. I will be working to catch up as I keep current.  It's been a bit crazy. 

A Blessed Sunday

 It was a blessed Sunday! A busy Sunday, a great Sunday. Allie, Stacia and I were all able to share a bit about various happenings in our lives, we watched friends and loved ones take the step of baptism, we enjoyed lunch with Jamin, raced Allie to work and then received a surprise winter survival package....great Sunday. 

The biggest blessing of the day was witnessing our son in law baptize our granddaughter! Bella has wanted to do this for some time and BreZaak let her do it today. 

This afternoon the doorbell rang...I went out and there was a package on the doorstep. I thought it might be the tea I'd ordered...but it didn't look right. I became more perplexed as I examined it. Michael, Stacia and I gathered around. We thought it had to be someone who knew us well, but we didn't recognize the writing on the card. 

Look at this loot! Even a cheeseball and wheat thins! Luke, Krista and Kids dropped it on our door, rang the bell and ran. The card encouraged us to "Keep Calm and Winter On." I love this idea! 

Saturday Fun

 Saturday morning...everyone other than Grandpa and I slept in...Grandpa has a routine. It felt good to get some housecleaning done. 

Stacia had invited a couple of gals from youth group to come hang out at the house. They made cookies and played games. WAIT - how is that brunette in the middle? 

Josiah, Carrie and Livie are back in Alaska! We haven't seen them since our family dinner in September. It was great to see them again.  Next up, Jamin showed up....followed quickly by Arielle and the two younger boys. Oh, the fun changes we observe in Little Buddy. He confidently ran in, jumped at the table, and waited for a cookie. I went to get a drink and he said, "Tea, tea." Yep, I've won a little friend. 

Ah, to have the energy of a two year old...or two two year olds. LOL 

You can't see anything but Little Buddy's hands, but they are playing a beautiful duet. 

📷by Carrie

This batch is not very fizzy....but we shall see. It's a start. 

Enjoying the Day

 Stacia and I tried to get out early for breakfast study, but it takes more time to get the animals watered and to coax the van into warmth.  Things became complicated very fast when I put the keys into the ignition to warm up the van, scraped windows and then heard the doors LOCK...with the keys INSIDE and the van ON.  Eventually, we made it to the cafe where our warm drinks awaited. LOL 

I spent the day cleaning the kitchen from the week of canning and prepping a meal for a young family. We made rolls, cookies, two roasts (one for them and one for me) and added salad and veggies. Michael and I delivered the meal, enjoyed baby snuggles and conversation. 

Millie LOVES the snow...maybe more than the rest of us?