Weekend Update - Fun in the Sun

Last weekend, we did nothing on Friday despite my best efforts.  I was just beat.  Plus, I knew we had a busy weekend ahead of us.  On Saturday, Little Miss and I woke up early and went to Target for some birthday presents.  Then, we went to her friend's birthday for some fun facepainting and general 6-year-old chaos.  Super hot and super crazy.  Lots of sugar.  Afterwards, I promised her we could go to the toy story to use a gift card.  She carefully made her choices, and we walked out with Operation, a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD, a Winx club doll and something else that I keep forgetting.  She is very good at making decisions when faced with "you can get all of this or one of this" or "you can get this but then we need to put some items back".  I just have to stop her from buying things she already has.

On Sunday, we went to the water park for another birthday party.  Little Miss had fun with her friends, but she mostly loved the water slide.  I was shocked.  She doesn't swim, but she loves the speed and water.  As soon as we got there, the big bucket dumped all over her and the water feature.  Once she got over the shock, she was all over.  I didn't bring her flotation device hoping the peer pressure would encourage her to swim more.  It mostly worked.  

So, the weekend was a lot of fun but exhausting.  I fell asleep watching our Sunday night show as a matter of fact, but it was worth it because Little Miss had a smile on her face the entire weekend.

Baby stayed home with Husband, and I believe they had a lovely time as well, just not as much fun as a water park.  

Weekend Update - Goodbye, June

I went back to work the last full week of June.  It was bittersweet.  I missed the Baby, but Husband stayed home with him, and I know he likes his time with the kids by himself.  I liked getting back into the swing of things and interacting with adults.  This does not mean that I did not appreciate the weekend when it came though.

On Saturday, Husband stayed home with Baby while I brought Little Miss to a birthday party at the ice skating rink.  There was pizza, cake, and what seemed like hours of ice skating.  Little Miss missed skating, and she did a great job.  We all kind of crashed when we got home.  I took a lovely nap with Baby.  I think we both missed our maternity leave naps.

On Sunday, Husband went golfing while I took the kids to my parents' pool and met up with

Sister and Nephew.  My mom met us at the pool and then we went back to the house to see my dad.  Husband met us at the house as well as Sister's boyfriend.  We made some dinner and celebrated Father's Day and Dad's birthday.  It was simple meatball sandwiches and salads, but it was a pretty good day and a great weekend.

Weekend Update - Christmas!

Christmas week was a blur. Little Miss had off from school. She came to the office with me for a couple of hours, but she had a lot of Daddy time. On Tuesday, we went to Christmas Eve Mass at church after I worked a half day. Then, we hosted the In-Laws and Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law and Nephew for dinner. On Christmas, we opened a lot of presents and then went to Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law and Nephew's apartment for dinner. The kids played very well together and were very patient to open presents. Little Miss received the soundtrack to Frozen which has been playing non-stop since Christmas morning. She also received ice skates, books, clothes and other items. All were big hits.

The day after Christmas, we went to my parents' house and met up with them and Sister, her boyfriend and Nephew. We didn't do too much that first day, but the kids did open presents and played. On Friday, the crew went skiing and snowboarding while Husband and I took Little Miss ice skating. She loved it. We forgot her helmet at home, but she did great. She got right back up again every time she fell - and she had a couple of bad spills. We felt bad. She fell flat on her face which left a mark (or three) and then fell a final time that resulted in the end of skating.

On Saturday, Sister, her boyfriend, Nephew and Little Miss went tubing. It was a beautiful day, very mild so it wasn't bad sitting out and watching them. This baby has been inconvenient in my winter sports schedule. After 2 hours of tubing, Little Miss wanted to go ice skating and then skated for a couple of hours. I don't know how she did it. We went to the house for dinner and then took off for home.

On Sunday, Little Miss and I slept late and then went to The Kennedy Center to see the Mo Willems's Elephant & Piggy We Are In a Play! We had a blast. Little Miss loved the Metro and shuttle. She made instant friends with a little girl on the shuttle. I was a pushover and bought her a plush Knuffle Bunny which hasn't left her side since. It was a really great holiday, and I'm trying not to think about the zoo next year will be with a baby.

Weekend Update - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Last Friday, it's a pretty good bet that I went to bed early. I don't remember. Friday is usually the day I try to do as little as possible. On Saturday, Little Miss and I sort of met friends at the Botanical Gardens. We met up with friends, but Little Miss was collecting stamps so couldn't stop and chat and then they had to go. Afterwards, we met with Sister-in-Law and Nephew though. In the meantime, Little Miss and I took lots of pictures and enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather. The four of us went to lunch and then Little Miss and I went home. I napped, and she may or may not have. That night, Little Miss went to bed while I stayed up and watched Saturday Night Live while it actually aired on television. Weird!

On Sunday, I woke up with Little Miss for our morning routine of playing board games.  I lost as is tradition - and not because I fix the games so she wins.  Then, I had a Christmas lunch with my friends.  Yummy food, good friends followed by gifts and pedicures is the way to celebrate a holiday.  I'll post the recipe in a separate post in case you want to give it a go.  We've been on a good new food kick lately.  I've decided that Husband and I need to try a new food a week instead of Little Miss (or in addition to anyway).  We've fallen off the new food wagon.  When I got home Sunday, I tidied a little when I realized how little time I had to do so this week before we hosted Christmas Eve and played more board games with Little Miss.  She received Monopoly Junior for Christmas so far, and I've lost a couple of rounds of that game.  The rules are much easier with the junior version, but the kid will be a great Monopoly player.  She hates spending money and is very particular on what she purchases.  She's an evil landlord, too. 

Weekend Update - Christmas Preparations

I'm pretty sure we did nothing on Friday which is our favorite activity - though I think I tidied up a little. On Saturday, Little Miss was picked up at noon to do some holiday preparations with the In-Laws and to spend the night at their apartment. This gave Husband and I the oppportunity to make and freeze 211 potato and cheese pierogi. Husband made the filling the night before, but we have a nice system down to making them. I hooked up the iPad and watched a movie while he watched college football. We were a well-oiled machine. We were done in time to watch Saturday Night Live. 

We slept late on Sunday. I hit the grocery store in the afternoon and then Little Miss came home. The weekend seemed like it flew (because it did).

Weekend Update - Breakfast with Santa (and Nephew)

On Friday, I met a friend for dinner (well, she had a snack and I had yummy Pad Thai) and a movie. It was really relaxing and fun. The local theater was redone early this year and now has full recliners so you get a nice roomy, comfortable seat. You do need to reserve your seat so you have to buy your parties' tickets together, but it's a small price to pay for the ultimate comfort.

A long time ago, we promised Nephew that he could have a sleepover. We had already rescheduled a couple of times, and it finally happened.

He arrived on Saturday, and he and Little Miss played really well together building with this fort kit we have (it's really giant tinker toys). Then, he brought a SpongeBob gingerbread set to decorate. The three of us did that for a few minutes before the kids got bored, and I had to finish it up. I'm blaming the kids though because it looked like a 6 and 8 year old decorated it. They probably could have done a better job.

They bickered a bit the rest of Saturday, and we thoroughly underestimated how long the bedtime routine would take, but they finally fell asleep. They have totally different sleep habits between lots of night lights and very few night lights, between silence and music. So, it took awhile for them to settle down.

On Sunday, they woke early and played. Husband and I lounged in bed for a little while, but then it started to snow and the kids were super excited and came in to tell us. At that point, we got up and got ready for Breakfast with Santa. The kids were great (though ours was admittedly cranky). We had French toast or pancakes, sausage and juice and then the kids met Santa. The pictures came out really cute. After Nephew headed home, Little Miss and I baked chocolate peanut butter cup brownies and then took a little nap. Then, it was dinner, eating the brownies and bedtime again.

The power went out Sunday night a couple of times so Little Miss was a little unsettled, and we all slept poorly, but Husband and Little Miss stayed home which probably helped. Little Miss had a snow day while Husband had a delay but worked from home. I was jealous, but I had a lot of work to do and got most of it done so it all worked out for the best.

Oh, I forgot!  Saturday morning, we finished decorating the tree so we're officially decorated for Christmas.  We have a handful of Nativity scenes, one of which is the Fisher Price one.  It is a massive set that spans most of our living room.  It was nice to see it get some play this year for the first time in the 3 years we've had it.  Now if only Little Miss wouldn't set off all of the sound features at the same time, we'd be good.

Weekend Update - Long Weekend

Thanksgiving went well.  The day after Thanksgiving, we traditionally get out tree.  Husband had to do some work, and then I wasn't feeling well so we did nothing. 

Saturday morning, we did get our tree - quickly in the next town over versus traveling an hour away to cut our own.  Last year, we had such a great tree.  From the way this current tree is drinking water, we may have great luck again.  After we got the tree, Little Miss and I met a friend for lunch and a movie.  Little Miss loves going out with the girls so it was fun.  Then, we went home for dinner and a quiet evening.

On Sunday, we did some tidying up and then went to a party at a friend's house to celebrate Hanukkah.  Little Miss has been obsessed with Hanukkah since last year.  She played games, received presents and got to light the menorah.  She asked for a menorah, but it was a little too late on the fifth night.  I told her she could have one next year if she wanted.  We got home after bedtime, but she was good about going right to bed.  We were pretty sure Monday was going to be a rude awakening after such a long weekend.

Weekend Update - Where Are My Forest Creatures?

So, the weekend before Thanksgiving, we just cleaned.  We found a home for everything and cleaned up almost everything.  A bug hit our home so Little Miss and Husband weren't feeling well, but we made do.  Little Miss went to the In-Laws' apartment for some cookie decorating and a sleepover.  She wasn't feeling well in the morning, but she perked up by the afternoon.  We spent the entire weekend cleaning - tidying mostly.

Also, there was a lot of sleep.  It would be much easier if woodland creatures did my cleaning.

We hosted my parents for Thanksgiving.  I had a half day of work on Wednesday and then Thursday and Friday off.  On Monday, I left work early so I was all set to go to Doctor Who airing in 3D IMAX.  I met a friend to see it, and it was worth it.  On Tuesday, I had the morning off to see Little Miss's Thanksgiving show.  The kids were super cute.  The weather was horrendous - cold and rainy.  On Wednesday, I head home after work in the cold and rain to do the last of the cleaning.

On Thursday, Little Miss and I woke up to play some games, and then she helped me make the veggies and cranberry sauce.  Then, we did the last of the cleaning.  Dinner was pretty good with the family and we've been gladly eating leftovers ever since.

Weekend Update - Naps Are Our Friend

Last weekend, nothing much happened despite grand plans to clean the apartment.  On Saturday, Little Miss and I played every board game we own.  I lost almost every single one of them from Guess Who to Old Maid to Candyland to Chutes and Ladders to I Spy.  Then, Little Miss and I had lunch and took a nap.  In the late afternoon, I took a shower and pretty much did nothing until it was time to go to bed.  In my defense, I had a pretty bad headache. 

On Sunday, Little Miss and I met Sister-in-Law and Nephew at the mall for holiday pictures.  It went successfully.  Then, we had lunch and walked around the mall.  To my disappointment, we found nothing that was worth waiting in line for.  Little Miss wanted a pair of fingerless gloves (on sale) but not enough to stand in line.  So, we left.  She napped when we got home for a little while, and I relaxed a bit on the couch watching some tv.  I regretted not taking a nap later though.

That was the entire weekend.  It was pretty low-key though not as low key as this coming up weekend.  It'll sound like absolute excitement compared the coming up weekend. 

Weekend Update - Where Did It Go?

I suppose, in all honest, many are still on their weekend.  I am working this Veterans' Day though.

I had good intentions (ok, some intention) to clean this past weekend.  We watched a little tv on Friday instead.  Then, we just got busy and lazy.  I should amend that to say I got busy and lazy because Little Miss actually did a fantastic job cleaning her room. 

On Saturday, I met college friends and their children for brunch.  It was great catching up.  I don't think I've seen them in about 10 years.  After, I went home to take a quick nap to try to rid myself of a headache before going to a six-year-old's birthday party.  I think it was kind of pointless, but I can't imagine what the headache would have been like if I hadn't rested first.  So, when I got home, I rested some more to completely rid myself of it.

On Sunday, we got up to get Christmas portraits done with Nephew.  Before we left, Little Miss and I spent time together in the morning where she spent the time reading her school paperwork and asked for an impromtu lesson on the difference between commas and "capostrophes".  So, we had a little schooling.  She then went to finish all her school work she didn't have time to finish throughout the week because she wasn't assigned any weekend homework to do.  Seriously, who does this?

Getting dressed, I noticed that I bought Little Miss's dress a size too small by accident.  After calling the store, I was told that I would have to send it back to get a refund (minus shipping costs), but I decided to take it to the mall just in case.  I was going to be there anyway.  To skip ahead, Gap Kids did give me a refund with no question at all.  So, thumbs up Gap Kids.  Also, thumbs up for having a bathroom in your store.  It was a lifesaver.  Anyway, the portraits came out well, I thought.  After, we did lunch at The Cheesecake Factory which is never a bad idea.  Then, we said farewell to Sister and Nephew while we walked around. 

While at the mall, we saw that the Santa display was up.  I told Little Miss we could walk around, but we weren't doing Santa that day.  Even though she looks like a big girl, she really wanted to see Santa.  The display made it appear like it snowed inside, and she had a blast just walking around.  I promised her we'd see Santa closer to Christmas.

I also promised my free monthly chocolate from Godiva to Little Miss.  She talked me into a chocolate turkey for $6.95.  However, when we checked out, the woman said if I spent $10, I'd get $10 off.  So, we picked up a second chocolate turkey and our entire receipt was $3 and change.  So, I had to buy more to pay less.  Good day indeed.

Last night, Little Miss spent the night at the In-Laws' apartment so I took that opportunity to go to bed early. 

Weekend Update - You Say It's My Birthday

All of last week, I was battling a head cold.  On Friday, I cleaned a little, but it was a busy week, and I was just exhausted.  So, I went to bed.  Saturday was Little Miss's birthday party for which I woke up early.  I cleaned the house and started cooking, but as it always happens, we were running behind.  My parents came early to help and in the nick of time!  We were still maybe a few minutes late, but it wasn't that bad.  I don't think it affected the party at all.  It was chaos, but I think Little Miss had fun.

Father-in-Law made the cake and cupcakes which were the hit of the party.  Everyone had compliments.  Little Miss was showered with gifts.  Her favorites included glitter paint (from Mom), Cinderella Uno Cards (from Brother-in-Law) and some new board games.  She also received a lot of arts and crafts sets which she'll enjoy.  Some of the presents were very nostalgic like Connect Four and Lite Brite.  It makes me feel not as old to see her play with the same toys and games that I enjoyed.

On Saturday night, we had a quiet night.  Little Miss and I played some of her new games before bed.  Then, we all crashed fairly early after scavenging and eating leftovers from the party food.

On Sunday, Little Miss and I woke up early to go to a birthday party.  It was rushed, but she had a good time and had a good nap in the afternoon.  After the rest, we played another new game.  She's becoming quite the winner - and trash talker.  It's kind of hilarious even if I'm trying to make her a good sport at the same time.  We did dinner, bath and bed last night, but it was a rough night.  She was a little clingy and had trouble staying asleep which had to do with the nap and some itchy skin.  She's been a little clingier than usual, but as she put it so succinctly this morning, "I miss you except tomorrow (when she's with her cousin), and then I'll forget about you."  So, it's nice to know where I stand.  Good weekend, but I need a weekend to recover!

Weekend Update - Crankypants

On Friday, we had a quiet night in.  Well, quiet after Little Miss got booted to bed.  She had been very tired all week, and the week culminated in a giant meltdown. 

On Saturday, she asked Husband to get up with her and proceeded to talk to him for 2 hours straight.  I slept in a little and then got up to meet a friend at the movies.  Because she was running late, I also had time to vote early for the election this year.  That was pretty awesome to get that out of the way with no line. 
After, Husband, Little Miss and I went to my sister's place.  Little Miss and Nephew had a blast together.  He got a new loft-style bed and was eager to show that off.  Little Miss loved it (briefly until she was stuck at the top and was a little too scared to come down and needed her daddy).  My parents and my sister's boyfriend arrived later.  We had some Chinese delivery and chatted.  Little Miss opened a birthday present from my parents and played some video games.  We left very late, but it was a good night.

On Sunday, I expected a meltdown.  Little Miss went to bed very late the night before and didn't really sleep in, but I promised her she could come out with me.  So, we went to an early lunch for book club.  It was dim sum and Little Miss doesn't eat Chinese food so she patiently sat there while we ate.  Then, we went to Target so she could spend her $10, and we could pick up various other items.  After, it was late, and Little Miss really wanted breakfast for lunch so we hit IHOP.  She was the most excellent girl all day.  When we got home, it was probably around 3:30.  We made 2 batches of cookie dough and then I carved Snow White and her apple out of a pumpkin and made dinner.  I did bath time and then Husband helped with the bedtime routine before I rolled and baked way too many cookies.  They were pretty darned photogenic though - and tasty.  Surprisingly, Little Miss was fantastic on Sunday with little sleep.  I, on the other hand, missed my weekend naps.  A lot.  In my defense, my crankypants are super comfortable.
 

Weekend Update - A Little Bit of Everything

Last weekend, we started the weekend on Friday with dinner with the In-laws, Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law and Nephew.  It was a yummy dinner.  Then, we went back to the In-laws apartment for some dessert.  We were all super tired, and Little Miss fell asleep on the way home.  The sad thing is that it wasn't that late.

On Saturday, I had lunch plans with the girls while Husband took Little Miss to a birthday party.  The weather was very overcast, but the kids didn't mind. They were hopped up on candy and running around.  I met them there when I was done with lunch.  It was a quiet evening followed by an even quieter Sunday.  

On Sunday, I slept gloriously late and was only awakened when pancakes were ready.  After pancakes, I sat on the couch for what seemed like forever.  After most of the day, I showered, and Little Miss and I went grocery shopping.  That pretty much summed up my Sunday as we moved to start a new week.

Weekend Update - Long Weekend

Last Thursday was our 14th anniversary.  To celebrate, we both forgot.  I actually texted mid-morning.  That night, I went to bowling and then the next day, Little Miss and I went out of town for the long weekend.  I suppose my anniversary present to Husband was that he didn't spend a long weekend with my family. 

On Friday, I hit massive traffic going to my parents' house so Little Miss and I could join them and my Sister, her boyfriend and Nephew on a trip to their vacation house in western Maryland.  We got up there late on Friday after stopping for a quick bite along the way.

On Saturday, the kids woke up early and entertained themselves.  After we all woke up, we had breakfast and then went to a friend of my parents for the day.  We watched the big Autumn Glory parade and ate a lot of food (well, I did, I can't speak for everybody).    We pretty much did nothing when we got home, but I went to bed early.

On Sunday, the kids woke up early again.  We got ready to go to the top of the mountain and have a pumpkin race.  We did not win.  Little Miss and Nephew had fun running around and eating junk food.  It was a little on the chilly side, but we all had fun.  After, I napped a bit while we all took it easy after a quick trip to Wal-Mart.  That night, the kids slept together in the loft for the first time.  It was a success overall, I believe.  They really got along overall really well.

 

On Monday, we went to the mountain and the kids rode the mountain coaster numerous times.  It's Little Miss's favorite part of the weekend.  They also played on the playground before we packed up to go home.  The trip home took awhile between bathroom breaks and food, but it was a good weekend.  The cousins are already missing each other hard, any bickering a thing of the past.  I'm going to need time to recover, but I hit the ground running instead.

Weekend Update - This is Fall?

The first weekend in October was a lot of fun.  We had dinner with the In-laws at Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's apartment.

On Saturday, we met Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law and Nephew at the pumpkin patch.  It was about the same temperature as the sun so we didn't stay long, but Little Miss slid down the slides, jumped on the bounce house, played on the playground and did the corn maze (the last with some supervision).  Then, we went to lunch at Matchbox to try to cool off.  Little Miss had a surprise sleepover with Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law while I met friends at Rasika West End for some really delicious Indian food.  I got home very late and it was nice to know I could sleep in.

On Sunday, I picked up Little Miss, and the two of us took a lengthy nap instead of clean the apartment.  Good Sunday indeed.

Weekend Update - Busy Busy Bees

The last Saturday in September, Little Miss and I did a lot especially when you consider we had no nap at all.  We got up and got ready.  Little Miss rode her bike to Clarendon, down the road a bit.  She rode some rides and tried some Spanish chicken.  I had paella.  We ate a lot of junk food and then she did the jumpy castle.  Little Miss got lots of giveaways and ran into 4 friends from school.  Then, we walked home.  At home, we got ready quickly to go right back out - after a very quick nap.

Husband was out at a friend's house and came home to pick us up.  My parents were in Florida during their 40th wedding anniversary so we promised them a night out.  We took them to Bonefish which wasn't fine dining, but it was good and allowed us to bring the kids.  My parents were watching Nephew so he got to occupy Little Miss.  After, Little Miss had an impromptu sleepover with Nephew at my parents' house.  

On Sunday, I slept late and then drove out to pick up Little Miss.  It was a really fun weekend for all.  So fun, there are no pictures except for one on my phone of Little Miss housing mini donuts covered in powdered sugar.

Weekend Update - ARRRRRR!

We're playing a little catch up again. The third weekend in September, we found ourselves in Georgetown on a pirate ship! We went with a couple of other families including Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law and Nephew. Little Miss dressed in my old pirate costume which, sadly, wasn't that big on her. She played limbo, got her face painted, and got tattooed. After, most of us went to lunch and then we went home to nap. All that pillaging and plundering took a lot out of us!

We sadly didn't do much the next day at all. It was a pretty good weekend. Husband's friend and father came over for football, but we mostly just hung out, watched football and napped. Can't ask for more on a Sunday.

Weekend Update - Sleepover!

Last weekend, we watched Nephew overnight while Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law had plans. He arrived on Saturday morning. Husband and I took the kids to our indoor pool. Then, we served lunch at which point the kids were tuckered out so we all had a nap. They woke up an hour or so later, I believe, maybe longer (hard to tell when I was napping, too). Then, we went to the playground. We came home and had dinner. We did a bath and the kids went right to bed. There were some giggling from the bedroom which was adorable, but the kids went to bed quickly on their own.

On Sunday, the kids and I took a walk to get a bagel for Husband. We also hit up the bakery so I could spoil the kids a bit. They liked the time outdoors and were really good. They played when we got home until it was time for Nephew to go home.

After, Little Miss and I walked them out and went to our car to run errands. We hit Home Depot and Chipotle and the grocery store. I got talked into growing lettuce for the elementary school so we needed everything to grow lettuce. We bought a window box, dirt and a second pot to replant my basil that I had been killing for months. Then, I got hungry and snuck in some food before going to grab some food for lunches this week.

When we got home, Little Miss helped pour dirt into the pots and plant seeds. She watered and then asked where the plants were. She gets her patience from me. We should see sprouts in a couple of days. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't, but we're supposed to.

Weekend Update - Books, Friends and Family

The first week of September brought book club!  I met the book club at a restaurant where we actually discussed the book and ate a delicious dinner.  We took it easy during the day.  I think the first week of school took a lot out of us, and we were all a little on edge.

 On Sunday, we went to my Sister's house and hung out.  It was a glorious day, and the kids just wanted to stay inside and play.  So, we played Chutes and Ladders.  I lost by a lot.  Nephew won.  We snacked and then we convinced the kids to go to the playground.  They had a lot of fun.  After, Sister's boyfriend came and we all went to Coldstone Creamery for ice cream.  It was a nice way to cap off a weekend.

Weekend Update - September

I had trouble believing it was September already.  We got back from the beach with our mountain of laundry.  That Monday, there was one last school playdate.  Little Miss got to meet some of the kids in her homeroom and some other kids who would be in extended day with her.  I think it helped a lot once school started.  There were some familiar faces and close friends already.  We shut the playdate down and then I went back to nap.  The playdates take a lot of me!