Podcasts - Fake Doctors Real Friends

We started a Scrubs rewatch and listening along to the podcast, Rake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach + Donald.  It's been so nice rewatching and listening to some behind-the-scenes.  It is one of our favorite shows and good comfort viewing.  If you are a fan of the show, I highly recommend rewatching and listening along.  

Movies We Watched - Fleabag

After obsessing over the tv show, Fleabag, we jumped on the chance to watch the one-woman show of the same name.  I loved that it was still new and funny and touching.  Phoebe Waller-Bridge is just a gift to humanity in her humor and subtlety (and sometimes by not being subtle at all).  She brings such a softness to a brash character and humor to solemnity.  

I will definitely be rewatching the tv show again.  

Quarantine Life

Whelp, the novelty has worn off.  Or life with a pre-teen has hit a valley, or peak.  I don't know.  

It turns out, Captain really likes to have a schedule and a plan.  He gets frustrated with writing and not being perfect which hinders him trying.  He prefers staying home.  Even when we've offered him to go get the mail or take a walk, he prefers to stay inside.  There was some chalk painting on the balcony, but that's about it.  Today, we got a little creative with lessons.  Even though it's Spring Break, I still like to keep him busy.  Today, he got to watch some Penguins of Madagascar and then had to write about his favorite part.  In the afternoon, I had him write a letter to his great-grandparents.  

Little Miss has been super great and making cookies for the family by herself or super emotional.  So, 12 is fun.  She gets a little cooped up and does like to get out to run around the block or walk down to get the mail.  She has been allegedly working and keeps in contact with many of her friends.  

All in all, I can't complain.  They've been good.  It's hard to keep them learning and motivated, but I think they (at least Captain) like the interaction and being around us.  

Husband and I have been having Zoom calls with family.  We've started Schitt's Creek.  I've watched Glow Up, Next in Fashion, and Making It but having trouble concentrating on finishing an actual book.  We've also been listening to the Scrubs podcast and doing a rewatch along with it.  So, that's been fun.

So, we're hanging in there as I hope you all are as well.

Hanging in There

So, this has been a fun month.  I hope this isn't "going out like a lamb."  We've all kind of adapted ok so far.  

We wake up.  The kids start school work around 10AM.  Little Miss has set their room up with two trays as desks and two chairs.  She guides him through his lessons and does her own work.  They come out for lunch.  Normally, this is when they are done for the day, but the work load has ramped up this week to be more interactive so they went back to work after lunch time.  We've been very consistent with bedtime which has helped at least.  

They've been pretty calm.  There are some questions here and there.  In general, they've been more active with us though.  You'd think close quarters would make them crankier, but it hasn't really.  Maybe it's the extra sleep.  Little Miss has been getting up 2-3 hours later than her usual school schedule.  We've played some board games, watched movies, popped popcorn.  We've had some interesting conversations about guns, politics, passing on germs.  Captain has a lot of interesting perspectives.  For example, he may need a gun to protect himself from bad guys... or just a shield.  So, maybe he just thinks he's actually Captain America.  

January 2020

January was a fun month.  In the beginning of the month, we celebrated a belated holiday with the In-Laws.  We had dinner out and then went back to our apartment for dessert and presents.  I can't even handle the cuteness of all the kids together.

The very next day, Captain and I took the Metro to The Kennedy Center to see the play Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.  He used to be scared of the Metro and is no longer!  Because I'm an idiot, I bought 4 tickets to the play because I can't work the Internet.  So, I gave two of the tickets to Sister-in-Law and Nephew.  We met in between the two performances for lunch.  After lunch, Captain and I did the fun virtual tour of The Kennedy Center with Pigeon on the app.  The wifi was a little spotty so we didn't complete it, but we did get a pin and had a lot of fun.

The next weekend, Husband was out of town on an annual trip.  So, the kids and I did some cooking and baking and had a movie night (101 Dalmations, the original animated film).  We did dinner out with the In-Laws.  It was a lot of fun.

The next weekend, Little Miss had a Latin party which is a total thing.  She won second place in a costume contest.  I went to a Housewarming party and a couple of happy hours.  Overall, it was a pretty relaxing long weekend.  Our Sunday Family Movie was Star Wars (A New Hope).  I did not fall asleep once through this viewing, too.

The last weekend, the kids and I went back to The Kennedy Center for Lunar New Year (China).  I think I'm going to have to skip Korea this weekend.  I just need to do some things at home.  The lanterns were beautiful, and the kids had a blast with crafts and costumes.  We also completed the Virtual Tour and got certificates of completion!  And then everybody melted down, and we came home.  

Food front:  I bought myself an Air Fryer for Christmas so we used that quite a bit.  In January, we air fried everything from veggies (butternut squash and broccoli and brussels sprouts) to pot stickers, chicken tenders and onion rings.  The kids and I made chocolate donuts in the oven, homemade baked mac and cheese, parmesan chicken tenders, chicken romano and lemon pasta, broccoli cheese soup, champagne cupcakes with champagne buttercream, the yummiest vanilla cake, and circus cupcakes.  There were also brownies and sugar cookies.  You can find our updates and recipes here on our Cooking/Baking Instagram page, @A4MinimalEffort.

I still have a blog!

So, right, I still have a blog.

Here's an update:

Husband and I are still employed and barely maintaining sanity.  We just celebrated our 20th anniversary (and today, in fact, is the 22nd anniversary of the day he proposed).  

Little Miss started middle school and received her first phone which she uses to chat with all of her elementary school friends in one giant group text that's just as annoying as it sounds (but kind of cute).

Captain started kindergarten, and we are all surprised at how much he absolutely loves it.  He loves his teacher and extended day and, overall, ruling everything.

I don't think I have time to maintain a blog like I used to so I'm still deciding what I want to do here.  We'll see!  

Movies & Books in January 2017

I've been lazy at keeping up with the blog.

Movies Watched in January 2017

• Finding Dory 
• Nancy Drew 
• The Spiderwick Chronicles 
• Just Add Magic
• Hidden Figures

Books Read in January 2017

• Who Do You Love by Christie Ridgway (This is part of the Rock Royalty series. The order of which can be found here.)
• Rules of Contact by Jaci Burton (This is part of the Play by Play series. The order of which can be found here
• Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis (This is part of the Heartbreaker Bay series. The order of which can be found here.)
• Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

I decided to start listing our Sunday Family Movies.  Every Sunday, we make pancakes and watch a movie as a family.  Most of the time, Little Miss chooses, but we sometimes take turns.  I saw Hidden Figures in the theater with Mom and Sister which was fun.  

The books were all pretty solid, fast reads.  Three romance and one memoir - all enjoyable.

No New Food

No new food this week.  Little Miss has a touch of the stomach bug.  Captain took good care of her.  While she was in the bathroom, he was told not to go in there, but he sat right at the door and offered her everything he could think of.  He later brought her tissues at her request.  He kept bringing her books.  He was very concerned and asked, "Laura, all right?"  Then, when she didn't answer, he looked at me and said, "Mama, help."  It was so precious.  He's missed his playmate quite a bit and has been extra snuggly with us to make up for it.  He had Husband read him many books and snuggled hard this morning with me.  His sister will be back to normal soon and everything will right itself.

August 2016 Weekend Update

I could be sleeping.  But I'm not. (@Rob_Sawicki)

A photo posted by @princessapr on Aug 5, 2016 at 4:55pm PDT

August was really busy!  The first weekend, Husband and I traveled to New Jersey for a wedding while the kids stayed home with the in-laws - and their cousins.  We hit the track on Friday night to lose a few bucks.  We had a nice dinner.  Then, the next day, we had a wedding to attend.  It was a beautiful wedding.  Between, we grabbed some drinks before going to the country club for a lot of eating and drinking.  We visited with some of the Husband's family before heading back on Sunday.

Family - we clean up well. #keatingwedding86 (@Rob_Sawicki)

A photo posted by @princessapr on Aug 6, 2016 at 4:45pm PDT

The next weekend, we took off for vacation with the in-laws.  The older nephew and Little Miss went up a day before.  We met them the next day.  It was a beautiful week of sun and sand.  We did a lot of eating.  The kids loved the water - both the ocean and the pool.  I still feel like I'm recovering.

The kids really loved spending time with their cousins.  They little ones are really getting much better at playing together and interacting.  They still need to be watched because Captain can be kind of mean sometimes.  He's used to being the darling baby of the group, but he turns into such bully, not wanting to share any attention.  Then, sometimes, when you're not looking, the two of them play so nicely.

Vacation  #nevergoingback (@Rob_Sawicki)

A photo posted by @princessapr on Aug 19, 2016 at 4:25pm PDT

The last weekend, Husband and I went to La Tasca and had sangria and paella.  The sangria was delicious.  We definitely need to do that more often.  Then, we saw John Oliver!  It was amazing.  He's one of my favorite personalities/comedians.  After we saw a friend from college and her wife, and then we grabbed drinks with a former co-worker.  It was a lot of fun and full of adult, grown up things.

Can't see the tears from this angle. #sensey (@Rob_Sawicki)

A photo posted by @princessapr on Aug 19, 2016 at 7:02pm PDT

The next day was another wedding!  It was the last of the season.  The wedding was lovely.  We grabbed a drink after with another couple before we went to the reception where we had a blast.  After, we were like entirely different people and went to the after party until we shut the bar down.  I haven't done that in I don't know how long.

Night out!!! #johnoliver #3sangrias

A photo posted by @princessapr on Aug 26, 2016 at 3:37pm PDT

That said, we are definitely ready for the routine of school to start up again.  I think our busy summer was great - and fast - but there's sometime comforting in the routine of the Fall.  We have some plans we'd like to carry out in the Fall so it'll be something to look forward to. 

Adult night out again!  #scherry #scheraffair

A photo posted by @princessapr on Aug 27, 2016 at 3:36pm PDT

Swimming!

Little Miss has started taking swimming lessons earlier this year.  A co-worker and friend taught swimming in a previous professional life, and she gets along really well with Little Miss.  There has been such progress in the last few months, it's been unbelievable.  Little Miss puts her face in the water and floats and does rudimentary swimming.

This one had swimming lessons. (@Rob_Sawicki)

A video posted by @princessapr on Aug 20, 2016 at 3:51pm PDT

Captain, in his way of copying his sister, also has been trying to swim.  He loves the water.  I missed it, but allegedly, an older girl (of around 4 years of age) was inflating his ego before swimming away.  Big Captain decided to dive off the pool stairs and follow her, forgetting he did not know how to swim.  Husband had to pluck him out of the water and got side eye for the rest of the night for holding Captain back.  We'll look into getting him some lessons before next summer or at least visit our inside pool more in the off-season.

Someone needs swimming lessons.  He won't stay above water! (@Rob_Sawicki)

A video posted by @princessapr on Aug 20, 2016 at 3:45pm PDT

April 2016 Weekend Update

April starts a very busy time for us. The first weekend, Little Miss had hockey. After we changed and went to Fairfax for family pictures. No shock, but Captain cried the entire time until the photographer gave him a baseball. He stopped crying, but he was never happy. On Sunday, Little Miss had her swimming lesson and a birthday party for a friend. They were supposed to go bowling, but the bowling alley lost power so it was at his house.

The second weekend was the Masters.  Husband prearranged a day out of golfing and then watching the Masters at a friend's house.  While he was out, Sister-in-Law and the nephews came over and played.  On Sunday, I took the kids to the library.  They had a blast, but the library didn't have anything we wanted.  We put some items on hold though.

The third weekend, I went out of town for my sister's bachelorette party.  On Friday, we went to her final dress fitting and then drove down to Charlottesville.  We went to a goat farm where we got some goat kisses and ate goat cheese.  We hit up the breweries, distilleries, and wineries.  We had a shuttle take us around, and at one place, the bartender drove us home.  It was a nice, relaxing time.  We capped it off with brunch downtown and a nice walk during the unseasonably warm afternoon.  Back home, Little Miss had hockey and soccer.  She scored her first goal in hockey practice.  Husband sent me a video and, in the background, Captain was shouting her name.  It was so precious. 

The following weekend, we celebrated Captain's second birthday.  I made cupcakes with Where the Wild Things Are cupcake toppers and some cupcakes were little boats.  The big kids watched a movie while the little kids literally ran around in circles.  Captain missed his morning nap so he was slightly cranky and over sensitive, but I think he had fun.  He very much enjoyed the pizza at least.  Right after the party, I showered and drove to the Marine Corps Heritage Museum for the awards gala.  It was a really great event.  I had missed it previously because I had a baby and Captain's first birthday party, but I planned accordingly this year.

Last weekend, I hung out with friends.  It's been so long that we were just celebrating their birthdays - which were in March and the beginning of April.  We had a lovely lunch and caught up.  One just got a new puppy so it was nice to meet her.

Two is the New One

Birthday boy. #2isthenew1 (@Rob_Sawicki)

A photo posted by @princessapr on Apr 28, 2016 at 5:39am PDT

Captain is 2. I blinked and it happened. He's still my little guy though. He's getting more clear with his speech. He still loves cars, trucks, buses, balls. He loves to sing and dance. He's scared of heights and the toilet (or being on the toilet). He likes almost every food. He used to not care for carrots, but he eats them now. He loves pizza, but he also loves fruit and veggies. He loves guacamole. He's no longer afraid of grass. He loves wearing shorts. He loves being a big boy and independent, but when he's tired, he gives good snuggles. He loves morning cuddles with Daddy, but when he falls or doesn't feel well, he loves Mommy cuddles.

I don't have any of his statistics. I need to make his 2 year appointment except I've been bad about doing some follow up appointments which he needs before his pediatrician visit. So, very soon, he'll be back with the ear doctor for a hearing test and the eye doctor to check his eyes. Probably next year, he'll need to visit the cardiologist again, but he's fine. That will probably close the loop on checking all the internal organs unless something presents itself at potty training which I don't expect. He still needs to get his cosmetic surgery, but I keep putting it off. It'll be best to do it before he goes to school though so maybe next year.

He's on the tiny side, but he's not too small. He fits into some 24 months things and 2T if I roll up the pant legs, but he's outgrown much of the 18 month clothes. His waist is on the smaller side, but I feel like it's much bigger than Little Miss's who still has a ridiculously small waist. We have to get his hair cut soon, but I need a cocktail before I can tackle that. He's a good boy about getting dressed up and tolerates the bow ties and vests, but he won't wear a fedora for me. He hates wearing hats in general, but I'll see what I can do before the summer weather hits. Maybe if I can get one that fasten under his chin, he'll put up with it.

He doesn't sit long enough to be interested in tv, but he watches for a little in the morning. He LOVES Little Einsteins. He loves it when they go super fast. He also loves The Bubble Guppies, but he's not as interactive with that. I think he only likes the annoying theme song. He seems indifferent to Mickey, but I saw him singing to a commercial today.

He really loves ducks and puppies.

He doesn't sleep with anything in his crib and has no comfort item. He likes to be covered when he's put into the crib, but he'll throw it over before he falls asleep. He turns down any stuffed animals or books, but he does like when Little Miss reads to him before bedtime which works for both of them. Despite Husband being afraid he'd be too used to sleeping in my bed, he loves the crib and actually doesn't like to sleep with others. Little Miss loved her crib, but she also loved napping with me. He only naps in his crib (but will do well in the pack and play, too). He will fight sleep if we're busy or out and about whereas Little Miss would nap when it was naptime wherever we were.

Now that he isn't afraid of grass, I hope to get him outside, but the weekends have been so gloomy or busy. At the very least, I'm hoping to get his water table cleaned or out on our back patio so we can play with bubbles. We'll see. Eventually, it'll happen.

March 2016 Weekend Update

March was busy! The first weekend was hockey - super early. Then, later that day, we had Sister's bridal shower and bachelorette party #1. The shower was a lot of fun - presents, good food, mimosas! That night, the girls all went out at Reston Town Center and drank and danced. We shut the place down. Sunday was a sleepy day - literally.

Happy bride! #mooresisson2016

A photo posted by @princessapr on Mar 6, 2016 at 7:30pm PST

The next weekend, Husband took Little Miss to hockey while I stayed home with Captain. After, I got a pedicure with a friend before book club. On Sunday, Little Miss had her swimming lesson. It's always great to hang out with friends. Plus, I can't remember the last time I had a pedicure so that was heavenly. 

The third week of March, we hung out with Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law. It was the beginning of Spring Break. We had corned beef and cabbage. The kids played. It was relaxing, and we got home at a decent hour. It's so nice to see the cousins growing up together and playing well with each other. 

On Monday, Husband brought Little Miss to NYC to watch the Rangers play during her Spring Break. Captain and I stayed home together, and we traded selfies.

Mother & Captain play while @Rob_Sawicki & Little Miss root on the @NYRangers at #MSG. #springbreak

A photo posted by @princessapr on Mar 21, 2016 at 5:20pm PDT

The last weekend was Easter. We saw Zootopia on Saturday and went to Sister's house for Easter brunch. We had a ton of Korean food which was delicious. The kids had Easter Egg hunts. Captain missed his naps so he was super cranky, but he loved finding eggs and playing with the dog. He peed right through his little outfit right after we got there, but that's life with a toddler for you.

Easter kids. #Easter (@Rob_Sawicki)u

A photo posted by @princessapr on Mar 27, 2016 at 8:46am PDT

Trouble

Separately, Little Miss has been having conversations with Husband and me.  Husband asked if she would like see the New York Rangers again.  She said yes.  He said maybe next time they can bring Captain and me to the game.  She said that it sounded like fun except I may be home with the baby.  

Two days later, we were playing a word game but used names.  (A is for April, B is for Bob, C is for Cortney...)  We got to T and she named her future brother.  For those interesting, his name will be Turtle.  No lie.  It is funny that this imaginary third baby is a boy when she so much wanted a sister last time.

I told her no more babies.  She told me she knew plenty of people who had three (or more) kids.  I told her that's fine, but we are not.  She countered with "you don't know that."  

I have no idea where this is coming from.  In the meantime, I don't know where she thinks this imaginary baby will sleep.  

January 2016 Weekend Update

Let's see. I have to get better or I'll soon be doing seasonal weekend updates. Well, we actually went out for New Year's Eve while the kids were at the In-Laws' apartment. On New Year's Day, we had a family dinner with the In-Laws and Sister-in-Law, Brother-in-Law and the nephews to ring in the new year. It was a nice quiet intro to 2016. 

The following weekend, Little Miss had hockey. The next day, the bridal party met for brunch to nail down details for the bridal shower and bachelorette party. It also helped us all be on the same page plus have some yummy food.

Family #snowfie #blizzard2016 @Rob_Sawicki

A photo posted by @princessapr on Jan 23, 2016 at 11:56am PST

The third weekend, Husband was gone for his annual trip to Las Vegas.  We had hockey on Saturday and then Little Miss started swimming class on Sunday.  A co-worker of mine used to teach swimming so I asked if she would teach Little Miss.  She's done amazing in such a short time.  She really loves my co-worker and works hard to impress her.  That weekend was a long weekend so, on Monday, we went to Sister's house to hang out, and then Husband came home!

The fourth weekend had a blizzard!  I was let out of work early on Thursday and worked from home on Friday.  Then, Saturday and Sunday were wild.  The wind was crazy so Captain was very unhappy (as you can see below).  Plus, the floor was wet, and he took a bad header.  The next day, we took a walk around the neighborhood where it was already starting to clear, and he liked that.  Little Miss wasn't feeling well so she stayed in bed.  This worked out ok because they had no school the entire following week.  All of her activities were obviously cancelled that weekend.

So, this went well.  #blizzard2016 @Rob_Sawicki

A photo posted by @princessapr on Jan 23, 2016 at 11:54am PST

The last weekend in January, we had hockey and then we went out to dinner with the In-Laws to celebrate their birthdays.  Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law, and the nephews also met us out.  Captain was a big pain in the neck during dinner.  All came back to our place after for some dessert.  The next day, Little Miss had swimming, and I had lunch with book club at a super delicious Vietnamese restaurant.  

December 2015 Weekend Update

December, as always was a busy month!  The first week of December, I saw Tom Brokaw speak which was great.  He's such a great speaker, so impartial and just so humble and gracious.  He's been through and has seen so much.

That first Friday, I took Little Miss out of school to go see ICE at the National Harbor.  It was a blast.  We rode the Capital Wheel and had dinner and did a little shopping.  It was a lot of fun with my big girl.  The next day, we were up early to choose our Christmas tree.  Then, I went to Frederick, MD to tour some old houses with book club.  It was a lot of fun.

The second weekend, I met my sister in Reston to celebrate her birthday.  It was fun complete with tacos and margaritas.  On Saturday, Little Miss had a birthday party while Captain and I grabbed some Japanese food.  Then, we went to brother-in-law's to celebrate Hanukkah.  It was a lot of fun to catch up with him.  Plus, the kids love him, his wife, his father, and his dog.  On Sunday, I brought the kids to meet Santa.  Captain, who cries in most pictures, did not cry on Santa's lap.  I guess that's good.

The last 14. Now, I get to finish the potatoes. #194 #pierogi

A photo posted by @princessapr on Dec 19, 2015 at 3:00pm PST

The third weekend, Little Miss and Captain spent the night with the in-laws while Husband and I made hundreds of pierogi.  They came out very well if I do say so myself.  That was pretty much the entire weekend.  

Christmas 2015

A photo posted by @princessapr on Dec 19, 2015 at 11:59am PST

We went to church on Christmas Eve.  Captain had some issues with sitting that long, but he was quiet.  I only had to remove him for the very end.  Little Miss was more bored than he was, but she made it through.  After, we had the in-laws, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and the nephews over for dinner.  We feasted on pierogis and Polish foods and desserts.

On Christmas, Little Miss literally received everything she asked Santa for.  Santa thanks Amazon Prime for all those deliveries.  Husband received some nice surprises as did I.  I mostly just needed a new iPod which I received.  Captain got a few books and cars and trains - all the hits.

The day after Christmas, we drove to Maryland to be with my family.  It was mild, rainy weather so it was all inside activities.  We played board games, watched movies, opened more presents.  The kids went ice skating and went to the inside pool.  It was fun.  Captain started to have some issues sleeping, but he was a trooper.

We left on Tuesday after Christmas.  I took the week between Christmas and New Year's off which I rarely do.  I haven't had that much time off ever.  Because the rain broke up, we went to Zoolights.  It was fun though it's unfortunate we didn't have more time there.  The lines were long and crazy.  Captain was not a fan of the carousel.  He does not like rides as much as Little Miss.  

 New Year's Eve, the kids spent at the in-laws as we had plans!  We went to a friend's house.  We played board games - where Husband and I showed our amazing team work skills at Trivia Pursuit - and had some beverages while we ate and watched football.  It was a decent year in 2015.  I have high hopes for 2016!

Christmas 2015

A photo posted by @princessapr on Dec 19, 2015 at 11:59am PST

My resolution for 2016 is to be better at this whole blogging thing.  I've let it slide.  Though I think the monthly update posts are better suited for me, I can still be better about posting.  I'm much better at keeping up Instagram honestly.  I mean, annually, my resolution is to try to just simply say "thank you" when complimented.  I feel I try to downplay or rationalize every kind word people say instead of just giving thanks.  I'm still horrible at it, but I'm trying.

Carousel selfie @Rob_Sawicki

A photo posted by @princessapr on Dec 29, 2015 at 5:16pm PST

Update

We've been busy just like every single other family during the holiday season, but here's a quick update.

We managed to put up a tree and decorate it.  We purchased presents for everyone (and then purchased a few more).  We did cooking and baking.  

Captain is teething and getting those wretched canine teeth in.  It's resulting in either a cold or congestion.  He is also badly constipated this week so the combination is rough.  He hasn't slept and has been an emotional mess.  Last night was better than nights before so I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  His vocabulary is finally increasing.  He can say mama, dada, baba (for drink), his sister's name, bus, car, ball, girl, and now he says cracker, thanks, and good.  He's slow to talk but so was Little Miss.  Because of the age difference, it's like having a first child all over again.  He doesn't have to talk because there's no need to - he has 3 people catering to his every need.

Little Miss is wise beyond her years.  She enjoys mindless YouTube videos and reading Harry Potter with me.  She's doing extraordinary in school.  She hasn't mastered third grade level work yet, but she's never gives up.  She's well above her grade level in both math and language arts.  She speaks Spanish and sign language at home.  She's learning coding on her school iPad.  She knows pretty much what I knew in middle school.  She's incredibly helpful around the house.  If anything, her only fault is not being a good eater, but she eats.

Status quo with Husband.  He freelances from home.  I, however, got promoted this year which is exciting.  I love where I work, and it's nice to receive encouragement back.  

Here's to a happy and healthy 2016!