Today has been one of the biggest days. Truly. Just bonkers. Next to no downtime and LOTS of hands on work! However, here are a few small wins I can share with you! There aren’t a ton, unfortunately, but I’m sure many of you understand 💜
Starbucks! I’ve had a few yummy visits to Starbucks. I always order the americano nuevos. They always look at me like I’m a bit off. They same woman always yells “AMERICANO MISTO ADD SYRUP!” Always. I get a kick out of it.
The BLT was good, but really, this is to represent the AMAZING burger I had, and was too eager to eat to take a picture of. Cafeteria food isn’t historically known for being amazing, but the cheeseburger is crazy good. I blame the brioche bun. But sure, the BLT was decent, too.
In a rare opportunity to scroll, I came across this and laughed like a tool.
This is some bizarre fruit dish that Amazon showed me because they figured I’d super like it. They are wrong. This is not my style. Not in the kitchen, anyway. All I see are fancy bathtubs here, hahaha!! I want it for the little en suite in my (hopefully) next house!!
Aaaaand the real winner here. The lemon loaf. *sigh* This stupid cake speaks for itself. Its deadly. Yes, I occasionally eat cake for breakfast.
Thats all I have for you tonight, folks. I hope you’re content with your day, comfy in your bed, and far warmer than I am. Sleep deep, all.
Its been a really big day. Even knowing I was going to be away today, and having a bit of time to prepare, I am still reeling and tired. Whew!
I finally ate, just now. I am having a moment of peace, and I thought I’d punch out a blog while I have a minute 💜 I can’t share a whole heck of a lot, but I can tell you there is still up every day this week (except tomorrow,) and I may not be home for much or any of it!! Ack!! Sorry, Brady!! Rocking the single dad thing liker a boss! But I remain to be so grateful and humbled by our village of people who are eager to jump in wherever possible. You are how we stay afloat, friends!
As it happens, this weekend is NOT the last lake weekend after all! 😅 After doing as much work as we could possibly do in the pouring rain, there were simply not enough minutes in a day, and we were not able to pack up the camper. Not. At. ALL!
I will be gone for a couple of days this coming week, and being that we are trying to keep our house spotless in case of showings, if we brought everything home in a total nightmare mess, it would be ALL on Brady to clean up in the next day or two. Which is a LARGE ask when he’s single dadding it! So for now, the camper is still mostly full, and we’ll have to make a day trip of it next weekend sometime and do all the packing and winterizing.
So far, beds are packed up, and some of the fridge stuff came back. Doubles of every condiment, let me tell you! But there is still all the stuff thats piled up – art stuff, mostly. Some nature stuff the kids have found around the bush. Kitchen stuff and first aid and such will be packed up. Oh, we definitely left dirty dishes in the sink this weekend… Mouse proofing and coolant will have to happen. We’ll lock the shed. Tarp the bikes. I think that might be it???
I am BEAT. I think our entire family has not spent as much time outside since it started getting cold, and our bodies were all completely exhausted. We left camp around 4:30 ish I believe, and it was the quietest drive home maybe of the entire season. Just WIPED.
Once we got home, everyone bathed (except me, I’m still on the docket, though) and got unpacked. I got some lunch stuff prepped for the next couple of days and wrote out some notes so no one is stranded with the kids. I’ve packed most things, and written notes for the other things, so as not to forget them tomorrow.
Man. I’m not sure I’ll last long enough for a bath. I may fall asleep first. Wish me luck.
An entire decade of goodness 🥰 Here’s a peek at her last year 💜
This year has changed Laela in such a big way 😍 She was lovely before, and she is just even better now, as if that’s even possible! It has held much positive change and growth in her!!
If there was ever a year in early childhood where a kid reinvented themselves, for Laela, that is her tenth year on earth!!
Laela got glasses, a haircut, and a new theatrical attitude! Being in the Frozen Jr production woke up a special part of her heart. Perhaps it was frozen before 😏 but she has become more playful, imaginative, and boisterous! She sings and dances and is just all around more animated!
She is VERY easy to love 😍
If she is already this incredible, I cannot imagine what the future years hold for her!! I am incredibly grateful and honoured to be her mom and to have her as my daughter 💜 Thank you, Lord, for the gift that is Laela Hazel!!
Yesterday definitely started bumpy, but it still turned out! We can definitely handle some bumps around here! They were little in the grand scheme of all we had to do. All is well. Here’s a shorty photo play by play.
First, I made eggs. I don’t think I have ever straight up dropped an egg on the floor. Ever. For a brief moment, I wished I had a dog to come eat it. But alas, I do not, and I cleaned it up myself, haha!
I made lists for the kids to pack for their LAST week of camp this season, and I made a typo. Except I wasn’t typing so it was MUCH funnier 😅 At least to me.
Lol! Shorst. Just one pair.
I took a break from organizing for camp, among other things, and I got the littles into the van. And yes, I did leave that hunk in my hair, thank you for noticing.
I took Laela to an eye appointment, which turned out to be a GREAT success! She is DONE patching!!! 🥳 She was beside herself with excitement!! Then our eye doctor did a super quick, casual check of our morsels eyes. We’ll be back for more of that in a few months. Babies are hard with that stuff 💜
Aaaaafter that appointment, we drove elsewhere, and when I took my phone off the magnetic holder, it tore off a chunk of my case. So that was a bummer. Come ooooon, warranty replacement!
Kids came home, and I put everyone to work, because I’m a monster like that. Conveniently, aforementioned Laela LOVES cleaning bathrooms, and requested to clean all the toilets, tubs, and sinks. Ill allow it.
It was actually quite a long day. A FULL day is maybe a better description. I don’t remember the last time I just made a giant pot of macaroni for supper, but yesterday was one of those days. Conveniently, everyone went to bed happy and well 💜 Sometimes I like to blind Dekker with my flash in the dead of night. Don’t worry, he likes it.
Its really nice to end the day on a happy note like this 💜
Today is huge also. Maybe even more so. #huger But the morsel and I will get it done! 💪
Behold 🙌 a handful of small fun things from the last couple of days!
Laela read everyone the new Dog Man at the table. It was SO cute, and kept everyone occupied while I was finishing up supper.
I don’t know if you’ve seen the recipes online, but I’ve been seeing the same thing over and over again – spaghetti and meat sauce, and also alfredo! And it was a creamy delicious win! Absolutely worth a try!
Brady got me a Zaks zipper hoodie, and it had THUMBS!!! My favorite thing!!!
Yesterday, I hit up Value Village while I had some time to kill in the city, and I found a couple of things that hit the important marks for me – camp, Christmas, and some future goals I carry!
Today holds a handful of things for me, but it won’t be a crazy one. First – getting the kids to school. Then coffee with Cher. An appointment in the afternoon. And some prep and house stuff into the evening. We have some big days on their way!! Plus, BUY OUR HOUSE!! Whats the holdup, guys???
Remember last week, I told you guys the girls had started ballet? Remember how I posted some super cute pictures of Waverly, with a promise to post some of Laela when she was back from her trip? Well. I’m making good on that today, as Laela is back in action, and had her cute little ballet outfit on for the first time yesterday!
The back is just as cute as the front, if thats even possible.
When asked for a ballet pose, this is the ghetto look I got 😅
Laela is just SUCH a delight 💜 I love her so much.
And I’m super stoked that she’s in ballet, of all cute things!!!
Brady and I took the kids for groceries yesterday morning. It was the biggest shop we’ve done in a long time. A two cart kind of shop at Costco. Rowan was an awesome sport and pushed a cart that got pretty heavy by the end of things, but he didn’t complain even once! We hit Walmart next and got the rest of our stuff pretty seamlessly. Lots and lots and LOTS of groceries. However, it became clear that the upcoming winter is already staring at me. I gave into it just a little.
And by “a little” I definitely don’t mean it cost a little. Oof. Winter gear is SO expensive! Good thing the younger ones have hand me downs!
We got home and unpacked and settled, and started some supper prep. Not long after that, a couple of deeply anticipated children pulled up across the street! Of course no homecoming snuggle pictures because the morsel is a SECRET morsel 😅 You’ll just have to take my word for it. Reception was warm 💜
And by warm, I mean I made them try on their new gear almost immediately.
They are both thoroughly pleased with what they got. Yay Costco!!
Ok friends. Time for coffee and seeing what I can pump out before my meeting this morning! Happy Monday, guys!! ☀️
I need to focus on things other than the fact that my house hasn’t sold yet 😅 Trust me, I know it was basically just listed, but you hear those crazy stories about people’s houses selling the day they’re listed, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping for such a story to be our own.
Alas, it is not, and we have to wait like everyone else!
My brain and body have done a LOT of waiting in the past couple of years specifically, and while I’m basically proficient in the act of waiting, I’m not fond of it. Neither is my anxiety. Neither is my stomach acid. If you’ve followed long enough, you get it. But waiting sucks for everybody, not just me.
Brady had to work yesterday. Work Saturdays are hard in general for me, and for the kids, and this one was especially challenging because it’s freshly into the listing process and both Brady and I are on pins and needles waiting for people to want to see our house. So, I opted for distraction, and I baked.
First, I made a recipe my sister gave me for a giant batch of pumpkin bran muffins.
I made these a little while ago and they were a hit, so I made them again yesterday. I even used my reeeaaal pureed pumpkin that I made! Oh and white chocolate chips! Woop woop!
The brown sugar did win one battle, but in response, I cooked it, so…
And because I was on a pumpkin kick, I went for some pumpkin bread as well.
I didn’t love this one as much, because it takes forever to bake through and there is still a gooey spot at the top. But! Live and learn. Everyone will still eat it. The banana bread from the day before turned out better. Ah well.
The goal of these items may not appeal to everyone, so please don’t judge the amount of garbage, but…
…the whole point was to have these things for breakfasts and lunches, where kids can grab whatever and I don’t have to think about it or fight them to eat. Ideally, they’d be for lunches, so they’d defrost on their own. My breakfast goals are not yet met, so these will likely double for a while while I sort out some other ideas.
And then I got twitchy once that was done, so I made one more batch of baking. One that is more about treats than about being a meal…
I make really yummy homemade oreos with cream cheese filling, but this time I made them be LEMON. And in my humble opinion, they are WAY better this way!! YUM!
So. This was the end result of a day of being distracted from the lack of sale of my house:
The freezer has some nice baking in it now for the week ahead, and maybe even longer!!
Perhaps tomorrow I’ll chop up some veggie packs for the kids too. I always feel good when I have those suckers made. Oh, and granola bars. Now that groceries have been purchased (like the biggest shop we’ve done in months) I have no excuse not to bake or cook yummy things!
