A Ton of Fun in 2021: Week 48 Recap

The playroom downstairs is a mess 90% of the time. It drives me mad. But it is moments like today that I capture them playing with their toys and it makes it all worth the mess. Olivia was down playing with her American Girl dolls and Isaac was working on rebuilding his wooden train set and then pulling busses up beside it.  

Right before Thanksgiving, we found ourselves in Ft. Wayne as Jeremy and I had appointments to renew our TSA pre-check. While we were so close, we decided to burn up the last of our our gift cards from the failed 'year of experiences' Christmas gift of 2020. We took the kids to SkyZone to burn off their energy. One of their favorites is the wall. The ninja warrior zone is cool, we like to watch them battle on the beam, and Olivia enjoys just jumping and trying tricks. Most of the time Jeremy and I join in the fun, but we were just there to watch today since we were burning up the gift cards. 

Thursday was Thanksgiving. I was in charge of the dressing, the pumpkin pies and of course, the cut out cookies. We attempt to always be over to Maw and Paws before 11 when Santa is on the Macy's Day Parade. I sent Jeremy and the kids this year since I was having a melt down with my new hair.  I'll eventually get this hair down right?! I hope so. We took pictures of our family and Jeremy and I cut the turkey as we always do. Tradition. Since Isaac and Olivia are the youngest and only little kids on this side, it was pretty quiet. We stayed all day this time since we weren't going to the Coder side until the next day. 

Olivia is totally into doing her American Girl doll's hair. She set up an entire beauty salon in the kids bathroom, complete with a sign up sheet and prices.  Not sure how they're paying, but I don't ask questions. I just snuck in to take some photos, but she caught me when the flash went off. 

We headed over to the Coders on Friday for Thanksgiving #2. Jeremy had to work, so it was just me and the kids. Arick was also home deer hunting, so we got to hang with him as well. Everyone but Brittney was home for the holiday. It was so nice to have everyone in one place again. The most interesting part was when Emelia asked Granny to tell her some facts about her for something she was writing for school. This led into her telling us about her jobs in high school which included working in a department store. She also said the first time she met grandpa was when her and friend were waiting in line for the ferris wheel at the fair and he and his friend ask if they could (cut in line- boys!) and ride with them. But that's where they met! 

I was trying so hard to go all of 2021 with under 40,000 miles on my SUV.  But I had to drive my SUV this weekend to Attica and it happened on the way home. So close! I was about half way between Upper Sandusky and Lima on 30 and so I took out my phone to capture the moment. Not too bad for having it for three years and only putting 22,000 miles on it. I know it's because I still drive the car to work most days and anytime we are traveling far.  

Finishing up the break found us on a spare of the moment trip to Cincinnati to Top Golf. Again, we have gift cards, but still we drove there just for TG. Olivia typically has dance on Sunday's, so when we found out that morning that dance had been cancelled, we decided to take off and do something fun. Our family LOVES Top Golf. Olivia had a great day and kicked some butt in the second game. I stink, but enjoy seeing how much fun all the rest of them have. Isaac continues to get stronger and better every time we go. It's fun to see him hit further and his excitement when he gets lots of points. Jeremy is the only one who plays the games correctly.  The rest of us just get up there, wack the ball, and hope for lots of points! 

 

A Ton of Fun in 2021: Week 32 Recap

When I was in 4-H, my entire summer from mid-July until late August was full of judging, county fair, state fair and the Attica Independent fair.  I loved every minute of it and hoped somedays to pass on that love. Well this is Isaac's second year in 4-H and he took a laundry project that was chosen as Allen County's selection to compete at the state fair. I was thrilled to read his name on the list and called everyone I knew to see who wanted to ride down with me and enjoy the state fair. That was until I talked to a neighbor who asked why I was so excited to go to Columbus for 10 minute judging. After explaining how much I loved the fair and that would be the highlight, she sadly broke the news to me that there was no State Fair this year (stupid COVID) and that judging was on OSU's campus.  Insert my very sad face. At any rate, Olivia chose not to go along, so Isaac and I set off for Columbus for judging on a Tuesday. He said it went fine, but his score sheet had all goods marked (excellent, very good, good, needs improvement). So apparently the State judge wasn't as impressed with Isaac as Allen county.  But Isaac got a ribbon and was thrilled...so I count that as a win.  

I think the part he was most excited for was lunch and Top Golf after the 4-H judging. After putting our name in at Top Golf, we headed over to Benihana for lunch.  It was delicious as normal, but it was also lunchtime so much quieter. Next we went to Top Golf and played for 1.5 hours.  We had a blast. He kicked my butt. No really. He was on fire and just nailing the ball and racking up the points. Mean time, I would get 3 points for hitting it way out to one of the furthest holes.  It was tons of fun and great mother/son bonding. 

Have you ever heard of Erin Condren planners?  Me either until last year. It was love at first sight. Are they pricey? Of course. Are they the best planner you'll ever own? Duh, of course. So after investing in a spiral bound one last year, I went all out with the sophisticated and classy gold leather bound edition for the next 1.5 years.  I'm over the moon excited with the spiral bound version and spend at least 4 hours with my color pens putting appointments throughout. 

A very cool even the town of Elida does is national night out. Planned by our amazing leaders of PTO, it's a community event that lasts 2 hours with booths around the Elida field house parking lot. Isaac had football until 8, so we only got to the last hour. It's such a great event to know more about businesses in the Elida area and all things with the school.  Oliva put her name in the SODC returning student 'free month of tuition' drawing and WON! I'm more excited than she is.  The girls also spent most of their time at the Dj's booth to karaoke. Both kiddos love seeing old teachers and their friends from their classes who they may have lost touch with over the summer. Or just connect with their besties!  

Speaking of besties...Both Isaac and Olivia's besties came over this week to swim. Brayden and Lia came over to play.  I figured if they both had friends to play with, they wouldn't be bugging each other. In typical fashion, they still picked on each other. Brayden also met us at bowling a few days later, so here are some pictures of that as well. The kids bowl free program is pretty sweet. 

We have been waiting for some decent weather all summer to have friends over. We finally had a good day that Zig and his beautiful family could come play. Not to mention that we got to get some baby snuggles in as well.  Maybe that was my favorite part?! But it was sure nice to catch up with Kristi and not worry what the kids were doing because they just disappear and we don't see them until it's time to eat or leave. Jeremy grilled out for me and the kids and then fried fresh perch for the adults. It was a wonderful day full of lots of memories.