House update

 Our house is moving along.  Last week when I was in, they had put in the new windows.  Electrical and plumbing are pretty much finished, insulation is in and dry wall should start this week.

 Brian and I are super excited about our new bedroom window!

And one adorable construction worker from dinner on Christmas eve at Baba's house!

preschool insider

Earlier this month I got to be the parent helper in B's class. There was a birthday celebration that day and B wasn't shy about sitting himself right next to the man of the hour.  I thought these two laughing together about the b-day hat was adorable.

While driving B to school more recently he asked if I was going to stay and be the helper again that day.  I wasn't and was sorry to tell him so but was flattered that he'd want me back so I asked if I should signup to do it again sometime after break in the second half of the year. To which he flatly said, "no, I want mommy to do it." I asked him why and he told me it's because she's a better dancer. 

Holiday Program

Another school Holiday Program extravaganza is in the books. I had to take B through the crowd and back to the bathroom three times during the show. But lucky I didn't miss any of his big brothers' performances (it wasn't exactly a short event) and some of the other parents were amused by the spectacle. A chose choir for his first arts elective class so had some extra songs in the show including the very short solo in the video. 

And More from Mexico

B made some major progress with his swimming while down in Mexico with the most notable skill of finally getting comfortable putting his face in the water.  This was just a couple days into the trip and the improvements just accelerated once this hurdle was passed.  

And it didn't end in Mexico because, of course, he wanted to practice his new skills in the bath once we returned. 

etc., etc.

Saw this mug at work and it made me think of the boys. I should have taken it home. I haven't seen it recently so I assume someone else did. 

LT and I went on an early season ski date to Arapaho Basin. 

Arapaho Basin is where I spent many days as a kid skiing with Roadrunners. I just happened to come across this old ski club patch when packing up the house a few months ago.

B helping with the Christmas tree.

Not entirely sure what LT and B were doing here but they were certainly enjoying themselves. 

B on his bike even in the cold.

B helping with some holiday baking.

Rowing the boat and fishing at a holiday thing at B's "playschool". 

A making dinner (with a bit of help) to earn some money to donate to the adopt a family program his class did.

Looking a junk in catalogs together.

B at the bowling alley.

Halloween where A helped little B walk as a guest in the big parade at their school.

Followed by trick-or-treating with friends in the neighborhood. This year was the first that B really understood what was going on.

A work trip took me to Bangkok where I went to a Muay Thai match and got to pose for a photo with the middleweight champ at Rajadamnern Stadium. And also did my usual photo touristing.

Zoo Lights

We took a break from the zoo lights for a few years following a pretty cold, busy night there with a screaming newborn.  I'm glad we didn't give up on it forever, its pretty magical.  Especially with cousins and hot chocolate.

Middle/middle Kid Date

 Sometimes being the middle kid can feel tough, but that's why Ads and I invented middle/middle kid dates.  They make everything better.  We spent a night in the mountains and then skied the following day together.

better late than never

B's first actual birthday party (not including family gatherings) wasn't until his 3rd birthday. Fittingly for the last kid, we didn't get many pictures. But he still sometimes talks about his birthday at Bladium so I think we can consider it a success.

Sans mom

While Kari was away on her 40th birthday/friendaversary trip to Mexico we did our best to maintain some normalcy back at home. I took a couple days off of work to, as Kari calls it, "drive the bus" and make sure everyone made it to the various things they needed to be at. 

I honestly don't know how I'd do as a full time stay at home parent (and tip my hat to those that do it) but I did really enjoy this small taste of it and getting to spend some extra time with the kids. 

Lots of puzzles.

On the way to pick up the big brothers from school and a few hours after confidently telling me, "I don't need a nap today, dadda." 

I had really been looking forward to an early afternoon nap too after an eventful night. But it wasn't meant to be.

Piano practice.

Swim lessions.

An epic 45+ minute meltdown courtesy of day 2 of Mr. "I don't need a nap". 

He finally pulled it together at (and in part thanks to a patient and friendly teller) the Young Americans Bank.

Which was followed by a stop to check in on the progress at the house.

And wrapping up Friday night with a movie night.

A visit to the Museum of Nature & Science to revisit the Mindbender Mansion exhibit and do some puzzle/problem solving for the big guys. And Discovery Zone for the little one (but really for all of us).

Fine dinning.

B just being B.

B just being B at a friend's house.

More puzzles.

Sunday brought snow, which meant bundling up and a quick stop to shovel the walks at the house. 

On our way to visit Baba and see her new house, which was still very much under renovations at the time. And that inspired the tools to come out.

Followed by brunch/lunch nearby. 

And playing in the snow at every opportunity.  

A few days in and Mr. "I don't need a nap" finally acquiesced to the afternoon napping. For which I was grateful.

B is as B does.

Dinner a la dad.

A successful long weekend without mom that I'd like to attribute to quality parenting but is probably just as much due to brotherly love.