Day 99

It's Monday. Monday's are really hard for me. Brandon gets back into his work groove, but doesn't leave the house. The kids are still exhausted from the weekend and are in lounge mode and I have a list 10 miles long of all the things to do to catch up from the weekend and prepare for the upcoming week. I tired my best to put on my happy face :)

Elizabeth is training for cross country in the fall. Her running buddy is out of town so I was the fill in. 80 degrees, 70% humidity and two miles later we were two hot, sweaty girls!

The kids really didn't get a long all that well today either, which didn't help my mood. I even threatned the "get a long shirt" and they ended up writing sentences about how grateful they are for each other. 

I managed to throw a dinner together and we headed out to shop for life jackets for an upcoming boat trip! 

Day 98 - Grant is 10!!

Birthday Quiz

2) HOW OLD ARE YOU? 10

3) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Green

4) WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND? Brady

5) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? A farmer or work at Cat

6) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? The Lion King (that is the most viewed movie in our house)

7) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? The Amazing Race

8) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK? Mathlete vs. Athlete

9) WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? When I get hugs and kisses

10) WHAT MAKES YOU SAD? When I get hurt

11) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Cheeseburgers (such an upgrade from hot dogs!)

12) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG? Natural by Imagine Dragons

13) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GAME TO PLAY? Black Jack

14) WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE GIFT? Everything
15) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT? Baseball

CURRENT CATCH-PHRASE: "Let's Go!" and "I know, right"

Well this is a big day...Grant's birthday and Father's Day! We woke up early and I started working on the requested birthday Texas Sheet Cake. Brandon took off to pick up donuts. The kids woke up, we had donuts and then it was time for the first gift. We hid it behind the car and then brought him outside and Brandon pulled the car forward to reveal the BIRTHDAY BIKE. This is perfect, we were planning a bike ride today! ;)

Happy Father's Day

Maybe new pajama pants would have been a better gift?

The break after 10 miles

He got a quick gear lesson and then started making his laps. Brandon loaded our bikes up and got ready for the day. A birthday parade had been organized for him at 10:00. He loved it. Elizabeth had wrote "Happy Birtday Grant" in sidewalk chalk. Luckily there was enough room to squeeze in the "H" Ima and Pops were the caboose of the birthday parade and what luck...they had their bikes with them! 

We headed into town to park and unload the bikes. We road 19.4 miles. We learned a couple of things...1) Grant's new bike is really nice and we need to upgrade Elizabeth. 2) body parts will hurt tomorrow 3)we more than earned lunch! and 4) we should do this more often!

We went to a wood fired pizza restaurant for lunch and ate outside (of course). I actually asked if it was ok if I went inside to use the restroom. They looked at me like I was crazy for asking. 

We headed home to prep dinner. The birthday boy requested marinated chicken kabobs (I am not sure who my child is - unusual request for him). We then all hopped in the pool to cool off and relax. We actually got so cool that we all ended up in the hot tub!

Dinner was hand cut fries, chicken kabobs and veggies, homemade baked beans (we all decided Bush's was just as good) and apple salad. I forgot the frozen corn that he also requested, but  he said "It's ok to forget to veggies mom!"

Grant opened birthday presents and the dad's opened Father's Day gifts. Brandon had declared on Friday that he was growing the beard out again...good thing the kids got him a new razor! We sat down and looked at old favorite pictures and had a lot of good laughs. At 9:00 I thought we'd better do cake before Grant fell asleep. In hindsight, relighting trick bday candles may not be the best during these COVID times! There was a lot of blowing on that cake!

It was another awesome, perfect day, celebrating some of the best guys we know!

Day 97

Just another Saturday. The boys woke up and I made pancakes and bacon and then the jumped in the pool. There was a new pool toy calling their name...I will say it involves mounting a hot dog and jousting with ketchup and mustard bottles! We all had a family swim and some relax time. Grant had his first baseball practice in the afternoon. After his travel team league was cancelled we signed him up for a in-house team. Brandon gets to coach this team too! Looking forward to seeing my boys on the field! 

Grant opened an early birthday present for game night and we played Pickles to Penguins. Eb and I sat in the hot tub and the boys ended their night with Dr. Mario. Time for a good night's rest....big day tomorrow!

Day 96

Today we took time to celebrate 3 birthday boys who were all born within 11 days of each other. We had their families over to swim and for a cookout. It was a perfect day. It felt like a normal day. Something that we would haven't thought much of last summer and this summer it feels really special to have two families over at the same time! Everyone was in the pool. Only a few things got broken and apparently I forgot to tell Brandon that the boys were spending the night at our house. But after hours of swimming, and after their fort was built, they crawled in and crashed hard! 

Day 95

Had a catch up morning today. All of that afternoon pool time tends to get me behind. Ima took Elizabeth to riding in the afternoon. Grant and I went and ran some errands. Which still feels really weird. I had some returns to make. I guess they were ok with touching the items I was returning but not the bags that the items were in. Like I said before, so much variance between stores. I have tried to read the guidelines from the state on the re-opening and phases and it bogs me down every time. 

Elizabeth had a great ride...nice and hot. She got to hose Jewels down afterwards. Grant's highlight was the automatic car wash.

Day 94

Today was a good pool day. Started with "quarantine swim team". Lots of afternoon swim time and a St. Jude meetings in the evening. 

Day 93

We have a new "red light" system. Brandon has been working from home for 3 months now and we just came up with this system, which I have to give credit to my sister in law. We have a wifi color changing light bulb. We put it in the centralized kitchen sidebaord table lamp. When he is not to be interrupted and needs the house quiet, the red light is on. When the doors are closed but the light isn't red we can go in if we need to. I am finding that his office may not be the best place to store my cookbooks! The light seems to have a lot of power and is well respected...among our family and friends who may drop by! 

Things are starting to open up, but the guidelines still really vary from establishment to establishment. 

The story of the day however is snakes. Specifically snakes in trees. Our neighbor sent me a message asking me if I had seen them....well no, I sure hadn't. After whispering to Brandon that something needed our attention outside I quickly became aware that we did indeed have NOT one BUT TWO snakes in our tree. I don't like snakes. Apparently we made enough commotion that Grant eventually poked his head out. After giving him very clear instructions "Please go inside. Do not come out here." He promptly joined the party. They received a long lecture about listening at dinner. They had been playing hide and seek by that tree less than 30 minutes prior to the snake discovery and I didn't want them to be afraid to play in our yard. Grant's response "Mom, it is just a snake, no big deal." Well this mom might not feel the same way!

Day 92

Is it time to make a schedule yet? The controversy of summer...to have a schedule or not?! The kids were up late last night and exhausted from the farm, it is days like this it s ok not to have swim team at 7:00 am. However, Elizabeth will start cross country training tomorrow :) 

We did a birthday parade this morning. Had friends over to swim in the afternoon and a few meetings in the evening.

Day 91

Paver and pumpkin project day. Brandon and I worked on sanding pavers and the kids went to the farm with my parents where they worked really hard too, but had a lot more fun! They drove tractors and four wheelers and built a fence and watered pumpkins and concluded with a pizza party on the way home! Brandon and I snuck in a date night after our work was done. 

Day 90

My parents surprised us with a visit in the morning and we made preparations for Sunday's paver project. We had a family over to swim in the late afternoon and Brandon rotisseried a pork loin on the grill for the first time. It was a perfect summer day. 

Day 89

Catch up day...laundry, groceries and family time. Elizabeth did an all day horse clinic. She got to give the horses de-worming meds and do liberty work for the first time! We all swam in the pool and played games in the afternoon. I made sweet and sour chicken and homemade dinner rolls. Elizabeth lost her last baby tooth! How is that possible? We were all ready for early bed!

Day 88

Leaving day :( We went to Duck Donuts for a special breakfast treat and then let the kids play at two really fun parks. We ended with lunch at home and a game of spoons before it was time to head to the airport. It was a really fun break and of course great to see family!

Day 87

Kids make dinner day! We took them grocery shopping and they were in control of dinner. We dined on pulled chicken sandwiches, hot pink hummus and veggies, baked beans and chocolate soufflé. The did a fantastic job!

Day 86

Water Wheel hike was the destination today. Brian took the day off work to join us. We drove 1.5 hours into the mountains and had an awesome hike. It was rocky and there was natural water everywhere...streams, waterfalls, springs. The kids could get in and swim wherever they wanted. It was really fun. We got ice cream on the way home and had nachos for dinner. We were all exhausted and very ready for a shower!

Day 85

Briggs had an early morning soccer practice. I took Hazel for a walk. We hung out during the day and went to Briggs' flag football game in the evening.

Day 84

Nice quiet day by the pool and cheeseburgers on the grill. The girls did an online marble paper class. 

Day 83

Today we take a giant step forward and enter back into the world of flying. I am taking the kids to Arizona to visit. We were delayed almost 4 hours. The pilot gave way too much detail about sticky valves in the engine and he flight was completely full. He also announced that the filtration system was equivalent to a surgical suite. We had a good flight - everyone napped. My babies still like to sleep on me when we fly. My butt was numb but I wouldn't have had it any other way. 

Once we finally arrived and got our hugs and luggage we had a nice dinner outside.

Day 82

The zoo is open, so I took the kids to check that out in the morning. We had to make a reservation online for a time slot. We picked 10:00, when they open. I was a little surprised that we had to wear our masks the whole time. Thank goodness it wasn't much above 80, they really do get hot and so much moisture builds up inside. We thought the animals looks very happy to see us.

Lizzy and Arthur were cat napping

She is now rhino sized! 

This was our own wild life at home - cute little frog on the fence 

We swam in the afternoon. It started to get a little cool but it was still nice to be outside so we had snacks and a game of Black Jack. Grant learned that you don't always win, but was a trooper. We had so many snacks that all we had for dinner was corn on the cob. Until we went to pick up a movie (yes sometimes we still rent DVD's old school style) and 3/4 of the family needed nachos from Taco Bell. We ended the night with the Lion King.

Day 81

We worked on cleaning bedrooms and the rest of the house in the morning. We had friends over to swim in the afternoon. After they left I got my first swim lesson. Apparently my breast stroke wasn't as good as I thought it was. We had a family swim and game of HORSE. We decided it was time to try the outdoor dining and it was a beautiful evening so we headed into our favorite Mexican restaurant. It was so nice to eat out and feel some sort of normal. We took the long way home. We made a quick stop to restock pool side beverages. Brandon was met at the door my a store employee and a sheriff. He was asked to wear a mask - he had forgotten it in the car. He had locked us in and when I opened the door to toss him his mask the alarm went off. Nothing like drawing a little attention to yourself! It was a really nice summer evening that felt like a weekend but it was only a Thursday night!

Day 80

I went and got sand for the pavers. That is all I remember about this day!

Day 79

Time to plant pumpkins! The pumpkin seeds finally arrived. The ground temp is more than warm enough. We loaded up and headed to the farm. We had a cooler of seeds in warm water that made it look like we were carrying an organ for transplant. We really want pumpkins this year. We read books, we researched, Pop got special fertilizer and chemicals. We planted in rows, not mounds. We measured and planted every 12 inches. We gave the cargo variety extra space. And as we left the patch we said a pumpkin prayer - something Ima made up that included something about wine. Elizabeth laughed and we all agreed pumpkin wine would be gross! The rule for the day was you couldn't say "I'm hot". The kids did awesome. We got the pumpkins planted and took an ice cream break as a reward for no "hot" complaining. We headed back and planted the deer detergent marigolds around the newly sown patch. Truly, I don't know what else we can do. We will wait for them to sprout and hopefully blossom. We will watch for the insects to pollinate and if need be we know how to "hand pollinate". Grant might learn a few new things about life if it comes to that!

We visited with my grandparents outside. It was really good to see them, but really strange not to be able to hug them. I have met a few new neighbors recently and we didn't shake hands of course. It is very strange to me not to hug loved ones and not shake a new person's hand.

We had the famous pizza party in the truck on the way home. 3 adults almost drank an entire 2L of Pepsi. I am not proud of this, but man did it taste good! Kids slept really good. Fresh farm air and getting dirty was just what we needed.

Driving lessons

Next round he was sitting by himself.

The precious seeds

Measuring and marking precisely  

Sometimes boys just like to dig in the dirt

The marigold border 

Day 78

Monday...a new week. Officially we are in phase 3. Restaurants were allowed to start outdoor dining on Friday. Local shops opened Saturday. I have been wanting new placemats for a while now and have been trying to find time to get to Target. I finally decided that today was the day. I asked the kids if they wanted to come with me. Elizabeth said yes. But by the time we got ready to leave Grant wanted to go too so all three of us went to Target and Costco. Brandon and I had discussed if it was safe, due to COVID. Then we had to discuss if it was safe due to riots/looting. We decided it was. So off we went to shop. The kids had to wear masks in the stores. It was hard for Grant and he played around with his mask on his face quite a bit. In general they were just excited to get out and go to a store! They were good shoppers and good helpers.

After visiting with a friend in the afternoon and watching some of the news it became evident that the riots and looting were perhaps a bit more involved than what we had thought we made the decision to go shopping. If I had known then what I know now, none of us would have gone. Luckily we were all just find and it is true what the say about ignornace being bliss!

We grilled out chicken kabobs and the kids new favorite side, baked beans and I made some sub par rice (I was on such a roll until tonight!). We ended the night with Ticket to Ride and had the kids watch some new snippets so they would see what is happening in the world. It is fair to say that none of us really understand how this destruction is going to make the world better. We went to bed with warnings that our town was possibly going to see looting and Brandon and I had quite the discussion about how we protect our family. I actually said to him "which kid do we grab and where do we go?" He said he would take Grant. I replied "What?! You are giving me the big one?!" Because we are assuming they will be in a dead sleep and we will need to swoop them out of bed and into our "safe room". He explained that because Elizabeth is closer he would go further down the hall to Grant. At any rate, the fact that we even had to have this conversation makes me a little sick. So I fell asleep knowing that if our windows get busted I am to get Elizabeth and he will get Grant. What is the wrong with this picture? We were just starting to gain some of our freedom back. Faith over fear.

Day 77

SMOKE OUT DAY! This is the only fundraising event that we are able to make happen this year and it is typically a big one. I think we are a little anxious to see the success. It is typically a community gathering at the firehouse, but this year that is just not possible. Instead we are serving meals drive-thru style.

We started with church. It is our senior pastor's last day. Brandon and I started gathering things to prepare for the event and the kids went with my parents to the pastor's retirement parade.

The Smoke Out was absolutely a success and the weather was beautiful! We had friends over after to decompress from the day.

Day 76

I volunteered in the morning to help set up for the Smoke Out. After I got home we went and played pickle ball. We played a couple of games with the kids and they were tired so then Brandon and I played. He let me get a nice lead and then beat me. He said he did it all in the name of exercise. Some day I want to beat him...for real.

In the afternoon I took Elizabeth to riding. We left the boys at home to install a new mother board on the pool heater and make a Texas sheet cake. I told them I was very proud of their diverse talents!

Elizabeth had an awesome lesson. She was able to cantor Jewels in a circle and even got to start jumping. She was on cloud nine!

We had dinner with friends and played a few games. It was a full, fun day. I can honestly say it is the first time our schedule has been busy like that in months.

Day 76

I did a few things in preparation for the Smoke Out in the morning. Elizabeth had an online piano recital at 11. She played "What Makes You Beautiful" and she played it really well!!

I procured a few new books. A summer beach read and Atlas Shrugged...a really big book with really tiny print!

We started our new adventure of eating fish once a week. So after Brandon's eye appointment he picked up halibut and sea bass. I should really say this is more my adventure. Brandon likes fish. My friend suggested a marinade that she really likes on fish. Cooking it outside was a bonus. We had the kids each try a bit, they weren't fans. I am not a fan of the way the garbage smells. We both liked the halibut better. Elizabeth went upstairs to read at 7:30 and Grant was ready for bed shortly after. Brandon and I did sit outside for awhile but it was a fairly early Friday night for all of us. We didn't hear the coyotes but there have been several sightings and evidence that they are pretty active in our backyard.

Day 75

The first day of swim team was organized by the kids to start this morning. This consisted of two neighbor kids walking down and everyone jumping in at 7 am to start their laps. Elizabeth had the drills written out on the white board and propped up beside the pool. Unlike usual swim team, they got 5 minutes in the hot tub to cool down (or maybe warm up!)

We had friends over to swim in the afternoon. Brandon had a friend over later too. I attempted to make popcorn on the outdoor stove. I got there eventually, but outdoor cooking out of necessity isn't as fun as it sounds. 

Day 74

A little hike before piano lessons !We tried a new place. We didn't get lost! Win, win!

New 73

On today's agenda was a little errand running for me. I started at the pool store to have the water tested and had a very unpleasant customer service experience that included  me saying "what have I done to offend you by walking into the store to purchase chemicals?" It was real special. I went to grab some meat and had a nice conversation with the men that run that store. I didn't quite make it to the grocery store before the stove repair people were calling. Luckily Brandon was able to help them find the serial number and the part that was broke! Good help is hard to find. A couple of hours later and a long time on hold the part was finally located, but it's back ordered. More outdoor cooking in our future! I had a meeting for the upcoming Smoke Out in the evening and Tuesday was in the books.

Day 72

I am going to be confused all week about what day it is. I have a hard enough time on normal weeks! Wait, there are no normal weeks anymore! Well today is Memorial Day. We decided to embrace the nice weather in the morning because we weren't sure what the afternoon would have in store. After a leisurely morning and breakfast burritos we decided to play pickle ball. We weren't sure if the tennis courts would even be open or if they had lines for pickle ball. We lucked out. Courts are open and there were faded pickle ball lines. It was a win. We got hot. Do these kids look hot? Acclimate children! You have to learn to be hot!

 Brandon's allergies are staring to act up and after 3 games we had enough. We also didn't have sunscreen on, but no burns so lucky there too.

We took another loop around the square to see all of the flags. The city lines the main drag through town with flags. It is really cool. There was even a couple dressed in fantastically patriotic red white and blue fancy clothes waving to people at the square! 

 Someone (me) thought we should drive downtown to see how high the river was. Do you notice in the pictures how the dark clouds have appeared? None of those were there during our pickle ball match!

 The river is pretty high and parts are flooded downtown. The sandbag brigade had been out. We stopped at the Ice Cream Shack for lunch on the way home. Sometimes it is just cloudy, other times those clouds have rain in them...actually quite a bit of rain. Fun fact: when driving 50 mph in the Jeep you don't get wet - it blows right over the top (or maybe into the backseat). Getting stopped for stoplights, is a guaranteed soaker! We were drenched by the time we got home, but laughed so hard the whole time!

I checked the rain gauge before the evening storm...we had .6. Later that night a pretty big storm rolled in, complete with lots of wind, thunder and lightening - right at bed time - as always. In total the day's rain total was almost 1.4 inches. Translation - too much! 

Day 71

Hail damage from yesterday's storm

"It will just take two hours, maybe three." I didn't honestly believe this, but I played along. We had just one more section of pavers to reset. Unfortunately that couple hour project required two trips to the hardware store and realizing that the new shortage is leveling sand, due to all of the pools being put in people's backyards! The weather looked more favorable today than on Memorial Day so we picked today as our official pool opening. He finished the pavers around 1:30, about the time the kids were jumping in to 65 degree pool water! Brrrrrrr! But there was no holding them back.

We spend the afternoon poolside. Watching the kids run between the pool and the hot tub. The heater needs a new motherboard so we are a few days out from a working heater. The pool gained 7 degrees in just one day with the sun. The forecast has some heat in it this coming week, but also a chance of rain EVERY day.

We ended the night with cheeseburgers and dining alfresco. A perfect pool opening!

Day 70

Happy Birthday to Pops and Sara! The kids played outside in the morning. Brandon worked on leveling pavers. It was a really nice day and then a storm blew in. We had so much rain, so fast and then the hail came. First pea sized and then grape sized and it hailed for a good 5 minutes, which is a long time for a hailstorm. The rain poured over the gutters, as they couldn't keep up. I think we had .6 of an inch of rain in 20 minutes. So much rain. As soon as we think we have a beautiful day the clouds blow in and bring more rain.

It cleared off as quickly as it came, just in time for the birthday celebration. Grant apparently tuckered himself and fell asleep before dinner! This usually only happens if he is sick, but luckily he was fine, just super tired.

Pops selected an excellent Costco birthday cake, white with cheesecake filling. We sampled a new wine and all was good!