After a long New Year’s bash…Skilly found the best spot in the house.
Right next to her best friend cousin.
Cousin Best Friends
Ms. Pippi
Honestly, I never know what Pippi’s teacher name is.
But I do know, that after a trip to Lakeshore Learning Cetner and the great help of NayNay, Pippi’s classroom is set up and ready to go — students and all.
She says that all she needs is a teacher’s desk (which she is saving up for), and she will be official.
Pippi had the greatest day with NayNay — thanks Nay!
Winter Kayaking
It was a smooth transition, on this winter day of kayaking.
These Christmas gifts look like they will be a great addition to our adventuring family.
Wrestling Extraordinaire
Micah has still got it.
With all four of our kids (+ Blush) tackling him…Micah was still able to hold his own, without anyone getting hurt in the mix.
I saw shades of my very own uncontested dad in this wrestling match.
It must be a dad thing.
Cleaning Contest
I put out a cleaning contest today. I wanted to see who could clean the very best. My kids were meticulous — there was nothing casual in this contest. Upon judging — all of the kids got top-notch scores…but there was one psychotically competitive kid, who floored every judge involved.
Everything was folded, tucked, dusted, wiped, straightened, vacuumed and perfumed.
Only a contest could bring this out in Scout — but it was impressive.
I guess there will be whole lot more contests in his future!
Photo Shoot
Every once in a while, when my kids look nice and clean — we head out to the jetty for a few photos.
I love all of the staged photos — but out of all of my pictures taken — I like this candid shot best:
My kids exploring and in their element.
When they say “taking a snapshot out of their life” — this is what that means.
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But of all the photos — my favorites, were the black and white photos that Tristen took with her new camera.
I always love a good black and white.
Harbor Walk with Pops
It has been so nice having Papa down for so many holidays over the past few years. He has been in and out of good health, as he has been fighting his stage four prostate cancer. I always wonder if he thinks out house is pure chaos, but he always reassures me that “it is a delight to be a part of”. We all wanted to get out of the house, so we headed to the harbor for a stroll, and we handed Chap off to Papa for a little extra stability. But in true Papa fashion, he was not interested in being remotely incapable, so he strolled — and then showed off that he could walk perfectly fine on his own. There were a few minor stumbles — but we let him do his showing off! Papa…you’re one in a million. It was a great afternoon.
While on our walk, I took this picture of Scout on his Rip Stick — because it is rare that we are at the ocean but have snow-capped mountains in the background! How awesome.
A Serious Talk
This is the look of a boy who is partially amused and partially embarrassed.
We finally had to have “the talk”.
I know what you are thinking — the birds and the bees.
NOPE.
How to wipe properly and thoroughly.
(Today was laundry day.)
Christmas 2019
Of all the times to get the flu — I got the flu this year during Christmas. Therefore — I have no pictures, because I was just trying to survive. That being said — this is what I’ve got…
This was when my mom gave Micah a ticket for him, and 12 of his friends to go and see the movie CATS. (Which is the current flop at the theaters — so bad, they are pulling it from the theaters!) This was a joke, because last year I gave Micah and my mom tickets to the Broadway play — and we were shocked at how awful it was…so when they were making a movie…we just keep cracking jokes about the flop it was going to be — AND IS!!!
Christmas Eve also had a famous “Lesson by Lindsey” — which was one of my all time best! Last year I gave out WWJD bracelets, but this year, I gave out WWBBD bracelets! Because all of us should ask ourselves “What Would Bryan Brockbank Do?” before making decisions in life!
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After the festivities — Scout got to experience Harbor House with the gang. They die every year, because they hid a french fry in the wall a few years ago — and it is always there when they go each year! Meanwhile, Tristen, Navy and Chloe arranged the presents, because I was feeling awful!
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Luckily, I got this picture of my kids before Christmas Day started.
And luckily Megan got the rest of these:
As usual, Christmas was amazing!!
But I hope to never ever be sick on the best day of the year again!
Christmas Cards ‘19
This was just a really weird year. Thanksgiving was really late this year, then I was gone for the first week in December with the girls in New York. Then a face product I used in New York burned my skin and prevented me from doing pictures for the next week. So I literally shoved off Christmas Cards this year.
Until December 19th!
I woke up, sent the printer a picture, drove to the printer, sat with the graphic artist for an hour…and created our card. it was the most simple card I have ever done. But it also wasn’t the best card I have ever done.
Here is the front. I sent them in clear envelopes (because I have tons from a few years ago when I did other cards!). I also sent a scratcher to scratch off the gold heart when it was opened.
This is what it looks like after scratching.
Here is the back. A picture from Easter I think! But it worked.
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The cards went out the same day I woke up with the idea. And with a week left — Christmas card were done!
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