This week started with the letter I and three days in a row where our kiddos were the class leaders. After a lot of deliberation, Iron Man, a book about Israel and an ice cream container were the items the kids brought for show and tell.

It was a quiet, simple week after sickness and holidays.

This is what Amaya looks like when she’s trying to get one by me. “Don’t look under the table mommy! There’s nothing to see under the table!” (It was glue that she was using to glue her gems to the paper.)

We took a break from cutting to play with play doh. It’s been a while, at least while I was there, and the skill level has definitely improved.

Steven loved making the numbers. It feels like just yesterday that he couldn’t possibly do these by himself.

Tuesday was gorgeous so Megan got Steven, Sammy and Amaya to a park. Every day outside at this time of year feels like a gift.

SSA like to hide from Daddy when he comes home. Where’s Amaya?

“I’m not laundry! I’m Amaya!”

Amaya is so careful with her clothing choices even down to how she lays them out at night. The pants and shirts are always so carefully placed.

Wednesday morning Steven and Amaya were getting ready to go to the car and I caught them holding hands while they were walking to the door. I grabbed my phone and Steven said, “Turn around to take a picture, Amaya!” They sure know their mom, lol.

After two weeks off (illness and Thanksgiving week), it was back to dance class!

I am trying to get Amaya to let me do her hair in the morning and I’m also trying to get better at braids. We’re a work in progress.

May May’s mommy was sick on Thursday so Baby Taco came to spend the afternoon with everyone. It was a bit of musical chairs to ensure that everyone got to sit by Taco. 🙂

Here, Steven is busy tying on his computer. Always imagining…

Friday afternoon, I had an impromptu lunch at Chili’s with Steven, Sammy, Amaya, Megan and Taco. I love the opportunity to meet up for lunch, especially spontaneously. We have a good arrangement where Megan texts me the orders when she picks up the kids and I arrive a few minutes early to put the orders in to cut down on wait time. The restaurant is less than a minute drive from my office so it’s very easy to be there and back in an hour and I think the kids love it as much as I do.

Taco likes Millie!

One day of play doh and back to cutting…

When everyone was sick and I was in Atlanta there was night that Steven and Sammy slept in Jason’s bed. The deal was that Amaya would have a sleepover of her own once everyone was healthy and Friday was the night. This girl was SO excited for a sleepover with her mommy. <3

Not so restful for me, but still 100% worth it.

At bedtime I sit outside the kids’ room for a bit, with Amaya’s door shut but the boys’ door cracked. Steven wanted to rearrange the room so he can see me, so Jason and the kids got to rearranging on Saturday.

This was the initial end result which has since changed because Sammy didn’t feel like he could see me well enough. One could argue that the best solution is for me to not sit outside their doors in the first place but I’m not there yet. That time will come.

Sammy is very excited that Anna (from Frozen) will be coming to see him for his birthday. He made her some art and really wanted to mail it from a post office so he and Jason set out to send some mail to Princess Anna. I love everything about this.

Another story about Sammy… On Tuesday on the way home from school Sammy told Megan that he wanted to have a picnic in a park for lunch. When Megan explained that it wasn’t warm enough yet and that the didn’t have lunch packed, Sammy said, “Don’t argue with me. I’m not here to argue.” Ha!

Saturday night was the annual child development center Hanukkah party at the JCC. Team Cline is ready for 8 Crazy Nights!!

(Someone asked what’s up with Amaya’s sleeves. She would only wear her Hanukkah shirt if she could wear another shirt underneath it with those sleeves showing.)

And here she is rocking a bathing suit bottom hat.

The party had crafts, a DJ with dancing, face painting, cookie decorating and dinner.

Decorating dreidles and making cards for residents of the senior center.

“Like a diamond in the sky”

Sammy and Amaya had cookies loaded with blue frosting. Steven opted for a plain sugar cookie. No surprise there on any front.

Dancing!! Last year, SSA were so shy and tentative on the dance floor. This year they loved it, especially the boys! It was so much fun!

Today was a 50 degree December day so the kids and I went to a playground. Two actually. Steven wanted to go to the playground “with the dead bird” and Amaya and Sammy wanted one with swings. We were able to negotiate going to the dead bird playground first and then walking down the block to the larger one. (We need a better name for the little playground but they saw a dead bird there over the summer and the name stuck like glue.)

Sammy and Amaya are really getting adventurous with their climbing! They wouldn’t have gone near this rock wall over the summer.

Happy, happy kids. <3

Steven was Jason’s shopping partner today and they brought home a pumelo. This fruit was new to me! Steven: “Mommy. It’s puMElo, not puMIlo.” After they ate it, Steven decided the rind was a drawbridge and had an elaborate scenario with cars and boats and the drawbridge.

We wrapped up the week with a haircut for Sammy. Family photos are in 6 weeks so hopefully this means it will be at a nice in-between space.

And that’s it for the week! Next up is a trip to NY for Mommy & Steven! Yay!! Have a great week!