Most days, between when I wake up and the kids need to get ready for school, they take turns using my phone. Amaya watches videos on YouTube Kids and the boys generally play Minecraft. They’ve gotten really good at the game and even watch each other play and share tips.

Last week I mentioned that I forgot my wallet at home when shopping at Dick’s with the kids. I ordered the sneakers Amaya wanted on Sunday afternoon (from Dick’s) and they arrived on Monday. I’m glad I didn’t bother with an in-store pick-up. Sorry brick & mortar retail.

When SSA pay well together it’s magical. This week they spent a lot of time play games with balloons. There were team huddles, “hut hut”s and so much noise. Honestly, it’s exactly like I imagined it would be when I was pregnant. I hope they’re always friends.

Amaya realized that pushing on her slime in a certain way made it sound like a far. She and Steven worked out a routine to prank Jason.

Amaya pushed down on the slime. Then Steven said, “Who farted?” Amaya said, “me” and Steven said, “No! Just the slime!” They practiced together before Jason got home and then planned the time to try it out between episodes of Phineas and Ferb. “Don’t forget your line, Steven.”

Phineas and Ferb time is family time. <3

I’m still obsessed with this child in her sleep mask.

Later in the week…

Obsessed with this girl, too, who went to the vet this week and came back with a clean bill of health. Even her bloodwork looked good. Sally has some behaviors not atypical of old cats so it’s possible she’s losing her hearing or has some cognitive issues but we can all work with that. My sweet, sweet girl.

SSA are supposed to read for 20 minutes/day which Penni is managing on their downtime. Mo Willems is a regular favorite.

All the snow means it’s time for new snow boots for everyone. Steven was modeling his perfectly Steven pair of boots.

On Tuesday afternoon I had some errands to run. Since Steven and Amaya had alone time with me the week prior for dr appointments, I invited Sammy to join me. He was a great helper, as well. (Side note: I can’t believe how busy Best Buy was. It seems like they might have cracked the code for products people would rather buy in-person.)

On Tuesday evening we started our Thanksgiving prep. There was a lot to do and I didn’t want to leave it all for Thanksgiving day. One of our recipes was orange carrots (flavor, not just the color) so SSA got a chance to learn how to use the peeler. They did a great job. They can definitely add peeling to their repertoire.

With supervision, Steven and Sammy also practiced cutting with bigger knives. We worked on keeping one hand on the handle and one hand on top of the blade to push down, keeping fingers well out of the way of the knife.

Wednesday was another big prep day, aided by the kids’ half day of school. They grated about 2 lbs of cheese for baked mac & cheese.

I made 2 chocolate pecan pies and Sammy made pumpkin cheesecake bars. Another new skill was using the can opener – one we probably could have tried a while ago, to be honest.

Finally, on Wednesday, Steven made our orange carrots. I really love cooking with the kids. It’s such great time spent together.

The half day of school was understandably light on academics and high on fun. One project was creating these really cute turkeys – another craft possible because of materials sent home during a school work exchange.

Our Wednesday drama was candy related. Steven ran out of Halloween candy but Sammy and Amaya still had a lot left. They all had the same opportunity to eat two pieces of candy/day and they trick or treated together so I decided it wasn’t fair if Steven had none left while Amaya and Sammy still had candy every day. They could decide to get rid of the rest of the candy or divide it among them. I’m sure you can guess what they picked. Sammy and Amaya got to start by picking 6 pieces of their own candy that they wanted to keep. Then Steven picked any six pieces and on and on it went – 6 pieces at a time until every one had 28 pieces or, in our model, about 14 days worth. And it worked! (Then they found new hiding places for their candy so sugar-craving parents couldn’t steal any and throw off the plan.)

We’ve played so many board games this week. Guess Who, Sorry, Scrabble Jr, Blokus, and lots of games of Carcassonne. I love playing board games with the kids and also love seeing them play with each other.

Thanksgiving!! This year Sammy took charge of our turkey and “by take charge” I mean he did everything except manage it in the oven. He unwrapped it. He stuck his hands inside and pulled out the giblets. Sammy stuffed the turkey, buttered and brined it, and added carrots and onions. Soup to nuts – this was Sammy’s turkey. And it was the best turkey I’ve ever had – truly!

Steven and Sammy both helped make the roux for our baked mac and cheese (which was a huge hit with Amaya).

Steven and I tried to play a concurrent game of Memory but there was just too much going on so Amaya filled in for me.

Dinner!! We had turkey, baked mac and cheese, mozzarella spinach, orange carrots, stuffing, tater tots, pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake bars. The carrots, spinach, mac & cheese and cheesecake bars were all Raddish Kids recipes, rounding out our first 12 months of kits. I know SSA are hoping Nana and Papa keep the subscription going for Hanukkah.

Well earned pride for a job well done…

Steven and Amaya made Thanksgiving cards for everyone. Here’s Mario who Amaya drew for Sammy’s card.

A card for Chase, thanking him for a stuffed raccoon she always sleeps with.

Carcassonne! It’s such a fun game. We’ve started tracking the winner of each game, too. So far, over the past week, it’s Sammy – Steven – Steven – Amaya. And I’m not even letting them win!

I was off on Friday and so were Penni and Gabby so the kids and I planned a day that included a hike at Island Lake State Park in Brighton. We took a 2 mile route and walked it over the course of about 1:15. The kids all brought plastic bags to collect nature items they found. It was a really nice day.

In 2020 my friend Nina has been tracking 1000 outside hours with her kids. I love the idea so we adopted it ourselves, starting on 11/2. We’re just tracking to 500, to start, and it’s definitely motivating outside time in a different way. After our hike we had a snack at some picnic benches so we could log the full 90 min for the hike time.

We also made a list of Things We Want to do After Coronavirus. <3

Hey look – more Carcassonne!

On Friday, Sammy convinced us to have a family sleepover downstairs and Steven convinced us to celebrate with the Phineas and Ferb movie.

Reading last week’s blog to Steven, Sammy and Amaya. I’d forgotten earlier in the week but Amaya remembered. Keep in mind that they’re my audience now. 🙂

On our Friday hike Steven was disappointed that we didn’t do the longer 3 mile hike so I agreed to go back with him on Saturday morning. We had a blast. It was cold but the sun was out and we made good time because 2/3 of the hike was already familiar. Steven took pictures at all of the marker signs, found some cool nature items and we both loved the view of Trout Lake – much better on a sunny day. Steven named this lake “Beauty Lake.”

This post has arrows pointing to the “Long” and “Short” trails. Steven is pointing to the “Long” arrow which is the direction we went.

Steven’s Beauty Lake hike collage, which is in his printed picture book.

These three had their own fun while Steven and I were off hiking. <3 <3 <3

Both boys got great haircuts from their daddy this weekend!

And, what do you know? More Carcassonne! (Sammy ran from the picture as a got-ya to me.)

How Steven watches Monk on Sunday mornings…

Steven watched an episode of Crafty Carol where she made a castle out of cardboard and he wanted to do the same so we cut up some boxes in the garage and he got to work.

A flag with his castle’s symbol. On the other side of the flag it says “Steven’s”.

Beneath the red decor you might be able to spot his mailbox.

While Sammy and Jason were shopping for pants, Steven, Amaya and I spent about an hour and a half outside. Steven also sorted and organized his pinecones from his hikes.

Jason and Sammy were gone for hours and Sammy came home with 5 or 6 new pair of pants that he’s excited to wear. Success!

While Jason grilled steaks, Sammy and I grilled asparagus with parmesan, garlic, salt and pepper.

After photographing the chefs, Amaya took a sweet picture of her daddy.

We wrapped up the weekend with a whole family game of Carcassonne. Mommy is officially on the winner board!

Finally… Charlie’s results are in and it’s a fractured growth plate – also her right arm. I’m still incredulous that these girls both fractured their arms within 48 hours of each other.

Have a great week!