Week in the Life: Tuesday

photos taken:  59
Woke to much a warmer morning (no frost at least) and we're lucky to get our cousin Lainey for the day to play while her momma attends nursing school.  I burnt the bacon (ugh), but we got the big boy off to school without a hitch and the three girls spent the morning crawling and playing house in our entire collection of pop up tents in the living room.  Violet snuck away several times, per usual, to sneak upstairs and stand up on the bathroom stool to try to brush her own teeth.  That child.

The three girls, sitting on the counter obviously, helped me whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies in part because it's Brandon's birthday week and also in part because I needed a chocolate fix, let's be honest.  I rarely lack cookie-baking helpers because my method of baking cookies includes mixing the ingredients while snacking on loose chocolate chips.  The kids line up to help around here.  HAH!  We turned the cookies into icing stuffed sandwiches, because if we're going to go for a sugar rush over here, we're swinging for the fences, man.

We had lunch and then it was time for Violet's nap.  Gemmi is in a big Mulan phase, so we played it on Netflix (second time this week already!) and Lainey started showing signs of sleepiness.  Hooray for getting to snuggle a toddler to nap today and then I got in some reading and extra snuggles with my Gemmi girl ("but you're MY mom, so snuggle with me too") while she finished Mulan.

After naptime, we headed outside to soak in the beautiful sun and had a visit from the UPS man.  I was hopeful that it was our next book for the Inspired Readers Book Club, All the Light We Cannot See - alas it was the two thanksgiving books I ordered for the kids and a copy of Go Away, Big Green Monster! for our own in-house library, as it was a major hit when we borrowed it from the library.

Cara came to pick up Lainey and after a little more playtime, the girls and I headed down to pick up Grey from the bus stop (after I made sure the truck would start: success!) On Gemma's rush to give Grey a hug from the bus, she bit it pretty good right on the asphalt and so we had some booboos to kiss and cries to soothe before heading back up home.

Grey was happily surprised to find our new home library addition (gah, that smile).  And we spent the rest of the early afternoon with read alouds, homework, and making cards for Dad's birthday tomorrow.  We had chili over bowtie noodles for dinner, don't judge that massive pile of cheese.  #nojudgements

B updated that it'd be another long night before he came home (waaaaah), so out of desperation of not getting my blog done yet, and also chores piled high - the kids got to spend the evening watching the Halloween favorite, Hocus Pocus ("how many more spooky parts though, Mum?!" "That's a good zombie?" "But this is a pretend story, right?") while I blogged, vacuumed, and cleaned the kitchen. I'm happy to report that despite the movie being "kind of spooky," there were no nightmares!

After the movie, I had about forty-five minutes to try to keep the kids awake to see Brandon when he got home, so we all headed up to Violet's room to read books and make believe.  The two big kids toted around a pretend phone and a flashcard pretending they were tech devices explaining to me that they were magical and they could "download pets."  I asked Grey if he knew what download meant it he said yes, that it meant "you get it on your phone then and can play things.  Like games."  Future Tab, good luck.

A little before nine, B came home to the cacophony of kids and dogs celebration that happens daily upon his arrival.  We spent a little while talking and giving Daddy lots of hugs, but Violet was more than ready to sleep so she went down easily and sweetly.

The big kids got a few stories and then laid in bed while I read aloud to them from my own books - this is our little routine that we have been doing for the past few months:  we read them some children's books and then turn out the lights and I lay on the floor, facing the hallway light while I read aloud from my own books (skipping over the curse words or inappropriate parts if necessary.  Wally Lamb!!) But I like the idea that what they hear as they drift off into sleep is my voice reading beautiful writing with big vocabulary words.  I like to pretend it gives them a little culture (hah).

After the kids had fallen to sleep, I met up with Brandon (devouring chili like a maniac and repeating over and over, 'this is some good freaking chili, babe') downstairs and we watched day2 of the Voice (it really seems like we watch a lot of tv, huh? I promise it's just Sunday-Tuesday) and we laughed and cried about it like we do at every single episode.

It was fairly early to bed (yay!) after I tried to give Brandon a summary of my Wally Lamb book so far, which is so funny because that's impossible and a crazy amount of story lines.  He was trying so hard to fall along and kept nodding encouragingly until finally I was like, 'i love you for even attempting to listen to that.'

still going strong on the heavy photos, just intense.

Week in the Life: Monday

photos taken:  62 (!)

We awoke to a frosty Monday morning and all got our days started.  Brandon was off to work with a coloring page from Gemma in hand for 'being such a good worker, Dad!" and the kids and I had some extra warm snuggles followed by secret-handshake practices, which are Greyson's favorite thing in the world (he has a secret handshake with each family member, including Violet (!), except me.  go figure).  Luckily, we went out to head down to the bus stop a little early because the windshield needed scraped (!) and I made just enough cleared to see out the driver's side window (hah).  The big one was off to school and the girls and I could get our day started at home.

We have it down pretty well now, the five of us still at home during the day (me, the girls, the two dogs, and Lulu our cat).  Breakfast and dogs out.  Clean -up, dogs up for their 'naptime,' Lola up to hang out with us, playing all morning.  We have a no tv until after lunch policy, so the girls find other things to play with and occupy themselves in the morning.  Many times they just follow me around the house while I take care of chores.  Then it's lunchtime, and Violet heads up stairs for her afternoon (and only) nap.

While Violet naps, Gemmi and I get our 'free time.' She gets to pick a movie on Netflix while I work on the blog or do computer work on projects or groups I'm involved in.  I got a chance to take a walk outside (just around our yard a few laps = 2.4 miles) listening to Orphan Train on audible.  I finished it the end of the book on this walk and actually spent the last quarter mile sob-walking.  I really loved that book!

While I cleared off the dining room table of our 'yard sale' items (the dining room was my most recent victim in the get.rid.of.all.the.things efforts) Gem worked on a Jack-o-latern craft (thanks pinterest) to add to our Halloween craft wall.  Violet wakes up from her nap then, happy as a clam and we spend the rest of the afternoon before Grey gets home almost exclusively practicing cartwheels in the living room.  Gem is obsessed.  and Violet like trying to get in her way every single time - it's on purpose and Violet thinks she's hilarious.

With a mere six minutes before Grey's bus is to arrive home, the girls and I jump in the truck only to discover the battery is dead.  So, friends, I have to choose the lesser of two dangers here, and I toss the girls in the playroom, tell Gemma she needs to take care of her baby sister, and I sprint the half mile down the street to try to get Grey in time.  Let me tell ya, with something serious like my child waiting and abandon all alone, I can run a half mile in three minutes, you guys.  for real.

Of course, he gets off the bus and is totally bummed that we have to walk back home (all uphill) and proclaims that his belly hurts and so it's piggy back all of the way until the driveway because, no.  the driveway is just too much.  So we walk hand and hand by then until Grey collapses (literally) through the front door belly-aching about needing a snack right.this.second.or.he'll.starve.

At this point, we're all kind of in a funk.  Harnessing my guilt about this Week in the Life photo series, and knowing that really the only thing that will make us all feel better is to go outside - I suggest we rake some leaves and happiness returns to casa de Studer.  We all head outside, and spend a nice long hour and half collecting, raking, and jumping in leaves while Violet crawls all around creation with wild-eyed freedom.

Then it was inside to wind down while I got some dinner for the kids ready.  A quick call to Brandon confirmed that he wouldn't be home from work until after 8:30pm which totally deflated my sails, but gotta do what ya gotta do.  So the big ones were occupied by a puzzle at the table while I got their dinner ready and Violet was contented by snacks; lots of snacks.

Dinner, jammies, homework, hygiene needs (nail cutting, teeth, face washing, etc) and some stories.  Violet was uninterested in sleeping, but by 7:30pm I was running thin on momma patience.  Ashley had me laughing yesterday with her comment about why can't our husbands and kids just respect that the camera on timer means to act like there's no camera at all - HAHAHAH. no kidding!  Greyson! Violet!

Finally, Violet laid down and the kids were just being rotten.  flat out goofy, rotten and pushed and pushed my patience.  It was not pretty for a little while there.  They got yelled at, I felt momentarily better to get them back under control only to have that mom guilt wash over that it was the end of the night and we were ending it on such a loud, angry note.  So, after we had a chat about it and how we can all be kinder to each other - I invited them to our bed to lay while I got in some reading (special treat!)

It took the kids a matter of fifteen minutes to both be totally zonked out and then I headed back downstairs to start our special anniversary fancy dinner for Brandon and I.  Bacon-wrapped salmon with spicy maple glaze, butternut risotto, and steamed broccoli.  YUM town.  Bud got home at nearly 9pm and we enjoyed (big time enjoyed - SO YUM) while watching the Voice and Blindspot (our other favorite shows!)  Happy anniversary to us!

Week in the Life: Sunday

photos taken: 32

Sunday was an early morning with snow flurries (!) Brandon was off to work by 7am, the kids eating breakfast while I lesson planned for CCD that morning (nothing like procrastination, right?)  Then getting dressed, taking care of dogs, out the door by 9:00am to make it to drop off the girls with Gigi and Pappy while Greyson and I spent the morning at CCD (he in Kinder and me teaching 5th grade).  After CCD, Greyson and I stopped to visit with Mimi for a little while before spending the early part of the afternoon at Pappy and Gigi's house.  The kids even got a in a quad ride with Pap (even though it was freezing!) and Gigi and I giggled at Violet while relishing a second cup of coffee each.

At 2:00pm, the kids and I met our Family Service Club group at the ACRP play center to help pack hygiene kits for local shelters and centers.  I am so grateful to be a part of the FSC-Johnstown group (thank you Megan for leading it!) as it provides us monthly kid-friendly activities that we can participate to volunteer or do something kind locally.  On the way in, Gemma said, "I love helping the kids.  I don't want any kids to not have food!  Or soap!"

After the kits were all created (we made 150 thanks to all the awesome donations!), we went upstairs to the playspace.  The kids had a great time and I'm so glad to know of it now that the cold weather is coming in fierce.  It had a huge indoor play space and all three kids found things to play with and met new friends.  It was a great way to burn some weekend energy and for only $3 a kid!  On our way home, Greyson said, "See!  When you be kind, you get to do fun things like play.  Thanks for taking us here, Mum."  I almost fainted of happiness.

By the time we got home, I had three pretty sleepy kids.  Violet napped on the ride and then woke up promptly upon our arrival (of course).  I got the kids set up to watch Spooky Buddies on Netflix and we had a pizza couch-picnic early dinner.   Then it was Sunday evening baths/showers with my never-stop-talking three year old, my five year old who doesn't 'need a shower, Mom!' boy, and a particularly cranky one year old who didn't get a proper nap that day.  Then, bedtime stories with the big ones which Brandon got home right as we finished up the last story, just in time to say goodnight to the two big ones.

As it was our seventh wedding anniversary yesterday, we had full intentions of cooking a fancy dinner together followed up by our favorite show together on the couch.  But I had enjoyed too much pizza at the couch picnic and B said his stomach felt a little off and wanted some soup instead.  Life, man.  Brandon's reaction to my setting up the timer to take photos of us on the couch:  'what are we, the Kardashians?' Hah, Patient and supportive he is, amused? not so much.

We did cuddle up on the couch to watch The Walking Dead together, while he fell asleep during the talk show afterwards.  Then it was a quick pick-up of things downstairs, running the dishwasher and off to bed for us.  It's impossible for me to fall asleep after the walking dead, so even though it was after eleven pm, I got in some reading to get my mind ready for restful sleep.

I was just stretching my wings on this project for the first day, so I felt like I kept forgetting where the camera was all day(I left it in the car entirely while visiting Mimi, Gigi, and Pappy!)  It is definitely intense to try to spend the whole day looking at it through the lens (both literally and figuratively thinking about what moments I want to capture/preserve...all of them!?)  Day One down!