Leap Into…March

Weekly Happenings: I really felt as if the title of this post needed to have the word “leap” in it, since today is February 29th. We only get a 29th day in February every four years, so today is fun in that aspect. It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is going to be the first day of March. Joseph has his spring break the week after next and then before I know it, we’ll be looking summer in the face. As for what has gone on this past week, nothing too out of the ordinary. Joseph and I had dental check-ups and Abigail got her first legitimate haircut (other than just getting her bangs trimmed). We’re such party animals, haha.

Weekly Weather: We’ve had some pretty cold days. It’s as if Mother Nature felt she needed to get in one last hurrah before spring. 😉 It’s slowly getting warmer, though, for which I have to say I don’t mind. I dislike humid cold way more than I dislike humid hot.

What Paul’s Been Up To: He’s been busy at work and then today he’s been getting to the little things around the house that he had to put off when he injured his finger. I’m so grateful for him and all he does.

What Sarah’s Been Up To: Other than what I’ve already mentioned, one fun thing I did was go to see the newest Emma movie with a group of my friends. It was nice to get to go out with friends and see a movie that I knew I would enjoy immensely and that Paul would…not have, ha.

What Joseph’s Been Up To: Pretty much just school and the like for him. He’s getting excited for spring break coming up. 🙂

What Abigail’s Been Up To: As I mentioned before, she got her first “real” haircut. The back part of her hair was so much longer than the sides, that I felt like it was really time to have it evened out. They took off a few inches in the back and it’s so much neater now. Oh, one funny story: we were playing hide-and-seek and I was pretending I couldn’t find her, so I was “looking” out loud (“Oh! Is Abigail hiding under the pillow? How about under the couch?”). After each question, I would hear this giggle and then hear her say “Noooooo!” in this really animated tone. It was awesome.

This Week in Pictures:

I can’t remember if I posted a picture of this fun basket I found to keep blankets in downstairs. I needed something that was soft so that it wouldn’t scratch our floors and would also (as Paul pointed out) withstand any abuse Abigail might attempt to subject it to.
I got the blanket basket several weeks ago, but this past week, I wanted to find storage for Abigail’s books that she still has downstairs. I needed soft baskets for the same reason that I needed the blanket basket to be soft. It didn’t even occur to me until I was already at Target (where I had purchased the blanket basket) that I might be able to find matching baskets in smaller sizes. I was so happy!
When Abigail saw me with my phone out, she wanted to have her picture taken. 😀
Last picture before her haircut.
They took it up to her shoulders.
They also trimmed her bangs since they were starting to get in her eyes.
This is the main reason I wanted to get the baskets. Before, the books were simply sitting in the shelf and she would just pull them out and scatter them. Now she pulls out the baskets and can just pull out the ones she wants. She hasn’t scattered them (yet), but if she does, it’ll be easier for me to put them back in basket.
Saturday morning snuggles!
Showing off one of his LEGO creations.
I told him I needed a picture with him smiling after he pulled that last face, haha.
He wanted me to take a picture of him with his other LEGO kits and creations. I love that he still loves those bricks!
I went ahead and got out my decorations for March. 😁
This is probably one of my favorites.
A handful of cute decorations for the piano…
…and a new quote for the board, of course.
Sometimes she picks interesting places to have her before-bath-and-bed snack. This is definitely one of those times. I guess it isn’t an issue if nobody else needs to be in the kitchen. 🤷‍♀️

Hoo-Boy

Weekly Happenings: It has been quite the week. I’ve forgotten how trying it can be at times to parent a toddler. Abigail is really determined and, at times, rather demanding. Consequently, I’m faced with “is this the hill I’m willing to die on” moments several times a day. Luckily, the sweet moments outweigh the trying ones (she’s currently singing “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” while “hiding” behind the vertical blinds that are in front of our sliding glass door). Also, there was an unfortunate event earlier this week where a young girl was struck and killed on her way to school when she lost control of her bike and she fell off of it and into traffic. When I read about that happening, it was an immediate thought of, “I would rather have the rough days with her than not have any more days with her at all.” Hold your people close…you never know when you won’t be able to anymore.

The Weekly Weather: It’s been a mix of cool and downright cold. The downright cold days have also been humid, which is just miserable. I never thought I would say it, but on days like that, I actually found myself wishing for summer, haha.

What Paul’s Been Up To: He got his stitches out and has been continuing to take it easy since there’s still a little bit of healing that needs to happen. He’s been busy at work (in fact, he’s there today working overtime) and with other things. Such is adult life. 😉

What Sarah’s Been Up To: Mainly just my normal stuff: mom-ing, piano-teacher-ing, and the like. I did host my monthly book club meeting which was fun as always.

What Joseph’s Been Up To: He’s been busy at school (and wouldn’t have it any other way) but loves his down time.

What Abigail’s Been Up To: She gave me a real run for my money the other night by refusing to go to bed. She didn’t throw a huge tantrum or anything, but just quietly and firmly told me she wasn’t going to go. Because I want her room to be a safe space and not viewed as confinement, I finally told her she could lay down on the bean bag chair in the loft. I then plunked myself down on the couch and waited. Pretty soon she was asleep and I carried her into her room. Another night, I woke up to noises in her room. I poked my head out and saw that her light was on. She was happily playing. At 2 o’clock in the morning. Paul dragged the extra mattress into her room and she and I laid down on it until she decided she needed more room, so she climbed back into her bed. Once she was solidly asleep, I stealthily snuck out and back into my own bed. Thankfully last night she slept all night.

This Week in Pictures:

I needed fresh lemon zest for the cookies I made for my book club meeting, but didn’t want the lemons to go to waste, so I picked up a hand juicer (with the plan to make lemonade). This thing is pretty efficient at getting the juice out and I love that it comes with a container to catch the juice.
This is what happens when you don’t want to go to bed but Mom lays down the law and says you can’t play with toys, either. You sit in the bean bag chair until you fall asleep.
The morning after her last stand against bedtime was full of snuggles.
Playing with the car garage that once belonged to Joseph. This thing is still in incredible shape and is still incredibly fun to play with.
Swinging on her new swing.
She was really loving it! It has a full back like a baby swing, but it’s more open in the front so that it’s easier for us to get her in and out. The chain comes across to keep her from falling out.
She got cold, so we had to go and bundle up. Then she was ready for the slide.
“Making a fire” with some of the sticks left over from Paul’s most recent tree pruning.
Spring is on its way!

Valentine’s Day Fun

Weekly Happenings: This past week was rather uneventful with the exception of Friday, which was Valentine’s Day. Friday was full of fun for Joseph at school and then after Paul got home from work, we exchanged gifts and then went out to eat. It was a nice time, for sure!

The Weekly Weather: It’s been typical February weather: a humid cold that just seems to suck the warmth from your very bones, haha. I think that’s why it’s my least favorite month, weather-wise.

What Paul’s Been Up To: He’s been taking it easy, resting his finger as much as he can. He should be able to get the stitches out in a couple of days.

What Sarah’s Been Up To: Not too much out of the ordinary on my part.

What Joseph’s Been Up To: He enjoyed Valentine’s Day at school and has also enjoyed utilizing a little “book nook” I set up in his room that has pillows to make it nice and cozy. He’ll sit there and read for quite a bit.

What Abigail’s Been Up To: She’s been saying some pretty funny things. Just one example: she came up and told me that her teeth were stuck and that she needed to go to the doctor so that they could take them out.

This Week in Pictures:

I made my nails pretty for Valentine’s Day.
She asked for juice and snuggled right into the newly-vacant spot that was created as I was starting to get up to get some for her. When I got back, she told me “no thank you” when I offered her the juice. I think she discovered a way to procure a pre-warmed seat on a chilly day and that I got played, haha.
Paul’s wood chipper came in a huge box.
The kids enjoyed making it into a playhouse…
…and a rocket ship.
When I realized just how grimy my piano keys have gotten (10 extra sets of hands playing the piano every week tends to do that), I went to town and cleaned them really well. It looks like a whole new piano!
I want to be on whatever team she’s on…I would be kind of scared to go up against her, to be honest, haha.
Abigail watching one of her favorite shows.
It’s a reboot of one of my favorite shows when I was little. Luckily, the humor is still as age-appropriate and fun (sometimes that doesn’t happen with reboots).
Playing with her Little People house and school.
Unwrapping her present from Paul. He got her a little box with a balloon, tiny teddy bear, and some candy. He got me one as well (they were a fundraiser for a group at his work). Abigail has since absconded with both balloons. 🙂
Paul got me pearl earrings to match the necklace I got from my mom quite a few years ago. She bought it, wore it for a little while, and then set it aside to give to me. She said that she did that so that I would have a piece of jewelry that she had worn. I love my momma!
Paul also brought home flowers and chocolate. I have now discovered that 86% cacao is a bit too bitter for plain eating (at least to my taste buds), so I popped it into the pantry for when I need bittersweet chocolate for baking. He also brought home some 70% which was perfect. 🙂
Paul even brought home flowers for Abigail (another fundraiser at work). Before you think the boys got left out, they didn’t. Paul brought Joseph some Kit Kats and purchased a digital copy of an inexpensive Switch game. I got Paul a monocular which is kind of like binoculars but is only one lens. He can even attach it to his phone and take pictures (which will reflect the magnification).
She told me her jammies and slippers were “so sparkly and beautiful.” 😍
All ready for church!
Oh, how I love these two!
She wanted one more picture. She’s saying “cheese” but has her mouth full of pancake. 😂
I had to get a close-up of her shoes because I think they’re so stinkin’ cute!