Winter 2020-2021

 As I post this I think I can officially declare winter is over! And boy have so many things happened!

First we got back from Indiana and got our first BIG Christmas tree. It was at least a couple of feet larger than any previous year, and well worth having to cut off the top :) GORDIE LOVES CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. We spent the month of December decorating, eating treats, going for Christmas light walks, drives, decorating gingerbread, watching tons of Christmas movies, and seeing Santa at daycare. 

Then the day after Christmas Sarah (Mark's sister) and her family arrived in MN and we got to spend several weeks enjoying their company. We sled, played in the snow (that finally arrived!), ate good food, and had a NYE party. In a time where everything had re-shut down again due to Covid, it felt good to feel a little bit of "normalcy". Which was much needed since hockey shut down the weekend after it started, school went to distance learning, and Zoom calls felt longer than ever!

The new year brought.... A NEW CAR! We finally became a mini-van family. AND BOY DO WE LOVE it. Dean said he could live in it! Hah. They were SO glad mommy finally got a car big enough for our family, that fit us without squishing our hands so hard to get people into carseats. We also had dentist appoinments, snow forts, Super Bowl snacks (our family only), got back to in-person school, hockey started again (no spectators), celebrated Valentine's day, and GOT VACCINATED! 

February our sweet boy turned ONE. I can't believe it. He still didn't walk, but he was so excited for his birthday! He had his favorite, banana cake, and got so spend time with cousins and Nana and papa. Also still wasn't saying any words, but he definitely let us know what he needed ;)

In February we also got a NEW FRIDGE, and started looking at houses. Now we aren't on the market, and do love our home, but we know that we wouldn't mind a little more space some day. The market is INSANE right now, so we are not expecting anything right away, but have started painting rooms, updating any last appliances, and just deep cleaning (easy to do with my Norwex). The boys continued loving school and daycare (Sports day anyone?) I continued teaching OULA outside, Gordie tasted his first chocolate and Cici continued to put up with all of us. 

Then our last "real" winter month, March. And honestly, for as insane as 2020 was, the winter was VERY manageable. It never got crazy cold, we never got a ton of snow, and we really got to just try and survive a full year of "pandemic" life. We took boys to the grocery store for the first time, started having playdates (sometimes in people's houses), felt safe hugging friends (post double Vaccine of course) and even planned a trip to Texas! But first the boys needed hair cuts!

Texas was everything we needed it to be. While there was definitely anxiety around flying for the first time post pandemic, nonetheless with THREE kids, one who had never flown, it was all worth it. Our in-laws had a house right on the beach and we got to thaw out, take in the salty breeze, and the boys enjoyed their first ocean experience. We didn't go anywhere or do anything (besides a ferry ride) but it was magical nonetheless. (Aside from Benny cracking his head open, a baby who refused to sleep or be put down, rattlesnakes in the tall grasses, fights from children..... j/k I'll stop now :) )

So that brings us to now.

Dean-Is becoming quite a big kid. He LOVES sports more than anything and now that it's getting warm requires us to play baseball with him in the yard daily! I'm so excited for the season to start next month, along with Soccer! He loves his teacher, his school, his friends, Pokemon, drawing, and reading. He has taken off with reading so many graphic novels (all inappropriate for his age) but we are just happy to have a reader. He's still only lost 2 teeth but claims MANy are wiggly. I can't believe he will be 7 in about a month! Fave quote: "So essentially when a mom has a baby it comes out their butt?"

Benny-Is a handful, but so silly and sweet. The things he says just make us burst into laughter every single day. He never stops talking (which can get exhausting) and will shout in his shrill little voice to make sure he is heard. He looks up to his brother more than anything, BUT loves to get a giggle out of Gordie too. He is also obsessed with Pokemon, but still loves Spiderman, and so wishes he knew how to read. BUT HE LOVES BOOKS! And counting. He can count to one hundred one thousand ;) Fave quote: "What are balls? Oh, one time i hit mine on the potty and it hurt REALLY bad". 

Gordie-Little one-year old pandemic baby. He wants to be held by mom or dad most of the time, otherwise wants his paci. He loves walks and his brothers and is getting picky when it comes to food. He LOVES to sleep (finger crossed it doesn't end) and sleeps all night. He stopped breastfeeding this month and just started taking a few steps. He's definitely our latest walker, and talker, but he's starting to say "mama, dada and nana (banana)" regularly. He continues to make us smile and giggle, and usually gets whatever he wants :)