Monthly Archives: July 2022

After dinner, the boys like to turn the Alexa on loudly and dance/jump on the couches, which usually turns into wrestling, with some yelling mixed in. When their energy goes high, the puppies feel it and they get excited, running around, also jumping on the couches, also wrestling with some barking mixed in.

In the midst of this chaos, Nate and I will lock eyes and whisper to each other, “what do you think Danny is doing right now?” Because my brother and Heather don’t have kids, so I always imagine, regardless of the day or time, that they are sitting down to a relaxing, casual brunch.

We usually take Danny’s name in vain and then SNAP OUT OF IT, because we are outnumbered and need to keep our wits about us. 4 small bodies threaten to overwhelm us at any moment.

Recently, it was in the midst of one of these moments that we looked at each other and said, “ya know what would really round this out?! A teenager!” We’re already living a brunch-free life, so why not add one more?! And so we are getting one!

Ok, ok, that’s not exactly how the whole conversation went down, but come mid-August, we are growing by one as we welcome a 16 year old Japanese boy into our home. Our family is getting a foreign exchange student! MPA needed host families and we thought, “if not us, then who?” We are about as average American family as you can get. And we have a spare room. So, why not?

I am incredibly nervous, but all of the things I’m nervous about have to do with us, not him. Will he like us? Will he be disappointed in our house? Will he be disgusted by the slobbering shedding beasts that lumber around our house regularly making messes?! Will he like my food (has he ever even heard of a meatloaf?!)? Will he be disappointed that our kids aren’t his age? So many MPA families live in mansions, which is very much NOT the case for us. Will he be sad he got stuck with us?

The exchange student coordinator was encouraging and re-assuring and he spent a very long time with Nate and I, providing information, answering our questions and walking us through the process. When he finished our home visit and left, we had several conversations and it finally came down to, yes, this is outside our comfort zone, and yes, this is a huge change, and yes, there are a lot of unknowns, and yes, there will be some challenges… basically the exact same things that we said before we had each baby. BUT- there’s also a lot of potential for learning, fun, growth, joy, and this is something we want to do, so let’s take the leap and do it. And we’ll figure it out along the way.

We had a zoom call with him and his mother Tuesday morning. They were both incredibly sweet and had great questions. It was so nice to “meet” them and I think all of us felt a little less nervous after talking. I am excited for him to arrive.

And I look forward to introducing all of you to him as well. More to come…

We have had nonstop fun this summer. We’ve stayed up late way too many nights, spent so much time with friends, swam almost daily, eaten approximately 1 million freezie pops, gone lots of fun places, played soccer, tee ball, golf, and spent time in swim lessons, and so much more… and it’s only July!

This week was the last week of soccer- the boys enjoyed it a lot, and I ended up enjoying it more than I’d expected, but I am happy to have our Tuesday nights back!

Nate was busy on Wednesday morning, so I got to go to golf lessons with Augustus and it was very fun to see him in action.

Xander did a half day soccer camp at school this week and really enjoyed it! His coaches were very complimentary of his playing and on the last day he got a medal, which he was very excited about.

Nate got to take the boys to swim lessons this week and was super impressed with their progress. We are loving the private lessons and it’s amazing to see how good the boys are doing with the individual attention. I think Xander will be done with lessons after this session, and Augustus is way ahead for a 4 year old.

On Friday we found out that we’d been exposed to covid earlier in the week, so I sent Nanny Shyanna home early and we have had a very low key weekend. Originally we were supposed to be up north with the whole neighborhood, but Sam and Abby’s family ended up quarantining before us, so the cabin weekend got cancelled. It was a huge bummer that the cabin got cancelled, but we got lucky that our quarantine weekend came when our calendar was empty.

So far, none of us has any symptoms and I’ve tested negative twice. But I have been more tired than usual (am I a 40 year old mom or do I have covid?!) and the boys just seem “off”- kind of tired, kind of blah, no symptoms, but my mom-radar is alerting me that they seem weird… I don’t know if our incredibly busy summer has finally caught up to all of us and we’re all just tired and needing a weekend of family snuggling on the couch, or if we are about to get walloped with covid. As a hypochondriac, I keep expecting the worst, but I think it’s probable that we are all just needing a weekend of rest.

Sunday has been a day for chocolate chip pancakes, wearing pjs all day, unlimited screen time, more freezie pops, and lots of puppy snuggles. I’m hopeful for a healthy week ahead!

I have been VERY fortunate to work with an amazing event planner who refers clients to me and then sends me GORGEOUS photos of my cookies at events. I absolutely love seeing how they look at the events.

This week, the boys went to day camp! My first distinct memory of attending day camp when I was a kid was standing off to the side of field games, arms crossed, staring at the counselors thinking, “I’m not playing that dumb game, but I would like to get my hands on one of those clipboards.” And then years later (2000!), my first ever job was as a YMCA day camp counselor and I finally got to be in charge. After working in camping for 21 years, one might think I would have been super chill about dropping the boys off at camp, but I was a nervous wreck!

One might also think I would have been a prepared camp parent, buying white tee shirts long before camp began (knowing full well that they would be tie dying). But I didn’t. And so on Monday night, Xander was adamant that he didn’t want a pillow case (which you could purchase at camp for $10), rather, he would like a bandana. I said, “but Xan, I don’t have a white bandana”, to which he replied, “can’t you go to the store before you go swimming tomorrow?” I swim at 6:45am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so, actually I could go. Tuesday morning, I was in the Walmart parking lot at 5:57am, waiting for the doors to open so I could get white bandanas for my special snowflakes. But here’s the thing- I got 2 tee shirts and 2 bandanas for $7, which is a far better deal than 2 pillow cases for $20. Plus, it felt like penance for being a camp parent slacker.

Tuesday-Thursday, Shyanna came to our house (even though the boys were at camp) to be my assistant. I wanted to make sure she still got paid, even though the boys were gone, and she happens to be INCREDIBLY organized and good at a million things. She transformed our house! She was like a fairy godmother, swirling through my basement. I actually screamed when I went down there to see her work! She transformed the playroom. She helped me with a bunch of little tasks. She took so much weight off my shoulders that I didn’t even realize was weighing me down. I was SO grateful!

Tuesday night was soccer and even though the boys were tired from being at camp all day, they made it through their games. Wednesday night was tee ball and again- tired boys, but Xander made it through. The boys went to bed as soon as they showered and put on pjs. Nate and I went to the new Wednesday happy hour and stayed up until midnight again! SO late, but it was so so fun!

Thursday night, Sean’s band was playing at 8pm. We had 2 tired boys, but after dinner and early showers (and blow drying their hair), we decided to try it. They hung in pretty well- getting super dirty, running around, enjoying ice cream and we even saw Xander’s kindergarten teacher! They were EXHAUSTED by the time we got home, but it was such a fun night.

On Friday, we had 2 VERY tired boys, but they headed off for their last day of camp. Xander ended up winning an award, which he was VERY excited about! It was a great first week and hopefully there will be many more camp experiences for them in the future.

Nate dropped them off because I left at the same time, headed for a different camp. It was YMCA Camp Menogyn’s 100th anniversary weekend and 380 of Menogyn’s most passionate alumni headed to the woods to celebrate. Menogyn is a 5 hour drive away, and on an island. So once I parked, I was shuttled to a dock, where I got on a pontoon. Quite a journey! But oh my gosh, what an amazing weekend. It was my first time there and I was so grateful to be able to experience it. I heard (not exaggerating) 100 or more amazing stories from the 1950s-present day. It was a joyful weekend of listening to memories and being moved by the spirit of camp. The food was amazing. The event was incredibly well run. The camp director of that camp is a bit of a legend and it was fun to watch her in action. It was such a pleasure to be able to be part of it. I am very lucky to have such a cool job that lets me do things like this.

On Saturday, while I was busy meeting camp alumni and soaking in the sun, Augustus was at the spa! He was invited to a spa themed birthday party and he loved it. Luckily, I was getting a play by play from another mom, because I was really sad to miss out! His fingers and toes look beautiful!

While Gussie was being pampered, Nate and Xander hit up legoland. Later in the day, Augustus built his first lego set all by himself, while Xander also built a big set. Nate and the boys met up with neighbors for dinner out.

Today was a full morning of camp celebrating for me, and then 5 hours in the car! The boys were at Grandma Debbie’s house, including a trip to McDonalds. I got home right before dinner and then it was back outside for the boys. I didn’t get any photos, but there was a very fun water fight with Sam, Abby, Emmet and Olive and our boys. Everyone was completely soaked! I had an incredible weekend but was happy to be home! I missed my men, my puppies and my bed (although the bunk bed I spent the weekend in was surprisingly comfortable!).

2 super crazy weeks and 2 very full weekends away, as of Tuesday, we were back to normal. Have I mentioned once or one million times how much I love a routine and a schedule?! It bears repeating.

On Tuesday, I packed a picnic lunch and Shyanna took the boys to Matthew’s Park for some playground time, a picnic lunch and wading pool. They had such a blast and I got a TON of work done that day.

At soccer that night, a lot of kids were still on vacation from July 4 so Xander’s team was short a handful of players. They asked if Augustus wanted to move up and he was thrilled! At one point, he said, “best night ever!” Brothers on defense! Their team got walloped, but we were excited because the only goal of the night was scored by Augustus!

Wednesday was the day that our busy schedule hit the boys like a freight train. When Shyanna arrived, they were a mess of melt downs and crabbiness. When they were finally dressed and ready to go (she was going to take them to the park), they both threw their shoes and refused to move. I sent them both back to bed. Luckily, our 20 year old nanny is unflappable, kindly saying, “they seem really tired. I am going to set up a craft for when they come back downstairs.” They eventually turned it around, but we ended up skipping tee ball that night and going to bed early.

We’ve still been swimming a lot. “Let’s play that game where you beat us up” is a direct quote from my sweet 4 year old. They like to wrestle and get tossed around.

Thursday was another normal day- the boys and Shyanna went to the park, I got tons of work done again, and everything was just very regular and uneventful (you know it’s quiet when I have no pictures to show for the day!).

Friday was a PTO day for me and the boys. We started the day at the YMCA (I had a training appointment and the boys got to play at the childcare). At the last minute, swim lessons got cancelled, so we headed off for our adventure of the day. At the beginning of the summer I made a long list of fun things I wanted to do. We haven’t done very many yet, so today was the day. Fawn-Doe-Rosa is an animal sanctuary about an hour away. We petted and fed deer, goats, llamas, and so many more animals. It is such a magical place. Afterwards, we got some ice cream in Taylor’s Falls and then headed to Franconia Sculpture Park for some exploring. The boys were very hot and tired by the time we got home! We jumped right into the pool to cool off and play.

After dinner, the neighborhood gathered in front of our house for happy hour. The kids decided they wanted to be bartenders, so they created their own drink (water, lemon, and a floating strawberry… also probably some kid sneezes). They mixed it at Sam and Abby’s house and then carried it down in a water bottle and served it to everyone. It was pretty cute and probably to be expected since they’ve all been attending weekly happy hour for as long as they can remember.

On Saturday, the boys went to Grandma Debbie’s house for an overnight stay. They went to the movie theater to see Thor, they ordered pizza, made lots of crafts. They were so happy! Nate and I went out for Thai food and then had fancy drinks on the patio of the Lexington. Afterwards, we came home and had some drinks on our patio. And after that, we went to our neighbor’s house for a few more drinks until midnight. It was a very relaxing, fabulous night and I am so grateful to my mom for giving us these nights off. I am convinced it makes me a better mom, a more relaxed human overall, and obviously the boys are thrilled, so everyone’s lives are improved by these special nights.

Nate and I slept in this morning and drank our morning coffee outside while relaxing. Then we got some projects done and groceries bought and put away. I picked the boys up around 2 and they spent the entire afternoon with Sam and Abby, running back and forth between the 2 houses until I dragged them in for dinner, and then back outside until I dragged them in for bathtime. Nate met some friends for evening golf and the boys went to bed early! We are loving summer so much.

This week, the boys head to day camp… I’m excited and also a little nervous. They seem to just be excited.

What a crazy 2 weeks. After returning from Grandview last weekend, we had a pretty normal week- Grandma Debbie’s house for the boys on Monday, Shyanna at our house with them Tuesday-Thursday. Tuesday was soccer and the boys were both pretty tired. They were dragging, but Augustus scored a goal, despite not really being into it.

On Wednesday night, Xander had tee ball, but the highlight was after the game when him, Sam and Harvey (X’s buddies who are on both soccer and tee ball teams with him) got to trade pokemon cards. I think we could have skipped tee ball altogether and just let them focus on Pokemon (we’re planning a pokemon play date soon). After tee ball and getting the boys to bed, Nate and I went down to Kelly and Silas’s porch for a special Wednesday happy hour. I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time- it was so fun! We stayed out there until midnight (for reference, I like to be in bed by 9pm!). We have the best best neighbors.

Monday-Thursday this week, Xander went to half day art classes at his school. He made some clay sculptures, painted, and made a diorama of his room- he really enjoyed it and I love to see the things he creates. Thursday afternoon, we went to a nearby park for a going away party for one of the teachers at Kinderberry. Maggie was both Xander and Augustus’s teacher when they were 2&3 years old. We all LOVED her- she is so wonderful and one of my favorite teachers of all time. It was nice to be able to honor her as she moves onto her next adventure. Augustus was thrilled because ALL of his buddies were there. He is such an extrovert and I think he’s really missed being in a big group of friends. We were there for over 2 hours and could have stayed all night if it was up to Gussie. Friday morning was playtime at the Y childcare while I worked out and then swim lessons. Swim lessons are intense and she’s working them really hard. But they are making a lot of progress and I’m proud of them!

After swim lessons, we loaded up the car and drove 5 hours to Denison, Iowa for the Jones Family reunion. This was Nate’s mom’s family’s side. I always get nervous about long car rides because both Xander and I get carsick quickly. Also, as an introvert, these intense 4 day visits are super overwhelming to me, so my anxiety is always high going into visits. But Nate’s family is truly the best and we had such a wonderful time. We got into town and went over to his aunt and uncle’s house to see everyone. The boys were so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa, and SO happy to see their baby cousin.

Saturday was the reunion, which was over 40 people- all of Nate’s aunts and uncles, cousins, cousins’ kids, as well as other relatives as well. There was SO much good food (a true midwest potluck with all sorts of whipped cream based “salads”), kids for the boys to run around with, and the weather was amazing. Our sister-in-law Angela is a photographer and so we had planned a red, white and blue themed photo shoot. She did an AMAZING job and got so many great pictures!

On Sunday, we headed to the Denison aquatic center, which, despite being such a small town, was a fabulous waterpark! We swam for hours, racing down the waterslides a million times. The boys jumped off the diving board about 100 times. Xander practiced diving (with some guidance from Grandma Renee). It was SO fun!! We went to a few different parks. Grandma Renee had some craft projects for the boys. We hung out, relaxed. It was such a wonderful weekend!

Our drive home flew by and we got home around 2. I like to unpack immediately and get the laundry done before anything else. I ran to get groceries and 45 minutes after getting home, the boys and I were in the pool. I am convinced that they could be in the water 24/7 and it wouldn’t be enough. Shyanna took good care of the puppies, but after 2 weekends away, they were very needy for some snuggles. We have a normal week and weekend ahead, so it will be good for everyone to get back on schedule (as much as we can call it that this summer!).

Some of the awesome family photos-