Tuesday: school starts

Classes started for me today.  It ended up being a slightly busy day due to an orientation for lab, but I felt like I was much more in control than I was last semester on the first day.  I'm not completely sure why this is, as I didn't have a key to the new cabinet for my class and so had to teach in an offset location...it was hard to see the students as well to see if they were following along.  I think I only put two students to sleep. :D  To be fair, the first day is rather boring.

Cruise: day 2 - island

The second day on the cruise we went to Castaway Cay, which is Disney's island.

Well, the day actually started with an early wake up call by the boys.  We had even stayed up late the night before, so I was hoping they would sleep in.  A futile hope.  We had gotten some small chocolate squares the night before and the boys wanted to eat them.  So we explored the ship a bit, realizing that we were walking at the same speed but in the opposite direction the boat was going, while trying to find a nice place to eat them.  We ended up at the back of the boat, in the adults only lounge that was open, but not really.  The chocolate was enjoyed by all.

We continued to explore the ship and found the mini-golf.  Joshua and mini golf did not work.  He wanted to do it by himself and wasn't doing it correctly.  Needless to say, we only did it for two holes.  Then the fusball tables were opened up so we went over there.  Isaac and I enjoyed playing and Joshua enjoyed getting the balls from the goals and putting them in the table.  It worked.

We had a delicious breakfast with Ben and then went off the boat.  We had some pictures with characters and then found some beach chairs.  The boys played for a bit and Ben and I relaxed with our books.

After lunch we went back to the boat for rest time.  There was something fun for the kids in the late evening, and we told them they had to take a nap if they wanted to participate.  We followed it up by ice cream.

After a nice dinner we went to the nightly show.  It was a juggling/hula hoop/unicycle show and quite enjoyable.  All the cousins got their pjs on and went down for Pluto's Pajama Party.  We met Pluto in the hallway, which scared Joshua at first and then we calmed him down and he enjoyed it.  I think he somewhat enjoyed the party while he was there, but he seemed to greatly enjoy talking about it afterwards.  The adults went and relaxed together for a bit, which was nice; it was the only time that we managed to do that.

Toes

How is it, that when I get into bed my toes get colder?  Periodically I'll go to bed significantly before Ben (say, 2 hrs) and when he comes to bed my toes are still cold.

I have a toe warmer that I microwave, but it still makes me wonder. 

Weekend: DeYoung Christmas

On Friday Isaac had to go to school.  :(  With all the snow we had been hoping to go outside, but it was rather cold out...often in the single digits or low teens, without the wind factored in.  So we went to an indoor playground instead.

Once Isaac got home we opened presents.

Joshua was super excited for a Lego Firetruck set.  We read the book over and over and over.  He made the first car with Dad, and as they were putting the first person together Joshua said, "That is Ben.  He goes down the pole with his teddy bear," which is just what the story told.

Saturday we tried out Square Play Cafe, a new play area/coffee shop.  It was perfect.  The kids had a great time and we met Aunt C there for a few hours.

After rest time the eldest kids went to the workshop at Hope College.  Isaac tried out his new drill.

It worked best when I steadied it for him, but that could be due to poor setup...he could have used a taller step stool.

He also used the drill press to make a pencil holder.

And of course, he and Evelyn got to run up and down the halls a few times.  As Nathan put it, "A rite of passage" as we did it many, many times.

The ipad was out when we got home and all the kids gravitated towards it.

We played many games...there were four new ones for Christmas, along with some other ones to try out.  Outfoxed was a hit with Evelyn.

 

Three of the cousins had a sleepover every night in Isaac's room.  (Jameson really wanted to join.  Probably soon, poor guy.)  There was a lot of bouncing on the beds (before bedtime) and only a few tears.

Sunday morning Joshua fed everyone tons of food.  He just made a circuit, giving us more and more food.  (And then we had a delicious french toast bake that Pat brought over.  I think he was anticipating it.)

As always, it was very nice to see everyone again!  Joshua and Evelyn felt closer in age this trip than they have in the past.  We weren't sure if the six months that separates them is becoming not as important or if it is because Isaac seems so much older.  JJ had changed a ton too since I saw him last!  He'll be out of the toddler and into the small kid before we know it.  It's fun to watch the cousins interact and enjoy each other's company.

Thursday: family's here

Nathan and his family showed up today!  Yay!

Hmm, I had a picture of some shenanigans, but Blogger won't let me upload it.  The cousins were rather loud and full of energy after dinner.

Wednesday: work and snow

Isaac was back to school today, so Joshua and I also went to work and school.  It was a very productive day for me...I had scheduled myself to work tomorrow too but decided that I don't need to.  (I need to clean the house instead.)

It has been steadily snowing here.  Here is the deck, shown at about Joshua's height...

We need to get the bird feeder out, but that would mean interrupting the nice snow.

Monday: New Year's Day

Today was fine.  Joshua is still having a hard time understanding that he's not on vacation.

The boys did sleep in/watch TV/occupy themselves well this morning.  I got a bit of work done.  Joshua curled up on my lap for a nap...I wasn't in the best spot for this, but at the same time, a sleeping child on your lap is nice.  We went outside for a bit.  Joshua didn't really want to go and then his snow pants were just a bit too short...but that inch makes a big difference in the snow.  Needless to say, he and Ben went back inside promptly.  Isaac and I stayed out for a bit longer until he also got snow in his boots.  (And then I promptly ordered new snow pants for Joshua and new mittens for Isaac!)