Kitchen Update!

 It was a very good kitchen week.  If it weren't for a part the gas guy is waiting on, we would have all functional appliances! We are SO CLOSE!  And it seems like it's getting harder, not easier to wait.

I did use the sink and over a few times this weekend.  I just couldn't wait.  I do need to learn how to use the convention oven.  It is supposed to cook faster?  But on lower heat?  It is a smart oven that wants to do the conversion from regular to convention for me.  Not sure how I feel about that.

Anyway, so exciting.

Fridge is still sitting in the middle of the room because the fridge blocks access to the gas connections.  It has to wait until the gas is hooked up for the range.  We are also paying to re-run the gas to our front room fireplace--there is a leak in the current line somewhere deep inside the rocks.  So we've never been able to use it.  Excited that we will end up another gas fireplace that is functional! 

Microwave, sink, dishwasher, disposal (this last one is one I can't WAIT to have again.)

The backslash is done and grouted.  And I painted.  There isn't much to paint, thankfully (we are paying our painter to do the ceiling).  I was so happy that the color I already had in here still looked good so I didn't have to repaint the family room that is connected.  I found a fabric I am going to use to make a roman shade (I hope) to tie in all the colors I want in this space.  It matched the paint exactly! 

Hood up and functional. Ovens in!  

Where the fridge goes...

The curtain fabric, rug for in front of the sink, and some towels and accessories.  Excited to have blue.  I have had red for my kitchen accent for over 10 years. I'm also thinking about a blue toaster :)

Only about another week or so...can't wait! 

Florida Mid-Winter Break

 When I originally scheduled this trip, I wasn't sure how my sis would be doing after her double mastectomy.  I figured she still wouldn't be able to lift her boys--it's just 5 weeks post surgery. But she is doing really well!  So we did some projecting.  Mostly cleaning and organizing closets and POTTY TRAINING!  It was a pretty good time to potty train little Davy--as he is almost 3 and really ready.  With 3 of us (my sis and brother in law and me) we could keep eyes on him most of the time.  Naked worked out best for him.  The last day I was there he was almost accident free.

I also got to learn more and try more plant based dishes, since Rachel is eating plant based as a part of her healing process.  It was a good reminder.  I have gotten so slack on cooking good whole foods since the kitchen has been down. 

Just love these boys and their mom & dad.  It was really fun to be with them. 

SNOW!

 I was actually really sad to leave during the snow.  There are still lots of remnants here--big snowbanks in parking lots.  But I was also happy to have a week in lovely warm weather.  

A few pics in the snow.

Mom snow angel

Ben snow angel 

Buried Ben 

Buried Ben 

American Gothic Maren

My sledding buddies

Snow selfie

I really do love playing in the snow! 

We did have to drive home from Birch Bay in this pretty intense snow--but Derek's Yukon (now named the Polar Bear) did super great.  Loved it.  We made great time and felt really safe. 

I'll take a snow like this any day since school wasn't cancelled and the power didn't go out.  Hooray!  

Kitchen Updates

 Last Sunday I was on the way to FL, so I didn't blog.  (I guess I could have on the plane, but I was trying to get school stuff done and the internet was dicey even though I paid for the upgrade...so I didn't even think about trying anything else online.)

So there has been lots going on with the kitchen! 

We went to Birch Bay for 3 days so we could be out of the house for the floor refinishing.  It was the first time I really felt like we were living in a dusty, messy work zone.  But they looked amazing when we got home!  

Then while I was in FL--the tile backsplash went up.  It still needs to be grouted, but it is looking good! 

The fridge also arrived.  It's standing in the family room area.  But we are getting closer.  I can't wait! 

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

 When I decided to go to Florida to help Rachel after her mastectomy and during my mid-winter break, I didn't even realize I was flying out on Valentine's day until it was almost upon me.  I managed a little gift for everyone the night before I left. 

I spoke Derek's love language by getting him an Eagle Fang Karate t-shirt and a new nerf gun to replace one of his new ones that broke already.

Ben kept saying that I was going to get everyone swimsuits (since I have done that in the past.) So I got him swim trunks.  

I got Sarah a gift card to Third Place books complete with a shopping trip to pick out her next "classic" (she's into reading classics.)

Libby was super bummed that hers was just a card and a Charleston chew.  But then it had a trip to Glazed and Amazed to do some painting with her friend Izzy.  It will be the most expensive by far (especially because I'll probably paint something too--) but it was worth it because it made her really smile.

Then I flew out and got a sweet Valentine greeting in the airport from my nephews.

I was pretty sad to be leaving my kids for the week--but this made up for it :)

Melt the heart, right? 

Nerf battles & Board Games

 

There have been many nerf battles around here lately.  So much fun for the kids.  So much ammo scattered everywhere.  Thankfully my word of the year is PLAY!  So I have to also be happy when others play. 

Last Sunday Libby freaked out during a game of Code Names.  So--I decided we needed to do some emotional regulation practice by playing a board game every night.  So each kid got to put a game or two on a slip in a jar.  And we played a few rounds of whatever we drew each night.  We played every night except Friday (when I had my marathon meeting).  It was really fun to laugh and play together each night.  We definitely need to do it again. 

Return to school plan...

 This week was a very long one--as the district and union completed negotiations on our return to school plan.  I listened to 3 long meetings for as long as I could handle the first 2.  The final meeting I stuck around to the bitter end so I could vote.  I am very unhappy with the plan in just about every way.  We are doing 1/2 days--which I think will be very very hard for families.  Libby's 1/2 day kindergarten was the worst year of my life. It is so hard to get a kid to school for 2 1/2 hours.  So many many families will end up choosing to stay remote.  And the other piece is that we had 2 plans--one that would keep teachers together with their and allow more synchronous learning.  I would still get to teach all subjects to the students I have been with all year.  Students could choose in person or remote and I would teach both groups simultaneously from my classroom.  That plan was voted down.  So now--huge uncertainty.  What should I choose?  (And it doesn't really matter what I choose necessarily.  Because it will be dictated by what families select ultimately.) If I choose in person instruction I will only teach math and ELA.  But I can teach it to a live in-person audience.  If I choose to stay remote, I might get to teach all subjects to kids who choose 100% remote.  Or I might end up teaching science and social studies only (two of my favorites to teach)--but to mostly asynchronous learners.  And we know how that goes.  No kids do asynch work, especially for a teacher they don't know and who won't even assign them grades.  This plan is so so bad.  My families are losing their minds with the uncertainty.  I don't see how this will work for kids to actually keep learning.  So sad. 

We made these avatar class photos, since we can't do real ones.  I am going to miss these kiddos! 

We have countertops!

This week was an exciting kitchen week.  All but one of our cabinets are in (the last one is still being built after the mistake with the oven measurements--they made sure to get us the base cabinets so the counters and floors could go in).  The countertops were installed on Friday.  Super beautiful quartz.  I love them!  Up this week--the wood floors will be refinished. 

Not all of the drawer fronts are on yet either.  

I think the sink and appliances will be installed this week too.  So so excited!