We have been finding a lot of painted rocks around the area that we are in. Susan and the kids thought it would be fun to get in on the action.
Painting Rocks
Errands
I took the day off today for Susan’s birthday (tomorrow) which meant that this morning I had a chance to run some errands with the family. It was my first time visiting the laundromat with Susan, which I really enjoyed. We also stopped by a cool grocery store in Twisp. The owner is an avid hunter and he has animals from around the world on display.
Helping with dinner
Lucia Singing
Garage Sale – Weekend 2
Garage Sale – Weekend 1
Today and yesterday were the first days of our garage sale. We sold some stuff and will have plenty more to sell next week. In preparation for our big trip we have decided to sell most things, rather than pack them, so we are really clearing out.
Quick Life Updates
- Our house is now under contract. We are through the inspection phase and ready to get moving! We are scheduled to close before the end of May. Right now we are thinking we will stay with family in DM after we sell our house, to give us a more peaceful transition to the RV, which we still need to buy.
- Due to the fast timeline of our move, we have decided not to get a puppy until we get back. There is much sadness around the issue, but it would have been too much in such a tight timeframe.
Soccer Season
Soccer season is in full swing. It runs pretty much all of April and May. The older kids are having fun seasons. The little girls like to play, too, though they won’t be on formal teams for a few years still.
We’re getting a dog (maybe)!
We have been thinking about getting a dog for several reasons. Susan has been doing some research and found a great opportunity just north of Des Moines, in Ames. She had been looking for Golden Doodles and found a couple who bred their dog, rather than a professional breeder. To seal the deal, the mother dog’s name was Bailey, which was the name of Susan’s dog.
We went to Ames today to meet the couple and the mother dog. The puppies were still too young to hold.
Unititled
As Rose grows up, I am aware that we are passing through many phases of parenting. When Susan and I had our first apartment together we set up one room as a nursery, but within a few days of Andrew being born we realized that room would never be used. All of our kids slept with us in their earliest years, gradually moving from our bed to the mattress beside our bed, eventually moving to another room.
For the past few weeks Rose has been on the move. She has been nursing less frequently and we decided it was time to night wean her. This means that she can move to the mattress on the floor and when she wakes up at night I cuddle with her to get her back to sleep. We also decided that it is time for her to start going to sleep laying down.
Historically we got her to sleep in the Boba, our carrier. This worked well and we still use this technique for naps. We moved Lucia back into our room and she and Lucia go to sleep at the same time. I lay in between them. Eventually I will move to a chair, to a chair by the door, to a chair in the hallway, to a goodnight kiss. I am ready for this transition, but it is definitely bittersweet.
Monday Afternoon Bikeride
Christmas Break
Similar to last year, we are getting some projects done around the house over Christmas break. This year we painted both kids’ rooms, cleaned out the storage room, and replaced the wet bar countertop with a new sinkless countertop (and shelves). It has made for a busy break, but also helps us enter the new year with a fresh outlook.
