Monday, December 2, 2013

Noticing {Day 30 and an Extra}

On Saturday, part of our Central group met in Ellensburg for lunch. I met a few girls in North Bend and we rode over together. We met the rest at the Yellow Church Cafe for a nice (loud) lunch. The service was possibly the slowest I'd ever encountered, but it made time for more catching up, and more belly laughs.

We met because one of us is having a rough patch. So, we picked a day that worked for most and made the drive (half of us are on this side of the mountains; the other, not).

I feel so blessed to have this group of friends. No, beyond blessed. To be a part of these women who support each other so much, and would make a four hour round trip drive (if they weren't already out of town) to meet for lunch to support a friend. I am lucky to know them, and I'm lucky to have ended up at Central during my college journey.


Jeff had already made plans for the day, so the girls went to Grandma and Grandpa's. They had a blast -- making and decorating sugar cookie cut-outs, and when I got there to pick up, they were in their bedroom with the light off, eating popcorn and watching the lights from their stuffed animals. I was told to leave when I opened the door. ;)

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Thankful for good, trustworthy neighbors who watch out for us. Three doors down noticed a package on our doorstep and knew we were out, so he took it and left a note because there has been a lot of package theft with the holidays (not in our area, to my knowledge). Said he hoped he wasn't being too forward -- I said you go ahead and be forward -- reminders that there are plenty of good people in this world.

Thankful for finding just the right gifts. These two books showed up on Zulily a few weeks ago. Kaitlyn always tells me, "I love you bigger than the earth/world!" and I told the girls a little while back, as they were tossing pennies in a fountain, that they were my wishes come true. Perfect.



Mr. Elf is back. The girls are SO excited (particularly K). Austen is slightly disgusted because when he filled their advent calendars, he put a Squinky in the first one, and a piece of gum in the second. She was expecting another Squinky this morning, dammit. Ahh...the Christmas spirit from a 3 year old.

His presence doesn't make them behave any better, but they sure do love having him. He is sledding down the banister as we speak.



I stayed up until about one in the morning the night Mr. E came. I do my best work when I make it past that tired point and into the delirium. The house got decorated as Chevy Chase and his crew had their Christmas Vacation.


"Mr. Elf is here!!"

 Jeff found a couple of my mini trees in the garage and brought them up for the girls. They are resourceful little things and went right to work decorating them (without bending the branches down...kinda of a Grinch look).




 Austen continues to steal my phone and practice her photography. She'll take a picture, then immediately flip to the camera roll to scroll through. I think she thinks she's pretty big stuff.


We rearranged the girls' rooms this weekend. Both Jeff and I used to love doing this as kids (still finding out new hubby trivia after nine years). So fun. They need some more organizing, but the girls are over the moon.


Austen gave me a pedi this morning:


They were fighting ten minutes before having a good hour stretch of play. I was, again, told to leave the room...


Both girls got overdue haircuts today. I feel better.

Austen before and after:


K after -- oops!


An unexpected two eggs in the far right nesting box:


The expected one egg in the far left:


And a creepy soft-shelled egg that I'd read about but not seen (yes, I'm putting this on my blog):


Equals...four layers! Hopefully the softy will figure itself out. I *think* that can be common for beginners. I'll watch it for a bit and supplement feed if needed.

And this one was a little funky, too (but hard):


!!!!


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