This momma's been flyin' solo since Wednesday, when the hubs headed west to a spine conference out in Phoenix. The boys and I have had plenty of fun, but I'd be lyin' if I didn't say we missed Daddy and are pretty darn thrilled he'll be home late tonight. As a resident's wife, I'm fairly accustomed to doing things on my own, but four days is a long time -- for all of us! Can't wait to be a family of four again tomorrow morning. :)
Brett often reads the blog to stay up-to-date on what his wife and kiddos have been up to. So, for his sake, here's a peek at how we kept busy while he was doin' his doctor thang...
Tuesday was actually the day before Daddy left town, but I'll include a recap anyway. :) Kaiser had his second appointment at the dentist, and once again he did a fantastic job. My boy was polite, listened, and cooperated with every step of the short exam and cleaning. Dr. Aaron said his teeth looked excellent, and they'll wait until our next visit to try to take x-rays.
Waiting patiently to be seen.
Got the spinning toothbrush this time!
Mostly wandered around, stopping now and then to check on Big Bro.
You can tell I'm getting older, because I can't for the life of me recall what all we did on Wednesday, other than the fact that Kaiser had school that morning. While he was busy learning and playing, Porter and I ran to get gas, pick up a couple of groceries, mail Christmas cards, pick up a gift card, drop off dry cleaning, and return a Redbox movie. Ahh, productivity!
Lookin' sharp in his track suit.
Thursday I decided it was high time we get a fresh selection of reading material, so a trip to the library was in order.
"Lemme just finish up this yogurt, and I'll be ready to go!"
Since we didn't have any other pressing plans, I let the boys play for about an hour in the library's children's area before we headed home for lunch. At first it was pretty crowded, but after a while several families left, so Kaiser and Porter had just about all of the toys at their disposal.
My little builder.
Does it shock you that he makes a beeline for this any time we are there?
Go, Porter, go!
Playing in the dinosaur "cave".
That night Kaiser was excited to learn that we were going over to Mr. Steve's and Miss Elizabeth's for our small group Christmas party. Last year was tacky Christmas, and this year I learned via email (we've been gone due to travel, Thanksgiving, etc.) that it was an open couples costume theme. I am not a good dresser-upper, so I ended up going as my absent husband.
Dr. Braly, at your service.
(I also carried in some fake bones and had an OU scrub cap tucked in my back pocket. You know, to make myself more authentic.)
It turned out that of the couples who did dress up, everyone's getup was Christmas-related. Yeah, clearly I wasn't smart enough to pick up on that... Oh, well. At least I was comfortable! I did a horrible job taking pictures of the shindig, but it was a fun one. Lots of delicious food, great conversations, and even a fun game of White Elephant with a surprise "We're having a baby!" announcement! Yay!
Those wacky Vermont lumberjacks. Love them!
Porter's become quite fond of Pastor Doug here lately.
Clearly my boys are feeling the absence of Daddy.
Kacia showing off the hard liquor she opened...which was later stolen.
Julia displaying her classy gift.
All of us, minus three spouses.
As always, only some of us got the "crazy pic" memo.
I was having so much fun with friends, it was after 10:30 before I finally woke up the boys, loaded up the car, and took them home. Thanks once again for being such wonderful hosts, Steve and Elizabeth!
Friday was another school day for Kaiser J. It makes me so happy to see him excited to go see his teachers and friends two mornings a week. (Who am I kidding? He's probably pumped up about getting a snack, too.)
Cheesin' it up bigtime.
That afternoon before naptime, the boys and I had some fun "making cookies" with Play-Doh and some Christmas cookie cutters I picked up at Dollar Tree. I figured it was a trial run for having Kaiser help make real cookies, hopefully sometime next week!
Aside from the purple nose distraction, he stayed pretty focused!
Bottom left pic is his "What do you mean, I can't eat the Play-Doh?" face.
Later that night, we had the special treat of taking care of Miss Harlow London while her mommy and daddy went to a work Christmas party! I was excited to get a girl fix from this sweetheart, and Kaiser was looking forward to showing his trucks to "Baby Hah-woe", too. We had tons of fun with our little friend, and though they were all very well behaved, it gave me an appreciation for how much harder three kids is than two -- especially when you're doing it alone, and it's bedtime. :)
Watching the boys finish up their dinner.
Some of the many faces of HLH.
Kaiser trying to impress her with his musical skillz.
Porter was diggin' it.
Giving a dump truck a "wash-down".
Porter's learning table (minus the legs) was a huge hit.
"What is this kid doing in a basket?"
Not feelin' her acorn squash.
"I'd much rather suck on this wet rag, Miss K."
A friendly debate over the rights to play this piano.
Does it get any cuter than these three in their jammies?
Kaiser and Harlow got some one-on-one time while I laid down Porter.
She just may be my favorite girl in all the land.
Come bedtime, Lil Miss was none too pleased that I was not her momma (Let's face it: A warmed-up bottle's just not the same!), so I got to practice some of my soothing skills to get her to sleep. It took a while, but I still got it! And when Kacia woke her up to take her home later that night, Harlow gave me some of her crazy huge grins, so I know she still loves me. :) Can't wait to keep her again!
We were looking forward to the family Christmas party at North Way Oakland on Saturday morning. I was sad that Brett couldn't join us, but with the help of some sweet friends I managed to keep tabs on the boys, and we of course had lots of fun.
Warming themselves by the "fire" in the lobby.
(P.S. How do you like their matchy-matchy pearl snaps, courtesy of Jefe and Nana?!? I couldn't resist, they looked too festive!)
Staff and volunteers led fun Christmas carols and performed a skit about the virtue of the month, generosity.
Kaiser was enthralled.
As was his brother.
Tavin was less than enthused, but hung in there.
Koen rocking the air guitar with his daddy during "Joy to the World".
After the performance, the kids were free to play games and do crafts that were set up at tables throughout the sanctuary. The boys both enjoyed the "Frosty Toss" game, and spent a while throwing snowballs through the snowman's hat.
Nice smile/grimace.
The wee one gets a boost from a sweet helper.
Waiting for his turn in the bounce house. (He promptly climbed back out.)
Decorating a foam Christmas tree.
Even better than that, eating a Christmas tree cookie he decorated.
Together we made this adorable wooden Christmas tree...
...which now hangs above our kitchen table!
I hoped that after such a big morning, the kiddos would take great naps. Not so much. Both of them were awake around 3:30, and though Porter was okay to hang in his crib for a bit longer, I let Kaiser come downstairs. We read a couple of his new library books together, and then I suggested that he decorate his "didgeridoo" (a.k.a. wrapping paper tube) with stickers and crayons.
He was way into that.
Up next, more bracelet-making for friends.
"I remember when rock was young..."
Once the boys finished their dinner, I promptly scooted the munchkins into the bathtub. I thought we'd spice things up tonight with the addition of some of these...
Glow sticks!
A few days ago, I came across this idea on Christine's blog and thought it would go over as well with my boys as it did hers.
Party in da tub!
I was right. Definitely making another trip to Dollar Tree to stock up on these cheap sources of bathtime entertainment!
Well, I guess that about wraps it up. Now I'm sitting on the couch, trying to keep my eyes open so that I can greet my much-missed man when he walks through the door. Any minute now... ;)
