This is the Life

Day 36.

I only know because I do a daily update to my girl friend in Nebraska :)

I am LOVING this Work at Home life.  We have a great routine, I'm productive with work, and all of the extra snuggles are heaven.

I know I'm in the minority of enjoying Stay At Home, but I feel like I've been planning for this all of my adult life!  Haha.

First up - I spent months waiting (impatiently) for Wal-Mart's Grocery pick and Target's curbside pick up to make it to Helena.   Once it did - I was the biggest advocate and user of their options.  I exclusively grocery shopped through Wal-Mart Grocery for months before COVID.

Secondly - I also use the CVS CarePass option.  I don't think I'll ever go into a CVS again!  Shipped to my home in two days?  Yes please.

I do realize that I'm extremely lucky that I don't have any homeschooling to do.  #wiggydiggy starts kindergarten in the fall, so this time is just unstructured play most of the day.  I do have him work in some workbooks when #biggywigs takes a nap, but his attention span is like a gnats ;)

As an introvert, I'm my best self these days.

So I'll wrap up all of my joy and send it out into the universe to hopefully bring some joy to you too.

Three Weeks

This is the third week I've been working from home.  With the kids.  Alone.

Justin is still going into the office because he's essential (bank officer) and he's the busiest he's ever been.  Which is both a blessing and a curse.

It's hard to be productive with young children interrupting you every 30 seconds.  However, we've started to find a routine that works for us.  There is definitely more screen time than I'd like, but what else am I going to do when I'm on a conference call?  The weather hasn't been cooperating for us either.  We are currently under a winter weather advisory and the boys don't like playing outside for long when it's freezing cold.  Walks aren't as frequent either since the wind still feels like ice.

I've also come to realize that Stay at Home moms have it MADE.  If I wasn't working and just able to spend the days with my boys, we would be having the BEST time.  Making all kinds of delicious food, playing fun games, doing the occasional craft, and taking family naps.  I will forever side eye SAHM's who say it's hard.

Perks to working from home?
Oh yeah, there are a few.

1. Staying in comfy clothes all day.  Slippers, joggers, sweaters.  You name it.  Which leads to...

2. Less laundry.  The boys want to stay in pajamas all day too!  They put on clean pajamas after bath and I have half the amount of clothes to wash.

3. Staying on top of chores.  I love being able to swap laundry between emails and empty the dishwasher during lunch.

4. Getting all of this time with my boys.  I've watched their bond deepen and their ability to play together strengthen.  I love that they have this extra time to focus on family.

5. No makeup, all of the skin care, and working on extending my hair training. #pleasedontfacetime

There are a few cons too
1. My house is messier.  Being home all day means the boys are making messes all day.  Which means I need to mop and wipe everything down every night.
It's a happy trade off.

2. We are paying for a school my kids are not going to.
With me working all day, I'm not homeschooling them either.
So that's fun.

3. Missing my workouts.  I'm not the best at working from home and with my gym closed, it's a total first world problem.  However it did wonders for my mental health.  I need some great home Pilates and Yoga videos.  Suggestions?

4. Meals aren't better than before.
Did I mention I'm still working?  I don't have any extra time to plan fancier meals than what's already on rotation.  I'm still meal planning on the weekends because I work right up to when I need to make dinner, and then sit back down at the computer once Justin gets home finish up.


All in all, I'm so glad that we are home and healthy.  We've been home since March 16th (the boys had a half day at preschool and I had a half day at work) and Justin hasn't had contact with the public at work since March 23rd.  We stocked up pretty well on non-perishables the weekend prior to staying home, but I have a Wal-Mart pickup order for tomorrow.  I pray that I can clean everything before it's brought into the house.  I pray you're all healthy too.

Chicago Part 2

The second part of my training took place the week before Thanksgiving.  Justin and I were fortunate to have my parents come up and stay with the boys for a few days, so Justin and I were able to have a long weekend alone!

I took advantage of the few hours between my class and Justin's arrival to wander around and stumbled upon the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Bloomingdale's and ended up surrounded by ballet dancers!

When Justin arrived we RUSHED to catch the last 13 minutes of the Blackhawks hockey game.
The score was 1-0 when we arrived and 4-2 when it ended.  I think they were just waiting for us to arrive to have the action start!  Haha.

Friday we walked all over the Navy Pier and Magnificent Mile just window shopping and snacking.  We couldn't have timed it better for our weekend in Chicago - it was the weekend the city lights up for the holidays!  There were tree lighting ceremonies and special treats everywhere we went. 

I just loved this church. 

That evening we saw Hamilton (LOVED IT) and indulged in all the treats the Waldorf had for us.

Saturday was Wrigleyville.
Again, we couldn't have planned it better if we had tried.  It was the weekend the Christkindlmarket opened!
AND THEY HAD A SKATING RINK!

FYI - one of my bucket list items is go Ice Skating.

I was in seventh heaven and felt like I was in my own Hallmark movie.  Pure Bliss.

We ended our trip at the Signature Room at the 95th.

Again, timing couldn't have been better - the Light Festival Parade started right after we were seated!  We could see all of the lights and the firework show during our (extremely delicious) dinner.

Our Chicago trip tops my list of best vacations ever.   I hope I get to go back soon.

October Recap

Life is getting busier and it's hard to find time to catch you up!

October sped by and I still can't believe it's November.  I am SO excited for Thanksgiving, but honestly I'm stressed out how I'll coordinate it all.  I'll be in Chicago the entire week prior. 

But let's recap, shall we?

1.

Halloween

#wiggydiggy was Ironman and #biggywigs was The Hulk.  At the last minute before Trick or Treating, #wiggydiggy put his Ant Man costume on.

We Trick or Treated at my work, Justin's work and a nursing home next to my office.  After dinner  Justin took #wiggydiggy down the block.  Just like last year, he was more excited to hand out candy than collect it :)

2.

Pumpkin Carving

Ha!  I love his smile.  Haha.

3.

I Chopped My Hair

8 inches shorter.  Which, is maybe 1-2 inches shorter than I wish it was now.  I can't throw it up into a bun anymore!  Haha.  I love the short length, but yes, miss my bun just as much.  Fingers crossed I'm back to bun length by Christmas.

4.

Girls Weekend

We caught a Montana State football game....and this is the only appropriate photo I can show you.

5.

The last nice weekend of the year

It's cold and snowy now.  With more snow on the way.  Hi Winter!

Oh Hi There

September was busy.

So VERY VERY busy.

I was traveling every week (this week as well!) and while I took copious photos, I just didn't have time to sit and write.  So many amazing and fun things happened this month.  #Biggywigs finally met his GG (my grandma) in Dallas.  He was the only one who hadn't met her yet and I wanted him to get some special time with my aunts as well.   Both boys started their fall classes.  #wiggydiggy moved up to his last Pre-School class and #biggywigs started his Pre-School 2's.

I drove all over this gorgeous state for work.  Thankfully I got most of my travel done before we were hit by a blizzard on September 28th/29th.  That's right, Montana was blanketed in snow.  The weather is already warming up some so I expect all of the snow will be gone by October 5th.

We played, we went on adventures, and we (meaning me) made some fun memories.

Now the photo dump.

first plane ride

Great Aunt Pat

Great Aunt Cindy

Great Aunt Fran

With GG!

My mom, her sisters and GG

4 Generations

'Washing' Dishes

15 month shots.  Boo.

Mexican night before School starts

Someone LOVES chips....

The last few weeks

It's been a few busy weeks!

#wiggydiggy is riding without training wheels!  We  took him in to get a bike that actually fits him a few weeks ago.  His hand-me-down bike from his cousin was too big and too heavy for him to control.
This boy took off on his new bike before Dad could even put the training wheels away!  So proud of him.

He also attended a tennis camp last week and LOVED IT.  So excited to take regular classes this fall.

He had swim lessons this month as well.  A great report card too!  We are going to have him repeat the class one more time before moving up.  He's the youngest in his class so I think a little more practice won't hurt.

A lost photo from the North Hills Fire.  Thankfully no structures were lost.

We finally put their sandbox out!  The boys have a blast playing back there.  Only took us three months (face palm)

The rubber tiles help #biggywigs keep his balance on the rocks.

Now we just need to rip out that AstroTurf and put down some pretty tile.....maybe next spring.

Five on Friday - Let's Catch Up

Wow is time flying!  I didn't realize it had been so long since I've updated you on our goings-on.

Whoops.

1.

End of June

A deer was in our yard one morning.  Took us ALL by surprise.  Especially considering how close we are the interstate and in a non-usual habitat for them.

 

The weather was cool (70's and occasional rain) so we took multiple walks around the neighborhood every night before bed.

Also, LOTS of picnics on our patio :)

2.

4th of July

Thursday morning, Justin headed off to golf and I took the boys downtown.  The City celebration didn't start until 10, so I made sure we got to the park at 9.  #wiggydiggy was able to play at the playground before it got crowded, go on the bouncy slide by himself (and without paying!) because we were so early.  The staffers had the best time watching his antics before the chaos started.  They were so nice to let him in free of charge and bounce as long as he wanted.  Our last stop was the Hospital's booth with their learning ambulance.  We scooted out of there right after 10 and missed the crowds!  Perfect morning.

Some friends came over for dinner.  The kids set off their small fireworks and #biggywigs headed to bed.  For the first year, #wiggydiggy actually wanted to stay up and watch the big fireworks! (read: our neighbors setting off their own)  He had the best time and very politely told Dad "I'm done" when he wanted to go to bed.

3.
Weekend Trips

We drove up to Lincoln, MT one Saturday to visit the Blackfoot Pathways Sculpture in the Wild.  It was the first hot day of the summer, so when we got home we filled up the pool and stayed on the porch until dinner time.

4.
House Projects

Projects have slowed down considerably since the floors were done.  We still have the Master Bathroom, repainting of trim work/doors, last of the windows, and kitchen counter tops to do.   Our new front storm door has been ordered and will arrive in another week or two!  I'm hoping we can get the painting done in August so we have have a quiet fall.

I originally did NOT want a line in the middle of my door, but after using the retractable screen on our back door, I LOVED the ease of opening and closing it.  We went with the same color as our windows (Bronze) with a Modern Brushed Nickle handle. 

5.

Work Trips

It's time for me to get back on the road.

Much to the chagrin of my husband.

And of course I start it off with a bang - 5 days in a classroom in Chicago.