September 2018

We got up and ready to go Saturday morning for school clothes shopping with the girls. 1st stop was Refit Athletic and then the Burnsville Mall. Both girls found some really good deals and nice clothes. We went to the Sharp's at 5 for a back to school party with their neighbors (Alexa's 2nd grade teacher), Mrs. Wolters and Mrs. Ley. We had a potluck dinner and a bonfire. It was such a great time.

We all woke up in bad moods on Sunday. It took is awhile to come to and get our acts together, but eventually ventured out and got some groceries and went for a bike ride. We started the girls on the Twilight movie series. They loved it.

We woke up on Labor Day, planned our day and got to it. Work outs, cleaned bedrooms and put new clothes away in closets, got backpacks ready. Sidewalk chalk pics were taken, laundry started and a few more errands run. Watched the final movie in the Twilight series and had our annual back to school spa night with the girls. I love this time with them. They did face masks and cucumbers on their eyes. I gave them body massages and hand and feet massages. Painted their nails, too. Adam treated them to some chocolates and cold ice water. It was so sweet. Then we kissed our 5th and 8th graders goodnight.

The girls both got up perfectly excited for their first day of school. The day was gloomy and rainy, but they both had big smiles and were ready to begin the new school year. Alexa was up at 6:15. She had her first day outfit picked out and ready to go. I drove her, Katelyn and Kenz to the middle school. Lilli got up when I got back home. She had breakfast, got dressed, we did her hair and I kissed her goodbye. Adam dropped her off at school at 9. They were both full of stories and happy after their first day and anxious to go back, which is all I can hope for. No homework or dance yet, so I had Lilli read me a chapter of her new library book and then we watched America's Got Talent.

Adam had his 2nd fantasy football draft Wednesday night. He was gone most of the evening. The Sharp's came over for a while after dinner. The girls played out on the trampoline and Stacey and I visited. The girls and I watched AGT.

Today was supposed to be the girls' first night of dance, but due to some pending inspections at the new studio, it has been postponed. The Sharp's dropped off our Heggie's pizza and the girls chatted about Ellie's birthday party. Alexa and I ran some errands - I needed some ingredients for my kombucha and some black pants. Luckily, I found all what I needed very quickly, thanks to Alexa's help. I made my kombucha when I got home and Adam watched the first football game of the season on his big screen.

It felt so good when Friday rolled around. The girls had a great first week of school, but it takes a little to ease into routine again. So, after work Jolene and I took Carter to take some senior pictures. We went to a local trail/park area and got a few good ones. Then we met up with Adam, Michelle and Mike at Bourbon Butcher for a quick dinner and happy hour. Jolene left to drop Jack off at baseball and all the girls off at the football game. Then we all went to watch Jack's game and I left a bit early to pick up the girls at the football game. Lilli and Ellie hung out together at Jack's game.

Adam and I worked out Saturday morning. I brought Alexa to and from her first day of dance, we ran a few errends and then dropped the girls off at the Sharp's for Ellie's birthday. We picked Stacey up and off we went to volunteer at the MN Gopher's game for our first Achieving Dreams fundraising experience. It went so well and we walked away with $280 for the girls' dance.

We picked up the girls at the Sharp's Sunday morning and had a little get together with friends to talk about our experience at the Gophers game - we all signed up for a few more events. Adam watched the Vikings when we got home, I fed the girls a quick lunch and took them to their first leadership class of the year at Synergy. Mike and Jolene came over to watch the game, enjoy a few drinks and catch up. We met up with Adam's mom, sister and Cesar at Pizza Ranch for dinner and then went to the Budde's to watch the Green Bay game/play games. Perfect way to end the weekend.

This is a big week - the girls' first full week of school AND dance. I have a feeling we're going to be pretty exhausted by the end of the week. Plus, Adam is working 3 Twin's games and has bags on Thursday night. I'm holding down the fort, carpooling, making all meals and have mass and open house at church as well as catechist in-service. And we are camping this weekend, so getting all things ready for that, as well. The girls had a BLAST at their first full night of dance. They both came home so happy and excited. Alexa's super pumped about her jazz dance. She gets to play a character, Rosa Parks. And Lilli is Llago the parrot from Alladin in her Musical Theater. I drove the late shift home and as I pulled up to the studio to pick them up I could sit in my car and watch them practice through the window. So fun! Adam worked his first Twin's game and enjoyed it. It's not ideal, but a small sacrifice for what it's being able to pay off for dance competitions. My Norwex order also came today. I had a blast cleaning some windows and trying everything out while the girls were at dance.

I came home from work to Alexa at the kitchen island facetiming Miranda doing their math homework together. It was so cute to hear them go over their answers together and help each other out. Alexa said that Miranda is strong in language and reading and Alexa is strong in math so they each have their strong suits. I love that. Alexa also showed me her binder and everything she's been working on in class - she's so organized and I've noticed her handwriting has improved tremendously.

Lilli started flip math today and loved it. She said her teacher, Mr. Silk, called her out for being "Alexa's sister" - in a good way, of course. I'm so glad the school year is starting off on such a good foot. I got Lilli ready for dance and she was out the door. Alexa and I ate tater tot hotdish together and she chatted the entire time about her strength class, academic support, geography, everything..it was so fun to hear all the fun plans she has in school and the work she is doing. Then she was out the door for dance. I don't know how but I managed to get a night without having a carpool shift, but it did. I did a work out and watched Bacheor in Paradise until Lilli got home, then we worked on her homeowrk together and she read to me. Adam worked another Twin's game. We're starting to miss him, but understand the sacrifice he's making for their dance comps.

Lilli only had one hip hop class Wednesday, but I took both girls to get fitted for ballet shoes. Alexa and I ran a few errand while Lilli was in class and then we ran home to eat a quick dinner before going to mass. There was an open house afterwards - Jolene and I saw our classroom and got to see our class list. The girls showered when we got home and I started making dinner for Thursday night. I know the night is going to be crazy busy so I had to plan ahead. When Lilli was done with her shower she came and read to me. Adam worked his last Twin's game of the week and got home around 11.

The girls had another wonderful day at school. Knock on wood, but this year is off to an amazing start. We're hoping it stays that way. I drove the dance carpool for the girls and waited the 45 mins while Lilli was in class to drive home. I fed Lilli dinner at home and she read to me from her library book. Then I dropped her back off at the studio and went to a catachist church meeting and then picked Lilli back up and ran to Target to get groceries for the weekend. She was the best helper! She showered and prepped food when we got home. Adam surprised us and got home early - he had bags! Alexa got home at 9:30 and she showered and got ready for bed. Lilli read me another chapter from her book.

Adam and Alexa were home and ready to go when Lilli and I got home Friday. We packed up the car and headed up north to the cabin. We were supposed to camp all weekend at Glendalough, but, Friday night it was supposed to rain, so we played it safe and stayed the first night at the cabin, which was so awesome. It was us, my parents and Tiny, Courtney and Finn. We stayed up late and played solitaire and were up and had breakfast in the morning before setting up camp.

The guys left after breakfast to go set up the tents while us girls stayed back and cleaned up the cabin. Everything was set up when we got out there. We just fixed up the inside of our tents and gathered at my parents campsite. We had lunch - hotdogs over the fire, and then just sat around the campsite most of the afternoon, just visiting. It was so nice and relaxing. We took a hike late afternoon and walked up to the little shop where they rent bikes, etc. The guy let us ride the 4 person bike around the parking lot. It was so fun! The weather was really warm for mid-September - in the high 80's with humidity. We made our way back to camp and made a sheet pan of veggies, sausage and shrimp over the fire for dinner. It was delicious. We made pizza rolls and smores over the fire later for a late night snack.

Mom made us breakfast in the morning on Sunday before we all packed up to head home. It was such a fun weekend and sad to have it come to an end, but it had been 3 days since we all showered, so it was time to go home. I drove home so Adam could watch the Vikings game on his phone. We unpacked at home and finished watching the game in overtime at the Budde's. Jolene and I went over some religion stuff, too. Alexa and I went to get groceries and Adam and Lilli went home to clean up the house, and start her reading homework. We ordered chinese for dinner and watched World of Dance.

Adam had an early morning meeting at work. I stayed home to get Lilli ready and to school. It was such an awesome morning. I got so much done. I made dinner for the night, continued laundry, got Lilli ready and her reading homework done for the day and then sat and played cards with her a bit before getting her to school. If I could have an extra hour before work every day...oh, boy!!

It's homecoming week so the girls have special dress up days this week. Alexa had America Day and Lilli had Hat Day! Adam was home early to mow, but a big storm came through around 2-2:30. Alexa rode the bus home with mackenzie so she wouldn't have to walk home in the storm. Adam picked her up on his way home. We got both girls off to dance and then Adam and I ran to Michael's and Party City. I did a work out when we got home and Adam watched football.

The girls both have terrible colds. Alexa started hers last week and Lilli's has been gradually coming on since the weekend. She wakes up a little worse every day. Alexa had Jersey Day and wore one of Adam's old Powderhorn jersey's and Lilli had Class Color Day. 5th Grade is RED. She wore a red shirt, a red bandana and Alexa's red converse shoes. Both girls had busy nights at dance. I was able to get a work out in and put up some fall decorations around the house. Adam was home and played video games. He's really gotten into playing soccer again.

The girls continued with homecoming dress up days at school. Lilli had Dress your Best Day (because it was school picture day) and Alexa had Neon Day. Lilli's cold is in full force. Poor baby! :( Alexa is on the up and up, thank goodness. She's been going to the Beissel's after school to work on Homecoming shirts for the football game. And stayed for dinner Wednesday night. The homecoming parade was cancelled due to weather. And we haven't started faith formation yet, so we had a night off basically. Except Lilli had a ton of homeowrk, so we spent a lot of the evening working on that and then finished watching the finale's of WOD and AGT.

Alexa had Hat Day and Lilli had Jersey Day for their dress up days. Lilli borrowed a Vikings jersey from her friend Jack. They've had little pepfests all week and the football players, cheerleaders and marching band members have come to visit their school to sign autographs. The weather was terrible again after school so Alexa went to the Beissel's again. It was downpouring when I left work to pick up Lilli. We had to step thru big water puddles and use our umbrellas to get to the car. Later in the evening we were in a tornado warning. The girls and I were all at the studio and they used proper bad weather procedures and gathered in the bathroom for safety. It passed over us quickly, lots of heavy rain and wind, but Northfield area got hit by a tornado and experienced power outages and lots of property damage. Adam was in Savage at bags and didn't even realize we were in the warning.

The final dress up day for homecoming week was orange and black day of course - Tiger Pride!! The girls had a blast wearing their shirts to school and Lilli even painted her nails in Tiger colors. They had pep fests and got in the spirit of homecoming at school and then had a fun pizza party at our house before the game. The Budde's, Beissel's and Sharps came over for the pre-game party. Carter chaufered the kiddos to the game and then us adults drove separetely. We stayed to watch Isabelle in the marching band during half time, but then took off since the score was 35-0. We went back to our house and continued to party until midnight to celebrate Michelle's birthday.

*I also got a phone call from my mom that my grandpa Carroll is in the hospital in Fargo.

I got Alexa up for assisting and dance Saturday morning. Lilli slept until 10:30. I did a work out and did some cleaning and started laundry. Adam helped Bryson move their piano and then drove up to North Commons for a work event. Once everyone was home and re-grouped we drove down to Albert Lea for dinner. Aunt Nellie and Fred are here from Texas. It was fun to see everyone. The girls had so much fun playing with Sophia.

Sunday was more cleaning, working out and meal planning. Adam watched the Vikings until they sucked so bad he couldn't watch anymore. Then he went out and mowed the lawn. I went to Amy's to a Pampered Chef party and then made some Doterra deliveries. Adam ran out for groceries and grilled dinner. The girls rode bike and roller bladed. It was a beautiful day! We played 31 and Heads Up before bed with the girls.

I had a little bit of a meltdown after work on Monday. I got Alexa's dinner made and packed and her out the door to dance just fine, then started to make Lilli's dinner - tuna noodle hotdish. All was going well until I realized that our can opener had broke and I had thrown it away and I had no way of opening the tuna. I stabbed the hell out of the can after calling Adam and literally blowing up at him over the phone - because it was his fault, obviously. All this is going down while Lilli is sitting calmly trying to read me her book so she can finish it before it's due back at the library. I was sweating and spiraling. Lilli was so sweet and paused her reading to tell me to take a deep breath and walk outside to cool off. What a little dolly! I was able to get two cans open and finish the dinner, thankfully! Lilli ate and then was off to dance herself. I met up with Michelle, Tammy, Stacey and Jolene at Rebel Chef to celebrate Michelle's birthday. We all had mule's and shared a few apps. It was so fun to get together and catch up with everyone and celebrate Michelle! I did some foam rolling when I got home to loosen up my leg muscles and then folded a mountain of laundry.

Alexa came in our bed this morning at 5am. She said Javie was crying and woke her up. I think she just needed her mommy! :)

Lilli's class had a field trip to the Dakota County Wetlands. Adam was her chaperone. Even tho it was a bit rainy to start, they still held the field trip outside. They learned about soil and water conservation, they got to pet some animals and learn about pollution. She had a great time and was so happy to have her pops there with her. Adam & Craig worked at the Twin's game so the girls and I were on our own. I took Lilli to dance and then came back and made BLT's for Alexa, hung out with her a bit and then she was off to dance, too. I got my workout in and relaxed a bit before they both got home. We realized the garage door spring broke when Alexa got home and couldn't open the door. Ugh!

The garage door guy was there fixing our garage when I got home from work on Wednesday. He's done some other work on our garage doors at our old house and then installed a new system into our new house. I took Lilli to dance and waited the 45 min until she was done. I quickly fed the girls when we got home and they ate on the run to our first church class. Jolene and I did ok. We have several more boys than girls in the class. We did a few fun games and set some rules for the class. We'll see how it goes. We want to be the fun class, but never seem to have much control. The girls seemed to enjoy it tho. Alexa has quite a few friends in her group, which is nice. And Lilli knows the 2 other girls on our class from school. Alexa showered and Lilli did her math when we got home and then Lilli showered and read to Alexa and I before bed. Adam worked another Twins game.

Adam surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of fall flowers and 2 white pumpkins! It's hard with him being gone in the evenings, but we know this is just a short sacrifice. It was so sweet for him to surprise me as a thank you for holding down the fort at home while he's been working the games. But really, I should be thanking him! He had bags tonight and the Vikings were on (they lost - darn it). Lilli got asked to sub-assist for Elle Snesrud because she was sick by Dana. She was so so proud of herself and so happy that she was chosen. She had a blast with the little magic mini's. I took her out for McDonald's dinner to celebrate this boost to her confidence. She walked me through all her thoughts and feeling about Dana asking her in front of everyone and how special she felt that out of everyone (even older girls who have assisted before) that Dana chose her. Alexa also had an exciting night - a Backalast jacket she ordered last year during dance finally arrived. It's a tight jacket that has an elastic cross pattern in the back that helps with posture, which she needs. It's meant to be worn for ballet class, but she wore it to school. It's so nice, I can tell how much straighter she stands/walks. She said she also feels like she can breathe better during ballet.

Today is a big day for Lilli. She gets her braces on - top teeth only, for now. She woke up for anxious and excited. I made her chocolate chip pancakes and milk for breakfast. She accidentally forgot her lunch at home and called Adam to bring it to her. He was supposed to be working a double header today with the Twin's but his morning shift was cancelled. I picked Lilli up early from school and brought her to the Lakeville office to get her journey with braces started. She was so anxious! But, she handled the whole things like a total champ. And she even looks absolutely ADORABLE in her braces. She picked lavender as the color of the bands on her brackets. I'm so proud of her. We had a girls night since Adam was working the Twin's games. We ran to Target for some ice-cream for Lilli and then home to watch a few shows and snuggle in.

Adam took Alexa to dance in the morning and I had a hair appt. with Kawa. After Alexa was done with dance Adam took her to the MOA to get a new face plate on her phone and to pick up a few things for Lilli's birthday. I took Lilli to wrap up things for Alexa's birthday after my appt. and then we met back home. I made some stir fry and got things ready for the girls to have the Beissel girls over for the evening while Adam and I worked concessions at Elko Speedway. It was another busy night at the races. We got home around 9:30.

We were up early and got ready for the day. I made spaghetti for the girls and for the Sharp's and Emily. Adam and I and Stacey & Bryson, Tammy & Chuck worked concessions at the Twin's game. The last game of the season and Joe Maur's last game. I ran the register and Adam worked in the kitchen. It was really fun. I picked up on it quickly and the day went really fast. We were there a little later than we normally would have been since it was the last game and we did some extra cleaning. We got home close to 7. We finished up some homework with the girls and got them to bed. I kissed Alexa goodnight for the last time as a 13 year old.