November 2019

Happy November!

I thought our Friday night was going to be super low key, nothing planned, a perfect family night. But, with teenagers you can never plan for low key. Lilli got invited to a movie (Malifecent) by Emily and Alexa went to a Halloween party at her friend Amanda's. Miranda came over to our house beforehand to hang out until they got picked up. Adam and I took the opportunity to have a dinner out together. We went to Wengs where it was super packed, the busiest we'd ever seen it. My fortune cookie had 2 fortune's inside so we went and bought a lottery ticket. We walked around Target a bit and picked up a few things and then home to wait for the kids. Lilli and I watched a Hallmark Christmas movie until Alexa got home.

Saturday was our friends event day. We dropped the kids off at the Beissel's at noon to spend the day and sleep over. And Adam and I were picked up in a big white van along with the rest of the crew. We started on our way and quickly realized we'd be in the van awhile. We ended up stopping in Albertville for a potty break and a drink and then made our way to St. Cloud where we picked Carter up at his dorm. We stopped at a few bars downtown and had dinner at The White Horse. We shuttled to the hockey stadium and watched the SCSU Huskies hockey game. It was super fun. Several of our crew went to SCSU and had a fun time taking us down memory lane.

With daylight savings, the dogs were up about an hour earlier than they should have been. I got up with them, made a cup of coffee and enjoyed another Hallmark Christmas movie before picking up the girls. Alexa had Nutcrakcer practice. I got groceries and Adam watched the Vikings. Then we met up with my parents in St. Cloud (again!) for dinner to celebrate my dad's birthday. We ate at Bonanza and had a fun time sharing stories and pictures of our trip.

Today is the last day of Lilli's 1st quarter of middle school. She got straight A's except for a B+ in science. We are so super proud of her and how hard she's worked. She is adjusting to middle school so well. They are getting a professional to come in and finish the flooring in the grey studio at Synergy. After trying and failing to do it on their own, they have finally decided to get someone in to complete it so that studio can start being used again. There was no tap classes for either of the girls' groups tonight so they could get it done. Alexa just had to assist and Lilli had to assist and her musical theater class. It made for some long sits waiting for them, but I grabbed a book from the library, which helped kill the time. Adam worked a Timberwolves game and I started my new workout program 100 Day Morning Meltdown, except I do it in the evening. Ha!

Alexa had her 9th grade retreat today at the Community Center in Eagan. She said they sang fun songs and played games. She's glad she went. The speakers talked about respect and kindness. I did a double workout and Adam picked up a desk chair for Alexa for Christmas I found on marketplace on his way home from work. We also finished our Hallmark Christmas movie, which we've both gotten super into lately.

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning. Enough to where Adam got up and shoveled the driveway. I'd say about 2 inches or so. The drive into work took Adam and I significantly longer than normal. So not ready for this yet, although my back yard looks beautiful with all the white snow on the trees. Alexa had another duet practice with Mackenzie. They look so good and their dance is the perfect amount of sass for both of them. I am anxious to see it complete. Lilli had Faith Formation while Alexa and I met with Jolene and Taylor, Stacey and Isabelle at the library to discuss their school supply drive project for the children in the Dominican. Afterwards, I picked Lilli up at church and dropped Alexa off for confirmation. Adam and I surprised Jolene at her house for a mule for her birthday (on the 5th).

The girls both aced their tests today. Lilli for History and Alexa for Civics. So proud of both of them. They studied so hard. Adam had bags so the girls and I were on our own for the night. They were back and forth to dance. I took Lilli to McDonald's for dinner to celebrate the A on her test. We went through the drive through and then sat in the parking lot and ate picnic style. We had the best conversation about school, friends, drama, boys, etc. I love her so much and how open she is with me. I hope that continues. I did a Target run for some birthday things for Adam and then drove the kids' dance carpool home. I also was able to fit in a work out and walked the dogs. Adam tied in his bean bag league.

Hooray for a Friday night family night. We took the girls to Taco John's because they've never had un-authentic Mexican food before. They ate it, but were not impressed. They both said it tasted like their school tacos. We played a couple games when we got home and then watched The Goldberg's and Schooled. We were several weeks behind, so we had plenty to catch up on.

Adam woke up on his birthday and went for a run. The girls and I surprised him with a Gopher's & Vikings sweatshirt, a purple camp chair, Vikings air pods and a phone holder clip for his car. He was super happy. We stopped at Kwik Trip for a ham and cheese croissantwich and then Mike asked him to stop over. He had surprised Adam with a bloody mary bar and a morning/afternoon of watching the Gopher's football game. Jolene and I met up with Stacey to shop with the girls. We hit up Turn Style and Target. We made it back to watch the end of the game (great game - they won!!) and brought home Cane's for a late lunch. We ran home to let the puppies out and then went to the movie, Harriet. It was so good. We stopped at White Castle for dinner - Adam's choice. Yuck! And then home to call it a night.

I brought Alexa to Nutcracker and duet practice on Sunday while Adam and Lilli ran to get groceries and cleaned up the house. We invited our crew over for pizza and to watch the Vikings. It was such a good game - they won! Adam was in 7th heaven being able to watch with all his buddies. It was a fun weekend celebrating our pops!

Adam was off today for Veteran's day which allowed him to vacuum the entire house for me. :) And run a few other various errands. He took Lilli to her ortho appointment after school and drove her to dance. He even grilled us dinner. The girls have a decent dance break on Monday nights so we were able to actually sit at the table and eat together. I did my workout and Adam and I watched a Hallmark Christmas movie while the girls were at their 2nd dance shift.

Adam worked a Timberwolves game, which is the 1st of the 4 nights he'll be gone working games. The rest of the week he'll be at US Bank working the HS Football games. Double shifts for 3 days. I'm so grateful for him doing these events because I know how hard it can be and how long the days can get. Alexa and Kenzie had studio time to work on duet, which they do so well at. They looked really good after the 1/2 hour. The girls had hip hip and then Alexa had a chiropractor appointment with Pam. She said she's really tight. And wants to help with her posture. She gave her an adjustment and some stretches to do. Lilli had church from 6-7 and Alexa had confirmation until 8:30. Both girls were in bed by 9. Neither were happy about it since they weren't tired yet, but Alexa's getting a little cough and has a huge weekend ahead, so she can benefit from some extra rest.

Adam worked his first day of the HS football games. It was a long day, at times it was super slow and others very busy. He got to work in the sky box, but he was in the kitchen, so not all that glamorous. I got the girls off to dance and then Stacey and Michelle picked me up to take Jolene and Tammy out to celebrate their birthdays. We went to a cute little place in Northfield called Reunion. It was a fun bar with brick walls and neat lofty vibes. Food was delicious and we had some great girl time conversation. Bryson drove my carpool and fed Lilli dinner between classes. I was home in time to pick Lilli and Ellie up from dance at 8:15. I took the dogs for a walk when I got home.

I took Javi into work with me today. Our rep from Germany has been here this week and wanted to see both puppies, but I decided Homie would be too much to handle at the office all day, so just little Javi got to venture out and have a special day getting all the attention. She mostly slept in my arms or on a blanket by my desk when she wasn't getting pet or held by all my co-workers. Adam worked another double shift at the HS football playoff games. He text me mid-day saying that it was going better than yesterday and he was enjoying being in the kitchen. Lilli text me after school that she was excited for girls night. I just LOVE when the girls say stuff like that. Our time together is so important to me and I love making moments like this special with them, even if it's just a special dinner out. We took the doggies for a walk when we got home, then stopped at the library. The girls helped me find a few new Christmas books to read. Lilli wanted to eat at Red Robin, but it was packed and we could tell it would be a longer wait, so we went through the drive-thru at Wendy's and sat in the car and had a picnic. It's kind of our thing. We can listen to music, talk and enjoy our food and not be bothered by anyone in the restaurant. We stopped at Walmart to get Lauren's birthday present, 5 Below and Turn Style. We watched a Hallmark Christmas movie when we got home and ate popcorn. Adam got home a little after 11, when we were all sleeping already.

Adam was up and out the door before any of us were up. It's been weird knowing he's in bed with me every night, but not seeing him come home or leave in the mornings. So grateful for the amount of hours he's put in this week. Alexa had hip hop practice with Macie from 9-10:30 and then assisted Lilli and her hip hop class from 10:30-Noon. Afterwards, they both had leadership until 1. It was a long morning. I walked the dogs and did a work out while the were gone. I also stayed caught up on laundry. I stopped at Family Fresh before picking them up for a few lunch items and then home to eat. Alexa showered and packed up her Nutcracker practice clothes and birthday/sleepover stuff for Lauren's party. We rested and watched another Hallmark Christmas movie in the afternoon, then Lilli and I took Alexa to Nutcracker practice. She was supposed to be there for 2 hours, but I get her out an hour early for Lauren's party. We drove her to the MOA to meet up with her friends at Dick's Last Resort. Lilli and I tried to go to Ivivva to use her gift card, but it was already closed. Instead, we went back to Red Robin and have a fun dinner date together. She talked the entire time, which is so wonderful. I love her stories and insight into her brain. We watched another Hallmark movie when we got home and waiting for Adam to get home. He was exhausted but it was so great to see him.

Adam picked Alexa up at 10 from Lauren's. She came home and showered and got ready for Nutcracker practice. They rehearsed for just 30 mins, but we had to hang around an hour to get her headshot for a newspaper article she's featured in. When we got home Lilli whispered to us that the Vikings were losing, warning us Adam wasn't in the best mood. It was an intense game, but the Vikings turned it around and won, thankfully. We had a pretty low key afternoon. We played cards, Alexa made dinner (tuna noodle - not her favorite) for an extra credit project. And then she drove us to Kwik Trip to put gas in Adam's car and to get some ice cream. Since I won the card game, I got to choose what we watched when we got home. I, of course, chose another Hallmark Christmas movie by the fire. I'm obsessed, if you couldn't tell. And my family is lying if they say they aren't either. ;)

I bought a little Christmas tree, lights and decorations for the office, so I set that up with the Christmas music playing in the background this morning. The girls were off to dance right away when I got home. I did my workout and then made stir fry for dinner. We haven't had that in awhile. Adam got home right as we were finishing up. We both drove the girls back to dance and checked out the new flooring in the grey studio. It looks so nice. We watched a Hallmark Christmas movie together when we got home. I'm loving these movies, however, I'm feeling lazy watching so many. Both Adam and I admitted being lazy after our trip. I think it has to do with it being so dark so early in the day, it feels much later than it is and we just want to snuggle in rather than doing anything else. This must change or we will have a long winter ahead.

I did my workout quickly after work so it could be done and I could be free to run carpool, make dinner and help with Alexa's homework. Adam was home to eat with us, which is always a treat and Alexa brought Lilli's dinner to dance. Adam and I took the puppies for a walk and cleaned up our pumpkins on the front step that had gotten all mushy and smelly. I took a bath and had a great long conversation with Alexa when she got home from dance. I needed that after a few days of her seeming kind of quiet.

I will never get over dropping Alexa at the HS. She looks so tiny walking in with peers that look like they are grown adults. She had duet practice today with Kenz and they worked on pulling out their inner drag queen. Ms Kris is hilarious - it's more fun to watch her than the girls. Maybe a trio next year? hehe Lilli had church but Alexa didn't have confirmation - kinda annoying. I wish they had the same schedule. While Lilli was in class, Alexa and I ran to the Dollar Tree for a couple containers for my essential oils. I walked the dogs when we got home while Alexa did her homework and then sorted through and organized all my oils into the containers. Us three girls watched a Hallmark Christmas movie by the fire. Adam worked a Timberwolves game.

Adam was super pumped for his end of year bean bag championship. He brought his favorite meal for lunch, tuna noodle hotdish and a red bull. He took his rest day for his workouts so he could keep his arm rested. They won their first game, but he ended up playing like crap after that and they lost. He was pretty bummed. The girls had dance, I did my work out. Lilli seemed more tired than normal and 5 mins after Alexa went to bed she was in my bathroom with a hot neck and chest and shaking. She felt like throwing up, but didn't. I had her smell some peppermint and she calmed down almost immediately. I laid in bed with her and gave her an ice pack for her neck. We talked for a good 20 mins and then she started dozing off so I left her to get a good night sleep.

Alexa woke up feeling completely fine. She slept well and was ready for a good day, thank goodness. She has finals next week, so she will be checking into her classes and then basically having a study hall all day. She learned that Autumn, one of the girls who drives her home from school every day, is a math tutor. So, they studied together in the media center and then Autumn came over to our house to continue helping her. Adam and I brought them Chipotle for dinner. They studied all night and then eventually took a break to run to Cherry Berry and Target. Lilli went to Mackenzie's after school to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas, their musical theater dance, with Ellie and Katelyn. Michelle made them a pizza for dinner and then they all went to the movie Frozen 2 with Emily. Adam and I went to Dan's for dinner with Craig and Michelle.

The Farmington Dance Team had a competition at the HS this morning. Alexa is her friend Amanda's "Super-Fan", so we went to watch. It was fun to see all the dances and Amanda and Alexa's other friends did so great. Alexa studied for finals again when we got home while Adam and Lilli took the grocery list. Courtney and sweet baby Hallie arrived a little after 4. She fed her quick and then we took her to Nutcracker practice where she watched her big cousin Alexa tumble. Courtney went to a surprise birthday party for her college friend, so we got Hallie for the night. She was such a good baby. She loves Homie and Javie and Javie just adores her. She kept licking her hands and face. Lilli and I gave her a sink bath in the kitchen and then warmed her up by the fireplace. Lilli put her jammies on and then we snuggled her to sleep. She slept in a pack and play in my room.

I got up to snuggle little Hallie in bed for a little bit, then brought her downstairs where Adam and I changed her, fed her breakfast and snuggled her up. I just love seeing Adam with little babies. It's so precious. We played with her for awhile, Adam made us breakfast and we talked to Courtney for a bit, then I had to take Alexa back to Nutcracker practice. Adam and Lilli went to pick up some Christmas lights at Walmart. Alexa studied for finals and Lilli gave the ok for me to start decorating for Christmas. She let me do everything but the trees. That will have to wait until after Thanksgiving, so we can do it as a family. Adam and Lilli worked so hard outside. They put white lights on the front of the house and colorful ones on the back deck. Adam and I walked the dogs around the loop to look at them. So pretty. We had $5 Pizza for dinner and then I took Alexa to get a new calculator to use for her final. She studied so much this weekend, I'm so proud of her.

Monday's are hard. Weekends with my family all together are my favorite and having to go back to work and school separates us, which makes me sad. Silly, I know. But, Adam keeps reminding me that we only have 2 work days this week and then we are off for 5. The girls are off 6. Yay! Alexa had a couple finals today - math and physics. She felt confident in both. Adam took off work early today to be home to run my dance carpool, feed the girls dinner and help Alexa study, so that I could go out to dinner with Jen and Susan. We went to Northern TapHouse in Lakeville and all had a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. It was so good. I miss those two so much and was so happy to finally make a get-together work out. Soo very needed.

I love when Tuesday's are Friday's!! Ahh!! Alexa has one last final today and then a 2 hour early release from school. She went to lunch with Sam, Autumn and Kaylee at Culver's after school. Tom bought us turkey lunch at work and Ron brought in pecan pie's for all of us. Kaylee came over to hang out with the girls for awhile and watched silly Youtube videos. We snuggled in and watched Hallmark Christmas movies.

The snow came throughout the night. Adam had to get up early and snow blow. We got about 6", I would say. Luckily, we were able to get out and make it to Feed My Starving Children with Synergy Dance Center. We had a great time boxing food for the children in Nicaragua. I love this tradition with the girls. Afterwards, we went to the studio where we had a pizza lunch with our Synergy family. We ran a few errands with the girls - grabbed a few last minute items for Thanksgiving, including some fun dinnerware and place settings. We all helped set up the table for Thanksgiving. We made a Thankful tree and kept the dining room Christmas decor free.

We had a beautiful Thanksgiving Day. We got up and Adam put the turkey in the oven and started prepping the sides. The girls and I helped clean up the house and get everything ready. Juan and Linda came around noon and we were eating before 1. We had a delicious meal with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, veggies, green bean casserole, fruit and stuffing. So good. We took the dogs for a walk around the loop a few times to walk off our meal and then back in for pie and ice cream. Juan and Linda stayed until about 4:30. Linda played cards with Lilli and Juan watched football with Adam. Kaylee and Mackenzie came over to slept the night with the girls, a Thanksgiving tradition. Adam and I kidnapped Craig and Michelle to Target to do some Black Friday shopping. We ended up at the Budde's for a drink, too.

Adam and I slept in on Friday, but still went to the MOA for Black Friday. We got there around 9:30 or so and the crowd wasn't too bad. We went to Athleta and Fabletics. We hit up the Outlet mall in Eagan for Under Armour and Nike. And then met up with Craig and Michelle at Celt's for lunch. Michelle had to work, but was able to take a half day. Adam and I made a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond and Kohl's before heading home. We took a quick little rest and then packed up for Friendsgiving at the McCabe's. We had dueling blackstone's in the garage and Adam and Mike made us an amazing hibachi dinner. Chicken, steak, fried rice, noodles and veggies. It was amazing. We also had cranberry mules, which were super yummy and festive. By the time we left, we had about 2 more inches of snow.

With the new snow and predicted weather for up in Moorhead we weren't able to make it to Finn's birthday party on Saturday. We were so bummed out. But, it's better to be safe than sorry. Adam and I shoveled and snow blowed and then took the girls to do some shopping. We stopped at the Burnsville Mall to hit up Old Navy for their $5 Christmas jammy sale. We all got a pair that are super cute. Lilli and I snuck away to Play it Again Sports and got Adam a lacrosse stick. We all splurged on Starbucks and then Adam took Alexa to shop and I took Lilli to 5 Below to get Alexa's gift. Lilli had a sleepover at the Sharp's and Alexa was able to go to her friend Kaizie's birthday party/sleepover just a block from our house. Adam and I made a homemade advent calendar for the girls. It turned out exactly how I wanted it to. We had fun shopping for little treats and trinkets for them and putting them in paper bags. Adam hung them up around the doorway to our den.