Native Californian sighting

I snapped this pic real quick, as we were out walking to lunch today. I got a real kick out of seeing Logan in a short sleeved shirt, shorts and flip flops..... while it's raining outside! 😂😂😂

Man. Such a Californian kid.

Thankfully, our air quality literally went from complete crap, to clear and healthy, overnight, due to some much needed rain that came in last night! We even ate outside because it was just so dang nice to breathe the fresh air again!!

Emergency Preparedness

Yesterday, I spent most of the day compiling a checklist and inventory of our emergency grab n' go bag I had put together last year. I added a few things and mostly double checked expirations dates, adding those into my checklist now so that I have a better way of tracking down the road! :) I also put together a second bag with change of clothes for all of us, since I had not done that before but thought it might be a nice to have....

I hope I never have to break this baby out and use any of it. But having it ready to go at least gives me - and the boys, who have been worried with the fires burning up our state recently - a little peace of mind.

Getting ready for Thanksgiving

The house smells pretty amazing right now! 😋

Adulting

Who knew there'd be a day where I'd be excited to get, and install, an air purifier in our house?!? 🤣

Home improvement projects

Another day indoors due to shitty air quality. 😷 So I'm finally tackling a project I've been putting off for a couple of months: assembling our new Flor rug. 😩

It's been quite the chore to put together, especially when working with our old crummy uneven floor! 🤨 But, I'm liking how it's coming together. 👍🏼😅

School closed tomorrow

Northern California has been fighting a tremendous fire (the most deadly in all of our state's history!) for the past week. While the fire is hundreds of miles away from us - we have been covered in a cloud of smoke which has affected our air quality each day.

All week, the schools have canceled any outdoor activities and have been operating in a "Shelter in Place" protocol, keeping windows and doors shut, and turning off all HVAC systems. Slowly, and unfortunately, the air quality has worsened - to the point that our district decided late tonight, to close the schools tomorrow. I'm glad that they did.

I was out running errands today and was just shocked at how hazy and crappy our visibility has been. Normally, we have amazing views of the hills all around us. You can hardly make them out right now. It's so sad and heartbreaking, since it means if it's this bad here, it's unthinkable how awful it is near the site of the fire. 😩

Luckily, the boys don't seem to be too affected by the smoke. I've been the most sensitive to it - headaches, burning eyes, persistent cough, pretty much since the weekend.

They're forecasting some rain next week, right around Thanksgiving. We need it so desperately - I may try to get us all to do a rain dance, or two, tomorrow.

After all, there's no school. What else will we do? 😊

Loganism at The Nutcracker

In my haste, I failed to mention the best part of the Hip Hop Nutcracker show, the other night.

When the Nutcracker put on his "magic shoes" that suddenly allowed him to dance amazingly - Logan leaned over and whispered to me, "Clearly, he already had the talent."

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

This past Saturday we headed up to Oakland, met my parents and brother, to take in a new spin on The Nutcracker! We all enjoyed it quite a bit and had a really nice night out. :)

Thank you to our veterans

I actually meant to post this last week - but given the note says to wear red, white and blue - it seems appropriately fitting to also thank our veterans for their tireless service and dedication to our country on this special day.

I noticed this card the other day while I was picking up in the boys' room and just had to snap a pic.

Callum's school just recently decided to participate in the same "spirit days" that Logan's school (the middle school) puts on. At Logan's school, it's a competition between each grade on who can demonstrate the most spirit - and the kids gain points for their grade each time they participate on these specific days. At the end of the year, I think the winning class gets a trip to Great America or something like that. I didn't follow it that closely last year because Logan wasn't very interested in participating. :/

Last week, Callum's teacher included a note in her weekly newsletter announcing they'd be taking part in the spirit days too - the first being on Friday where the kids should wear red, white and blue.

My ultra rule follower and competitive "all about maximizing every point possible" kid came home Thursday after school and immediately made himself a reminder (folded, so it would stand!!), to make sure he'd dress appropriately the next morning.

I didn't catch a picture of him on Friday, but not only did he dress in red, white and blue - but he pulled out his school t-shirt, which happens to be a red, white and blue tie-dyed design all over it. He had nailed it out of the park. I told him if his teacher didn't give him extra points for school spirit, on top of the colors spirit, she was crazy. ;-)

Movie Season!

Our favorite time of the year for so many reasons. Friday night we headed out to see Smallfoot, and yesterday we saw The Grinch!! Both were great and we've been having a nice time enjoying the movies as a family. :)

Cookie Exchange 2018

Just finished attending Jenn's Cookie Exchange party of the year. Always a fun time to see friends who I don't get to see regularly!

The competition is tougher and tougher every year, so all I try to do these days is come with something presentable to give away!! ;-) I liked how everything turned out this year. Phew!

Making lemonade out of....

The pic on the left is the result of me trying to multitask way too much and not paying attention to the "fine print". I had bought some gift tags to use for the upcoming cookie exchange party I'm going to.... but was disappointed when I opened the package. 😩

So, the pic on the right is the result of my quick and dirty coverup work!!

Voila! As Callum likes to say. 😉

Freshly baked gingersnaps with my morning tea?

Don't mind if I do! 😋

(Callum gave these a big thumbs up and gobbled up two before running off to the bus!) 😆

Grinchy Cookies

Tried a new recipe today - they LOOK neat, but they are suuuuper sweet. Like, almost sickly sweet. :(

So, I don't think I'll be making them again! Darn it.

Mom/Son(s) Bowling Night Event

Even though Callum and I are getting over a crummy head cold this weekend, we still headed out to our school's mom/son bowling event. We had a lot of fun! :)

November sunrise

Took this while walking Logan to the bus stop the other day. It was the morning after Halloween. We were tired. But presented with a beautiful sunrise.

I wish we'd keep our clocks on DST all year long. I love the long summer days. And I don't mind it being dark in the mornings. Plus, I'd never see something like this otherwise. :)

5th Graders

I forgot I took a pic of this but just remembered it.

I had visited Logan's class yesterday for a literary presentation that the kids had prepared for their parents. I sat down at a random kid's desk to listen to Logan read me some of the work he's been doing lately, when I noticed the crumpled up socks, just nonchalantly hanging out, in the drawer, in front of me.

5th graders, man.

Trick or Treating Report

I forgot to blog after our fabulous time out on Halloween night!

Jon, Callum and I walked the neighborhood with a bunch of Callum's friends (and their parents), until he was quite tired and refused to hit any more houses (his friends couldn't understand how he didn't want to get any more candy - ha!!).

Meanwhile, big milestone for us - Logan was off on his own for the night! He, and a couple of his buddies, decided they would trick or treat on their own this year - and, perhaps anywhere else, I might've had a harder time allowing that. But our neighborhood is so great - every single kid (and parent) on the streets, is someone we know, or at the very least, recognize. So, while we had no clue where Logan was most of the night, we'd run into other groups/parents along the way who'd say something like "Hey! We just saw Logan!" :)

Most of the time, Logan has a lot of anxiety around doing things on his own and/or being without us. It was really nice to see him get a bit out of his box that night, and we were really proud of him for it!