Go Swimming (or How the YWCA Saved Our Sanity) - Done

Hello Friends,

The YWCA may be one of the best inventions for people with little humans ever.  Did you know that swimming for an hour forces little humans to pass out instantly?  Also, they have this room where you can drop your kid off and then go sit in a hot tub.  What?  These gifts have actually encouraged me to swim quite a bit.  I have even started running even though I am not playing tag or breaking the law.  Strange.  With one mini triathlon completed and the second one scheduled, I am left wondering what all of this means, but I have grown to love it.  So, with a pair of ugly running shoes from a secondhand store and the tightest article of clothing I own, my racing swimsuit, we are off again.

Much love,

Nicole

Go on a Trip - Done

Hello Friends,

My list this year should really have said "Plan and execute an epic train adventure" because seriously, it was intense.  If you know any 2 to 7 year old tiny people, you will notice that trains have an impressive and magical ability to connect to children in a way that has been lost by growns-ups.  The Bigger Little Human's first word was "choo-choo" and the Little Human can already say "train."  Shit is magic, check it out.  Below is our itinerary and a few photos.  The Chicago Hostel is amazing; great rooms and fantastic crown pleasing breakfast.  The Earthship was miraculous.  Mesa Verde was beautiful and 10 times more impressive than in photos.  New Mexico reminded us much of Norte Chico, Chile.  Tasty food and gorgeous sunsets and sunrises.  This was our first time traveling with the Little Humans and it went exceptionally well.  Enjoy.

Train to Chicago
Stayed in HI Chicago Hostel - Cloud Gate
Train to New Mexico
Stayed in Earthship
Visited and Stayed at Mesa Verde in Colorado
Stayed in Albuquerque Hostel
Train to Chicago
Stayed in HI Chicago Hostel - Chicago Children's Museum
Train to St. Paul

Much love,

Nicole

Visit a Minnesota Destination - Done

Hello Friends,

Although I was hoping to visit the Jeffers Petroglyphs, we ended up staying a hostel near the Mississippi Headwaters and visited the tallest Paul Bunyan statue over winter break.  It was pretty great and pretty Minnesotan.  The Little Human now says "Hi Paul" to his photo on the wall in our living room.  Still can't say Auntie, but Paul gets his own greeting.  When's the last time Paul changed any diapers?  Anyway, enjoy the photos. (Note: Paul Bunyan is a myth and the Mississippi Headwaters are really every bit of water in that region and no one specific place even if a bunch of guys constructed a neat looking pile of rocks that get stolen by visitors and have to be replaced all the time from rocks that are not even from the area.  Both were highly photogenic.  The dinosaurs were, of course, Monica's doing.  Shockingly.) 

Much Love,

Nicole

12/50

We watched history be made yesterday on the Capital steps in St. Paul. It was truly amazing and awe-inspiring to see so many people, so many families, gather in mass, all in the name  of equality and love.

Continued Water Fascination

Our nephew and water, pretty great.

Color Photoshoot

Infinite decided to photographize Monster for a fun and colorful photo shoot with our room as a back drop.  Homemade bunk bed, colorful homemade quilt, and natural light.  Beautiful.

Making Monday: Bunting

Handmade custom bunting to replace crepe paper.  Easy and reusable.

Ukulele

He is probably teaching us more than we are teaching him.

Marriage

So close and still so far.  The date is set for August 3rd.  We are hoping it will be legal by then.

New Growth

Our nephew seems to be growing by the second.  His favorite things thus far: smoothies, string cheese, and toilets. 

Family Portrait

Taking a family portrait is part of our new traditions.  We just got around to taking the photo.  Infinite tried several times.  Then Monster put the camera on the table, set the timer, and this is the only picture she had to take.  We both like it quite a bit.

Traditions: Our Day

We have decided to create a set of traditions for Winter Break or the end of the year.  One of which is making a list of negatives from the past year.  These do not have to be regrets.  Some of ours focused on good local shops closing.  One of ours was "moving other people's stuff", which is something we tend to do often.  Another was "stress" because we are working on alleviating some of the stress in our lives.  Four of us roommates participated this year.  Each of us wrote down several negatives, each on their own slip of paper, and put them in a bowl.  Then we each lit a match and set it in the bowl at the same time.  Not only does it symbolize relinquishing our own negatives, but also helping others do the same.

Another piece of our new tradition is saying thank you and sorry to each other for three different things during the past year.  We both found it to be an excellent exercise.

GreatGrandma's Sewing Basket

 

I recently received my great-grandmother's sewing basket, with all of it's treasures and curiosities. I have been having a blast going through it and digging up lace, ribbon, wooden spools, and endless buttons.

4.5 Months

Baby, turning into little boy. Craziness.