St. Patrick's Day 2017

Last week was Kevin's Spring Break from school. Unfortunately for the first time, James had real school that week. James's vacations are in February and April and don't line up with Kevin's March and May breaks. It was way too cold to go to the St. Patrick's Day parade in our town on March 12, and Winter Storm Stella- which was a huge blizzard by where Ash lives- was a bust here- hailing and raining and making it gross to play outside.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The silver linings in our Spring Break were Becky, Chris, and baby Simon visiting, and on a different day Heather visiting. With a week "off" from work, Kevin was also able to help with stuff at home, and unusually we are all caught up on everything there is to do at home! (Has that ever happened ever?)

Also, St. Patrick's Day. We wore green, some leprechauns trashed James's classroom and left "gold coins" that he tried to put in his piggy bank, Kevin made corned beef sandwiches (Yum!), we drank the Guinness, and we took pictures! Yay pictures!

Kevin making corned beef


Corned beef sandwiches!


Attempted timer-picture


Love.


Our cuties!

Miranda in a Toddler Bed!- March 2017

Miranda never escaped her crib and though it is seemed liked a good idea to keep her in the crib as long as possible, lifting her in and out was getting a little tough. I've often regretted that drop-side cribs are no longer considered safe or legal.

I was expecting her to try to abuse her new freedom, and I figured it might be a two-parent job to keep bringing her back to bed at night. Kevin has Spring Break this week so it was this week or when his classes were over in May. But since we'll travel in May, this seemed like the smarter week. Also, it was the beginning of Daylight Savings this weekend so we could kill two birds with one stone.

Converted the crib to a toddler bed on Saturday

Lots of stuffed animal friends and dolls

She loved her bed and didn't attempt to escape on the first night at all, but she did greet us in in the morning in our bedroom for the first time ever. The second night went less smoothly as she got up by accident, confused about what time it was and was scared that it was dark and she couldn't see anyone, but I brought her back to bed and she went back to sleep. Surprisingly, it's been pretty smooth sailing since then. It's been easier than I remember the toddler bed transition with James, though James did it about 8 months earlier in his toddler career because he escaped.

Testing it out.

She keeps asking me, "I a big girl now?" Almost, baby girl. Almost.

My 38th Birthday in Miller Place 2017

My 38th birthday was better than I anticipated or planned. My family and friends sent presents, texts, calls, and Facebook posts. Thank you guys!

The actual day of was too busy to do anything about, but we had a great day on Friday. James went off to school in the morning, and I surprised him by being that day's (early) mystery reader. Kevin read in December so James wasn't expecting another surprise reader.

James

Books I read.

Since we were out and about, Kevin took Miranda for a donut, and when I was done we took her for another much needed haircut. Her second or third, but her most legitimate hairdo-like cut yet.

Still sits on a parent's lap

Front and back post-cut

In the evening, we got a babysitter so we could go out and celebrate. We went to a sushi place I hadn't tried yet, Wasabi, and I was a big fan. Then Kevin suggested Saviano's Hideway for drinks and I loved the place and got a big chocolatey martini. Good birthday!

Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse

Sushi chef behind Kevin

BBQ Squid was a winner!


Want to eat this again immediately.


Savino's Hideaway

Tooth Fairy Strikes Again 2017

Missing tooth

James lost his third tooth late Thursday night, and he awoke us early Friday morning because he couldn't find his tooth or his money. But all was fine, he'd just been tossing and turning and the dollar bill had gotten tossed in his sheets. Perhaps we should request she leave any cash exchanges on the floor under the bed?

Kevin Wins Gell Residency for Writers 2017

"Residencies at Gell: A Finger Lakes Creative Retreat

Announcing the Gell Residency for Writers with young children award winners — Kevin Clouther, Kelli Ford, and Patrice Gopo.

Writers & Books, the premier independent literary center in Rochester, NY is pleased to announce the three award winners for the one-week residency with young children — Kevin Clouther from Miller Place, Long Island, NY., Kelli Ford from Richmond, VA, and Patrice Gopo from Charlotte, NC.

Kevin Clouther will work on his novel manuscript Bermuda, while on residency with his wife and two children, ages 3 and 6 at Gell: A Finger Lakes Creative Retreat located south of Rochester in Naples, NY....

The three residency awards will take place between April – August 2017. Dates will be negotiated after acceptance.

Writers & Books promotes reading and writing as lifelong activities for people of all ages, through educational programs, publications, community events and author appearances. For over thirty-five years our programs, held at our Rochester and Finger Lakes facilities, have reached a growing audience of thousands, making us one of the largest and oldest literary organizations in the country. Our programs have received nationwide recognition while inspiring generations of people in Rochester and beyond to make literature a part of their everyday lives."

More at https://wab.org/gell-center-residencies-2/

ACC Tournament: Pittsburgh v. Virginia 2017

On Wednesday, Kevin, Nick, and Briggs went to the UVA game against Pittsburgh at the Barclay Center last night. It went late- almost to midnight!- but UVA was victorious!

ACC Tournament

Basket!

Sadly, UVA lost the next night to Notre Dame, ending their tournament in NYC.

PARP Night at Kindergarten 2017

Kevin took James to Parents As Reading Partners Week (PARP Week) last night. I had to stay and put Miranda to bed. Oh well, looks like it was fun!

Cat in the Hat, aka the principal

Dr. Seuss joy

Caris and Darin

The auditorium

Reading One Fish, Two Fish

Trying to make musical instruments?

Real instruments

James playing bingo.

Abby playing bingo

Principal reading

Green screen picture

Nana and Bob Visit- March 2016

Nana and Bob visited this weekend. The kids were super excited when they heard they were coming. We had a really nice time and gorged ourselves on Chinese food. Yum!

Nana reading to Mirand

Soothed her to sleep

Hanging out with Bob

Modeling pajamas from Great-grandmother Daisy

Good night kisses

Goodnight kisses

February Report on New Year's Resolutions 2017

Marriage:
1. Monthly date night! Check!
2. I'm going to try to make sure that Kevin spends some time alone doing something he enjoys at least once a month (hiking, reading at coffee shop) Not really.
3. Make sure Kevin is able to spend time with his friends at least once a month. Check! He got to see Casey again. Technically March 1, but we'll count it as February.

Family:
1. Kids- Monthly "family day" where we take the kids to do something fun. It's been cold but they got time with Grandma.
2. Going to try again to teach James Spanish. NOPE- TRY AGAIN
3. Grandma/Nana: Keep seeing them about once a month. Saw Grandma but not Nana. Nana is coming soon.

Me:
1. Meditate daily - 59 days in row now since the beginning of the year! Though some days are a more focused attempt than others
2. Walk 10,000 steps, 5 days a week. 2 out of 4 weeks?
3. Read 200 books/ listen to audiobooks this year (about 17 a month)- Read 28 books in February. (Plus 31 books in January)
4. Try to see a close friend at least once a month. Spent time with Janice, Ash, and Ellie!
5. Get comfortable driving to the grocery store. NOPE, TRY AGAIN

Visiting Ellie, Janice, and Darren 2017

Last weekend, Ash and I went to visit Janice, Darren, and Ellie. Our plan was to spend some quality time with their new baby Ellie and help a little with Ellie (our idea), dinner-preparation (our idea), and decorating her room (Janice's idea).

This baby is the best.

To that end, I slept in Ellie's room Friday night and patted her back to sleep periodically, and got up with her in the morning. I took 500 selfies with Ellie while I had her to myself. That's totally normal right? Haha.

Me and Ellie in the morning.


Ellie in the baby gym


Ellie to me: Why so many pictures?

The rest of the day we tried to do things like go shopping for the nursery but Janice would play goalie in trying to keep us from accomplishing things. We wandered around some box stores that had nothing we needed. We did go for a nice little walk around the park, and then we had fun baby bathtime.

Sink baths are the best!!

Sometimes it was hard to wrestle Ellie out of Darren's arms. Haha.

Fudgie in the flesh and in the pillow.

Sunday we were more successful. Ellie and I had morning time again but this time she slept the entire time. When Ash got up she took a turn snuggling.

This baby is hypnotic.

When she woke, Ash gave her a hairdo. Ellie loved it.

Just delicious flying baby is all.

We went shopping for nursery furniture and went to a nice lunch at Match in Arlington. We ordered a bunch of stuff and passed Ellie around while we ate. Afterward, Janice and Ash got milkshakes. Janice, Ash, and I had a really good time spending time together and catching up on everything. And my heart is full of baby Ellie.

 

With momma

 

Seriously, she's A DOLL!

 

Besties

 

Look, we're being helpful!

 

Ellie thinks I'm funny.

Pre-preparing some meals for Janice and Darren (Ellie doesn't eat food yet.)