Our weekend technically started on Friday since all three boys had the day off from school. We spent the morning at home and drove to my friend Lauren’s house, where they hung out with her kids and Lauren arranged for a babysitter while she and I made a hair appointment. Friends, I think I’ve cracked the code on the misery of long hair appointments. I get my hair cut about every 6 months and now Lauren and I tag-team our appointments. (Lauren goes more often than I do, but I come over when I want to freshen up my blonde hair.) Our friend Emily does our hair (she changes our hair color) so it feels like an extended coffee date + catch-up time with two friends I look forward to rather than dread.
On Friday nights we organized a soccer circuit for the older kids, who had games on different fields. I’d be embarrassed to think I cracked the multi-kids-in-activities code by booking Chase and Ryder’s soccer practice and game on the same night, but at the last minute Ryder’s practice day got changed and each of their games were going to be on opposite fields. Oops.
At least they’re both enjoying it!
Saturday
Saturday morning was peaceful and it started German PancakesFor me and Ryan to take turns working out and fishing at a local pond.
The boys are increasingly excited that “fishing season” is back (ie the fish are actually biting again) and I’m sure Chase would start every morning with a rod and reel in his hands if he could.
Eventually we made it home for lunch and some early Easter egg decorating.
The boys were begging to use it Peeps Spinning Egg Decorator I bought it again last year when they saw it among our Easter decorations and I thought why not? This is a really nice little find and it makes turning eggs faster when you have different colored markers to decorate it. (I prefer this to coloring eggs from the mess and set-up perspective.)
dog training
After lunch it was time for Comet’s second official training session with Kristin, the instructor we hired woof pack. She has been fantastic and all her knowledge and tips have been very fascinating to us. According to Kristin, our primary goal for our high-energy Vizsla (whom we are totally attached to) is for Comet to learn to be content with “just existing”, which, if you have a high-energy working/hunting dog, you may feel a little heightened because they are kind of crazy and want to insert themselves into the mix of everything.
Right now we are in the beginning stages of teaching Comet “location”, so he will learn about the place he needs to go and will wait or rest when we tell him (when small children come to the door, when he is jumping too much, etc.). Comet is very smart and learns quickly which is amazing but he also has a case of FOMO going on so staying “in place” will be a challenge for him. He seems to really love his training time and everything we’re learning from Kristin is incredibly supportive. Working with a dog trainer feels very new to us and Ryan and I both already feel that getting professional guidance is worth every penny, especially for a large family dog.
football flag
After the Comet training session, we didn’t have much time before we loaded up the car and headed to the local athletic park. Chase is trying out a new sport – flag football – with some boys from his school this spring. Their coach is next level amazing. I wish I could copy+paste his emails and coaching philosophy here because he is a true gem who “gets it” and prioritizes teamwork, leadership, encouragement, and love of the game while helping kids grow and progress. So far Chase is really enjoying it.
They played a team that has been playing together for years and won the championship last year so we were really pleasantly surprised when they lost by only two touchdowns. It’s been fun watching Chase try new things and we’ve also enjoyed connecting with school friends and parents outside of the classroom.
Saturday night was all about March Madness – we all have brackets and the boys are very interested in it – and relaxing time at home.
sunday
Sunday morning was great and it started with an early service at our church.
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One thing that really stuck with me from the Sunday service was this sentiment: “You can’t always control your circumstances but you can control how you respond.” Well if it is not true.
When we looked at the weather Sunday and saw that it felt like summer in March (85 and sunny!) we invited our friends Carrie and Nick and their kids to repeat it. last weekend. Ryan installed our bounce houses (still going strong years later!) and the water bounce house got a lot of love as the temperatures continued to rise.
All the kids even ended up kayaking and swimming in the lake at one point, but it was polar plunge conditions because the water is still cold.
Everyone took a brief break before going back to lunch and outside play time at the lake for March Madness.
Once everyone left, I took Comet for a walk alone because I was craving a little movement and then we all showered and settled on the couch to start watching The Rise of Gru for movie night. We’re very late to the Despicable Me franchise phenomenon, but dang those little Minions are hilarious.
And now the boys are up and it’s time to go this Monday. I hope you all have a great week and that today brings some sunshine into your day!
