Lodges, Lips, Lightyear, Ladders

Weekend started off on Friday for the kids - we still don't have Friday daycare due to COVID-19 restrictions. Matt took a turn with them. Despite the heat, he took them to Ft Lincoln. They did the blockhouses walk and went into one or two and then went and looked at the earth lodges. E was definitely interested in the information. We are starting to see her thirst for knowledge and soak it in like a little sponge. It was fun to listen to her tell me about what she'd learn from the trip - from her perspective, the tools and buffalo "head" aka skull. We are working on the kids calling them by the proper names and not mudhuts.

Well, it was a tough weekend to be an Ainsey.. poor little girl has a busted up lip and a chipped tooth. Eleanor, who despite being told to quit picking her up still does, dropped her on Saturday at the zoo on the pavement. Ains handled it like a champ - a bit of crying but mostly wanted to be snuggled by her dad - we are keeping an eye on it. But the poor girl keeps hitting her face on things - whether it's her kitchen stool, the gate for the stairs, her toys - it's tough. For the most part, her attitude hasn't been impacted, she's same as usual. She also added a new word to her vocabulary.

Add that to Dada, Lola, Uh-oh, nah-ah, and Puppy.

We did a couple movie nights this past weekend. These are treats for the kids - we put on something Disney based, set up the chairs, if it's a real special night, make popcorn and watch 1/3 of a movie. E and G are real good about focusing and watching. Ains doesn't care so much. She's about the popcorn and panhandles her weigh as best as possible but she plays in the room while we watch. The current movie we are working on is Toy Story 3. G is in love with BuzzLightyear right now. He has a Buzz doll and loves seeing him on TV. E is okay with it but is more about the princesses still right now. She's just happy to be watching a movie. Usually, the kids start in their own chairs but sooner than later, E crawls up with Matt and G cocoons in next to me.

The temps are rising, this week in the 90s.. next week is slated for 100. I set the pools up on Sunday and let them play. They love it. The other thing that they are interested in is eating outside. Specifically eating "Big Boys" outside. We did it a couple weeks ago but this past weekend in an effort to not cook, we went through drivethru (FYI Big Boy does not have corndogs) and the whole way home we listened to the begging and pleading to eat outside. Our response of "too hot" did not end the whining.. so there the two bigs sat in 92 degree weather, eating their flying style sandwiches pleased as punch as they dipped their french fries in E's water (after dipping in honey mustard).

Friday night - eating pizza.
G: Me go up the ladder, you are too big.
MJR: No, I wasn't too big to go up the ladder but I couldn't because I had Ainsley.
G: Me go up, but Dad and Eleanor do not go up, you are too big?
ALR: No, someday when we go back, I will go up with you. Eleanor can go up too.
G: Dad is too big?
ALR: No, Dad is not too big, Ainsley is too little. 
G: Okay, so you is not too big, Me go up the ladder.
ALR: I (emphasizes) will go up the ladder
G: Me and you go up the ladder
ALR: No, Grady, can you say "I go up the ladder."
G: I go up the ladder, but Dad is too big. 
(Repeat this conversation for the next three nights in various formats, takeaway, G wants to go up the blockhouse ladder.

The one with the Christmas Traditions

I've discovered the secret to decorating with toddlers...
Height.
You haftah keep everything on a level that is unimaginable for them. So I have a beautifully festive top to the kitchen..complete with lights and signs and flowers and garland. I'm actually quite proud of myself considering half of my decorations haven't come out because the firstborn hasn't proven she's trustworthy. We've suffered a few casualties...one santa that had the string broke and a present that was unwrapped in .3 of a second. So nothing terrible or completely bad. Matt and I decorated the tree while the miracle of both of them napping at the same time was occurring. Was a nice surprise for her when she woke up, Grady didn't really care.

We also took in a few Christmas parties last weekend. The first was the GRE party, which I wish we could have spent more time at. They celebrated at the Heritage Center and not only could you go through the exhibits but they had Santa, activities, dinner, and presents for the kids. Eleanor was so cute as she ran up to my mom when she got there and was still running when Matt and I left for my Commerce Christmas party at the bowling alley. Mom and Alaina took the kids home when they were done, gave them a bath, and put them to bed.

We also did another Christmas tradition... we went to visit Santa at the Mall! Last year she did so well... all smiles and happy, this year we were a bit more on the fence. Grady did great, couldn't have cared less. Eleanor didn't cry but she wasn't too sure about the whole thing. We also picked out their ornaments or I should say, gave them the choice from my and Matt's selections. Eleanor chose Matt's pick this year and Grady chose the one that both Matt and I liked.

 To continue with traditions, we did our movie night tradition. This is where we get together with Mom, Dad, and Alaina and the boys go to a movie at the theater and the girls stay home and watch a Christmas movie. In the past, I've had the tradition of taking my Grandma Dar out for a show and dinner, but it has gotten very difficult so I was happy she felt she could take part of the activity at our house. So we had pizza and appetizers, sent the guys out, put both kids to bed and watched Christmas in Connecticut.

The last tradition that we did for the week is one of my favorites... Light Night. We first have Nachos Navidad at Taco John's and then go out and look at people's Christmas lights. We have two favorites that we make sure we hit with the littles...Chmielewski's Christmas Corner and Chestnut Lane light show. We also did a drive by the capitol. It's a simple night but something that I look forward to and am excited to share with the kids as they get older.
Best meal: Taco John's supper... silly but special to me... even though Grady sat on the table and snored.

"Elves": Okay, you can go talk to Santa while we get our camera ready.
MJR: Eleanor, let's go talk to Santa
EER invokes deathgrab onto Matt's shirt
ALR puts Grady into Santa's lap: See, Grady likes Santa
EER stares at man in red suit with beard.
ALR: I think we might have a crier.
Santa: It's okay, wouldn't be the first one today.
ALR: Do you get 4 or 5 a day?
Santa laughs: Way more than that.

MJR: Eleanor, do you see the lights?
EER in awe and silence.

PA/NYC: How to have a crab boil...

We started Saturday off right...or should I say with a step to the left and a jump to the right!

At 12:00 AM, we were sitting in Chelsea watching the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Chris told us that he used to watch it and occasionally goes now and then. It's not just a movie, it's an experience. The movie plays on the screen, but underneath, the actors act it out, and then there is an interaction between the character lines of the movie and the audience...like a rapport that is in constant cadence. It was like sensory overload. I'd heard about it before and Matt had as well as his mother used to go to it when she was young and wild. 

It was super fun. An experience that I won't forget. We watched the V's do the O's to start off with and we even did the time warp dance right there in the theater. Chris has all the lines down and it was fun to watch some of them play out in timing. 

The movie ended at 2:30, from there Chris took us to Pyramid, which is a little club with not much to offer but a dance floor with lighting and some great 80's music. Matt and I went and took in the scene for a bit. Wasn't your standard NYC night club, but then again, I'm not sure where the stereotypes are built. At a little after 3, we figured we better get back, especially if we wanted to get back to Judy's at a decent time. 

So we went back to Hotel 17, crashed for a couple hours...woke up at 8. And went out in search of New York bagels. Wasn't the best experience but we ended up enjoying them on the church steps outside of the Guatemalan consulate. We headed back to Penn Station, in the rain. I had to get my I heart NY t-shirt, because how else can you be a cool tourist?

We made our train, found our car, got back on the Jersey Turnpike and made our way back to Judy's. We were in New York for barely 24 hours and attempted to take in a week's worth of memories. I don't think we did too bad.

That night we were in for a real treat, Judy put together a crab boil for us. It was amazing. Matt had told me about it before but it was way better than I expected. This may have been my favorite meal of the trip because of the thought that Judy put into it as well as how well it tasted. Along with crab, there was shrimp, corn, pototoes and seasoning. I stuffed myself silly. I was in good company. Judy had Grandpa Dave, Matt's Aunt Dileen, and her three boys over to enjoy as well. This was a good thing because Judy made enough for an entire army!

After dinner, Matt and Joey attempted to fly Judy's kites...a beautiful Butterfly with frills and an see-through real Pegasus kite. They didn't have much luck! We also played croquette. I think I can say, overall I was a consistent winner. I won the first game and got second on the following games. Was fun to play out in the beautiful weather. 

The night ended around the firepit. Was such a fun day. 

Judy to Patrick: You need to go through this book and look for the crab boil recipe.
ALR watching.
Judy: Oh, I knew I should have found it ahead of time!
Pat goes through pages.
Judy looks up worried.
Pat: It's not in this book.
Judy look up worried: Well look in the back of it!
ALR: Yeah, Matt wants a copy of it too when we find it.
Judy looks at Pat: You better find that recipe, Matt's bigger than you are!
Outside door opens.
MJR's voice: Need any help?
Pat: Here it is!
Judy: Lucky for you!!!
ALR laughs

MJR: I don't get it?

PA/NYC: How to stay overnight in Manhattan...

Friday morning we woke up with the slightest plan...do get to New Jersey, take the train to NY, and figure it out from there. So after a little breakfast, we headed north.

With little issues, we ended up in Penn Station, which was the first insight of how the city lived...crowded, rushed, and impatient. We got there a little after 1 and couldn't believe the amount of comings and goings happening. We came out at Madison Square Garden.

We stopped immediately enjoyed a NY pretzel with mustard and salt. We started our walk. We walked on Fashion Avenue and it was everything I could do to not stare at the buildings and the sights. I know that's the dead giveaway for everything touristy. Matt got his bearings where he was at and we decided to live out our own personal "Don Draper" and took a walk on Madison Avenue where advertising really took hold. 

To get our bearings and get out of the rain, I had Matt and I stop at the Belgian Beer Cafe. Was a beautiful restaurant with great lights and ceilings. We ordered a couple drinks and I could resist some oysters. Matt had a Belgium beer, Palm and I had a cherry beer called Boon Kriek, a Cherry Lambic, that was amazing.

We got on the subway and headed south, we each had a plan in mind. When I found out we were close to the Brooklyn Bridge, that became mine but Matt's plan was the Merrill Lynch, Charging Bull. After a bit of a walk, I got to my goal first. We didn't get on the bridge, but instead walked under it.

Next stop was the Bull, which wasn't too far of a walk from the bridge. When we got there, it was a mad house! The whole bull was covered in people and cameras. We thought it may be more of an opportune time to enjoy a late lunch and had pizza at Georgio's. Two slices with a stromboli on the side.

After eating, we headed back to bull, which had gotten better but still needed to be supervised by law enforcement who had to yell at individuals for climbing on the bull. It was unorganized chaos and we eventually had to force our way in one way or another. And to think, each end was equally busy. I knew Matt was getting frustrated with the crowd but I convinced him to be patient.

We headed off to Battery Park to see Lady Liberty. We had barely sat down on a bench when Matt said, wouldn't it be cool to go on the Ferry over? I said, let's do it. We had enough time left in the day to take the Statue in even though I wanted to see both her and Ellis Island.

As we got away from Manhattan, it was amazing to see the city skyline. We saw the Freedom Tower standing proud as well as the Empire State Building. Matt couldn't believe her size and thought she'd be bigger but she did look beautiful.

We circled her once, Matt read the signage, I snapped as many pictures of her as I could. He then was quick to point out that I wasn't taking full advantage of the educational opportunities that were before me.

The whole experience was surreal. We were in NYC and wandering about Liberty Island. For REAL! We did have to make a stop in the gift store before going back to Manhattan. Next time, I do want to take in Ellis Island's tour and experience.

When we got back Matt decided it was time to see another landmark, one of significant TV importance...the friends house! We went into Greenwich and managed to find it and a bunch of fun shops and restaurants. I could have taken more time to explore but we had set up a time to meet Chris Cooper, a friend of Judy's who had agreed to take us out to dinner and visit more about the city. We took our first NYC cab trip, nothing like feeling like a real local. We met with Chris, who had shown Matt around on the previous trip and has been living in New York for many years, working in the fashion industry. He took us up to his rooftop which has become a personal art gallery as well as another way to see the city. Was fun to see the things that he'd created among the rooftops, construction projects, and skyscrapers. 

He got us checked into a hotel, Hotel 17. Which was a bit more than we'd planned and when we saw what we were getting, we realized that Manhattan prices are a thing of their own. The place was interesting and makes for a great story for sure. The room had 2 beds (full and single) pushed against the wall, a small tv, a night stand, and a sink. The bathroom was across the hall....and communal. 

Chris took us to Odessa's for dinner, which is a true NYC diner. Matt took in the Kielbasa with sauerkraut and four pirogies with applesauce. The pirogies were fried, which was different for us. I had the chicken caesar wrap and fries. The meal was great and was fun to take in the local atmosphere.

We split ways with Chris for a little bit, we had to run to pick up overnight items and take in a drink at Mumbles, just down for the restaurant. We also managed to stop in a little thrift store...we walked away with a wool coat for me and a tie for Matt. They are wonderfully hideous.

In a New York Neighborhood, on the corner of 10th.
Chris: Your staying the night, right?
ALR: We hadn't talked about it
Chris: I found you a little place down the street, good rate!
MJR: I think we could.
ALR: We didn't bring anything...this is all we have on us.
MJR: We've never stayed in New York before.
ALR: You need to call Judy.
MJR: We'll stay.
ALR: We need to go pick up hairspray, contact solution and case, and deodorant.

Piles, Cans, and Candles

Another week and it’s becoming fall. Plus we created a pile this past week. We didn't. Matt, Mom and Dad did. A huge heaping stinking pile. Of corn confetti. Worst punishment ever. Matt handled it better than I may have. So glad to be done with that craptastic fun.

Wanted to share that my canning which has ranged more diverse this year than most with various jellys, jams, sauces, and even a soup has become noticed. I took 1st place in my work competition in the “other” category with my Beet Syrup, which actually was supposed to be Beet Jelly but it didn’t set up. It’s my story and it’s my secret, so shhhh, lemons, lemonaid and all that good stuff. But I also achieved Best in Show for a tie with Peach Rosemary jelly. I think my win may have been bigger because she didn’t even win her individual category.

Other things that have been happening. Hmmm….yeah, we haven’t been selling our house. Sigh. It’s completely heartbreaking and disappointing. I feel like I’m pushing sand up a hill. We just want the houses to get their stuff in order and it keeps compiling and building and it’s yucky and then people ask how it’s going and I feel like imploding because telling them won’t change anything. At. All. 

We celebrated my 31st birthday. Now I’m old like Matt.

I actually spent it in Dickinson. I had the nicest morning….woke up and Shantelle and Rick made me breakfast and lattes and we had the nicest conversation. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. From there I went in to help my scentsy director with a vendor show she organized. It was SUPER busy but it was fun to see individuals and help them get set up. I thought we worked well together and may do it again in the future! I headed home and had supper with my family. The next day, Matt and I spent the day together. It was very nice, we went through the Parade of Homes in Bismarck, which was a fun new thing for us experience and talk about things we liked and didn’t. We also went out for dinner and took in dinner. It was nice to forget about our frustration with real estate and title companies and buyers and sellers and banks and Williston and Dickinson. 

Best meal: This is hard...my birthday breakfast with R&P or my birthday steak and salad with my family or MacKenzie River pizza with Matt who encouraged me to get a S'mores martini. 

MJR: Do you think we'll have a house like this someday?
ALR: No!
MJR: Are you doubting my earning abilities?
ALR: No, I'm doubting we're ever going to want to get involved in real estate transactions again after this mess.

Dear my BFF-Matt,

It happened again. They took away my fun. I brought home a beautiful gift for them, since you told me that my time is coming to a close with grandma and grandpa. Since they didn’t like the rabbit that I showed them, I thought I’d try the absolute opposite, a snake. Now the rule, “I can do whatever I want at Grandma’s” is out the window, like they forgot that they ever said it. 

And to think I’ve been called ungrateful. 

Love your bestie, Nike

p.s. tell the orange one and that other one to eat dirt.

A shot from our anniversary shoot.