Alaska Part 1

I've been on a few trips with Matt while he's working. We've done conferences in Philly, Seattle, Alexandria, Lincoln, Savannah/Hilton Head.. all where I leached a hotel room and hung out. A lot of times I would bring a computer and remote and we'd take in some sights or do some things but he has never been on a work trip with me... until Alaska. 

Alaska has never been in our top consideration list but it's also a place that if given the opportunity we weren't going to say no. Let's break it down into two parts... the part while Amanda worked and the part when the conference was over. 

We took off on Saturday morning. Timing wasn't ideal... it's the day after G's birthday and the kids have only had two days of school under their belt. Michele came and stayed with and we relayed the schedule as we know it. Our flight was delayed upon boarding and we had some trouble getting off the ground, which resulted in a run when we arrived. I took off first and I felt my age and my shin splints upon arriving to hear final boarding call. It was a long flight but we got into Alaska in the afternoon and had lunch or supper or something because we were starving! We split salmon tacos, I had a seafood chowder and a salmon ceasar. Matt had a seafood scampi. From their we took a stroll around. The weather was rain-y but much more temperate than I had planned for. 

We took in the waterfront and some of the downtown scene. It's high tourist season so places were incredibly busy. We picked up things for the kids but I was unprepared for three things upon deeper review. 1. The art scene... I'm referring to the art houses, studios, and galleries but also to the murals that covered any space available in the city. The style was everything and sometimes it related to Alaska and sometimes it didn't it was fascinating. 

2. The florals. There were flowers everywhere. Native grasses decorated the landscape and flowers were trickled in to give more vibrancy. I was even happy to see the toadstools, which I never would have guessed.

3. The homeless. They covered the downtown area, created compounds, and were aggressive. I would have assumed the weather would have created a deterrent but upon discussions with locals - these are individuals that have been "banished" from their villages/tribes and relocate to Anchorage because they have no other place to go. Substance and mental health also contributed to the stability of this population.

We crashed pretty early and easy but woke up ready to go the next morning... actually moving around before much of the downtown did. We hit Alaska Crepery... Matt did an Alaska Reindeer Crepe, I did a smoked salmon and we split a nutella and banana. It was fantastic. From there, we walked the coastal trail - it got a little away from us and after a 5 mile walk, we made our way back to city center. We found a little co-op of sorts that shared space between a smoothie shop, coffee house, plant stand, bakery and bodega. Super cool. 

By this time, the Alaska Museum had opened. This facility covered the history, heritage, and art of Alaska. Additionally, there was some interaction pieces. I wish we would have started in more of the Alaska wing as we began to press time and sailed quickly through that. We stopped at Humpy's. I had halibut fish tacos, Matt had a crab patty. We both loved the beer. They had a Turnaround Raspberry Lambic and then Matt tried a few Belgians that made him swoon.

We headed back for my conference and Matt hung out before day drinking with Wendy (my boss's wife, who also made the journey). The two of them had a great time - which wasn't a shock at all to me. They went golfing on Wednesday together too with another spouse from TN. Matt's main objective was to golf in Alaska - it's the best course in the state (Moose Run) and he said it did not disappoint. The weather worked out well for him too and held until they were done. 

Arik (my boss) and I went to the banquet and I went with Matt and Wendy afterward to Club Paris - for the best steak of their lives, or so the barber at the hotel told Matt. Matt said it was a good steak but .... it may have been a bit oversold. I enjoyed the company and snuck pieces of the homemade bread which was fantastic. 

The conference closed out the following day. This is basically a peer-group of state chambers who are sharing best practices and discussing trends. Last year was a totally different conference and I walked away totally shocked and felt like I finally understood my role a little differently. This time I felt a bit dizzy with being overwhelmed. So many good ideas and so many shops doing a lot of fun things but we have a small team at work and it's hard to dig in in the same way these big shops are. 

Farm, Side by Side, Swimming, Leg Session

 A bit of odds and ends now with Ains's birthday and butchering over. I finally got my bench seat in this past week. After a good year-end review at work last year, Matt and I decided that I would have a little work done on the house to reward myself. The entry way coming in from the garage is a cluster and as the kids get bigger, so do their shoes, and coats, and that room doesn't. So we put a bench in to put on shoes and store shoes underneath. I had our construction guy put in a shoe rack and Matt also had him put in attic access. It wasn't the best experience with the contractor BUT it's finished, it's functional, and it's amazing how the space opens up. 

Saturday and Sunday were catch-up days. Saturday we cleaned house and calmed down from the week and Sunday we headed out to the Farm. The kids were excited to see the baby calves and the weather has been so nice that I know they were bucking and moving around. I am fully aware that I am and have city children upon arriving. Eleanor smelled the farm smell and wasn't impressed by it and when I asked Grady if he wanted to see the cows, he said, no. BUT did ask if the side by side was there for rides! Ainsey didn't care much when the side by side picked up speed....she pulled her stocking cap over her face! E and G did like the haybales though! As they get older I'll be curious to watch them get more involved or vested in things, ask questions and what not. We even watched them play a bit outside... they thought they were so funny trying to move one of Grandpa's haybales!

Swimming lessons are ongoing. Depending on the day, they are doing really well. E had a rough session last year but has really gotten comfortable with her teacher and the water. G is an overzealous kicker but he was awful cute the first time that we went swimming. He and I got into the changing room and he kind of made this squeel giggle... "Mama, I'm so excited!" He has often gotten shafted or shifted out of things and for him to really enjoy and be proud of his ability to go, that made me happy. His class has a lot of boys and he and another tend to splash on the side pretty regularly. Nights after swimming tend to be good sleeping nights. 

Work has been crazy. I've been up to the capitol a few times. I've stumbled a bit on my testifying. I've had softball bills and work more on the membership information, champion pieces, and writing testimony but it's good for me to speak. Matt has got the cadence down so well... name, organization, testimony and then when the time for addressing comes, he always remembers the cadence. Dumb me forgets. I've watched hours of hearings but can't seem to remember all the pieces at play. 

EER: Grandma! I got you a Flower for your birthday!!

Butchering, Haircuts, Potty Charts, and Dress Up

Depending on who you were... it was a big week. 

For Matt - he got to sharpen his knives again and it was his favorite time of year - pig butchering. Don't get me wrong he liked cow butchering earlier but pig butchering is not just cutting up or breaking down. It's about the bacons, the ribs, the sausage, the brats - it's a culmination of dreams and wonderfulness and Matt's been planning on it since he did the last pig. I was just there to sample things as we went. Wes was there this year - he appears to be angling for Matt's apprenticeship position and I'm not sure who is more excited about it. 

If you were Ainsley... it was a big week because she got her first haircut. Candy said she sat really well. It wasn't too much past a trim but it was her very first. I've always had a hard time with the first cut because that's the hair that they came with. Call me silly, like Matt does, but it's the last thing that connects them to the womb in my mind. E had this bright red hair, G's was so soft, and Ains's was this dark tuff. 

For Grady - we filled out all of our potty chart! All of it! He's done so well and I'm proud of him - there have been so few accidents. Maybe 1 or 2, not enough to remember. Because he got the chart all filled up, he got his very own Woody - which matches his Buzz. We will work now on no accidents at night - he's in undies full time and pull ups at night but he's doing amazing there too - I hate to jinx it. 

Past testifying at the capitol again, this time for a tax bill the rest of the week was lowkey. We've had some snow so we invited Wes and Kristi over to sled down our hill - unfortunately it wasn't enough snow and they ended up playing more in the ice. Ainsey wasn't not impressed. 

So, a little cleaning, a little fun, a little dress up - which always brings a smile to my face. 

The one with the screening, undies, and k registration

We are two weeks into the new year. The weather has been beautiful. This past weekend was a bit slow. Numbers are going down for COVID counts and the statewide mask mandate is expiring soon. I'm not sure that it's right but I guess we will see in 2 weeks or a months time. 

Ainsley had her Right Track screening this week and with a month to go before she turns two - she did great. Mastery of all but two areas with no concerns. Wendy, our screener commented how clear she speaks and how deliberate she is. We have been noticing it too. Her and I were alone playing this past weekend and I watched her take a shape toy, one that stacks, and work it until she had it right. I could see her little mind working away as she shifted pieces - taking them off and removing them - putting them back on. She's had a knack with puzzles too lately but it was fun to watch her work. She's also been starting to parrot counting, along with her regular things. She's still so tiny but watching her grow up has been so nice. I know it will all hit me one day and I will realize that my baby is slipping away but she's full of so much.

In terms of growing up, we hit a big milestone this weekend. I registered E for kindergarten. We've been having a lot of talks - is this right? Is she ready? She works with words and shapes and sounds and numbers and she's a sponge for all things learning. I think we are struggling with our excitement or fear of missing out sometimes but I think we have good momentum for realizing that she can do great things in the world. 

G has been doing amazing with his undies. I feel like we've come around the corner and are in the final stretch. Yes, we have to remind him regularly but we aren't have accidents like I anticipated us to have. We are even waking up dry. I'm not ready to pull the trigger yet on night time BUT this is a great pace. He's working on his sticker chart for reward and I feel like maybe our diaper days are numbered. Ains isn't getting any better but she's not any worse so that's progress. 

We kept busy this weekend. We went for a walk with the wagon. We filled the bird feeders. we had to

straighten up the yard a bit after gale force winds from the week. There were gusts over 100mph. The kids' playhouse in the back was knocked over. Matt thinks there may be some damage - plastic roof, awning but all in all, I think we'll come out of it ok. We also worked on some inside things - straightening the house up - cleaning closets, organizing life. Matt was pretty excited to find hockey jerseys that he bought the kids a million years ago. E asked if Ains's was a dress!

Matt also had beat me to the capitol - Session is in and I've been watching the live stream (thanks covid) but he was the first to testify. He did a great job - no questions. We don't expect to get that lucky when he's back in a week or two. Session is hard for him but I also know that he secretly enjoys the cogs and parts of the whole thing. 

EER and GRR are playing quietly in the kitchen. 
Very quietly.
Lola comes up the stairs nonchalantly. 
Lola sees EER.
Hesitation registers across her as she's unsure if she should go back downstairs OR continue on her path.
EER sees Lola.
EER bolts down to grabs her.
Lola does a double step as she determines her path. 
Lola gets away.
EER looks at ALR who is looking at her.
EER: I was going to pet her.
ALR ohh, I see.
Twenty minutes later, EER walks by cradling a irritated Lola in her arms. 

Capitol, COVID, Campfire

So one of my absolute favorite things to do right now is to load up the kids, their bikes and helmets, Ains's stroller and head up to the capitol. They have been riding like crazy at home but the trails around the capitol are wider and have some hill to them so they can glide a bit. Both kids listen so well and it feels good to get out. They like seeing the capitol and the statues and flowers and it's usually pretty empty. We go and my heart feels good like all the things going on in the world right now don't matter that it doesn't impact us - which I know is super silly but in that moment it's all good.

Summer is fully sinking in - the weather is warming, the garden is growing (despite the handling and help from my people), I started back to work on the 1st. I don't love it. Despite not having a place to really work - I loved being home, punching things out, and getting things ready for when people came home. I could work on the meal, I could make beds, the days just seemed to fly by. It also helps that I couldn't keep my hat on straight and was busy af. Between message crafting, website updating, event working, graphics, the days were crazy. I will admit I'm sick of teams meetings but I have a feeling I'm not alone in that shoe. I've worked crazy dumb hours in other jobs before but I did like the work I was doing. The twitch in my eye is almost gone too so that's positive.

Another sign of summer - we had a campfire. The kids were on cloud nine. We had prepped them before and they were excited to tell daycare and excited to help Dad collect sticks and they were excited about the idea of smores. Ains had her very first smore. I would think she would deem it a success. E loved every bit of it and Grady thought it was great until it wasn't and handed the sticky mess to me and wandered off.

We have had a few rough nights with the kids. With the longer hours of sunlight, E & G are not interested in going to sleep at all. They will screw around in their beds, with each other, with their stuff. Drive me crazy. We have put a darkening shade in their room, we'll see how that goes. I don't love it as I like the natural light coming through their white blind but I can't have them up until 9:30 every night - even for my own sanity, I want an hour to myself! Ains is working on molars and it seems that it's killing us. We are up for hours. HOURS. Once this week we were up from 12 Am - 4 Am. I love the girl but I need some sleep. I'm hoping we catch a break soon.

MJR is bringing all three home from daycare at the end of the day.
Previous event of note, MJR and ALR had lunch out together to commiserate a tough night of teething.
EER: Dad, where did you get that glass?
MJR: What glass?
EER: And those napkins?
MJR: I don't know.
EER: Did you go to Burger Kings?
MJR: No - I didn't go to Burger King.
(Editor note: It was McDonalds)
EER: Are you sure you didn't go to Burger Kings!?