We survived January!!  

I actually think January’s have gotten easier for me to handle or I just have more realistic expectations. :)

We got to enjoy lots of snow this month. 


Sledding


snow fort building



And Paul stepped in to help Macey build and after a few nights work him and Macey had the coolest igloo on the block.


and we course had many outings to get us out of the house and some more space to run around.  Getting out in the winter is how I survive.  

Dinosaur Museum

Moana (again)! And this goes on record as the first movie Ruby has made it through.  It was a small miracle.  

I checked the kids out early and went to the Children’s Museum. It was empty and wonderful.


Puppy Barn


Too many trips to the toys at the mall ( we are desperate for free places to run around). And Ruby, loves to kiss all the frogs there. :)


At Menchies Miles showed off his fact family and story map skills. 


And the best date night of the month was an outing with the Lake Jackson Crew to Chom Burger and a deserted nickel arcade.  

The biggest hit this month was a box that our new chair for the living came in.  

We kept it for a week at least and it was constantly in use. 

Crew and Ruby call each other best friends and it makes my mama heart about burst.  They love to take turns pushing each other in the shopping cart.  Ruby pushes one way, then she says to Crew, “your turn!” And Crew hops out of the cart to let Ruby climb in and they repeat over and over again.  


Most things that come out of Ruby’s mouth are very entertaining these days.  She’s full of advice too. From telling me not to poop while in the shower, to telling me not to lick the floor before she cleans it, and constantly telling us we are sick and need to visit “Dr. Ruby’s room”.  



She also knows all the lyrics to the Frozen soundtrack.  

And this kid is about as cute as they come (still).  

I got a new wallet and Crew quickly took possession of my old one and didn’t put it down for at least a week.  

Killing it at his Karate Show Case.  

We are in full swing with OT.  It has been much more difficult than I anticipated.  A few of my favorite quotes from his therapist: ”You must be tired”,  ”I can’t wait to hear what his psychologist thinks”, “how do you do homework with him?”, and “You are in this for long haul”.  :)  

Now you might be thinking about now, “Wow, Kelsey is really killing it.  She rocked January.  How does she manage these crazy kids and still look so good?” 


I will tell you the secret to my success this month…I hired a nanny for a few days each week.  

It’s the beautiful blonde in this pic. 

It allowed me to do so many things I’ve been putting off, without taking advantage of my friends to watch my kids and ease my guilt. 

I went to the dentist for the first time in 6 years and then got my cavities filled, all with no stress of how my kids were behaving or that it was taking much longer than I anticipated. I got a facial! I went to parent teacher conferences kid free.   Got to go to Miles’ OT appointments without the stress of juggling the other kids. Went to the eye doctor and got my first pair of glasses since 2010.  I did TONS of PTA stuff. Got to go to lunch kid free a few times.

And with Katie’s help kids have gotten bathed in a timely manner, Miles’ homework has gotten done, house has been kept clean, and I got dinner on the table most days this month! We will miss Katie when she leaves on her mission next week.  

Don’t worry, it’s still chaotic around here. 

I’ve just been able to handle it a little better.